3 Months of Chemo to go!

I finished the 9th cycle of Chemo, nothing unexpected happened. It was kind of a drag that it started the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I have to be real careful about what I eat, and what is in my system when Chemo starts. Eating small light meals does not mesh very well with Thanksgiving dinners. I had to explain this to everyone such that they don't ask a million times whats wrong and why am I not eating. What I did eat was good, and I am thankful for that.

Moving backwards, my last oncologist visit was interesting. The doctor was not there, and we just met with the nurse. The nurse is much less intimidating, seems to listen better, and is a bit more compassionate. I came out swinging about my headaches, voicing my concern how their 'man up' attitude is not helpful. The doctor has this peculiar way of dismissing our concerns while maintaining his aura of duty. The nurse fielded this by putting my situation in context. She said that some brain tumor patients experience no pain at all, while others suffer debilitating headaches. In this spectrum, I am just outside the level where over the counter medications help, and not quite at the level that would warrant narcotics. More importantly, she continued, be thankful that I am not worse off as many of their patients are. She said that I am doing very well considering my condition. She reflected back and said that the last couple MRI's were stable, and she expects (with explicit warnings about predictions) that the MRI in December will be stable too sighting my continued physical and cognitive abilities. Holly and I agreed when were walking out that answer was better than what we get from the doctor. But looking back - she gave the same answer (we can't help you) with a different delivery. I think there is a life lesson in here somewhere. I personally am a man of few words, being short and direct with others. This experience has taught me that although these means are functional and efficient, they are not the best. Adding words of hope, compassion, and encouragement go a long way when addressing difficult issues. Some of my readers face the similar challenges as I do. I can feel your pain, things will work out, and I know you can do it.