I showed up at the doctors place for a clinical verification on a Sunday afternoon (24th Feb).
He did a check and asked for a quick biopsy, as expected. And said, even if it is cancerous it is "Eminently" treatable.
I was puzzled with the word "eminently" - which he pronounced a couple of times. What does it exactly mean ? The first thing I after coming out of the doctors office is to look up the word on my phone -
eminently |ˈemənəntlē|
adverb [ often assubmodifier ]
to a notable degree; very: an eminently readable textbook.
I lamented at the doctor in my mind - "Could not he have just told its treatable ? Was the adjective needed ? If needed, why a word not commonly used ? Who uses "eminently" ?".
My boss was visiting from USA next two days. So biopsy had to wait till Thursday. It was a small 15 minute procedure. And one lesson I had already learned in my life is not to refer to "google" for medical information.
One thing I can easily vouch for - it helps to be aware of your body, and the common sense which is part of every science, but its absolutely confusing and discouraging to go searching google for information on medical science.
I was still myself, cracking PJs, keeping all around me in good humor ! Local anesthesia. So I was awake, when the doc make the deep incision to take out the blister in a nice smooth one stroke, until he bumped in to something small pearly rocky, not so smooth in that one stroke motion.
The awareness / intuition kicked in again - two things !
"The doc is a good surgeon, if I am going for any major surgery I am coming to this guy. Nice smooth cutting action.
Secondly, its gotta come out positive, why else would it hit a hard part at the end ? "
The report was due following Monday. I went from office directly to pick up the report. Had a bit f nervousness, so called in my good friend to accompany me. Picked up the report and read it. Called in my brother too. Yes. It was cancer and all of it not out through Biopsy.
Called in my wife to let her know. Went to meet the doctor. He was not surprised to see the report. He went through a very detailed discussion on what I should be expecting in next few weeks. Luckily I still found myself holding up pretty well, with the smile on face, and practicality in approach.
Called my super boss in US (4AM his time), my mentor and Guru. My coach. My close friends. Let every one know. I knew I will need them. I knew these are the people, who would not come back and tell me "Stupid you .. why did you use tobacco ? Now go pay for it" !
The diagnosis now had to focus on the extend of spread. So following Wednesday, went for an MRI - Neck and Head.
What a procedure !!!! 30 mins of staying still inside a claustrophobic tube with variety of annoying loud sound waves, and an IV line pumping iodine solution in to blood stream.
All that time my wife and a close friend waiting outside, patiently.
The MRI results came out next day. No lymphatic impact yet. Local buccal muscle spread around 2.5 cm x 1.3 cms.
I was trying to redefine the word "eminently" in my head as "mostly" - after reading that report.
He did a check and asked for a quick biopsy, as expected. And said, even if it is cancerous it is "Eminently" treatable.
I was puzzled with the word "eminently" - which he pronounced a couple of times. What does it exactly mean ? The first thing I after coming out of the doctors office is to look up the word on my phone -
eminently |ˈemənəntlē|
adverb [ often assubmodifier ]
to a notable degree; very: an eminently readable textbook.
I lamented at the doctor in my mind - "Could not he have just told its treatable ? Was the adjective needed ? If needed, why a word not commonly used ? Who uses "eminently" ?".
My boss was visiting from USA next two days. So biopsy had to wait till Thursday. It was a small 15 minute procedure. And one lesson I had already learned in my life is not to refer to "google" for medical information.
One thing I can easily vouch for - it helps to be aware of your body, and the common sense which is part of every science, but its absolutely confusing and discouraging to go searching google for information on medical science.
I was still myself, cracking PJs, keeping all around me in good humor ! Local anesthesia. So I was awake, when the doc make the deep incision to take out the blister in a nice smooth one stroke, until he bumped in to something small pearly rocky, not so smooth in that one stroke motion.
The awareness / intuition kicked in again - two things !
"The doc is a good surgeon, if I am going for any major surgery I am coming to this guy. Nice smooth cutting action.
Secondly, its gotta come out positive, why else would it hit a hard part at the end ? "
The report was due following Monday. I went from office directly to pick up the report. Had a bit f nervousness, so called in my good friend to accompany me. Picked up the report and read it. Called in my brother too. Yes. It was cancer and all of it not out through Biopsy.
Called in my wife to let her know. Went to meet the doctor. He was not surprised to see the report. He went through a very detailed discussion on what I should be expecting in next few weeks. Luckily I still found myself holding up pretty well, with the smile on face, and practicality in approach.
Called my super boss in US (4AM his time), my mentor and Guru. My coach. My close friends. Let every one know. I knew I will need them. I knew these are the people, who would not come back and tell me "Stupid you .. why did you use tobacco ? Now go pay for it" !
The diagnosis now had to focus on the extend of spread. So following Wednesday, went for an MRI - Neck and Head.
What a procedure !!!! 30 mins of staying still inside a claustrophobic tube with variety of annoying loud sound waves, and an IV line pumping iodine solution in to blood stream.
All that time my wife and a close friend waiting outside, patiently.
The MRI results came out next day. No lymphatic impact yet. Local buccal muscle spread around 2.5 cm x 1.3 cms.
I was trying to redefine the word "eminently" in my head as "mostly" - after reading that report.
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