UNC Cancer Center

When I arrived at the hospital Tuesday morning around 7:45 to retrieve John, he was sitting there, bag packed, patting his foot ready to go.  In no time, we were waving goodbye to everyone and thanking them for such good care.  PCMH...in the rear view!  YES!

After leaving Pitt Memorial, John was hungry, really hungry.  Hospital food doesn't always fill the bill, so off we go to get breakfast.  Bacon, cheese omelet, toast, pancakes, coffee, all the necessary goodies for a fine breakfast, and it was perfect, and so good to see him looking well and eating.

While having breakfast, our friend Jim, called.  He had a friend, Betty, that worked at the UNC Cancer Center and she was going to help us. We exchanged numbers and headed home to Snow Hill to regroup, unfortunately, we were both pooped, and it was only 9 a.m.

We had rushed to make sure John was out of the hospital in time to make our appointment in Chapel Hill that day at 2 p.m.  Luckily, everything had fallen in place so far and having a connection like Betty there to help us through the hospital maze would be the "cherry on top".

After dropping his bags, checking on a few work issues by phone, taking a shower and re-ragging (changing clothes), John sat down to rest a few minutes.  I was bustling about, taking care of a few bills, getting information printed out for a meeting I had that night, and then the printer flashes an alert that it is OUT OF BLACK INK!  Don't have time for this.  About that same time, the driveway alarm dinged and the dogs started barking.  I looked out the door, it was Martin, our pastor.

We welcomed him in and he and John sat down to talk.  I excused myself to finish gathering the rest of our information for Chapel Hill.  Soon it was time to go and after a sweet prayer and gentle hug from Martin, we readied ourselves for the trip.

Going for a second opinion seems simple, but it is not.  The most difficult part is preparing yourself for what may be said.  Everything has to be rehashed, retold, reviewed by someone you don't know.  It's hard regurgitating dates and facts, especially when most of them, you want to and try to....forget.

When we looked around for an expert in lung cancer to offer a second opinion, several names were given, but one name came up several times, Dr. Mark Socinski, at the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center.  Mind you, we told everyone, travel was not a problem, we would find a way to get there.  But luckily, Dr. Socinsky, was close by.  Well, around a hundred miles, but Chapel Hill seems like our back yard because we are so familiar with it.  Our daughter, Lauren, received her undergraduate degree from UNC in 2002.  And as we drove through the beautiful university campus toward the Cancer Center, we passed many places that brought back wonderful memories.

We arrived about 45 minutes early, chose the Valet Parking option and called Betty.  Much to our surprise, she was out to meet us within ten seconds.  We introduced ourselves and she escorted us in.

The Lineberger Cancer Center is an impressive facility.  Not as impressive as the Mayo Clinic, but certainly nearing that level.  Our tax money at work!  Betty got us to our checkin point quickly and offered us a bowl of wonderful chicken vegetable soup with croutons which we accepted eagerly.

Shortly, we were face to face and talking with Dr. Mark Socinski, Associate Professor,  Clinical Research in Hematology and Oncology at the University of North Carolina Lineberger Cancer Center.  A well respected, well published, (and quite handsome) doctor that is a noted authority on lung cancer, especially the type John has.  After a lengthy discussion about John's situation, Dr. Socinski gave us his opinion of what would be the best treatment.  Since the first cocktail didn't work, John's oncologist, Dr. Lee, had laid out 3 new drugs.  These were sifted from many options.  Several options were taken off the table because, after genetic testing, they were shown to be ineffective for John.  Of the three remaining drugs, Dr. Socinski endorsed two of them and agreed with what had been done to this point.  He also offered his opinion for radiation and surgery and said, "If this next group of drugs does not work, please come back."  He told us John is now in the system and there are new drugs in the pipeline that may be available soon.  After listening to him and asking many questions, we thanked him, went by to tell Betty goodbye, and headed east.

Another long but productive day.  Wagon wheels are hot....but still rolling.

PCQ