Using Technology to Battle Cancer

Chapter 3

Using Technology to Battle Cancer

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Connie and I stopped at Dearborn County Hospital in Lawrenceburg to pick up my CT/PET scan information that was saved to a CD. We then drove into Cincinnati along Rt. 50 enjoying the river views. Something about the Ohio River scenery is very calming.

We arrived a couple of hours early to the University of Cincinnati (UC) Barrett Cancer Center in order to drop off the information and eat an early lunch before my afternoon appointment. I think I ate more from nervousness than I did for hunger. We shared a turkey sandwich and large cup of coffee. How's that sound? Drinking coffee while I'm a nervous wreck. Hey, I like the caffeine affect!

All I can say is that I am extremely impressed with the staff and facilities at UC Health  . God does work in strange ways. I felt that angels were there to help everyone who came in the doors.

I met with Dr. Yash J. Patil, who is the director of the UC Head and Neck Cancer Support Group. Dr. Patil agreed with Dr. Robert Schrimpf that the cancer appeared to be in the early stage and that it was very treatable. I was starting to feel a bit better already. As Bob Schrimpf informed me earlier, I then got two options: surgery or chemotherapy & radiation. Dr. Patil would make a final recommendation after he consulted with the Tumor Board tomorrow but he felt that surgery would be the better of the two options.

Due to the difficulty of where the cancer was located, Dr. Patil stated that the surgery would involve the use of a robot. COOL! I was also asked if I'd be willing to participate in their research that could lead to further developments in treating cancers. If the data from my cancer can help others, why not!

The next several weeks would involve regular communication with Dr. Patil's office and my own "campaign" to get the surgery approved by Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.