[Cancer]
[cancer] Seeing my medical oncologist today
I am seeing my medical oncologist today. This is our first post-operative consultation in my brave new world of multi-site, multi-focal metastasis. I have some educated guesses of how this is going to go, and a five-page sheet of questions for them, but still, here is where the rubber really meets the road on understanding my disease progression and my mortality.
Lisa Costello and Dad are both coming with me. For moral support and note taking both, but mostly in recognition of the fact that things have gotten even more complex and more serious for me. I don’t think it will be an easy morning. A lot of possibilities lie ahead, from the genomic testing of my tumor to the second opinion consultations, and more, but all of them are frankly born of desperation.
Tomorrow I shall report on what I learn.
I am alive today. For now, that must be enough.
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Posted: 6:26 am Mon February 04 2013 |
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You are reading the blog of Jay Lake, speculative fiction writer and author of hundreds of short stories, many novels, and winner of the John W. Campbell Award.
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@jay_lake Appendages crossed. Good vibrations emitted.
<3 <3 <3
{{{hugs}}} will be thinking about you today.
Make sure you spoil the hell out of yourself today Jay. Make a rainbow.
Holding you in my thoughts today, Jay. One step at a time. Desperation is not the antonym of hopelessness.
Here’s hoping that the genomic sequencing lab is stunningly prompt in delivering your results. Thinking good thoughts for you today.
Sending extra-warm thoughts and affection your way, Jay.
Even if he news is frightening, enjoy the day. I’ve wallowed in fear so much that I know it just wastes time.
@Marilyn Yeah, I’ve kind of gotten over fear. Mostly. Even that gets boring after a while.
I wish a great day. Enjoy!
I’ve come to the conclusion that cancer treatment should come with a case manager who accompanies patirnts to all office visits and coordinates all appointments. Since this isn’t reality, it’s good that you’ve got family to help.
Good luck, man. Prayin’ for ya.
“Medical oncologist”? Can you clarify why it’s specified that way?
I’m a cancer survivor and I just have an “oncologist.” Can you clarify why you using that qualifier?
Do you have a different type of oncologist?
Yes, I have a medical oncologist and a surgical oncologist. The medical oncologist does the chemo prescribing and general case tracking, the surgical oncologist is my liver surgeon who specializes in cancer resections.
Aha! Thank you! I appreciate it.
I don’t know if this will help, but… I think grateful is an important thing to feel, and here’s why. Over the past five years, I’ve lost many, many people, including my mother and friends my own age.
Most of them went suddenly. Really suddenly. The fact is that none of us know how long we have, and none of us are actually entitled to a long life – or even the chance to say goodbye to those we love. Be grateful that even though this is a horrible, painful, even humiliating process, you DO have that time. You have the time to say what needs to be said to those you love. That part is a gift, and one that should never be taken for granted.
*hugs* And thoughts and prayers for you and yours, Jay. Every day, I’m sending them your way.
As always I’ll be thinking of you and keeping my fingers crossed.
I got nothing. Some platitudes, maybe. Nothing to say except I’m thinking about you and hear and share the worry.