April 15th Pre-Operative Consultation

Well, there I was, again.  Another appointment, more forms.  A med student in training.  We chatted about the procedure.  I felt I knew most of it already.  The surgeon was nice.  I felt comfortable because he was with Jefferson University Hospital’s Surgical Oncology group.  No worries.  I explained that my main concern was that the anesthesiologist understood that I had a rare disease (Hereditary Coproporphyria) and that the drugs normally used needed to be checked against the list of harmful drugs posted on the American Porphyria Foundation Website.  This was noted.  I appreciated that the doctor didn’t “act like” he knew the disease.  That is a big red flag of a pompous doctor.  A few pointed questions after the doctor acting like a “know it all” usually diffuses the cockiness.  I haven’t met one doctor yet who understood porphyria on the spot.

I left the office feeling very comfortable with the competency of my surgeon and the professionalism of his office.  My surgery date was set for May 2^nd.  Just after Easter.  On reflection, I see that this was a few weeks out.  I probably could have saved a week here.  But, there was really no rush because I showed no signs of cancer in the skin removed.  Only 8% of the patients who have the Lymph Node Biopsy have signs of cancer.  That certainly would not be me.

NEXT STEP: Get home and work in order and ready for surgery.

MY PSYCHE: Continue with the elliptical @ the gym.  Maybe jog a little if my foot is good.  Surgery?  Just another teeny set-back.