Practicing Medicine

After a few days at home, my right shoulder and arm were so sore. I felt like I was in a fight with Mike Tyson and lost. The surgical site was covered with a bandage but the areas around it were swollen. I took Tylenol but had minimal relief. I tried to lay on my back with my head, right shoulder and right arm propped up on pillows. This position helped me stay still but caused me to guard my right side and trigger more stiffness. Staying at home wasn’t an option, so I decided to go to work to take care of a few things in preparation for the unknown. I took my time dressing, ensuring that I wore clothing that was not too confining, and then drove myself to work using my left arm.

I followed the post-surgery instructions diligently. I made a conscious effort to adhere to the directive of refraining from lifting anything for the prescribed two-week period. Mindful of this restriction, I approached my daily routine with caution, opting to carry only the most essential items on my left side to avoid any strain or discomfort.

Upon arriving at the office, I settled into my desk, greeted by a daunting array of tasks awaiting my attention. Despite the weight of responsibility bearing down on me, I remained steadfast in my commitment to tackle each task methodically and efficiently.

As I sat there with the team conducting second interviews for potential candidates, my phone suddenly rang, interrupting the session. It was the research coordinator with news that I had been eagerly awaiting – I was deemed a genetic match for the clinical trial and secured the final spot in the program. Joy and relief washed over me and could be felt throughout the room in that moment. My peers inquired about my change in mood, so I shared my news because I could hardly contain myself.

Receiving this confirmation came as a significant relief, especially given the timing. Had I already started the traditional chemotherapy as initially planned, it would have deemed me ineligible for participation in the trial. The news arrived just in time to redirect my treatment path towards a potentially more promising one.