North Cypress Medical Center

North Cypress Medical Center Category

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Zometa Infusion #7

Got my 7th Zometa infusion earlier today, Mom was not with me as Dad had his 2nd rotator cuff surgery on Tuesday and she needs to be with him.

* Number 1 was at Burzynski Clinic. It hit me hard…
* Number 2 was at North Cypress Ambulatory Infusion Clinic. Thank goodness the 2nd infusion was not that bad…
* Number 3 was at North Cypress Ambulatory Infusion Clinic. Again, it was not that bad!
* Number 4 was at North Cypress Ambulatory Infusion Clinic. Again, it was not that bad!
* Number 5 was at North Cypress Ambulatory Infusion Clinic. Again, it was not that bad, just tiring
* Number 6 was at North Cypress Ambulatory Infusion Clinic. Again, it was not that bad, just tiring

And, today, Number 7 was at North Cypress Ambulatory Infusion Clinic. So far it has not been bad, just tiring.

Telia, one of the nurses, took a couple of photos. Not as many as Mom takes though, which will make it much easier to edit through.

I didn’t cry this time, but I am tired…

I saw Marvin, a gentleman I met last time. He is undergoing chemo for colon cancer. He’s a very nice man and we talked for a bit. He is going through some personal issues related to his cancer and treatment. This disease cancer touches – damages – so many parts of our lives. It sucks.

I also had the blood drawn for my monthly lab work, my tumor markers… Should get those results early next week. HOPING they continue to show improvement!

The TOTAL of my charges – receiving the Zometa, compounding the Zometa for infusion, infusion procedure utilizing my port AND the necessary bloodwork to access my levels and tumor markers was $320.00. Plus $15 each for the 5 blood tests. Again, out of the fund. My dwindling fund…

Thanks to North Cypress Medical Center, Ambulatory Infusion Therapy Center Nurses for their kindness!

I went to Christine & Rob’s and had dinner and hung out. We played games, then I came home and fixing to go crash.

To overview:

ZOMETA is (also) used to treat patients with other cancers—including breast‚ lung and prostate cancer—that have spread to the bones‚ a process called bone metastasis. When cancer has spread to the bone‚ treatment with ZOMETA helps to protect bones and may reduce or delay such complications as:
* Bone fracture
* Need for radiation and/or surgery to bone
* Spinal cord compression

Posted in Gene Therapy Drugs, Gene Therapy Regime, North Cypress Medical Center - Infusion Therapy Center, Nurses, Tests | 2 Comments »

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Zometa Infusion #6 Today

Got my 6th Zometa infusion earlier today, Mom was with me.

Number 1 was at Burzynski Clinic. It hit me hard…
Number 2 was at North Cypress Ambulatory Infusion Clinic. Thank goodness the 2nd infusion was not that bad…
Number 3 was at North Cypress Ambulatory Infusion Clinic. Again, it was not that bad!
Number 4 was at North Cypress Ambulatory Infusion Clinic. Again, it was not that bad!
Number 5 was at North Cypress Ambulatory Infusion Clinic. Again, it was not that bad, just tiring

And, again, Number 6 was at North Cypress Ambulatory Infusion Clinic, so far is not bad, just tiring.

This time I had Mom take a a photo of the infusion needle – I didn’t look at it though.

I didn’t cry this time, but I am tired… how do people do this for years?

I also had the blood drawn for my monthly lab work, my tumor markers… Should get those results early next week. HOPING they continue to show improvement!

Thanks to North Cypress Medical Center, Ambulatory Infusion Therapy Center Nurses for their kindness!

When we got home, I just kinda hung out cuz I knew my joints and muscles would be aching “soon”…

To overview:

Posted in Gene Therapy Regime, Mom, North Cypress Medical Center - Infusion Therapy Center, Nurses, tired | 1 Comment »

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

Zometa Infusion #5

Got my 5th Zometa infusion yesterday, Mom was with me.

And, again, Number 5 was at North Cypress Ambulatory Infusion Clinic, again – wasn’t bad.

This time I did NOT look at the infusion needle – since it kinda freaked me out last time.

I cried a little bit… again. Just so tired of this all.

