今週木曜、これからNETでお世話になる主治医となる先生にお会いしてきた。大阪関西電力病院におられる、この分野では権威と言われる先生。
その有名なお名前や名声を超えて、とても温和で素晴らしい先生だった。この方に診ていただける、と思うだけで、安堵の気持ちに包まれた。また実際の手術をしてくださるもう少しお若い先生も素晴らしい方だった。癌と闘う時に自分をサポートしてくれる強固なチームを作れ、というけれど、本当に素晴らしいチームができつつあることに、心から感謝できた日だった。
先生のお話では私のケースは胃の幽門部3分の1の切除がよいとのこと。私も多少はこれまでにネットで勉強してきたので、これが一番の得策だというのはわかっていたから、その場で合意した。その分野に精通しておられる先生から直接そのお話を伺い、私の愚問にもきちんとお答えいただけて、これで納得して私も胃（の一部）とさよならできるわ。
病気やこれから受ける手術に不安がないと言えば嘘になるけれど、それ以上にこれからNETの先端の知識をお持ちの先生方と対話をし、教えを受けながら決断を下していくことに、小さな喜びもある。あ、もう一人で悩まなくてもいいっていう喜びみたいな。それに私のこのNETブログが何らかの役に立つ機会がこれから増えそうな気がする。私の体験や知識の共有が、少しでもNETで苦しむ方の力になれたら嬉しい。
I went to see a specialist on NET at a hospital in Osaka. I had known of him from my internet research but it was the first time meeting him in person. He is very well known in the field as there is only a very few doctors specialized in NET cancer in Japan. He sure is one of the pioneers in the area, and I am so lucky to have him as my main doctor. Along with him was another very skillful doctor who is also a specialist in NET. I am nothing but grateful for having those two doctors as part of the special team for my cancer battle.
The suggestion my doctor made for my conditions was to remove the bottom part of my stomach to stop gastrine hormone produce. I could not agree more that it would be the best option, judging from on my extensive web research. So I will go ahead with my surgery in the next few months.
As much as it is scary to go through a surgery and move my cancer battle with my NET to the next level, I am a bit excited and relieved to move on to the new phase. More than anything else, I do not have to feel lonely any more when I think about these complicated medical issues. I am looking forward to the dialogues I will have with my doctors, taking one step at a time together.
I sincerely hope that sharing my experiences and knowledge during my journey in my blogs for the next few months can help someone feel better and stronger when going through their journey of cancer battle.
