Comments on: Good news can be unsettling too

By: Ragged Clown

Ragged Clown — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 08:40:37 +0000

In reply to Lucie Johnson. Thank you Lucie!

By: Lucie Johnson

Lucie Johnson — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 23:00:45 +0000

Best wishes in your current decision process. May you and your care team be both wise and lucky!
We can make reasonable choices, but certainty is never in the cards.
I am cheering for you (as is everyone here)!
I agree, even good news can be hard because one has to restructure one’s possibilities, and deal with more unknown elements. Very best wishes! Lucie

By: Ragged Clown

Ragged Clown — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 13:14:23 +0000

In reply to Norma Jean Galiher. There is a very good episode of Doctor Who that examines this idea of being able to see the consequences of your choices. Early in the episode, the Doctor's assistant has to choose whether to turn left or right then, later, she gets to rerun the scenario and make a different choice. In the second timeline, everything changes with dramatic consequences. It's my favourite episode of Doctor Who and I think of it often. What would my life have been like if I had gone to Cambridge instead of leaving school at 16? What will happen if I choose the biopsy and chemo? What if I don't? What if I got to try both timelines and then chose the one that works out best?

By: Norma Jean Galiher

Norma Jean Galiher — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 04:40:46 +0000

Hi Kevin,
Most of us are not completely convinced that something we’ve been forced to choose, in a decision making situation we didn’t want to be in, is the right thing to do, so I understand and imagine many others do, too. Too many times in life I’ve found myself at a crossroads and paused for variable lengths of time (9 yr. in the case of an obviously bad marriage I was reluctant to declare dead), as did Rbt. Frost, but something in life always eventually comes up behind me with an electric cow prod and zaps me out of my foot-dragging indecision, down one fork of the road or the other. It’s one of the toughest things about finding oneself on this plane of physical existence, not being able to see clearly down both forks of the road before choosing one and launching forth.

May The Force be with you in choosing. Lots of your friends out here in the ether are with you, too…

NJ in CA

By: Ragged Clown

Ragged Clown — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 09:07:16 +0000

In reply to Graham. Life suddenly got very complex with this new outlook and quickly filled with trouble and strife. Maybe there is a plan for a new life out there somewhere but we haven't found it yet. One step at a time.

By: Ragged Clown

Ragged Clown — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 09:03:20 +0000

Thanks everyone for your good wishes and encouragement.

A small coda:

The multi-disciplinary team confirmed my request for a biopsy and the next step is to see the surgeon to talk through the risks and logistics. I’m still not completely convinced that it’s the right thing to do but I’m leaning that way.

By: Ragged Clown

Ragged Clown — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 08:54:52 +0000

In reply to Janet. I don’t know how this works in America but, in the NHS, the neurosurgeon is the gatekeeper for everything brain tumour related until you have a biopsy. Other physicians won’t even see you until you have a diagnosis confirmed by biopsy. I had to work very hard to get to see Dr XX. I’m still not 100% sold on the idea of a biopsy but the idea that having a proper diagnosis will let me escape the clutches of the neurosurgery department into the welcoming arms of the oncology department is a good argument in favour!

By: Tami Wilson

Tami Wilson — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 21:10:11 +0000

Finding a Dr that listens is one thing, but finding one who hears you is another. Seems you found one who is a good fit. Keep us posted but I like the multidisciplinary team review happening.

Blessings, Tami

By: Diana Beaumont

Diana Beaumont — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 19:17:15 +0000

Kevin, I’m so happy, not only to discover this “blog site”, but overwhelmingly pleased to see your post about the new sunshine & flowers doctor who listens and cares! My wish is that you’ve been able to exhale and see your hope horizon rising higher now. Add to that your practical, logical mind, and a good life is yours for the making. Even completing your degree and doing some writing loom large as possibilities! I”m sending you big hugs, Sleuth Diana

By: Charlotte Jensen

Charlotte Jensen — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 22:35:17 +0000

Kevin, Sounds like a thorough appointment with clearly thought-out options plus a tumor board to add in their thoughts. I will be praying for the right path forward.

Charlotte/CA