If you have been following along or even occasionally checking in/paying attention to this blog, you would have heard me extol the virtues of my Oncologist Dr S. I won't repeat my praise, but suffice it to say that I am completely and justifiably convinced that had it not been for him and his team (molded and mentored in his amazing patient-friendly style and medical superiority) my recovery and ongoing maintenance success would not have come about. But sticking to the topic at hand, during my recent visit to the clinic for my monthly oil and lube (daratumumab and zometa), on this particular Saturday, Dr S was doing a turn at weekend rounds (head of the department, and he is working the weekends - 'nuff said).
As is his manner and method, after seeing patients in the hospital (next door to the infusion clinic), he swung by the "chairs" to say hello to the infusion staff (who all love him), and to check on a couple of his actual cases. I am fortunate enough to be among the latter category, and knowing that I was going to be there, he came by to chat. Blah - blah - blah adjustment to my regimen blah - blah - blah, and then the real intention of his sojourn commenced. He started by inquiring how "Dr. Rosen" was doing (his pet name for Angie), he asked a specific question about each and EVERY member of the family (he has met them all), and reminded me (without a hint of gloating) that his beloved Yankees were having their way this weekend with my beloved Twins - he remembers every detail of my health and my life. And then he dropped the bombshell . . . he announced that he was retiring in one year.
From stories that he has shared over the years, I gleaned that we were contemporaries; he's probably a couple of years older. So the timing did not surprise me. And since I am going to outlive you all, dear readers, I knew that one day he would logistically no longer be my Oncologist. He reassured me that he has a couple of excellent replacement choices who specialize in Multiple Myeloma - both of whom I have met before. And frankly, if they are good enough for Dr S, they are good enough for me. Through his natural Socratic style of "doctoring" I've learned so much from him (and the nurses!) I could probably pass the Oncology test on my own (not really; but get a few questions right). No doubt his staff is top-notch.
No one is irreplaceable, and I've had the advantage of Dr S's care at the most critical part of my journey. With rapidly-evolving treatment advances, the horizon looks very bright for a cure within a few years. And talk about a wink, I saw Dr S in the lobby before I checked in, and I said to the admitting nurse: "the best part about having cancer is knowing Dr S." I'm one prescient patient.
