Saturday, April 2, 2011

Monthly Doc Visit

I met with Dr. Wonderful (Gordon) on Monday, March 27th for another all is good chat. I have known I am in great hands, but during this visit we were talking about the approval of Yervoy and I mentioned something about staying on my current treatment and not changing and he said "over my dead body will you change" (& then discussed the reasons why). This is the bed side manner that I want from my doc. Personal and not sterile. I want him to have passion about me and not view me as another patient to experiment with, which is how I felt about my Tucson doc. His entire practice is full of positive energy and I can feel it as soon as I enter the building. During this visit I met a woman (70 something) and she was telling me her story. She has lung cancer and has been coming to the practice for 6 years for treatment. She is not NED, but what is left of her crazies have not been growing. Simply amazing! I"m telling you this as she was saying how wonderful and positive the doctors and nurses are at the practice. I have met quite a few paitients since December and all of them have been positive and optimistic. This atmosphere is so great for patients as it is a place of hope and that in itself is a treatment.

Oh, I can't believe I almost forgot.  I asked if I could get my port removed. He seemed a little hesitant, but there isn't a need for it, so he said yes. Nothing has been scheduled yet, but I am so excited to have this thing out!!  I'm just so tired of looking at it. It is a reminder of the awful IL-2 treatment that didn't work and I don't need that negative energy flowing.  One of my nurses mentioned to me that even when their treatment is finished some patients don't like to get their port removed as they view it as a positive thing. My reply was that I got mine for a treatment that didn't work for me.  The treatment made my cancer grow and spread.  Get rid of the thing!  Also it is such an eye sore! Sorry, but vanity does play a role. Cute summer dresses, tank tops and swim suits are upon us and I don't feel comfortable wearing any of them with a lump sticking out of my chest.  My body is so full of scars and now bruises from the blood thinner shots, I just don't need an unnecessary eye sore to add to the mix.

6 comments:

CB said...

I'm so glad this doctor is all that you hoped he would be.

Adios port! I can't wait to see what cute clothes show up once it's gone!

Anonymous said...

So happy to hear everything is going so well. Hope to see you soon. Yeah no port! :)

- Amanda

Jon Martin said...

Two thumbs up for Doc Gordon!

Anonymous said...

So happy you've got such a great Doctor. I'll buy you a lovely new summer dress on your visit to Michigan..and one for Teya also. Love Mom

Chelsea said...

I don't blame you at all for wanting the port removed! That will be a very exciting day! Can't wait to hear about it. :-)

Anonymous said...

Can you tell me who your doc is-your positivity im sure makes a big difference with your treatment and im am not far from tucson or phoenix
randi lasvegas