CANCER: Your Opinion Matters

Man...I have been so stinking busy. I hate it. But, the upside is that the steroids I'm on keep me moving like the Energizer Bunny. And, while I hate knowing this is what is getting me through the day- let's face it, I AM getting through the day. 

Side effects of 30 MGs of Prednisone include: no sleep- ever. And thank GOD for mineral makeup and Nars' Orgasm line. Without that stuff, I'd look like a zombie- what with the sexy dark circles under my eyes and gross baked potato colored skin.

Grouchiness: Oh yes...I am such a nightmare to be around. So, I tend to limit my interactions with humans to electronic only. As a matter of fact, I caught myself on more than one occasion, in a public setting, chewing folks out with my latest go to: "What did YOU just say?" Oh boy....Do you know just how much passive aggressive Seattle-lites enjoy responding to that question? Well, we're the fifth whitest city in the nation. So, take a stab.

Ok- so I can continue to bitch and complain- OR I can tell you what I did about it.

Well...I sought a second opinion with Dr. Andrei Shustov of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Now Shustov is the guy I saw way, way, back when I got my initial diagnosis. He's the MAN when it comes to all things lymphoma related- as that's all he does. And, did I mention he's totally beautiful? Really....it's a shame that I stare so much at him. I hope his wife doesn't mind. Lucky bitch.

On the drive over to the appointment, I raged. Truly. I beat on the steering wheel shouting: "I hate this place! I hate this place!" Yes, because the steroids have turned me into a 3 year old...But, you know, I managed to calm the Hell down when my 44 year old brain reminded me that at least I have a place like SCCA to hate. Right? Amen!

Well I got there. Before I could chat with Shustov, I had to chat with his medical staff wonder woman. And let me just say this: She was ON HER GAME. She pulled out my 300 page file and quoted that shit like Shakespeare. Then she looked at me and said: "So, what can we do for you?" 

I would have cried. But, really rage is more my thing these days. So, I didn't. 

I explained all the crap going on with my lungs. Note taking ensued. I was told to hang tight for a few minutes so she could re-connect with Shustov and then she would send him in. Sigh.

Enter Andrei Shustov.

Dear God in heaven. He was a sight to behold. With his raven colored mane of hair, warm, soft hands he says to me in that yummy Eastern European accent: "Hello beautiful. You look wonderful. I am so happy to see you." 

What the what? 

And I told him- "Well, dark and lovely, I'm happy to see you too. And guess what? I don't have cancer any more." He laughed and congratulated me. And then we started in on what has been going on. 

Shustov, man, he was like a breath of fresh air. The lymphedema that so puzzled my other docs was quickly explained with the following: "Well, you had lymphoma. While we cure the disease, your lymph nodes stay kind of funky. There's no cancer. But, they won't work properly, So, you get lymphedema. Next." That kind of shit.

Then we chatted about the lungs. Shustov issued the following proclamation- as only people with Eastern European accents can- "You are to go to our lung clinic. And, we need to get you off steroids. Now."

I asked him how I should proceed with follow-up care. Move from Swedish Issaquah to SCCA? He said, no. He loves Dr. Wahl. And, I know why. She's amazing. They also worked in a lab together. So, deep respect and admiration. Instead, they're gonna share me. Nice. I see Shustov again in December. Wahl in January.

And I see the lung team on November 6. The plan with them is to have them read all of my notes and biopsy reports, etc. And find out what they say. I am hoping that they too will work with George, as I really like him too. But you see, this lung business is all about cancer and cancer treatment. This is what they do at SCCA- all day, every day. And at this time in my life, I do believe it important to bring as many smarty-pants people to the table to get shit figured out. 

Because, their opinions matter.

I want to dedicate this post to my dear friend, Malik Davis. Brotha- thank you for that gentle kick in the ass ("Yvette, who are you going to see for a second opinion?") that prompted me to make the phone call to SCCA. You're a life saver.