I also had the blood drawn for my monthly lab work, my tumor markers… Should get those results early next week. HOPING they continue to show improvement!

Thanks to North Cypress Medical Center, Ambulatory Infusion Therapy Center Nurses for their kindness!

After the infusion, Mom and I ran to Sam’s for a brief shopping, but then home cuz I wasn’t feeling well.

When we got home, I went to bed cuz I was achy. I didn’t sleep too well, had another weird dream and my joints and muscles are hurting.

Mom took photos at the infusion, I’ll get them posted later.

To overview:

Posted in Gene Therapy Drugs, Gene Therapy Regime, North Cypress Medical Center - Infusion Therapy Center, Special People | 1 Comment »

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Changes in Meds – Xeloda

As part of my “Case Management” at the Burzynski Clinic, I get a weekly “touch-base” phone call from Dr. Khan, a nice young fellow. We discuss what is going on with me – my drug reactions, how I’m feeling and the status of any upcoming tests.

Then he goes and coordinates with Dr. Deleon, and lets me know if any changes need to be made. So far no changes. Until yesterday.

Because of the trouble I’m having with my toenails separating from the nailbeds, Dr. Deleon has changed my Xeloda regime from 2 weeks on/1 week off to 1 week on/1 week off.

They also want me to increase my blood testing schedule, since some of my reactions may be due to electrolyte imbalances. But I’m waiting for billing from the North Cypress Medical Center Laboratory Services for the last blood work I had done, so I can pay… Guess I should call and see what the deal is cuz I don’t want to be denied treatment.

It’s difficult to keep everything straight, and at the end of each day I’m So Dang Tired, I just want to crawl into bed… Stress, depression and reactions to my treatment contribute to this chronic fatigue.

Notes, I need to keep better notes.

Tags: Xeloda

Posted in Burzynski Clinic, Dr. A. Khan, Gene Therapy Drug Reactions, Gene Therapy Drugs, Gene Therapy Regime, North Cypress Medical Center, scared, tired | No Comments »

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

Congratulations, It’s An Infusion!

Today I got my Zometa Infusion! YAY! It was done at North Cypress Medical Center Ambulatory Infusion Therapy Center.

And I Have to say, it was Such a Professional and Uplifting experience!

I was treated with Such Kindness, even though I have no insurance, the staff was Very Generous and Attentive! With my financial situation, I secretly feel like a “beggar” of sorts, but that feeling was minimal today, and was in No Way caused by the Staff of the Infusion center… they were Friendly, Kind and I felt they were Truly Concerned and Cared about me and what I am going through. They took time to sit and talk with me, and To Listen.

The Ladies who took care of me were Patti, Teila, Becky and Sharon. Theye were Awesome! Of course, I’m still dealing with “emotional residue” from the chemo treatments, so whenever a needle comes close to my port, I kinda “fall apart”… not too bad, but I do cry and get emotional. But these Ladies were kind and took it all in stride.

It’s a Tough situation being in, having no insurance, having to ask for assistance… and medical expenses are Very high. But Today I Got A Break.

O.M.G. $315.00!! I Can Actually “Afford” That!!!

Which means that I Can Afford To Continue Treatment!!!

Which Means I Can Afford the Fight To Live!!!!

And they even provided a nice lunch!!

THANK YOU North Cypress Medical Center Ambulatory Infusion Therapy Center!!

I can take a breath and relax… until the next hit.

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Tags: Infusion, Zometa

Posted in appreciation, Emotions, Medical Procedures, North Cypress Medical Center - Infusion Therapy Center, Nurses | 5 Comments »

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

Houston, We Have Infusion… kinda, maybe, hopefuly

So… every day is an adventure.

Novartis wasn’t able to ship my Rx of Zometa out until today (Wednesday) for a Friday delivery. So my Thursday appointment had to be rescheduled, because the meds won’t be there. And I was Very concerned since we aren’t working Friday, that the Infusion Center would also be closed, and the delivery – which is Supposed to be refrigerated – would be stuck for 3 days in the heat… But… Thank Goodness, They Are Open and – Pending Delivery – they have rescheduled me for a Friday infusion.

