Walking into the Johns Hopkins Cancer Center was both humbling and scary, but I was greeted immediately by one of their many concierges. He took both my hands and said, "You're new here; we're going to take very good care of you." He directed me to a registrar who confirmed my information and gave me a badge to wear. The badge had a GPS chip in it; my doctor knew I was there and how long I would be waiting, and if I wanted to, could sit in their cafe, and the doctor's assistant would come and get me. Amazing.
My surgery went well. The surgeon was able to extract clear margins, and the seminal node is clear. I'll start radiation in a couple of weeks; chemo is a remote possibility. I'll also do hormonal suppressant therapy for five years. Those treating me were competent and compassionate. I am beholden to them.
I'm well. I'm happy. I'm blessed.
"To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you lived here.
This is to have succeeded."
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you lived here.
This is to have succeeded."
from ROBIN by David Itzkoff taken from Ralph Waldo Emerson
