4th Time is a Charm?

So I had appointment with yet another (medical) oncologist. This time went a lot better. This oncologist was patient, very articulate, and strategic. He is open to many options and is hopeful that I will continue to respond well. I will be making the switch to this new doctor pronto. I'm still waiting to hear from Uof M.

Sorry this is short, but that is all the updates that I have for now. Please keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming!

Love and prayers,
Holly

When is it ok?

Excuse me while I rant for a minute...As most of you know, my phone is currently broken. I went to Verizon today to order my replacement. I had to explain to the person helping me that I need a phone in the meantime due to my diagnosis. (I'm awaiting test results and consult phone calls). To which he promptly asked "what's your prognosis?" You don't know how often I get this question. It basically means "when do you think you'll die?" Since when is it OK to ask a complete stranger this? I want to reply "Hmmmm...you smoke, eat greasy food, have high blood pressure...when do you think you'll die?" If that's not OK to ask, then IT IS NOT OK to ask about my prognosis.

*Ok, rant over*

No real updates to report at this point, but of course, I'll keep you updated! Please keep up prayers and positive thoughts that I find a helpful and hopeful oncologist!!!

Love and prayers,
Holly

I Should Have Known Better

My second opinion with the medical oncologist went HORRIBLE. Essentially he was upset that I sought out the surgical oncologist. He accused the surgical oncologist of giving me false hope and that he shouldn't be giving me such advice since he is a SURGEON and not a MEDICAL oncologist. I am SO SICK of people explaining the difference between a surgical and medical doctor. I am a nurse after all. I might have picked up the difference somewhere down the line. He further more said that radiation or surgery of any kind would not be helpful. Over, and over, and over again he repeated himself to ensure that any hope that I had left was stamped out. He said "why change what is already working?" I dunno...maybe so I can live a longer life?! He also said they'll continue to treat me medically until I no longer respond to the medication. Super. Very uplifting. Thanks for that.

As easy as it would be to give up, I'm not going to. I'm seeking out another opinion at a different hospital. I informed the surgical oncologist of the appointment, and he said they will continue to advocate on my behalf and that medical oncologists tend to be more pessimistic because they see a lot of sad cases. However, he said to keep my chin up, there's a subgroup of patients that do well and there's no reason to believe that I might not be in that group. I just ask that you keep me in your prayers that I find the right "medical" doctor who will help me in this fight! A BIG THANK YOU to the surgeons who are fighting along with me and allowing me some hope in this situation!

Love and prayers,
Holly