Chapter 2: The First Oncologist

Monday Morning.

I can't say that either of us slept well.  Fitfully at best. The anticipation was just too much.

We get the call at 9 saying that we have a firm appointment for 1PM. Phew.  I set to work getting as many records from various doctors, past and present, transferred.

At 1PM we meet Jeanie, our patient advocate and one of our best friends at the doctors office.  John signs in and we wait.

Dr. Topelevsky arrives and we settle in her office.  She has reviewed all the data and she looks up at my husband and says "Mr. Cartwright.  I have reviewed your records.  Why are you here?"

We look at each other and start to answer her.  I stop talking and let him take the lead.

"Dr Feldner felt that the Xray showed bone cancer and suggested I see an Oncologist."  he said.

"Based on the Xray? or something else?" she asked

"The Xray and my history of cancer" he responded.

She then launched into a long list of questions regarding his current and past health.  When all was said and done she said,

" Well Mr. Cartwright, I am going to order another set of blood panels.  A bone scan as well. I would also like you to see the Otyrenterologist to verify the original cancer site.  In the meantime I am going to ask you to come into the exam room with me so we can start checking you out"

Jeanie and I went out to the waiting room and immediately discussed how much we liked her.  Jeanie mentioned to me that she was able to see the radiologist notes on the xray and they said, Lesions on bone consistent with fracture.

Hmm.

So, if that was the note from the radiologist, why did Dr. Feldner interpret that to mean bone cancer?

No matter.  We will know based on the test results to come.