Today
is Day 5 of my medical journey and adventure. Somehow, the idea of
traveling over the 7 mountains and through the 7 valleys is already
extremely tiring. But, that being said, today was a great day. I'm
exhausted tonight from today's adventure.
Carolyn
and I left for the Winchester Medical Center at about 1 PM for a 3 PM
appointment with Rodney Huff, my medical oncologist's right-hand man,
so to speak. Rodney was about a half-hour late in meeting us in the
small exam room in which we were placed to await his arrival. When he
arrived, he apologized profusely for his tardiness. He explained that
extending the time he felt he had to expend with his last patient was
necessary for their comfort and putting them at ease.
Then
it was my turn. The first thing Rodney said is that he recognized me,
and he saw my name in the files and computer he was using for my
case. I reminded him of our experience from 20 years ago with my
former significant other and – in a flash – it all came back to
him. It was just like Dr. Gemma and me when we met after 20 years had
passed, only a few days ago.
After
we passed some pleasantries and did some reminiscing he got down to
business. What a thorough briefing and education he gave Carolyn and
me. And, like his previous patient, he spent much more time with us
than I imagine was allocated. I guess we were together for close to
an hour and a half. He had a book (another book) that he gave me with
so much important and powerful information in it.
He
talked about the treatment plan (which had changed since I met with
his superior only a week ago). He talked about the upsides and the
downsides, the side effects and the after-effects. He talked about
nutrition. Basically, he gave us a mini-course on cancer and the
treatments.
But,
most important, first, and for the first time since this all began
just a couple weeks ago, Rodney let me know the current stage of my
cancer. I will not reveal that now because this information will be
more firm after the PET Scan I'll undergo next Tuesday. However, it
was what I was hoping for, a much more positive staging than it could
have been.
Second,
Rodney fielded our questions like a real pro. He pulled no punches,
but there was nothing that was left unclear. Needless to say, I went
to this hospital, cancer center and oncologist because I have 100%
confidence and faith in them. But, this level of professionalism, yet
informality in delivering valuable information – with humor and
humanity left both my friend, Carolyn, and me extremely reassured.
Rodney
then took us on a tour of the rest of the facilities and offices
before taking us back into the treatment room. That area was amazing.
They have beverages and snacks for the patients. The entire room is a
wall of glass looking out over a beautiful, serene and peaceful
landscape, including a large pond. It very much resembled the kind of
places I seek out during my nomadic travels to camp for periods of
time. There was very little outside that wall of glass that resembled
a hospital environment. This was all very well thought out with the
patients in mind, especially some who are very sick.
The
next to the last stop before we left for the day took us to the
triage nurse's office where two oncology nurses are on duty all day
to answer questions or assist patients if they need emergency
assistance. And, during off-hours when the nurses are not available,
I have a card with a phone number to call that will immediately
connect me with someone on call from my doctor's staff. It is very
reassuring to know that kind of service is available.
The
final stop was at the office of one of the two people who handle the
financial facet of all this treatment. Caite had all my information
in front of her when Rodney dropped us off with her. She reviewed
everything including how Medicare was going to work and how much I
was going to be responsible for. I can only say that when she
finished, I realized I was, of course, going to have some out of
pocket expenses, BUT it was not going to bankrupt me. Indeed, this
level of treatment is very expensive, however, I was amazed at how
much Medicare was going to cover. They, again, educated, informed and
relieved me with a very stressful topic.
This
was the end of the session and the day. Carolyn and I were the last
couple of people in the building, but we left, me especially, feeling
unbelievably relieved of much stress and assured I had made the right
decision. Carolyn, a retired nurse with over 50 years in the
profession and who had worked at this specific hospital for about 15
years beginning a couple of years prior to the hospital moving to the
new complex in 1990, said to me, if she ever had to deal with cancer,
this is the place she would want to be treated.
There
was so much information to absorb, but I left with a book full of the
information Rodney had delivered to us during our time with him.
Carolyn and I were both exhausted and hungry. So, I knew where there
was a nearby steakhouse I had eaten at before. So, we headed there,
sat down and enjoyed a delicious meal. After our relaxing dinner, we
headed back over the 7 mountains and through the 7 valleys to
Carolyn's place in WV. We arrived here about two hours ago,
exhausted, but feeling so much better about my condition and the care
and treatments I begin receiving next week.
So,
that's it for Day 5. The adventure moves forward. We have 5 days
until we head over the mountains and through the valleys again for my
PET Scan. The day following the PET Scan my first treatment is
scheduled. But, thanks to the change in the treatment protocol, I do
not have to return on Friday. So, only two days over the mountains
and through the valleys next week and then another 5 days until we
have to make the trip, again. But, we'll talk about that in the
future. For now . . .
Live
free and be happy. EH
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