course correction

I went to MD Anderson in Houston because they're world renowned in cancer treatment, and they had a sarcoma center, so were one of  the relatively few places in this country expert in my weirdo soft tissue sarcoma.  I did not go there because they were the best around for grafts or even hand/forearm/wrist reconstruction.  So when Scott Oates, the plastic surgeon finally deigned to call me back yesterday evening, and objected to my "trying to pin him down" on when the next surgery would be, I began to tilt.  Then, when I asked whether at least, when the next surgery did happen, he could say that he would also fix the tendon that got nicked that causes my middle finger to droop, and he said NO, he would not do any reconstruction when he did the graft, I fell off the cliff.


I no longer have cancer.  I will need to go back to MD Anderson every three months for the next two years to verify that status, then twice a year for three more years, then annually thereafter.  But, last night, I began to question whether it really makes sense to go down there for something that our plastic surgeon friend calls "basic" surgery -- a skin graft.  Or hand reconstruction when we have some of the best around here in Boulder.  As dicey as it seems to change courses, and doctors, at this stage, I decided it may be nuts to try and do these next surgeries in Houston, when there's also benefit to being able to see a doctor locally who can assess whether I'm ready, healthy, healing, etc.


So, I'm exploring having the graft and reconstruction done here.  I have an appointment Thursday afternoon.  It would certainly be easier and less expensive.  I would miss less work.  I wouldn't have to stress about the constant changes in schedule.  The last five days have been crazy.  Maybe I don't have to let this craziness overtake my life.


The infectious disease doc said he thinks the redness left in my arm is not an infection -- and he had his partner and their Yale intern look too.  My OT works at the practice where I'm going Thursday to see the hand surgeon.  Both our plastic surgeon friend and my internist recommended the same hand surgeon.  Maybe this is the right course.  Should know Thursday evening.


Meanwhile, I have to moderate a panel at the Supreme Court tomorrow before a standing room only crowd (185 seats).  I think I'm going to untether from the VAC machine at least for that hour, if not the whole event.  Somehow, bubbling doesn't seem especially professional.