Chapter 2

Monday, March 2, 2026

My sister encouraged me to call my doctors Monday morning. After a long night, I sent some messages to both my PCP and my oncologist. Within an hour, I had spoken to both, and a decision was made for me to come directly to the Cancer Center at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. I had packed a bag. I took a shower and called Tracy for a ride. I could not drive. She picked me up, and upon approaching the Cancer Center, slowed down just enough, hit the eject button, and unceremoniously dumped me and my bag on the sidewalk. I don’t think she waved goodbye. This may or may not be what really happened… From that moment on, the odyssey began. There was no way I was prepared for what was to come.

When I got into the hospital, I was taken for the usual blood labs. Shortly after, I went to an exam room and met with the Nurse Practitioner. She left the room and I was laying on the exam bed. About 10 minutes later, my Oncologist, the NP and the Nurse came barging through the door. They had a wheelchair. Dr.K was very direct and serious and told me a lot of things were about to happen real fast. One of the blood tests revealed a very high level of something called Troponin* in my blood. This was an indicator of a serious heart problem. I was being taken to the ED where I would then be transferred to Mass General Hospital.
There were a couple of blips at the NWH ED but I was put into a private room and left to wait for the transfer. It took hours for a room to become available at MGH and I finally got a fun little ambulance ride into Boston around 3pm. I was direct admitted to the Cardiology/Oncology floor, Ellison 16.

That first night was chaotic. There were so many Doctors, Nurses, Staff. Monitors were hooked up, meds were given, both orally and via IV. Words and conditions were described to me that I had no clue what they meant. I was terrified. What was happening to me? Was I dying?

There was never a moment where I was unconscious, semi-conscious or unaware of what was happening to me. What I felt was a huge sense or relief that I was in the hospital and in the care of some incredible doctors. I was able to let my family and close friends know what was happening and where I was. Everyone was relieved. 

*

Troponin is a type of protein found in heart muscle cells that helps control muscle. Normally present in very low amounts in the blood, elevated levels indicate heart muscle damage, most commonly from a heart attack, but also from other conditions like myocarditis or kidney disease. Normal Troponin levels should be between 0-10. Mine was over 700…and rising.

Shortly after arriving, I was placed on a portable heart monitor and attached to a pulse ox meter. These devices would come to be known as Lenny and Squiggy. They were my constant companions for the entire time I was there. I spent a relatively quiet first night…as quiet as a hospital can be. There were the frequent vitals checks through the night and the monitors were constantly making noise and flashing lights. 

In the morning, a steady stream of Doctors arrived to discuss what they believe had happened and what was to come. 

The most startling piece of news I received was that had I not gone to the hospital when I did, I would have most certainly died within 24 hours. No joke.