A recent visit to my hematologist Dr. Silverman was most encouraging.
“Everything looks fine,” he pronounced after a weigh in and a brief physical examination. “I’ll see you again in January when we can set up a CT scan. Then we’ll know if what’s happening on the inside matches how well you look on the outside.”
I felt like he was comparing me to a ripe tomato or a peach.
“Are you still taking Vitamin D?" he asked.
“I certainly am,” I replied, “along with a daily serving of asparagus. Apparently asparagus has tumour-inhibiting properties.”
Dr. Silverman smiled. “I’m not sure where you ‘re getting your information but eat all the asparagus you want. They certainly can’t do you any harm.”
Terry added that I’d been taking calcium supplements for fear that chemotherapy might lead to osteoporosis.
“That’s not the case,” Doctor Silverman replied. “However prolonged use of prednisone, the drug that Michael used for a few days after each of his chemotherapy treatments, can cause loss of bone density."
Turning to me he added," By all means keep taking the calcium if you like. If fact, just keep doing whatever you’ve been doing. It’s good to see you so well for now.”
Forever the realist, Dr. Silverman constantly reminds me that I’m probably still in for a battle at some point in the future but then again, aren't all of us in for a battle someday. For now, living with dormant cancer cells doesn’t bother me. If anything, being a member of the cancer club has made me much more aware of the pain and suffering of others.
My cancer membership has also drawn me to the stories of courageous and faithful people who try to walk on water even when their seas are rough and the shore seems distant.
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