Met with the chemo doc today. She's technically a medical oncologist or a hematology/oncology specialist, but a doctor nonetheless. Her preferred regimen for me is the same as what her counterpart in AR described to me. That means I'll go in twice a month for bloodwork, nausea meds and 3-4 hours with an IV drip. I'll be sent home with a 48 hour infusion pump on my person, then return to have the pump unhooked when it's empty... until the next round. (Skipping possible side effects for now. Will wait and see? Maybe I'll catch some luck there.)

I didn't really get the explanation I wanted to make it clear why it must be bolus (megadose) vs 24/7 infusion for all of the FOLFOX cocktail. It's apparently just the way they do it, everywhere. The chemo doc was a bit concerned that I'm starting so long after surgery. Tell me something I didn't already know. That's a big part of my frustration with all the freakin delays on the takedown. But, we're starting it and that's the main thing.

Anyway, the chemo doc wants to see me two weeks after my takedown surgery, on May 9th. We have tentatively scheduled my first chemo session for that day, if I'm recovered enough and ready. If not, we'll postpone a week.

Good news is...
- I saw the chemo 'theater', ie where all the comfy recliners are. There's a decent view out the windows, a few floors off the ground with a little bit of wildlife to watch in the brush outside, and a busy intersection in the distance to observe too.
- They have cable piped into an individual plasma screen if I want to watch TV, and a very nice and capable nurse who will tend me says the place is a wi-fi hotspot. So, I'll take my loaded wireless laptop, a nice blankie, and I should be set.
- Although the AR chemo doc alluded to 6 months of chemo, he apparently included the suggested two month waiting period after the big surgery. SO, it will actually be only 4 months, 8 treatments total. (Should be done well before the holidays!! *grin*)
- The port-a-cath on my shoulder, which was installed for the pre-surgery chemo and hasn't been accessed since mid-November, still works great. They were afraid today that it wouldn't due to clots or something so they tested it and Voila! Flowed like new.

Another surgery, effects of altered plumbing, chemo... I ain't sayin' it's gonna be fun, but before long, it should be DONE.