Today I had my 1 week post chemo checkup and labs with Dr. Thompson. It was such a terrific visit. What an angel he is. I think of the first time that I even heard his name...it was the day I learned that I probably had cancer, although they didn't actually tell me that, just that they were consulting with him and that he was an oncologist. He was the the one that had suggested that they get a biopsy done on the liver mets so they could really know what they were dealing with and who to send me to see before they actually sent me to see someone else. How profoundly wise was that counsel...even though he'd never seen me, I wasn't his patient, and who knew where this was going...he managed to get that all done and get path reports before I saw him a week later. Knowing what I know now - those were miracles...each and every one of them...but we were such novices then, and so scared.
He and his staff have been so supportive. Always cheerful, sober if need be, full of information, but even more of hope...not the false, glib, "it'll be all right" kind of hope...the kind that reminds you that each day is precious and that the hands you're really in knows all things.
I happened to have an appointment with him on Halloween day last year. The entire office was dressed in costumes. It was fun. I was seeing him for the results of my 6 week scans following 6 weeks of doxorubicin. I had the distinct impression that the doxy hadn't been effective but I didn't know...there really wasn't a way to "KNOW" anyway. However, Dr. Thompson had my labs and scans along with the radiology reports. He knew that my "tumors have just thumbed their noses at all that poison we pumped into them and grew anyway." However, our relationship was new and he was just about to deliver some very difficult news to me and Rich. Out of deference, kindness, charity, and compassion, he took off his costume before entering our room. While his news would have been much more welcome had it been working, the fact is that we knew it wasn't and we were grateful for his honesty and willingness to find a different agent...gem/tax. As we prepared to leave, he asked us, with a sly smile, if we'd like to see his Halloween costume. Of course I wanted to and so did Rich - it turned out to be a Viking helmet with green hair! Lol! Later that night four more angels unexpectedly arrived at our doorstep...my brothers - Mike, Derk, Brad, and Jim had driven for two and a half solid days to come visit for only two days!!! Their timing was perfect! And how I needed them! They brought cheer, laughter, family, joy, memories, and love. I wish I had a camera going for their entire time here! How precious is time....
Today Dr. Thompson said that he knew that the chemo last week had been pretty rough. I must have looked somewhat skeptical...I thought maybe my labs showed some pretty rough numbers...but he quipped that my purple Mohawk curl was drooping and not standing very straight! Lol! He has been through the no hair, the wig, the hats, the funny straight short hair, the no eye brows, the no eye lashes, and the crazy Mohawk that has defied any kind of treatment to do something other than stick straight up! When July 15 (leiomyosarcoma day and also known as the purple dragon) rolled around I told him I was thinking of dying it purple in honor of the day and Rich and he both said they thought I ought to ... and I did ... So I'm a 64 year old grandmother of soon to be 36 grandchildren with a purple Mohawk...I did not see this in my future even just a year ago! Hey - my stake president even gave me a referral to go get tattooed eye brows! You can't always see what tomorrow will bring!
As our appointment went forth somehow the spelling of the chemical name of yondelis came up. Yondelis is the brand name for trabectedin. I've learned a bit about leiomyosarcoma and the various drugs used to try to combat this dread disease. However, frequently I get lost between the brand names and the chemical names of the drugs, let alone the various mechanisms by which they work. During the course of this conversation Dr. Thompson acknowledged that he found the name "yondelis" a little unusual...like it ought to be the name for a birth control pill or something. To which I added it could be something like "ecstasy" ... The room erupted with laughter, great tummy rolls of laughter. As the laughter rolled on and on Dr. Thompson noted that there was a Yondelis who is a red-headed white girl who's a back-up singer for the Shirelles, to which Rich quipped that nobody today would even know who the Shirelles were....and the room erupted again in to gales of laughter and giggles. Truly joyful laughter. It's so good for the soul. In the end Dr. Thompson noted how much he needed that appointment today....I hope in some way we lightened his day as much as he did ours...and continues to do...he's truly an angel.
After my appointment we drove into knoxville so Rich could attend his rehab class. I went into Walmart to get some birthday cards. On my way back to pick up rich I noted that there was a new Culvers that had just opened. We headed back to Sam's and then he surprised me by heading to Culvers. The place was slammed! But the food was great. I texted Bekah and suggested she transfer here and come live with us🤗
No comments:
Post a Comment