Of course, they are not sure what time UPS will delilver, and I’m still waiting to get tracking information, so I am kinda on “stand-by” for Friday. And since I don’t have a cell phone, I can’t be out running errands that I could be doing, I’ll have to stay at home, close to the phone.

But At Least I’ll Be Getting My Infusion!

I’m Hoping it will help with all the bone pain I have been experiencing for the past couple of weeks…

Tags: Infusion, Novartis, Zometa

Posted in Emotions, frustration, Medical Procedures, North Cypress Medical Center - Infusion Therapy Center, scared, tired | 4 Comments »

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Houston, We Have Infusion!

So I’ve got the final OK – I have found a location to receive my Much Needed and Long Overdue infusion of Zometa! YAY!

Much Needed and Long Overdue by 2 weeks. Two weeks that have past while I was struggling to find a solution to a problem that should NOT have existed.

The location will be North Cypress Medical Center – Ambulatory Infusion Therapy Center. Let’s hope their infusion procedures are better than the PET/CT Scan procedures of the North Cypress Medical Center Imaging Center which – supposedly – are not quite as close to protocol as they should be…

I’ve talked with Novartis Oncology Patient Assistance Program, and they are good to ship my “new” prescription of Zometa directly to the NCMC Infusion Therapy Center Pharmacy, so the Burzynski Clinic will have no handling of the 3 small vials of Zometa, so there SHOULD be no need for any $1500/month charge for “Medicine Management”.

The total infusion charges will now be $310.78 per month (just a little bit higher than originally suggested, but still Much lower than the $1000 at the Burzynski Clinic)… this will include receiving the Zometa, compounding the Zometa for infusion, infusion procedure utilizing my port and storage of the vials.

I am scheduled for this upcoming Thursday – July 02. If it hits me as hard as it did last time, I’m gonna have a helluva July 4th… And since Mom will be in Corpus with Dad, recovering from his surgery, I’ll be doing this one alone… ~sigh~

The “good news” though, is that the extreme symptoms I experienced with my first Zometa infusion were uncommon, and the more common “mild” flu-like symptoms usually occur with first treatment only.

Let’s Hope.

Tags: Infusion, Zometa

Posted in Dr. R. Taylor, Gene Therapy Drugs, hope, Medical Procedures, North Cypress Medical Center, tired | 5 Comments »

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

PET Scan #2 – April 16 2009

Went to take the 2nd PET Scan today. What a difference from the first one – in many ways…

Location:
Houston Medical Imaging
3310 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77098
713.524.9555

Technician: Juliette

It’s really a beautiful building with a nice courtyard and central fountain… someone there is a collector of geodes and rock/mineral formations cuz there were Many of them, especially the Enormous one at the front door. It’s a purple amethyst geode, probably close to 6ft tall. Too bad someone painted the outside green, cuz it looks like a big misshapen pickle…

Anyway, back to the PET Scan
It was $1400, and that was the discounted rate. Wham.

The prep for the procedure itself was much different than the first one at North Cypress Medical Center.

At Houston Medical Imaging, first Theresa, the orderly, put me in a room, sat me in a nice comfy overstuffed recliner, and covered me with a blanket. There was no TV or phone like at North Cypress Medical Center, but I had brought the laptop that Rob was lending me, so that I could Blog, and Mom left her cell phone so I could make calls (she was waiting in an outer waiting room while I was being prepped).

Then the technician, Juliette, came in to administer the trace. We talked a bit as I was prepared for the injection. She was recently expecting, so she could not administer, but she was there making sure everything went as procedure required. When she saw the cell phone, and I asked to plug in the laptop, she looked at me like I was crazy.

What she told me was pretty much as follows:

~This is a very sensitive test, and in order to get accurate results, you need to lie as still as possible, no unnecessary movements, no stimulation – no phone, no laptop, no water, nothing. We will administer the injection, then we will turn off the light and close the door. You will need to relax for the next 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, you will go to the bathroom and empty your bladder, and then you will have the scan run.~

Wow. BIG difference from the first test… could be why it was “subpar”.

