Sloan Kettering is one of the largest and most respected cancer treatment and research centers in the country. I was fortunate to have found a surgeon with this training and background. I was comfortable in a large, high-tech, state-of-the-art teaching hospital. I was not overwhelmed by it all. This is what I wanted and needed. The minute I met my doctor, I had a wonderful feeling of trust. He gave off an aura of confidence, capability and professionalism that I hadn't seen before. He treated me not like a neurotic hypochondriac, but like an intelligent woman who wanted to be an informed patient and who wanted to be a full partner in the decision making process. He was the answer to my prayers.
I won't pretend it was easy. When I came to the double glassed doors that said, "Gynecological Oncology," I hesitated a moment before pushing them open. A part of me didn't want to go in. I felt I was entering a world I did not want to be a part of. But, once through those doors, my comfort level increased rapidly.
His examination was gentle, his manner compassionate, his conversation intelligent. I met his resident who was going to be my day-to-day care provider, and saw a true young professional. For the first time, I had the feeling that I was turning my health over to people who knew more than I did. I'm not trying to sound arrogant, but I honestly felt that my prior physicians didn't know much more than I did. It was difficult to put my trust in them. I can't stress enough how important it is to find a doctor and a setting that give you that feeling of trust. If you don't have it, keep looking. Consider second, and even third opinions. Feel free to say, "Thank you very much, but I would like a referral." Take control! It's your body and your life, and you're worth it.
I once again met with the person who was going to administer the anesthetic. This was not an anesthetist with a pony tail, but an anesthesiologist - a real doctor on the staff of a major teaching hospital - whose specialty was anesthesia. I was assured that none of my teeth would be chipped or broken.
My wonderful specialist noticed my croaking whisper and asked about it. He suspected a possible secondary site in my throat, and arranged to have their otorhinolaryngologist deal with it at the same time as my surgery. For the first time, I was hopeful and confident. I will never be able to express my gratitude to this wonderful medical team.
I had met Sloan Kettering, and I had liked what I had seen. We were now on a voyage together. I no longer felt alone.