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April 8, 2006 - Day Four – Feeling Like a Human
Being Again
The goal of an oncologist may
be to cure cancer one person at a time, but I am
learning that like diabetes some cancers are
maintained. Having been diagnosed a diabetic around
my 50th birthday; I have experimented
with maintaining a quality of life as I maintain the
diabetes. This disease is well known, accepted as a
part of modern life, but can be controlled with a
good diet and exercise. Knock on wood, so far I
have sustained a quality of life without having to
become insulin dependent. Knocking on wood again, I
am seeking to eliminate cancer from my body;
however, if that proves impossible then plan B means
that with a certain regimen I can sustain a healthy
life. This is the straightforward scoop of my
oncologist, Dr. Larry Piro of the Angeles Clinic.
In a brief, but fascinating
conversation, he offered insight into the medical
profession today.
I paraphrase: Katy and Peter,
medicine is no longer about knowledge. Knowledge is
available to you via the internet. You can access
the same studies that I access. You are able to
accumulate the world wide data on mantle cell
lymphoma almost immediately. This is terrific
because so many patients are self educating
themselves like never before.
Where I come into the picture
is on two separate but inter-related paths. Number
one, I am trained to interpret the knowledge gained
through experience. Number two, my job is to
communicate that to you so that you fully understand
what is going on.
What I felt I was hearing
directly from Dr. Piro was that the separation
between the expert and the patient was less
prominent today. In the past, the doctor was the
only one who had access to the knowledge. Today,
with a bit of homework, we can enter into a dialogue
with our doctors to good effect.
The doctors that will lead the
way in the future are turning knowledge into wisdom
through the power of discernment. Discernment is a
profound gift. In an era of plenty of book learning
to go around, our culture needs wise person in all
disciplines. Wisdom accrues slowly, and not across
the board equally.
Communication is the great key
in all of this. Learning to communicate with our
doctors, be it the internist we see for a cold, or
the specialist we see for cancer is essential in our
getting well. When we trust that relationship and
feel our fears, thoughts, anxieties and concerns are
being heard then we are setting up ourselves for
maximum healing. Communication begins with active
listening and when doctor and patient actively
listen to each other success occurs.
In conclusion, Dr. Piro spoke
of helping to alleviate fear through his discernment
and experience. Armed with this type of support I
am looking forward to going the full eight rounds.
Like the boxer in the ring, I may get knocked down,
pelted around, or hammered by my opponent called
cancer, but my goal is to be still standing at the
end of eight.
I have a great referee watching
all of this, great side men in my corner, and fans
in the stands cheering me on. If I hit the canvas I
will let you know, but I will also let you know when
I send my opponent up against the ropes.
By the way, only one hour at
the doctors today. I had a shot called Neulastra
that helps my white blood cell count do something.
Not quite sure what, but I will find out.
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