Oncologist Appointment Today

I had an oncologist appointment today. I'll give you the good news first -- everything looks good. 

As usual, I saw my oncologist after 6 months. It's always the same general check-up: I get a blood draw, he does a physical exam, and we talk about any symptoms I might have (I have none). I go to a large research hospital for my check-ups, which is good in some ways (I see a lymphoma specialist instead of a general oncologist). It's less good in other ways. The phlebotomist who did the blood draw was very good (I didn't feel a thing), but not terribly friendly. Same with the nurse who took my vitals. They just seem to be in a big hurry. I miss the kind of personal connection I used to get when I went to a private practice. (Though, to be fair, they see me every six months, so it's not like I've developed a relationship with anyone.)

Still, all of the stuff that happened before I saw the doctor went very quickly and smoothly, even if it was kind of robotic.

I was led into the exam room, and before I saw my oncologist, Dr. H, I met with a blood cancer Fellow. My hospital has a group of about 8 recent medical school graduates who want additional training in blood cancers, and sometimes it works out that I see one of them as part of their training. The one I saw was very nice. He basically asked me the same questions that the oncologist asks, though the two of them talk about me before the oncologist comes in. I'm happy to be a part of this process. Education matters.

After the fellow did his physical exam, he asked me if I had any questions. As I have done in the past, I said I had a semi-personal question -- "What made you choose oncology?"

The fellow told me that he loves research. There are some specialties, he said, that already have lots of treatments (like high blood  pressure). But for others, like some cancers, there still need to be more treatments found for patients, and he wants to be a part of solving that problem. He said he comes from a country where there are not a lot of treatments available, and he would like to be able to help cancer patients in his country by finding new ways to treat them. I thought it was a very good answer. 

He also pointed put that I could easily do my appointments one year apart, instead of six months. I told him I like the security of every six months. I also feel like it helps me maintain a relationship with the oncologist.

He left and a few minutes later, he came back with Dr. H. As always, it was like seeing an old friend. I like him. He's friendly and understanding. Right away, he asked me how my trip to Italy was, and we talked a little bit about it, and about traveling in general. We often talk about things like the best places to get hot dogs, or our favorite whiskey. This time, we talked about gelato flavors (Italian ice cream). Mine is stracciatella, in case you are wondering. 

He got my blood test results during the exam -- all normal. Felt my nodes -- no problems. 

It got to be time to schedule the next appointment, and he said, "OK, everything looks good. We'll see you next June."

The fellow jumped in -- "The next appointment should be in December. He likes to do appointments every six months."

Good for him! He listens! He's going to make a good oncologist.

So I go back in January (7 months). I fully expect that I'll have another easy, boring appointment then.

*********************

I'm still looking at all of the research at ASCO, getting ready to share some things with you. Not as many Follicular Lymphoma presentations as in the past, but a few good ones that I look forward to sharing with you.

More soon. Stay well.