Malt Lymphoma…Good news! Bad news!

OK...so I do the required quarterly check-up with my oncologist.   I didn’t even know what an oncologist was a while back (when the kidney was removed 9 years ago...and way before the 23 staples).   Just about the same time the kidney was being removed, I was informed that I also had stomach cancer (thus the oncologist)!   But I digress!

So I’m scheduled to see the oncologist at 2:30PM on Monday afternoon.   This dude is awesome...the best.   You have to schedule an appointment with him at least 2 months in advance!   I arrive at the appointed time.

Upon my arrival, the receptionist informs me that the doctor is running 30 minutes late.   I reply..."what else is new...he’s always 30 minutes late”.   However, I then realize that this is the 1st time that the receptionist has ever announced a delay in his schedule!

An hour later...I’m still in the reception area...knowing full well that once they call my name, I’ll then be escorted to the examination room, have my temperature & blood pressure taken (130 over 90...not good and not bad...given all the pills I’m taking).   Then he/she will extract the blood...the worst part of the entire visit!   I’m a wimp...get over it!   I will then wait another 30 to 45 minutes for my famous doctor to show up!

Knowing this...I approached the receptionist's desk and asked if I could re-schedule the appointment.   I’ve been sitting here for just over an hour.

Trust me, he’s definitely worth the wait.   After all, he kept me alive for the last seven years, but today, I just wasn’t ready for it.   As expected...the receptionist said that my favorite doctor’s next available appointment was several weeks away!   However, she told me that the doctor’s colleague could see me in 2 days!   Hey...this was just supposed to be a follow-up exam, so I opted to go with the colleague!

I returned home and noticed there was a message on our answering machine.   It was from the famous doctor’s office.   They wanted to know if I could come back to the office later that evening or even the next afternoon?   (I thought...wait a minute...he was booked thru mid November...but now he wants to see me tonight or tomorrow afternoon?)   For some reason...it sunk in that this wasn’t going to be good news!

Already a long story short...I see my famous doctor the next day and he informs me that after my initial lymphoma treatment, seven years ago, the stomach cancer, (malt lymphoma), has returned.   He’s optimistic…as always.   I’m depressed!   Why?   Mainly because I have to go through the 16 weeks of rituxan treatment that I did 7 years ago and that’s a bitch.   Ain’t as bad as chemo...but still a bitch!   But as some have already told me...it could be worse.   I’m alive and tomorrow is my grandson’s 3rd birthday!   Overall…I have a lot to be thankful for!