Its been over seven months since I got my first chemotherapy treatment for lung and larynx cancer. I have finished my radiation treatments (70 total) and Im getting a month off from chemotherapy. Im pretty beat up but optimistic that this treatment has destroyed the cancer in my throat and neck, and substantially reduced, if not destroyed, the tumor in my lung. These two treatments have been rough but well worth it if theyre successful. I thought when first told that I had cancer, that it was a death sentence. This may not necessarily be the case. After my initial chemotherapy treatments, the PetScan results showed amazing improvement. This is when I first heard that it was possible that the cancer could be curable. There may be not better news that a person can hear. I decided early on that I liked and trusted my doctors, Dr. Rodrigo Erlich, the oncologist, and Dr. John Mastandrea, the radiologist. I would not take suggestions from people as to you ought to go to… This is the oil that greases small towns everywhere, but I made the decision that these were my guys, and Im glad I did. Dr. Erlich is a studious individual with an excellent sense of humor. Hes been patient with getting me to understand whats been going and what to expect. There are many unpleasant side effects to both of these treatments but it seems to me that as long as youre forewarned, it diminishes them somewhat. I was concerned for Dr. Erlich when Brazil was hammered in the World Cup, but he handled it with equanimity and grace. The chemo nurses are extremely professional, knowledgeable, and funny. The nurses everywhere Ive been have been of the highest caliber and speak well of the training they receive. They are also exceedingly optimistic and upbeat all the time which lends itself well to a soothing atmosphere. My weekly visits to chemotherapy were something I looked forward to, which I wouldnt have guessed. I received a port, which is an plug in my chest for needles, by the very capable and charming, Dr. Eva Smorzaniuk. She also reviewed my second PetScan and showed a real talent for upbeat adverbs. Dr. Mike Fisher inserted my feeding tube. Hes funny and a very capable surgeon. Dr. Roger Orsini has offered invaluable advice on a personal level and has been most helpful. I realize that this will make him a social outcast, but I suspect that he may already be one. Dr. John Mastandrea is one of the funniest people Ive ever met. I looked forward to seeing him once a week. His compassion is obvious, as is his intellect. I felt that there couldnt be a better person to direct the radiation treatments I was getting every day. I cant say that I looked forward to radiation every day, but I didnt try to avoid it either. His sidekick, Robin, plays the straight man and was also most helpful. Because the radiology staff was also highly professional, upbeat and funny. The stuff they do in there is Star Wars technology and they have a good handle on it. They were very solicitous of my comfort and allowed all the time I needed to be adjusted. They never seemed rushed although they go through a lot of patients during a day. This is a good group of people, along with the volunteers. I would like to thank all of the above for their kindness towards me in the past few months and how theyve made what could have been a very painful experience much better. Id also like to thank the thousands of people who have mailed, called, emailed, or contacted me on Facebook with their thoughts and prayers. I appreciate each and every one of them. Thank you. The fact is, even though the tumors were small, they still contain hundreds of thousands of cancer cells and it only takes one. So for now, Ill be like Quint on the back of Orca, staring out at the ocean, thinking, Yeah,he cant go down with three barrels on him…not with three barrels he cant.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 02:39:48 +0000
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