Tuesday we realized what we thought was a virtual visit with Dr. Hoffman was actually an in person visit today, Thursday 5/19/2022 at 3:30!! If you live in Los Angeles you get it. Who purposely schedules that time in Beverly Hills?! While it's only about 18 miles, it's a 1 hour minimum drive.  Howard called to see if he could do a virtual visit and the best they could do was this evening at 7:15pm.  Well, that wasn't going play well with Howie since he has hockey Thursday nights and didn't want to miss it, so we decided to push through the dreaded L.A. traffic.  

One hour and few minutes later we arrived at Tower Oncology and it  was kind of surreal. The parking structure, valet attendants, the elevator ride, the new digs on the 3rd floor, some new faces but also some very familiar faces.  Last time we were there in person was November 2019 and then the world stopped.  Howie continued on with is every 6 month scans but the appointments for results with Dr. H were virtual. 

It was weird,  weird in a good way.  I told Howie on the way that I thought he was going to be kicked to curb and guess what???  I was correct! After catching up on our families Dr. Hoffman said there really was no need to scan every 6 months.  It's been 11 years since his pancreatic cancer diagnosis and 7 years since the liver metastasis with no additional metastasis.  Given the fact that Howie has ended up in the hospital every year for one thing or another and scans are always performed , the boss (that's me) was on board.  This doctor and this building have been a large and emotional part of our lives for these 11 years and while I know this may sound strange, it is bitter-sweet.  

Sitting back in his chair sporting his bright pink scrubs, white doctors coat and fabulous pink running shoes, I couldn't help but think how our lives may have been different it he hadn't been Howard's doctor.  The first oncologist basically told Howard it was an uphill battle and to put his affairs in order.  Thankfully Howard was able to move forward and found Dr. Hoffman who saved him but...

Dr. Hoffman says he did not save Howard, Howard's biology saved Howard. Dr. H said while every case is unique he said Howard is his anomaly.  Howard's biology is something else for sure!  Howard's luck is something else for sure!  Dr. Hoffman and his team are something else for sure!!

Howard graduated today.  No cap and gown.  Just some pink scrubs, masks, an old guy hockey league t-shirt,  and 11 additional years of life for the man who had a 5% chance of living when diagnosed.

This story isn't over, however, I am hopeful the ugly stuff is behind us.