How the Letter “S” Has Redefined HOPE for Me – and Maybe You?

Sundanceh said:

Or...As Month Python Used to Say...(Linda)

"And now...for something completely "different."

I got my consult with my lung surgeon Monday....it had been a couple of years since I last saw him (after our 2nd surgery).

He opened the door and got this realy warm and friendly smile on when he greeted us:)  Walked right up to us and put his hands upon mine and closed them in a warm embrace. 

Now, this is an all-business, serious kind of a guy....he's the professor of Cardio/Thoracic surgery....but seeing him again this time, felt like more of a visit with an old and trusted friend, not the guy who carved you like a turkey and sawed out 2 ribs:)

We got to talk chit-chat for a couple of minutes while he logged on to check out my scans/report.  He did suspect metastatic activity in the pleura, but the CT images are not as defined as everyone would have liked.  We might end up doing a needle biopsy, depending on other things that are found. 

And when it was over, he just sat there talking to me....really lovingly and friendly like...like 2 old 'colleagues' consulting about a case...only it was mine, LOL!

I told him that I had sent him the Big Billy story for him to read when he could....and that the story picked up after he dropped me to radiation and the subsequent chemo that followed....that piqued his interest.  I told him I had written a book and had been trying to get it published....and I talked about my life on the board here and what I was trying to do with my time to try and pay it forward...and what my mission for cancer was....etc. etc.

He just smiled and nodded his head.....and said..."You're Different..."

And I knew what he meant:)

Dr. D. selected me to be the first patient in North Texas to have the da Vinci robotic lung surgery done on back in 2010.  He said he had waited a long time....looking for the 'right' patient to do the procedure on.  He apparently had the opportunity for some time to select any number of patients...but he had remained pat...

In the end, he selected me, because of my calm and cool demeanor...the fact that I don't get rattled too easy...(I am all business when we're in the consult & planning stages)...and that I was willing to make the sacrifice and take a chance on me and him...so that others could follow in our footsteps.  He said most of his clientile were just too shook up...and unwilling to embrace the challenges, so he had been waiting for the right candidate. 

Here's the link I found to this part of my story.....it's yesterday's news now, but it was nice to be a part of it all...originally, I had asked the president of the foundation to generously donate 100 copies for the cancer group here...and we took up a collection for postage and handling and mailed them to the members here, who were interested.

http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/media/200-Administrative-Offices/619443St.-Paul-Fdn-magazine.pdf

Go to pages 7 & 8. 

We got up to leave and he hugged us both...and not the I'm afraid I'll catch something kind of a hug....a toe to toe, full frontal hug that wrapped around one another - where you could feel the warmth of the embrace.

I must admit that it felt pretty good...

He will be talking to the other players in the medical team about our consult and get back with me.

It was a nice visit and hopefully he will get the chance someday to read the story I sent him...told him it was coming out in an upcoming edition....and to make sure they order a subscription to Coping:)

 

Craig, I just read the article - I like the looks of that doctor - his arm around you in the picture and your smile shows how much you care about each other.  It's nice to hear and I'm glad you had a nice visit with him this week.  I'm sure he'll do everything he can to help you again.  It's great you have a doctor like that who genuinely cares about you and isn't afraid of a hug or two...

Thank you again for the uplifting story and sharing the article for us newbies.

Linda