First follow-up appointment since starting chemo

Yesterday was dad's 1st follow-up appointment (1 week out) after starting chemo. Bloodwork confirmed everything looks good. He gained one pound - yippee - exactly what we want and much better than losing weight. All his levels were as expected: high on white cells (because of the neulasta injection which boosts them up high to ward off infections); slightly low on red cells and platelets - caused by chemo but well above the problem level. Everything points towards him being strong and healthy enough to continue with the next treatment. 

He's feeling good although sometimes more fatigued than normal.  Will hope he keeps handling the chemo well and doesn't have any of those ugly adverse affects like nausea.

Last night Lori made her famous crock pot BBQ chicken and it was fantastic! We all decided we could do that meal a couple times a week.  :-) Tomorrow Tyler arrives and we are doing a ham feast with green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, etc. Then on the weekend we'll be having turkey - celebrating an early thanksgiving.

On the insurance front:
Been shopping for hours (online, by phone) for medicare supplemental plans (Plan F is the best option) and we were lucky to find that the cheapest, Mutual of Omaha, was also recommended as best by the insurance expert at the cancer center. For Part D meds coverage (yuck, it is not easy to compare apples to artichokes, so you really have to dig deep here), have decided on AARP RX Preferred based on mom and dad's meds, but will confirm with our insurance expert before we sign up - in case they've hidden something in the fine print.

When it comes to medical insurance, you could really be in trouble if you overlook something, OR simply if you come down with some illness mid-year requiring a med they don't cover. The whole thing stinks; between medicare "advantage" plans and part D, we've thrown our seniors to the wolves.