Me: No idea.
Doctor B.: It's a second opinion. (Laughing)
The signs of my cancer began in mid-September with visits to two different doctors and after eight months I've been treated and assessed by eleven doctors. I've now formed the opinion that doctors are like every other job; 10% are great, most are decent at doing the basics of their job and 10% are working in the wrong field. The eleven doctors I've seen fit this opinion with one exception, at Juravinski Cancer Centre I've only run into one doctor who was anything less than great.
The first doctor I saw in September was at a walk-in clinic in Cambridge. I described my abdominal discomfort answered her questions about diet, exercise and when it started. She never examined me physically nor came within 5 feet of me but suggested I ease my diet change slowly as going from an unhealthy diet to a diet high in fruits and vegetables was the likely culprit causing my abdominal pain. Thanks Doc! If you performed a physical exam maybe you might have noticed the 5cm lump that was cancer.
Two weeks later, my second doctor performed a physical exam and didn't like what she felt and rushed a series of tests. After a couple of CT scans, ultrasounds, 31 probing fingers and a biopsy, they found my cancer. One doctor pushed me through without really knowing the cause of the pain while the other wanted answers. How many others will the first doctor miss during her career? My second doctor later disappointed me when she broke the news I had cancer. She said it was likely late stage and to all my questions all she could offer was some sleeping pills to help me sleep. I went home and waited for two weeks knowing there was no hope because she took it from me in her office. However, I'll be eternally grateful to her for following her hunch and pushing for an answer to the cause of my pain.
The surgical resident at Brantford General needs to learn how to act around patients. While I waited for the surgeon she asked me many questions about my symptoms and family history. I knew where she was going so I asked her about the likelihood of cancer. She smiled and giggled uncomfortably. When I asked her more questions about cancer and treatment she gave me the same uncomfortable smiles and surppessed laughter. If you find yourself so awkward when dealing with a worried patient you may be best suited for a lab, far from ill people.
Dr. N and Dr. Z. At Juravinski Cancer Centre. I was at my most vulnerable when I walked through the doors at Juravinski having spent two weeks waiting with only two things consuming my thoughts, late stage cancer and 'inoperable'. Dr. Z met with us for thirty minutes and seemed to always know what we needed to hear or were afraid to ask. We felt helpless and hopeless but she treated us like we were the only people she was helping and gave us hope and told us they knew cancer and how to treat it. Dr. N came in echoed much of what she said and gave us as much time as we needed, dividing it equally between my wife and I. They understood what a diagnosis like cancer does to a family and they included Carolyn instead of ignoring her. Far from having a God complex they talked of how they wanted to pull in other doctors and come up with the best plan possible.
Dr. Buster, I can't say enough about this man. I'm glad he came into my battle with cancer. His passion, energy and desire to treat the patient are indescribable. He makes a connection to you like no doctor I've ever met. My cancer is rare for a person my age which is good and bad. It's good because I'm younger and healthier than the typical patient but it's bad because the most common treatments are aimed at keeping old men alive for 5-10 years or so until they die of natural causes.
Dr. Buster is constantly running my case by his peers and reaching out to other doctors who he thinks might be able to contribute in my fight against cancer. I've received calls from his office in the evening addressing my concerns, stories of success, nutritional help, humor, a constantly evolving treatment plan, focus on Carolyn and her feelings, bringing another oncologist into the fold who is one of the best in Canada, pushing for a cure, having the best nurse I've ever met and making me feel like I'm the only patient he's treating. I wish every doctor could follow his example just like I'd love it if every teacher taught like Mrs. Richard.
Dr. Buster informed me yesterday my PSA has dropped from 329.8 to 0.21 due to treatment. Cancer is being fought!
Me: I'm writing a blog and you're in it. I don't use your real name. I call you Dr. Buster.
Dr. B: Dr. Buster (shaking his head)? You're getting this next time (Waves 3 fingers).
Fighting cancer is fun! If you like a challenge and want to see what you're made of and how many wonderful people you have in your life then I suggest consulting with your physician about getting cancer. All joking aside, some days you hit rock bottom and can't see ever feeling good again and then you get an email from an old player at just the right moment with just the right words and you're up and ready to fight again! Thanks Kerri. :)
"Son in 35 years of religious study, I have only come up with two hard incontrovertible facts: there is a God, and I'm not Him."
Father Cavanaugh, Rudy (1993)
#shitkickcancer
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