The only thing, besides the actual test being performed (of course) that was similar between the 2 scans, was that both places had very nice people. That helps…

So they injected the trace, wrapped me up, turned off the light and closed the door… I quickly realized I was getting cold, so I did call out for more blankets, which were brought, plus an extra one to wrap my cold head. For the next 45 minutes I drifted in and out of a light snooze.

When the time was up, Theresa came to escort me to the Scan Room, and we got it going. I’m not claustrophobic, so I managed to fall asleep a couple times during the scan too.

I hope we get a good read and some good news comes my way. So much bad news lately.

After the scan was complete, Mom and I packed up and I went back to work.

I get the feeling there will be quite a few days like this… medical tests and then back to work. ~sigh~

(Results HERE)

Tags: Houston Medical Imaging, PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan

Posted in Burzynski Clinic, Cancer, hope, North Cypress Medical Center, Nutrition, Tests | 4 Comments »

Friday, March 13th, 2009

PET Scan – Results

Dr Keller FINALLY called with the PET (Positron Emission Tomography ) Scan results today. Seems there was a miscommunication between him and the Radiologist as to who was to contact me. I Would have thought it would be Dr. Keller, since he IS my Dr. But better to get the info late Friday than to have to wait out the weekend.

Despite how I feel cuz of the chemo, it’s not such a bad day for me. According to what Dr. Keller read to us (both me and Mom) from the report, the results show that the cancer has not spread! He said that there was no evidence of the cancer having spread (aka metastasis), that it was all contained within the breast!!! We Are Sooooooo Relieved!!! Now I can get a bit more normal sleep!!!!!

Not all good news – a tad of slightly bad – Dr. Keller did say that there were 2 lymph nodes which look to have some cancer activity. Dr. Keller stated that the chemo should address them, they will most probably be removed when I have my surgery and then be hit with the radiation treatment after surgery. He said that I have been staged at a “Stage 2″. YAY!

The most common areas that breast cancer spreads is the brain, the liver and the bones. With a full year of incorrect treatment for a staph infection, I was Very Scared for a negative result. Seems I dodged a bullet, A Big Bullet, so I can sleep a little easier!! And I Will!!

I may have breast cancer now, but I will be a Survivor.

Cancer Glossary:

https://www.breastcancertreatmentcoach.com/glossary.html

Tags: PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan

Posted in Cancer, Dr. K. Keller, North Cypress Medical Center, Results, Tests | 5 Comments »

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

PET Scan – March 10 2009

Went to take the PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography) today. Technology is So Awesome!

Location:
North Cypress Medical Center
Imaging
21216 Northwest Freeway, Suite 130
Cypress, Texas 77429
832-912-3625

Due to my situation (no insurance), the cost was $700 – I got a discounted rate called “Fee for Service”. Is still a Lot of $$$ for me…

Getting this test done was pretty frustrating. The original appointment was for Friday March 06, but “the machine was down”, so it was rescheduled 3 times until the machine was actually up and running. Finally was set for Wednesday March 10 at 1pm. Mom and I were in the area a bit earlier, so we stopped by to see if they cold take me earlier, and they were able to. However, no one had called from the hospital to remind me NPO after midnight until the test. Good thing I hadn’t eaten/drunk anything after midnight, nor any breakfast. Geez.

I got started about 11:30am…

The prep for the procedure itself was relatively easy. I knew I’d be getting some type of injection of radioactive liquid (called “trace”), then wait about 40 or so minutes, then get the test. Nothing by mouth after midnight the evening before.

I sat in a medical chair and got the shot intravenously, then I was brought to a lead-lined room with a big recliner, a TV and a phone, and was to remain there for the duration to allow the trace to circulate through my body and get to where it needed to get to for the test. Was kinda nice to be able to watch TV in the middle of the day, didn’t use the phone though.< I got a nice warm hospital-type blanket to cover me, and bottled water to drink. I drank 3 bottles, so I was up a couple times to go to the bathroom!

When the time was up, we went to take the test. The machine is like a big tube – kinda sci-fi looking, so I was comfy with that. I’m not claustrophobic, so it didn’t bother me to be enclosed like it was. I think I might have even fallen asleep too.

Everyone was very nice.

Should know something early next week – I hope I get good results!!

(Results HERE)

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