I missed it.
Not only did I sleep in and wake up ten minutes after the appointment,
I wasn’t going to make it on time to the church for staff. Fortunately, it was
fine if I stayed home. I called the radiologist scheduling and left a message.
About thirty minutes later they called back. No problem, the
doctor was running late anyhow and could I make 11:30.
At that point I was positive I wouldn’t sleep in.
He did call back, it was a video appointment, and he thanked
me profusely for being accommodating and switching my appointment.
Oh, sure doc no problem.
I couldn’t help but be distracted by the fact he was in a
cage. Not like a dog kennel, but UFC fighting cage. An octagon or maybe a cage
used at WWE.
He was seated, back against this fence. Young guy, probably
younger than my sons.
Anyhow … as expected, every phone call, every visit to the
doctor brings something new.
Apparently, other than the meningioma (Benign tumor) I have
two spots of cancer.
He called them miniscule and was certain the Enhertu would
eliminate them. He wouldn’t even call me if it wasn’t for the benign one. He
doesn’t want to take a chance on it growing because it’s location. And he suggested
something called SRS. He said, “One and done.’
Everything is so small even the benign one, but since we don’t
know how long I had it or how fast it grows he doesn’t want to take a chance
with it. His words, “If it wasn’t there, I would go with the chemo/Enhertu. So we’ll zap it and hit the other two spots.
One and done.”
Those are good words. What are not good words are telling
your kids, as casual as possible they found two spots.
“Wait mom, am I hearing this right, you have brain cancer?”
“No, I don’t have brain cancer I have spots from my breast
cancer.”
I know they hear ‘brain’ and think of their dad. I keep telling
them this is different. I understand their fear.
Speaking of fear.
I have to get another MRI, a precise one because this
treatment works in millimeters and the locations have to be precise. It will
take fifteen minutes, I am told.
I conveyed my fears about being hit with radiation. In 1988
my dad got radiation and it caused a clot that cause a major stroke. After he
stabilized from the stroke, two more treatments a clot hit his lung.
The doctor asked what area my father was treated and then
assured me that not only was my area smaller and targeted, but radiation
surgery and treatments have gone leaps and bounds since 1988.
I’ll hold on to that.
I won’t have the SRS treatment until after my first infusion.
So there’s no urgent rush.
He asked, “Do you have any other questions?”
“Yes. Why does it look like you’re in a UFC Octagon.”
He laughed. “I am training as an MMA fighter.”
Dude, an radiologist Oncologist who likes to kick butt.
I’m all in.
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