I Forgot to Mention

Oh, by the way....I forgot to mention that I have a new little growth on the top of my foot! It hurts to wear shoes that tie and lay across the top of my foot. We are watching it and hoping it's not a desmoid :(

Story of my life!

Needed Time to Digest

It's been a while since I last posted....I really just needed time to digest it all. I received a call from my primary doctor's office a few days after my last post and they informed me our request for a second opinion at the City of Hope was being denied but that they would grant me a second opinion from another oncologist. How generous of them! It is my right as a patient to obtain a second opinion. I am continually amazed at how they all act like they are doing me a favor. I am thankful we have insurance but for heaven's sake...it costs more than my mortgage!!

Anyway, it took another week before they would bless me with the name of the oncologist they were allowing me to visit. When they called with the name I was just in shock! They were allowing me to see, in all of their generousity, my oncologists partner! Wow! Thank you sooooo much!! That won't be uncomfortable at all!

So I sat on it for a week before making the call. I mean really what do I say?? I would like to see the new doctor but only when the other doc is out of the office so I don't feel like I need to explain to him that I think he is an idiot?!?!?!

My primary said the only way to get another doc was to appeal the decision with the insurance company and explain why this new doctor is not going to be ok. Really? Does conflict of interest mean anything??? I think two doctors in the same practice surely don't qualify as a new opinion, does it?!?!

I called the new doctor. I figure what do I have to lose. So we saw her 2 weeks ago. She agreed to see me on her lunch hour and in a different office than my oncologist I usually see. She really didn't have much to say until we have a new scan done. The last was done in January. It has been 6 months and I have new symptoms that do scare me and make me believe that I have an issue with it growing. BUT....only the scan can tell what is going on with my body.

Two days after I met with the new doc (it was a Friday) I left with Justin to Washington DC for an educational program. We went a little early and explored, he attended the seminar for 5 days and then we headed to New York for more exploration. It was great! Sorry, I get carried away...I'm just so proud of him!! I just got back yesterday and was not able to have my scan done today because they need to check my blood. This ensures that all of my organs are functioning properly and can withstand the contrasting agent they put in the IV at the time of the scan. Once I have the scan done I will need to wait until the new doc returns from vacation and we return from Florida.

She suggested we return to the old onco to receive the results but Scott and I assured her we could wait it out. I think that should speak volumes as to just how much I want to see this old onco....right? :-) She kept repeating that she would recommend returning to him for the results and we continued to re-buff her recommendation. We can be patient :-)

So that's where we are at...I will have a scan next week and wait until we get back for the results. We don't arrive back from Florida until August 9th so it will be a while before we have any answers. She will either say it is the same or it has spread. I pray it is gone but we have learned these things are far too unpredictable and they are different from person to person. Whatever the case is we will be ok. I'm just petrified to return to chemo! I will get throught it if I have to but man! I want to avoid that beast if at all possible!!!

Thanks for checking in....

I'll keep you posted. I may find that they say something to me at the scan that just scares me to death and I may very well go to the old onco for results. I mean really, what can he say to me that he hasn't already....maybe this will be my chance to give it right back to him!!