Oh mine turned into drama. After a couple of months of antibiotics and begging for tests, I finally got a CT scan and some blood tests. Apparently the results made me the �Property� of a different doctor than my GP, who had ordered the tests. It turns out that the ENT was on vacation for a few weeks and the decision was made to wait for his return before addressing the issue, including giving me the news.

My GP broke protocol and gave me a call from home late Friday night; he was really upset about the bad news and the handling. Since this really was no surprise to me, he was taking the news way worse than I was. We had a long conversation that night and I learned very quickly that he really wasn�t up to speed on the TX. He didn�t feel it was right to let me wonder for another month and took a great deal of professional heat for telling me the way he did. I still owe him a big favor.

Those extra weeks gave me a ton of time to do more general research, be a little better informed, prepare my wife and have some of my very best ornery ready. I refused to let them "puncture" (needle biopsy) that massive node and spread C cells, telling them that if they �wanted to play with it, they could take it out first� As a result I already had the worst of the surgery over with before learning the cell type.

I suppose that the medical people will have the same reactions and defenses that anyone would. Cold and distant, avoidance, compassionate and helpful, as much as they see this stuff, getting too deeply involved would be damaging. As difficult an idea as it is, perhaps we need to work at helping them cope with watching this happen to us, just like we have to with our families and friends.

Being informed, opinionated, ornery and fun,
UncleVern


Oh I think that phone call was the hardest thing the guy ever did and the kindest thing anyone ever did for me. Really I think waiting another month would have been much worse and created a rushed chaotic situation.
As it was the time was well used to get my affairs in order as well as students, staff and family prepared. Having that time meant the difference between being jobless, homeless and a burden on the community and saving my home career and life�s work.
There is a special place in heaven for those who are valiant enough to put themselves at risk to do what is right like he did, he is my hero and my champion!

UncleVern