Seriously? Really?

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Sometimes you get the kind of news that causes apprehension at first.

After all, mostly when I get a call saying, “Mr. Nyman, please call us back so we can talk something over with you.” I get more like anxious pains than excited anticipation about the news.

Well I got one of those a few minutes ago and my first reaction was more like:

“Can that really be true? Does that say what I think it says?”

I was nonchalantly checking my messages from the hospital and in the middle of one of the the ones with lengthy refreshers about Covid protocol (as I any of us needs more of that) is sandwiched this little bit here….

This next little blurb came from a nurse on the oncology team having to do with research and treatment.

“We have also received the final molecular testing from the cancer biopsy. 

Testing shows a BRAF mutation.  We can treat this mutation in the cancer with two oral medicines:  dabrafenib and trametinib. I am going to start the pre-authorization process for these medicines.  I anticipate you may receive a phone from the pharmacy about these medicines.  Please do NOT pick up these medicines until you’ve had a return visit with our team to discuss treatment and side effects.”

Wait! What? Let me read that again. Is that saying what I think it’s saying? 

If you remember, there is a mutation matching each type of cancer and to find this match means doctors can link it with the matching treatment. I was given a 40% chance that one of the “unreturned” samples of the biopsy would be a part of the cure. So this news, if it’s what I think it is, represents a complete game changer… especially for Annso, Will, and I.

The way they referred to it a couple months back, it went like this.

If we find one of the mutations, you have an 80% of full recovery.

If not, we are going to be in real trouble.

I don’t know any more than that, and don’t have answers to the questions like:

Will Chemo keep going?

I just wanted to get it out there asap for all who have been praying and beating heaven’s door down on my behalf.

A Twist

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I am on the receiving end of some of the best medical care this country and maybe even the world, has to offer, being a patient at the famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. And after working with them for almost 2 months now, I can see it clearly. 

Second only to world class doctors working tirelessly to take the best care of their patients and administer the best care and all the technology that goes with it, communication is something I’ve seen happen at no other hospital or medical clinic. Once you get a “Mayo Number” and begin treatment in their system, you are kept in the loop on every little thing. They have an app that includes your visits, numerous chats and access to your doctors, and even test results that come back just hours after I get blood work done. They never leave you guessing or “in the dark”. 

For example, I finished my last round of Chemo June 30th. From that point, we work toward the next treatment scheduled for July 20. These are 3 weeks apart. The balance with Chemo is trying to hit the Cancer as hard as possible without hitting it so hard it kills the patient (me). Since I am just 49 years old, I have been told I have a better chance of survival than, let’s say, if I were 79 years old. Many organs and body parts are compromised by treatment like my bone marrow platelet levels. 

Sunday (yesterday) morning, I went in for blood work to get a reading on my levels so they know how I am lining up for the next round. But instead of the hospital getting the info and keeping it from me, it comes in to my app shortly thereafter and I’ll have a follow-up appointment to discuss treatment. 

And if that wasn’t enough, tonight, after spiking a 100.4 fever I got from either Annso or Will, I came to the ER because they told me I am compromised and need to be checked. So that checking process revealed that I tested positive for Covid. Bummer.

Then the doc proceeds to tell me that because my condition qualifies me for the Covid antibodies treatment, they’ll give me the treatment and send me home tonight. Thank you Jesus!!!  I can’t tell how relieved I am. One more event that shows me I have no idea nor could I ever predict what might happen in a given day.