July 21, 2009

Our first appointment is with Dr. Powell, oncologist.  Just driving up to the building with the large "Cancer Center" sign in front is daunting.  My stomach is doing flip-flops, as I know my sister's is as well.  Mom is just quiet.  I can only imagine what her stomach is doing.  We walk in and I immediately see someone I know.  Someone I DIDN'T know had cancer.  For some odd reason I don't feel so alone in this battle now.

The tech and the nurse come in and take information from us about Mom.  Mom helps out with the information because she is blessed with a wonderful and complete memory.  That is one thing that despicable cancer hasn't touched.

Finally Dr. Powell enters.  He's a young, round sort of guy with a nice smile.  He tells us that surgery is not an option for Mom.  This is particularly devastating because Mom had been feeling confident all week that they would be able to surgically remove this invasion.  I knew her heart just broke a little.  He mentions a drug called Sutent.  He explains the side effects, which are many, and touches on the cost.  I ask him again if he is sure she isn't a candidate for surgery, and when he responds, he wiggles his fingers and parts his hands to give me the impression it has spread.  One bad thing after another.

We have an appointment with Dr. Imler after a quick lunch at Happy Daz.  It's good to see him as I know it is a bright spot in Mom's day.  I think he is as fond of her as she is him.  He reads her report thoroughly and concurs that surgery isn't an option, but I can tell that he isn't in favor of her taking Sutent.  I asked him what he would do if she was his mother.  He tells us that he has connections with a top nephrologist at the Cleveland Clinic and he would like her to see him.  Of course, we are very willing.  He calls Dr. Powell and discusses this option with him and Dr. Powell agrees we should take that course of action.  We can hear Dr. Imler's conversation with Dr. Powell and he tells him that Mom has longevity in her genes, and is very bright and aware mentally.  He also tells him that this is what he would do if she was his mother.  I know this made Mom feel extra good!  Dr. Imler's assistant makes the appointment for us to go to the Cleveland Clinic on August 17.