Cancer 2.0: The Sequel

How cool is that? Post-Cancer!

The point of these visits is to keep it that way.

The night before pain was so bad, I considered cancelling, but felt much better in the morning, so much that I began to wonder if I might be able to manage with public transit.  There is not a lot of walking involved if I wait for the bus for the last leg of the journey, from the metro station to the hospital.  The walk is a few blocks, all downhill. I used to enjoy the exercise so I have to make an effort to remind myself that walk should wait until I am fixed.

The trip went easily, until I walked out of the subway station into the beautiful spring weather.  A temporary sign was posted that the bus has been rerouted for road repairs.  I had no option at that point but to walk and hope for the best.  I took my time and tried not to stress the hip.  Sometimes I can walk, carefully, with no repercussions, other times it is misery.  I’d tried something new with the medicines and survived the walk, tho I must say I was glad to sit down for the long wait.

Dr. Langleben is a very energetic man, talks fast and is always on the move.  As he popped into the room, asking how I was doing and took a seat like someone with back pain. I recognize the signs now as he leaned back and relaxed.  He complimented my hair.

My physician revealed he feels responsible for what happened to my hair and is happy to see it coming in with such enthusiasm.  I never thought how it must feel to tell people regularly you are going to make their hair fall out.   I guess it is better than losing it… but he points out, he learned to live with that problem long ago.

He asked how I was doing.  My truthful response was that “most parts are doing well.” I handed him the reports from the hip x-rays.  He was genuinely bummed at my having to go through more medical things and agreed at this point there was no choice. Like with cancer, I need to do what I have to do.  The quality of life is important.

He did the usual poke and prod seeking but not finding any lumps or bumps.  I’d already done a thorough self-exam as I do every week, yet it is always nice to pass the procedure.

I had special referral form from Dr. Huk, the orthopedic surgeon asking if we could stop my Tamoxifen for one month before and after the surgery.  Dr. Langleben always reads what he writes out loud as he is writing so I am fulling informed – whether it is his notes in the chart or to another specialist.  There is some concern about Tamoxifen causing increases in blood clotting, which is one of the most serious dangers of the hip replacement surgery.  The risk is slight, and less so with me as a younger patient with a healthy cardiovascular system. (See some parts of me work!) He said with a recurrence, we cannot take the risk of me being off the Tamoxifen for any length of time.  After the surgery, they give a big shot of a blood thinner and continue with it for about a month in pill form.  He said that will be all I need, and that I start the Tamoxifen again the day after surgery.

Despite being busy, he stayed and chatted longer than usual to cheer me on and make sure I was OK, knowing the stress of this coming immediately after finishing the cancer treatments.

His parting words were to make sure I saw him again before the surgery.  I’m now officially on the every 3-month maintenance plan. We are scheduled for an exam in August, but I need to return sooner, if (fingers crossed in lucky formation) the surgery takes place sooner.

As I left, he stopped and asked if I was going to be able to carry by file without extra pain to get to the front desk.  He is always aware of things on so many levels.  He yelled after me how bummed he is to see me having to walk with a cane and reminded me soon, I get my life back.

Even in the worst of the chemo days, I always felt better talking to Dr. Langleben.  Genuine is really nice.