Today was my appointment with my Oncologist, Dr. L. He was running over an hour behind so there was lots of time to people watch (more on that in a moment) but let's start with the most important stuff.....
He said he was pleasantly surprised to hear that my CT Scan showed no Lymphoma activity. We talked a little about the lung cloud thing. He said that could be from the pneumonia but will be something to keep an eye on with my Methotrexate use and Myositis which both can cause lung problems. He also said my fatty liver was from the steroids and Methotrexate over time. I let him know Dr. D, my Neurologist is watching the results too so I would follow up with her.
So next was to feel around my face. He felt the lump I have is in a different location than last time I was there but I assured him it was one in the same. He didn't feel it was growing fast. Honestly, I disagree but choose to not fight it. He recommended we see what it is going to do. If it keeps growing, we will meet sooner but otherwise, I follow up in January. The plan at this point if it does grow is he would love a biopsy of it which means a surgical removal. Since Dr. S, my ENT/Plastic Surgeon is so awesome, it seems actually easy to do that. Then based on that will determine if we will do more radiation at this point. He said based on the clear CT Scans lead him to feel we don't need to think about chemo for awhile. He reminded me that my cancer is behaving unusual from normal Lymphomas and so we are still being cautious but he would prefer to see what it is going to do before we follow the treatment recommendations by the book. I'm still okay with that approach. He said if I become uncomfortable with it or find myself worrying more than not, we will be more aggressive. Honestly, I can't see that happening. As long as I know when I should be concerned and confident we can treat it effectively, I'm okay until it becomes visibly obvious. He laughed and said he knows I will never let it get that big. Haha
Now onto the people watching/observing. There was an older couple that came in and thought they had an appointment but they didn't. The office explained that Dr. L was running way behind but if they wanted to sit and wait, he would see them when he caught up. I waited 2.5 hours from when I arrived to when I left and they were still sitting there waiting. Sometimes I think about giving up my appointment so someone else can get in but I haven't had to do that yet. I decided these guys didn't seem urgent. Maybe just bored and had some questions. I did offer once when a whole group of people had drove from Idaho for an appointment and had the wrong day. I would have gladly given them my appointment but the office assured me they would fit them in.
There was one very upsetting situation though. While I was waiting in the lobby, a woman in a wheelchair was brought out with her husband. They sat in the chairs behind me. He loudly announced that he guessed he will turn off all the utilities and start cleaning out the house this weekend. Of course, my ears perked up. She replied that she didn't think that needed to happen so suddenly. Then he said he can't go to Hospice with her and she needs to decide if she wants to die at home or die at someone else's home. Yes...it was just like that. My chin quivered and my eyes started tearing up. How horrible to learn you need Hospice which means your treatments are over and your husband is so worried about himself, he can't even be sensitive to your emotions. She was surprisingly calm and said she needed some time to think about it and explore her options. Luckily her daughter (or what I assumed to be her daughter) came out. I assume she was talking to the medical staff and whisked them off. I was honestly relieved. I'm not sure I could have heard any more of that conversation. It was a great reminder that we MUST be sensitive to others and work our hardest to not just think of ourselves ALL the time. I hope when my time comes for hospice, the discussion can go much more smooth than that.
So a good appointment with Dr. L. I'm going to pretend I am not growing lumps in my face and continue to be blissfully ignorant.
On a side note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOLA!!
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