<p>Congressā¦hmmmā¦I am disappointed in this congressā¦I am not sure at all that congress has an immediate role in any solution related to health care, and even when it works out that they do, reform will be a very long time in coming. In any event I am in the House or Senate buildings with some frequency, although with very different committees and for very different reasons, and, I am wondering if it would surprise anyone here to know that there are some key staffers of members of congress who still havenāt unpacked yet because they are still arguing over office space (when the majority party loses, they have to give up their bigger, better offices to the incoming party who was in the minority) - anyway, I think reform begins today, and at the grassroots level. Congress will simply have to catch up whenever it can - hopefully when we have a new president. I for one need to stop talking about it and start doing something about it. Iām thinking about just starting to give people money wherever I find suffering specific to lung cancer, even if itās in a disorganized, haphard way. </p>
<p>Today, my oncologist called as promised - he spoke to doctor who is the head of the radiation oncology department; this man has been in his position for nearly 40 years it turns out. He has agreed to review my films and my file; my oncologist told me to call him tomorrow to make an appointment. I didnāt wait; I called his private number this afternoon (which caught him by surprise - how did I get it, he was dying to know) - anyway, we spoke for some time, and he reassured me about the safety of wbr, he has been radiating brains for 40+ years, and said, no, dementia, etc., doesnāt happen. </p>
<p>So I said, well, what about the Wake Forest study - the one that says that 50% of persons who receive wbr end up with dementia at the two year mark. Oh and what about the MD Anderson study that says 30% develop gait problems, canāt walk, talk, or stay awake very long, and become incontinent. Oh and what about the UCLA study that says everyone grows extra limbs followed by horns and third eyeballs - excuse me sir Iām exiting a taxi let me just pay the driver hereā¦</p>
<p>So now heās even more amazed (āyou initiated this call in a taxi???ā āyes, I just returned from New Yorkāā¦āoh, you went to Memorial Sloan Kettering then?ā āNO. VERY unfortunate assumption on your part. I work. Full time. Havenāt missed a day since diagnosis. I have been in client meetings all day. And I intend to continue to have client meetings all day long, every day, regardless of if I live only a few more weeks, or many more years, which is EXACTLY why I am so concerned about how much radiation my brain gets and that is why we are having this conversationā¦ā) anyway, when he catches up to me he wants to talk about patient loads at his facility vs. Wake Forest, etc., and he insists that particular study might be true for Wake Forest, but has no relevance to me, or to his institution.</p>
<p>We ended the call as if we were good friends and he cannot wait to meet me. Now heās curious. We have an appointment tomorrow afternoon - at a minimum, I have him assigned to my case now. </p>
<p>So I donāt know where this goes or what happens next. I donāt see the difference between patients at Wake Forest or patients at any other place. I cannot imagine what geography has to do with wbr. Perhaps he will be able to explain it to me tomorrow. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, I really do appreciate the support, friendship, kindess and information offered here. This is a very difficult experience. Thank you - all of you - for your contributions.</p>