Entering an Important Few Days

Starting early this afternoon I enter a series of important appointments with doctors that should result in some significant decisions for my ongoing treatments.

Today Barb and I will meet with the director of the cancer center at Lancaster General Hospital. We arranged the meeting a few weeks ago to discuss the possibilities of switching to a new oncologist.

The meeting was arranged for us by a senior nurse at the cancer center whom we trusted enough to discuss the situation with. Basically my oncologist has gone through his own health issues, and when that happened he lost all interest in my case. And that has continued to be the case. We feel that a fresh perspective at this point would be in my best interest.

The nurse assured us that switching oncologists was certainly a possibility and something that has occurred before.

I have discussed the situation with my family doctor as well. He's less optimistic that I'll be able to switch doctors among the same doctors' group.

We'll find out today. We have an hour to discuss the situation with the director before my weekly Torisel infusion at 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday we're heading down to the University of Pennsylvania to meet with the kidney cancer specialist. As much as we dislike the drive into Philly, and the disorganized chaos of the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, this specialist does sit on the Kidney Cancer board I've been told, and he is very involved in the development and clinical trials of the latest drugs. I will have a laundry list of questions ready for him. His advice during this visit will likely map out my ongoing treatments into the future.

There are at least a half-a-dozen new drugs in different stages of clinical trials seeking FDA approval right now. After years and years of no treatments for kidney cancer, new treatments are now being introduced in a rapid fashion. None of these drugs though have shown any signs of curing the cancer. They work to control the disease, and the goal is to extend life, maintaining the disease much as diabetes is controlled.

Thursday I meet with my urologist, a genius I have not seen since he first sent me to hematology/oncology after evidence that my cancer had begun to spread. I'd like him to look at a growth in my remaining kidney. So far it's been diagnosed as a "fatty growth," which is non-cancerous but still may require attention to protect the ongoing health of the kidney. I know this doctor has been involved with cryoblation in the kidney, where they insert a needle into the worrisome spot in the kidney and freeze it, killing it and protecting the rest of the kidney.

So it's six-days with some important appointments.

I am sick of being sick. But I refuse to get down about it. Life is not perfect. I take what life brings me and always try to make the most of it.