The plan....

Right on cue, Dr. Vasan came up with a plan. As if I should have ever doubted him. He asked me to make some calls and get the films and reports sent to him. He asked me if I had and endocrinologist, and I said no. I explained to him that my endo got a fancy job at the Mayo Clinic.  How could you really pass up that kind of job?  You know.  He said that was the first thing we were going to do...he is referring me to one at OU Med. He said second, we need to do some lab work.  Check my TSH, tumor marker and my Thyroglobulin. He did ask when was the last time all this was checks, I told him I haven't had any done since the beginning of the year. Finally, he wanted my appointment rescheduled for after December 7th. That I didn't understand, but okay.

Here is where my appointment took a change for the better. His nurse came in to let me know it would be a few minutes. He was dictating his notes from our appointment then they would be printed so that I could have a copy.  That's something new. I looked at Paul and the nurse asked if everything was okay. I told her I felt frustrated and felt like the trip was a waste of time. I even felt like when I was first diagnosed with cancer and was being sent to this doctor, to that doctor, then back to another. It was crazy.  She then looked at me and said...actually your appointment is at a great time.  Of course I looked at her all confused.

She explained...the reason he wants my appointment after December 7th is because on that day the tumor board meets.  The what?  The tumor board consists of my doctor, and endocrinologist, oncologist, and some other people.  They sit together and discuss each case.  They take a patients file and look through it...this is what the blood work says, this is what the films and reports say, this is how I feel we should treat this patient, this is what I think, ect...that way everyone is on the same page.  Wow, what a concept.  Having all my doctors on the same page.  I don't know if I know what to do with that.  She went on to explain, even if I had my paperwork he would more than likely have me do blood work anyway and would still meet with the board first before we made any type of plans.  Ugh, that kinda upset me.  I went to the appointment expecting answers....not more questions.

I went a little further in explaining more of my frustrations.  I told her that I have decided that I want all my doctors at OU Med.  My endo, oncologist if needed, ect...just have everything in one place.  She completely understood and said that was fine.  I asked her what I needed to do to make that happen.  She said to call the Stillwater Cancer Care Center and have them send my file(s)/paperwork and since I was already having films sent just request all of them.  His nurse also asked when was the last time I had a PET scan done and I told her that one hasn't been done since I was first diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer.  That answer seemed to have surprised her.  I did tell her I just had the whole body scan done in January.  Tina (Dr. Vasan's nurse) said...asked again about a PET scan and I said no, just the whole body scan, it was like she was surprised that it had been so long since I had one.  Wish I would have thought to ask if at some point I should have had another one.

So, we went over the notes from the appointment with Dr. Vasan, made another appointment for December 10th and I wend to the 2nd floor for the blood work.  After that was over I went to the car still frustrated but not as much.  I was excited we had a game plan and I loved the fact there was a committee that met twice a month.  Again, how refreshing that the doctors work together.  Wish that would have happened in the beginning of all this.  But at least I have it now and I am very confident that I will be very well taken care of.

That next day was crazy.  I had physical therapy and several phone calls to make.  I had to call Servant Imaging, Stillwater Medical Center, Stillwater Cancer Care Center and Mercy.  For the most part everyone was pretty easy to talk to...once I was directed to the proper departments.  A couple of the places required my signature but they were willing to fax me the forms and I could fax them back.  Like I said, it was easy....I honestly expected it to take forever (between working and making calls), however it only took half the day.  Now all I have to do is keep my fingers crossed that they receive everything by the 7th of December. 

On Thursday (November 27th) I received an interesting phone call.  It was from my doctors office.  Apparently they have received some of my blood test results.  Apparently my TSH levels are to low (I had no clue...it does explain a lot) and they are adjusting my Synthroid.  I was once again asked when I had it checked last and I told them back in January.  They asked for my pharmacy number and told me to start it tomorrow (Friday) and that I need to come back in 10 weeks to have it rechecked.  I of course asked if I could do it here in Stillwater and the nurse asked....is there anyone there you trust?  Good point, I will come to OU Med.

Then on Monday (December 3rd) I had another phone call.  Another nurse called to confirm the last two tests I have had done.  The MRI and Ultra Sound and confirmed the locations.  I said yes and asked if they had received everything and she said yes.  Praise the Lord, they got everything they needed by the 7th. 

Now all I have to do is wait for my appointment on the 10th to find out what will happen next.