I learned three things:
- Our wait time to see him is still ridiculous. One hour and forty-five minutes in the waiting room, then ten minutes in the exam room. All for a ten minute check up.
- My platelets are low. (Does anyone know what that means? I don't.)
- I will not have any "routine" scans unless I become symptomatic or my labs indicate something concerning. If I really, really need reassurance, then he wouldn't be opposed to ordering a CT scan, but he sees no need right now.
The wait time really sucks. Every time we see him, it's the same thing. My mid-afternoon appointment ends up with us basically closing the place down. You know you've been there a long time when the pharmacy closes and even the receptionist leaves before you're even called back to a room. I've been contemplating finding a new medical oncologist. Two problems. If I switch to another oncologist that comes highly recommended, they'd be in the same practice as Dr H. Awkward. If I choose to go with a medical oncologist at the same facility in Dallas where my other doctors are, I will have a three hour drive for each appointment. Plus I wouldn't have anyone local. If, God forbid, something were to happen where I needed further treatment, I would have to go back to the drawing board and start anew with finding someone here. Decisions, decisions.
Platelets shmatelets.
I'm not sure how I feel about the no scans thing. I get it. Why go through unnecessary tests? Why give my body even more radiation than it's already had? Scans are time-consuming and expensive. If I look healthy, feel healthy and my bloodwork says I'm healthy, then why borrow trouble? On the other hand, I want to dance with NED. It would be really, really nice to have a doctor say "there is no evidence of disease."
For now, I'll just dance with NED on the sly.
No comments:
Post a Comment