Today was a day of meetings. No poking. No proding. No sticking. This could have been any other workday if we’d substituted the clinical setting with a cubical setting. That would be a bit weird, though.
FYI: If you haven’t seen the TumorVille Playbill, look up at the navigation for the new link. I’ll be updating that page with the latest schedule of events and people.
Dr. Kaye M. Reid Lombardo
After waiting all these weeks, it was a real delight to finally meet Dr. Reid Lombardo (non-hyphenated last name). She has a quiet charisma to her with a sense of unassuming confidence. She took her time in explaining everything to us from the various surgery procedures that will need to be / possibly performed, to the many other surgeons and consults involved. As well as answered all our questions.
I’ve been around doctors who make you feel rushed. Not intentional. Likely because of their busy schedule. Dr. Reid Lombardo was completely the opposite. She took her time with us and wanted to make sure we were informed. She talked with us like we were not beneath her. She truly made us feel comfortable. And more importantly, she had a great sense of humor and laughed with us.
I’m looking forward to meeting with her again next Tuesday during my last consult with the Urologist.
Oh, and if you ever saw Dr. Reid Lombardo on the street, you’ll likely not recogize her from her picture (see link above). She is constantly changing her dew, which btw, looked fabulous today! I think I may have a little crush on her, but don’t tell anyone.
Dr. Manju Kalra
I was the last patient of the day for Dr. Kalra (pronounced Collara, like collar with an ‘a’ at the end). At least I assume so since there was no one else in the waiting room and it was 5 p.m. I’m not even sure why I’m telling you this other than for my own remembrance.
Dr. Kalra is a vascular surgeon which apparently means someone who sews veins and arteries. Everything about her exudes professionalism. She is quite to the point. But, nonetheless is very personable. We even got her to crack a laugh with us.
The next time I see Dr. Kalra is when I’m in surgery. And I have no doubt she will do everything she can to save my kidney.
A New Problem: Anyone Need a Kidney?
The MRI done yesterday revealed that my gremlin is not only surrounding my Inferior Vena Cava. But it is also impeding/encroaching on a vein from one of my kidneys. At first I wasn’t concerned, but when Dr. Reid Lombardo continued to explain the problem and possible complications, I think I mentally fell out of my chair.
So what’s the big deal? Apparently when the gremlin is removed, there will be one of three possible outcomes for my right kidney:
- The gremlin just peels right off without damage to the kidney.
- The gremlin takes a piece of the vein as a souvenir and the vascular surgeon replaces the missing section with a synthetic graft otherwise known as an artificial vein.
- The kidney needs to be completely removed. That really scares the crap out of me!
I’m not a big fan of losing one of my kidneys even if I do have a spare one. I tried to impress upon the surgeons that losing one of my kidneys would really suck. If needed, I offered the assistance of Dr. T. Spittal. We’re still waiting to hear back on that one.
Thanks for listening.