Saturday, September 1, 2007

The Oncologist

So I think I need to really fast forward this story because it is still unfolding as I write this. It's far from over, unfortunately.

Thank goodness the Italian is here to attend this appointment with me. It's a little nerve racking to see an Oncologist, even for precautionary measures. Dr. McC was pretty cool. Dressed really casually in a nice flowing Hawaiian style top, a little on the hippy side, she presented herself with a big smile. Let me back peddle a bit, previous to Dr. McC walking in, her Physician's Assistant came in with a stoic look and asked me 20 questions. Not one sign of emotion. Like, almost not even human, seriously. Then in a really even keeled voice she said, "It's highly unlikely your cyst is cancerous. It's been there for quite some time and you are showing no signs or symptoms of cancer." Coolness! But still not a crack of emotion. If she was a man, she could get a job as a guard to her Royal Highness the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Back to Dr. McC, she came in and literally drew me a map of the female anatomy, the reproductive area of course, and explained to us how it would all go down in detail. How everything functions and how these things form, etc. but in layman's terms so that we could really understand. She said that even though it was quite large, it could still be taken out laprascopically, as opposed to cutting me open. They would attempt it first anyhow.

I felt pretty lucky to have been given such a good team, Dr. K and Dr. McC to take Shrek out of me. I got a good feeling from both of these physicians. The Italian sort of sat there in astonishment because Dr.'s in Italy don't explain such things in detail. There is no one hour consultation. He told Dr. McC, "This is incredeeble, really. I work before in a Cancer Center in Milano and I know Dr.'s in Italy don't explain such things and draw such things. I like this."

So she took me into the exam room, and basically confirmed what Dr. K had already told me she suspected Shrek to be. She said she would call Dr. K to coordinate their schedules and let me know what date I would be having surgery.

4 comments:

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Glad to hear you have such a great doc to go through this with, and that's great news about probably not having to be cut open.

I'll be thinking of you :)

Roam2Rome said...

Oh my that's quite an office visit! It's a relief they think it's just a cyst and not cancerous, though like Sognatrice said... meanwhile we'll be thinking of you!

All the best...

Amber said...

My dear Piccola! How much has happened to you since the last time we emailed each other!!! I am so sorry to hear about Shrek, although it is wonderful news that it is not cancerous. I wish I had known earlier, at least to be able to offer you some moral support. I am so glad that Ale is there to give you hugs!

Piccola said...

Sognatrice- Thanks so much for your kind words and support. They really mean a lot to me.

Farfallina- Thank you for stopping by and for your good thoughts. Really, everyones nice comments mean the world to me.
It seems we have a bit in common! I also used to work as a medical translator for Spanish speaking patients. I quit my job when I moved to Portland, but I am thinking about doing it again. Also, Ale and I speak 4 languages between us, thank goodness because whenever there is a language barrier, I can go to another language to clarify!

Ambra- Ciao bella! I was happy to read that you had such a wonderful summer. I may need to get that agriturismo information from you! I'll have to write more about what's going on with me medically, but it's Ale's last day here today and I want to enjoy as much of him as I can, so I'll write a lot more once he leaves tomorrow morning. He has been an absolute angel, really he has.
I am so happy to hear that your pregnancy has "settled" and you are feeling much better.