The Results

I keep my regularly scheduled appointment with my primary physician. She checks the results of all the tests I have had done in the last few months since last I saw her. We had agree to meet today before my maintenance chemo begins to make sure that everything else is doing OK. Somehow the clinic that did my mammogram and bone density scan haven't yet posted the results. She will check for me.

She reads the neurology report. Yes, the peripheral nerves show some damage, and she suspects it is residual from the Bexxar. I should definitely talk with my oncologist about it. Meantime, she offers me drugs to help with the pain should I need it. I decline. I have taken enough stuff. But I keep my options open in case this gets worse. I can tough out an hour or two of agonizing night time pain.

She also mentions that my Vitamin B levels are low. She wants to see another lab to make sure its not a fluke, but it might explain some of my tiredness. My idea is that my poor toxic liver is finally able to dump some of the poisons from my body, and this numbness is my system's way of complaining. The nurse laughs at my idea and tells me that if I say it with enough conviction, it might be so.

Meanwhile, the doctor looks at everything else, checks in about my levels of exercise, my diet, my mental health, my kids. She encourages me to get outdoors and walk as much as I can. It will help my tired muscles and maybe alleviate the numbness a bit.

She is upbeat and encouraging. So refreshing! Makes me believe that things will be fine after all. She is on top of my situation, and I know that if I have to call in for help, it will be the right intervention based on me. We agree to meet again in August and check in. By then I will have completed the colonoscopy and had an annual ob/gyn exam. Not to mention the chemo.

I sigh deeply as I leave. It is wonderful to feel as if you have a partner who knows the rules in this crazy game and comes along side you to make sure everything is going well. You can't ask for a better doctor to help you navigate the murky waters of cancer survivorship.