Long, long ago in a far distant land (okay, it was only seven months ago and a seven minute drive, but who’s counting?), I was referred to Dr. A., a radiation oncologist.  My surgeon called her about me, and my family doctor wrote her a letter.  An administrative underling at the cancer clinic (not Dr. A herself) decided that she was too busy to see me, so I was given an appointment with Dr. R, who decided against radiation therapy for me because I have lupus.

Now, however, because of the poor prognostic factors associated with my tumor (both CD43 expression and MYC trisomy 8), Dr. L referred me to Dr. A to once again discuss radiation.

I saw Dr. A today, and she seemed wonderful.  She is clearly far more experienced than Dr. R., who is very nice but also very young and new.  (He began his practice just last July.)  Dr. A believes it is reasonable to do 20 radiation treatments, in the hope that we can keep my lymphoma from recurring.  However, because she didn’t want to step on Dr. R’s toes, she called him to discuss my case.  Dr. R continues to be opposed to treating me with radiation.  Ultimately, Dr. A suggested that they defer the decision to a lymphoma specialist at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.  Dr. R agreed to that solution.

So the waiting begins anew.  I have complete confidence in Dr A, and will abide by her decision.  I just hate the limbo part.  It’s always better to have a plan.  Unfortunately, both Dr. A and I are going out of town for the next little while, so nothing is going to happen quickly.  Ah well, to quote Doris Day and my friend Sandy, “whatever will be will be”.  And whatever that is, I’ll keep you posted!