I’m in Great Hands!

Today I had my first appointment at Sloan with my specialist Dr. Paul Hamlin.  Mom came with me to this appointment because I had a feeling this would be the session where I would fully understand what is going on and have my treatment plan in place.  With our snacks in tow, we managed to get there in an hour and twenty.  Not bad for Covid land (eye roll).  Check in went very smoothly as per usual.  

At around 2pm the nurse came to get me for vitals.  Healthy as a horse obvi (except for the cancer part) HAHA!  After my vitals were taken it was time to meet with Dr. Hamlin and his team.  Very young group it seems or maybe I'm just old now? Who knows? But everyone was super nice and welcoming.  Dr. Hamlin came in to review what was going on and talk about my treatment plan.

First he wanted to make sure that I had a support system around me through my journey.  It's soooo very important to have that! Then he addressed my exercising (lord have mercy please don't tell me to stop). NOPE! He was totally like "keep doing what you're doing, do NOT stop, but listen to your body."  BEST NEWS EVER! BEAST MODE through treatment (I say this now so hopefully I can keep going at the pace I am at).  He was happy to hear that I have my training set up at home with my strength and conditioning equipment, he wants me no where near a gym (germies).  Speaking of GERMS, he did confirm that given this is an immune system cancer, right now I do have to be careful because treatment can not start if I'm sick.  Once treatment starts everyone does need to be careful around me since my immune system will be compromised.  So basically follow the Covid rules, if you're sick or not feeling well... STAY HOME AND DON'T COME NEAR ME OR ANYWHERE NEAR PEOPLE THAT ARE TAKING ME TO MY APPOINTMENTS (there is your PSA).  This is all common sense, doubt I need to elaborate.

Dr. Hamlin's approach to treatment is the less aggressive approach (PRAISE BE no radiation).  Since radiation will not be used, the course of the treatments extends from two months to four months.  I will receive two chemotherapy treatments a month for two hours each visit for four months.  The first appointment of each month will be in NY with Dr. Hamlin and his care team, the second appointment he will try to arrange for me to have out in Basking Ridge, NJ to minimize the travel.  Of course I worry about the side effects of treatment but everyone is different, so hopefully my health and fitness will play a big part in well being.  As my friends would say, as sick as this may sound to people "this is the best time to have cancer and go through treatments... it's the winter and Covid, no one will see you."  My friends are very special HA!! but Dr. Hamlin also agreed.  Like where am I trying to go during Covid really?  There were other things we went over but I think everyone has an idea.  Treatments will begin after the New Year.  Really starting 2021 off with a bang! Coming in HOT!

Before leaving the appointment Dr. Hamlin did state that he wanted to connect with Dr. Wong one last time to make sure another biopsy wasn't needed.  I really do love the fact that they are beyond diligent in their work and their communication with each other.  Such a great team! A blood panel, an EKG and lung examination was also done onsite prior to leaving (the joys of going to Sloan, everything taken care of in one place at one appointment).  These are all tests required to start treatment.  Of course being an endurance athlete and all, my resting heart rate was 50.  Impressive for the off season... guess I'm doing something right! Thanks Coach John!  I was told that Dr. H and his team would be in touch in a week with my treatment kick off date and time.  It looks to me that the IRONMAN season has started and it's time to build physically and mentally.  LET'S GO!