After being declared 'cured' for mucosal melanoma in my nose and sinus, it is time to meet a specialist who will treat the metastasis in the bones. The PET-scan looked like a Christmas tree, so many active areas in my bones, so we were referred to Dr Namikawa of Tsukiji National Cancer Center, head of Dermatology Dept. We had a whole day reserved to meet with him, explain the history and go through the standard tests to be admitted/accepted for treatment.
The only new thing was the CT scan with injection of contrast fluid. The nurse asked me many questions beforehand, and I gave up halfway. He left and came back with an English question list.... Nice! The fluid gave me a surge of warmth over my whole body. A sudden itchy cough made it impossible to lie still in the scanner. I hope the image is not too blurred.
The doctor provided a list of options for treatment of stage IV melanoma in the bones, and ticked off the ones which were not applicable to me due to non-existing mutations, (BRAF And C-Kit) based on tests done in Singapore in Feb'17. The suggested treatment is intravenous strontium therapy. He explained that the single dose of radioactive strontium is absorbed by the cancer cells in the bone and excess exits the body in the natural way. After 3 months the result will be reviewed by CT scan to decide to start immunotherapy or not.
My wife was very relieved, saying that nobody dies from bone cancer. She was also happily surprised how the hospital had changed. Her bad memories somehow lifted although she felt very heavy while waiting for my tests to complete.
We took the bus to Tokyo station and enjoyed the train ride home by the familiar Chuo-line. We met our kids in Mitaka station and had diner in our favorite restaurant, chatting and eating as much as we could. My choice of bad jokes and food was super healthy, and I renamed the dish gan-set. (cancer-set). I sent a message to my bros and sissies that I planned to sit clean under the real Christmas tree.
The next day I went to the office, to take care of urgent matters and to meet my visiting boss. He provided lots of moral support and said to focus on getting better and not worry about work. He informed his boss too (a board member), who said I could contact him if I needed any help. This level of support made me rest assured that extension/repeated work interruptions due to hospitalization and side effects would be accepted without repercussions to my family's livelihood.
That's how we as a family settled into a new frame of mind where my invisible partner would not affect our life. Our positive outlook on life prevails, planning many activities and having fun together without a dark cloud looming over us. No, it feels light and bright, sunny and funny. What a great turn of events, with painless treatment and no suffering. Medicines developed and tested in the last 5 years, would eradicate my cancer.
Maxillectomy, proton beam radiation and now strontium therapy followed by immunotherapy. My Friend up there designed a magnificent path of recovery. It was designed, constructed and tested just in time for me to discover it with the help of specialists who were and are waiting to support and cure me: dr Goh, dr Tang, dr Zenda and dr Namikawa. Kindred souls, brothers in arms. They are the Angels sent to keep my spirits high and guard the progress of my recovery. How blessed I am.
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