I like my oncologist

Today was my 6-month oncologist check-up. I expect the nightmare I had last night and the rock in my stomach all morning can be explained easily because my last August appointment with the oncologist resulted badly. I went in with a naggy rib pain and ended up with sarcoidosis.

Today, happily, was an uneventful appointment. He says the cancer is least of my worries right now and he is more concerned about the sarcoid treatment.

We talked about the chemo drug and why my doctors chose this. He agreed with their choice, but said that if it doesn't work, and they need to try something else, that one of the immuno-suppressant drugs might be a good choice. He has a patient on it and he feels the recurrence risk is manageable. So, "if they have to" there is another choice. I actually find this a hopeful option! While I want the current treatment to work, I've been worried that if it doesn't I'll have to go back on the high-dose steroids as my only other option.

My oncologist thinks sarcoid might be worse than cancer in some ways. He says that, while it doesn't have the mortality risks of cancer, the lack of treatment is a huge problem. He said that no one really knows why sarcoid or cancer appear, but at least with most cancers, they know what to do to treat them, "sarcoid is all guesswork".

I go back in 6 months. He promised me that during that time he will be my most sympathetic, but least important, doctor. I'm planning for him to hold that role for many many years to come!