MGH....fighting the fight

Hospitals are places that most of us pass by, maybe daily, not really thinking too much about them, because, hopefully most of the time we don't need their services...of course the same can be said for many things--we pass by the electric lighting store all the time, but suddenly when we need a new light fixture, we are thrust into the world of lighting and we learn and gather information. And such is the case with hospitals...but in the case of hospitals, we hope that we won't be stopping there.

My point is...it's becoming so routine for me to run into MGH--too routine for my taste, but--what can you do...thank goodness there are such fantastic institutions around to help us when our good health fails us. I know my way around MGH now and the Yawkey Cancer Center, not accomplishments I aspired to. Each time I'm there, reality sets in...it's way easier when you're away from there and working/playing in your usual environment, to put that culprit away and not think about it too much, but when there, it becomes very real and very scary.

Yesterday, I went in for the remainder of the testing...nuclear cardiology--they withdrew some of my blood, mixed it with a radioactive material, injected it back into me and then pictures were taken of my heart, the goal being to make sure my heart can withstand the clinical trial drugs. I passed that one the last time I had it, so I'm pretty sure I passed it this time. Then I had bloodwork and an EKG, and hopefully all is well there, but I think it is. I didn't see Dr. Michaelson, but instead met with his RNP, Kara--and Carol, the gal who works with the clinical study. They had the results of the CT scan that I had on Monday and there is no problem with anything disturbing the sciatic nerve...I was so glad to hear that...I guess I'm just having a sciatic nerve episode again. The other findings were that the lymph nodes have gotten bigger. Kara said that they are not "marching" along, but are "creeping steadily, letting us know that they're there". While I had hoped that they had stayed the same size, at least they were not growing at a super-aggressive rate. They are also looking at an enlarged node in my neck...I feel like a time bomb, ticking..ticking..ticking.

Kara and Carol were great--they told me that they are so on my side in this fight, that they will be there for me for anything I need, or to answer any questions. I told them that I'm not giving up, that the fight has just begun, and they totally agreed and told me that there are so many things happening in cancer research--the longer I stick around, the better the chances are that there will be more options coming for RCC. I told them that I am now eating a vegan diet, and that I'm meeting with a holistic oncologist in the next couple of weeks. They were thrilled that I am doing everything that I possibly can on my end and were very encouraging. We hugged and said our goodbyes...these women are so compassionate and warm...their job is a difficult one. I am so grateful to have them fighting the fight with me....