Yesterday morning my parents and I went to urgent care in St. Louis Park early in the morning to reduce the risk of waiting a long time. After being brought into the exam room, I felt kind of bad for the nurse because I’m sure my patient chart must be like 3 inches thick.

My main concerns were

  • Mouth sore and potential infection
  • Left lymph node slightly swollen and tender
  • Hemorrhoids and potential infection

The nurse did a FULL exam which was a literal pain in the butt. Just to be sure, my dad asked them to do a full blood test and EKG since my lymph node was causing me issue. I’m not really sure how the two are related but I complied to having more tests done on me.

A lady came in with a cart and attached stickers all over my body then attached cables to the stickers. The test only lasted a few seconds. It took longer for me to rip the stickers off my arm and leg hair than it did to perform it.

Final results were that my EKG looked normal and blood tests showed low white blood cell count which was expected. The nurse prescribed me hydrocortisone and magic mouthwash and said that if my lymphnodes are still hurting the next day, reach out to Mayo since they’re not really equipped to deal with my litany of issues.

I’m a little disappointed I can only use the hydrocortisone and magic mouthwash just twice a day. The mouthwash only numbs my mouth for about half an hour which only provides temporary relief. I wish there was a certain dentist I might personally know that could apply debacterol which is sulfonic acid that burns your nerve endings and numbs the applied area until it fully heals but hurts like crazy for just a minute. Only dentists can use this and you can’t get it over the counter. I just don’t know how my body’s cells will deal with that kind of damage.

Just to complain a little bit. Everything fricking hurts. I have 2 mouth sores, walking/sitting hurts, I got dizzy showering last night because my butt hurt so bad, chest and back hurt from “normal” cancer related pain…ugh my body is just stupid right now.

K I’m done. Just a side note, I hope people aren’t walking on eggshells when they’re talking with me. Sure I have CANCER and all the “fun” stuff that it comes with but it doesn’t diminish anything you’re going through in your life. It’s not a competition and I don’t sit here comparing how bad I have it with anyone else. If you want to chat with me and bitch about something going on in your life, I’m ready to listen.

Joanna came over to hang out and brought Battleship to play. At first I was pretty confident in my strategy but of course, Joanna has to be good at EVERYTHING and won.

We’re almost done with Westworld season 2, just an episode and a half left to go and then we can move on to Handmaid’s Tale season 2.

At dinner, my head was feeling cold so I put on the University of Minnesota hat the analytics department at Carlson sent me in a goodie bag. Dad and Jonathan also put theirs on to show their support.

2 replies
  1. Daniel Killman
    Daniel Killman says:

    By way of being a friend of Beth Rainer Howell for several decades, I’ve been honored to share your journey for a few weeks now. Sincerely, the honor is indeed mine. There hasn’t been a day in which you have not been in my morning prayers since learning of this. I also placed you on the prayer list of a group here (Nashville, TN) which I do not even meet with personally, but which I know to be made up of wonderful people whom I respect and love. … My heart is with you, Andrew, and I’m sending all the positive energy I can in your direction. You amaze me, my young man, and I love you as my own son. … Sincerely, Dan Killman

  2. Bea Crane
    Bea Crane says:

    You three boys look adorable with your matching hats!! 😄 Just sayin’!!
    Sending prayers 🙏 and love ❤️!

    BIG HUGS,
    Bea

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