The Dr. Said... (oncologist appointment #1)
Well, I saw the oncologist today, Dr. Rosenthal, at HUHS. I am very happy after that appointment. He took the time to answer all my questions in an understandable language. I'll to be concise, which you can see, I wasn't in my Spanish version:
The results of the biopsy are that I have "Hodgkin's lymphoma, most consistent with mixed cellularity type, with partial involvement of lymph node". However both "mono" and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma sometimes may masquerade as Hodgkins, so Dr. Rosenthal wants to repeat the pathological study at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. This does not involve more surgery, just re-running tests on the same tissue samples. He also ordered more tests: a chest and abdomen X-Ray to see the lymph nodes in those areas and determine if they are swollen, blood tests, and a PET Scan (as we say in David Rose's class!, but not including my brain… boo... I would even try to think of the letter "C" while they did it…). I did the first two today and will have the PET Scan next week at Dana Farber, on Wednesday. He also mentioned he would possibly want a bone marrow sample (ouch!) later… that will be fun.
By doing all these test, Dr. Rosenthal (and his team) will be able to stage the disease, a most important process that will determine the kind of treatment I will need. Depending on this, he would recommend either radiotherapy of chemotherapy. The former would be done daily for between 1.5 and six months, depending of response. The latter would be done for about six months on 28-day cycles: chemo on days one and fourteen.
I asked about my whole being-here-alone-with-no-family-around situation, and it didn't seem to worry him. He thought it wouldn't be that bad. However, different people have different reactions to the treatment, so all we can do is wait and see. As to my classes, work, etc. he used an expression I love and hope existed in Spanish: "Let's play it by ear"… he thought I should keep my classes for now, do the work, not stress out… and just… well… play it by ear.
I will be seeing two more doctors Friday next week, another oncologist and a radio therapist. Both work at Dana-Farber with Dr. Rosenthal, who said I could look up the Radio Therapist, Dr. Mauch, in the literature, since he's written a lot about Hodgkin's. That makes a geek like me feel even safer!
When I asked about insurance coverage, he just answered, "what do you worry about?" I'll have to figure something out for after commencement/end of Harvard insurance coverage, but that's something I need to worry about in the future. For now, I'm fully covered except for a few drugs. I still want to apply for an OPT (Optional Practical Training), i. e., one-year extension of my student visa to work in the area I studied, and I hope that having an income I will be able to afford having insurance. I have to discuss that with Dr. Rosenthal and the people at HUHS who will sure help me figure things out. I just need to start looking for a job, a good one!
Finally, I really appreciate all the support I have got from all my friends around here. I wouldn't be so calm about it all if it weren't for you. Knowing there is people I can count on has really made a difference! Since I plan to take you all up on your offers of help, food, company, video games, home cooking, (more) delicious cookies…. I will try to set up a calendar someplace in the website with my known appointments, etc. so people can sign up to keep me company… too nerdy, would I be making Chris Dede proud or both?
"Questions… comments… announcements…?" "No…?" He said looking around the room.
Really, thanks a lot to all of you… you're the best!