Isn't it Ironic?

How ironic is it that the day I sign up for my first 1/2 ironman distance triathlon, I find out that my cancer is back. I went to Dr. Jerk today for a 3:00 appointment. Mind you, I called yesterday afternoon and this morning to confirm that all my test results were in and was told they were. I had Adventurist #3 with me because he also had a doctor's appointment.

I did not speak to the doctor until after 4:00. He tells me that the cytology and flow cytometry are both negative! Yeah! So far, so good. But the rest of the results are not there. Mad doctor leaves the room and has the receptionist on the phone trying to track them down. He goes in with another new thryoid cancer patient to set up her first surgery.

Now it is 5:00. Still no answers, just a lot of phone calls with a new lab worker who doesn't know how to work a computer. We find out the test is not run in the hospital, it is run in Iowa. They call Iowa. They have results but still haven't sent them out. They finally send them over but only one page transmits. 5:15 - after telling them my cell phone number for the doctor to call  me tomorrow.

Game changer. It is positive. He thinks. He can't reach the lab to discuss normal vs abnormal levels because they are in a meeting. But he thinks its positive. He says that there is not supposed to be ANY thyrogen in the lymph node. Ok, are you sure? Then he tells me that Dr. Genius of Thyroid Cancer is coming to speak at a conference next Tuesday night and he wants to discuss my case with him. REALLY? Why? Why am I so special that we need to consult him? He doesn't think I will need surgery....yet. But when? If? Do I? 

So I am left with two things. 1.He is talking to Dr. Genius next Tuesday night and I should hear from Dr. Jerk (who turned out not too bad today after I waited nearly 3 hours) on Wednesday. 2. He is having the cytologists re-read the initial cytology now that we know there is cancer in it. A little backwards, isn't it? I love human medicine.
Choices beyond next week - surgery with 2 major unsightly incisions or monitor every 3 to 6 months.

Let's see what the phone call next week brings.....Oy.