Today, after a quick jaunt to Missoula, I meet my fifth oncologist. After he looks at my records and we discuss some treatments, he says: "Sounds like you're pretty interested in Bexxar, and you've been plenty of other places. So we won't waste time talking about other choices at this point, if you've made up your mind."

I think this might be a trick question. In fact, I'm halfway sure it's a trick question. So I sit there for a few moments before slowly saying, "It's what I'm feeling best about; I don't think I'm ready for chemo, but I want to be as aggressive as I can be. I know I could get Zevalin in Billings, and there's probably no difference between Bexxar and Zevalin, but I'm just feeling like Bexxar is the best choice for my case."

"Well," he says, "I've done both. There's been no head-to-head study comparing the two, as I'm sure you know. But I've been doing Bexxar more and more--actually, I've only done Bexxar the last few years."

Finally, someone else who knows how to sing the Bexxar tune. I was getting pretty lonely as a soloist.

Then, he asks: "So when do you want to start?"

Now I know he's trying to trick me.

"Well, um..." I stammer. "Whenever I can."

"Next week?"

"Next week would work."

"Let's make some calls to nuclear med, and we'll see when they can get you in."

And just like that, I'm done. Rather anticlimactic, now that I think about it; after these many months, I'm ready to challenge the doctor to a no-holds-barred cage match just to get myself scheduled. He's dashed these dreams of difficulty by being so... so... cooperative.

And so, after a few calls from the nuclear medicine department (as well as another blood test), I am scheduled to receive Bexxar.

Honest.

Our scheduled lineup for treatment (EDITED AS OF 09/19. SCHEDULE ACTUALLY MOVED UP A DAY; GO FIGURE) -

• Tuesday, September 25th, 1:00 pm - Tony receives the dosimetric (cold) dose of antibody and a first body scan.
• Thursday, September 27th, 1:00 pm - Tony receives a second body scan.
• Monday, October 1, 1:00 pm - Tony receives a third body scan.
• Wednesday, October 3, 11:30 am - Tony receives the therapeutic (radioactive) dose of antibody.
• Thursday, October 4 through Tuesday, October 9 - Tony does his impression of "Glow Worm."