In his honest and personal book Body and Soul, author John describes the important step of moving his care to Massachusetts General Hospital after the initial diagnosis of metastatic anorectal mucosal melanoma.

The Local Surgeon Who Knew This Rare Cancer Needed More Specialized Experience

Doctor Tierney had been straightforward with them from the very beginning. His own hospital could usually provide the same care and treatment for cancer as the big Boston hospitals but not with this particular brand of the beast. He recommended they go to a place that saw this type of cancer regularly. Their experience might be able to extend his life. The goal was to buy time. There was no cure yet and everyone understood that.

The Drive To Boston With The Unopened Scan Reports Sitting In The Car

On April 23 2018, John and Pat made the trip to Boston. Before leaving Plymouth, John had picked up the PET scan and reports from the local hospital. When he got back to the car Pat asked if he had opened the package. He told her no. He was too scared to open it. Let the doctor give us the news he said. The car stayed very quiet during the drive. Both of them felt nervous but they kept moving forward.

The Enormous Campus And The Sense Of Organized Chaos Near The Main Entrance

The MGH campus itself felt enormous. It covered several city blocks in width and depth. There were thirty buildings many of them over ten floors high and one reaching twenty two floors. As they approached the main entrance cars police vehicles and ambulances moved along Fruit Street in what looked like organized chaos. Hospitality agents stood in the road helping patients get in and out or giving directions to parking. Yet somehow everything flowed.

Moving Through The Patient Queues And Receiving The Badge For The Seventh Floor

They found the Yawkey Cancer Center without too much trouble. Once inside they entered a queue system much like an airport. Lanes were clearly marked for patients visitors treatments and testing. The lines moved quickly. At the end a greeter looked up the name and handed John a badge. It read John J. 7E Yawkey Building. They also gave him a small device that would buzz when it was time for the appointment.

The Quiet Professional Feeling Inside The Seventh Floor Waiting Area

The seventh floor felt different from anything they had seen so far. The office stayed quiet and well organized. Staff appeared professional and the space looked neat and attractive. A south wall of glass offered a nice view of the State House. Paintings on the walls changed every few months and came from local artists. John noticed the wide range of patients in the waiting room. People of various ages including some quite young adults sat with their families. The why me feeling did not seem quite so unfair anymore.

The Moment Dr Cohen Reviewed The Reports Privately Before Speaking

Doctor Justine Cohen an oncologist entered the examination room. She was tall and attractive. After introductions she asked for the envelope with the scan reports and whether John had opened it. He said he had not. She then did something that stood out. She walked out of the room and closed the door behind her. John realized she wanted to read the reports first in private. She did not want to see them for the first time right in front of him. A few minutes later she returned with a slight smile a thumbs up and the words They are okay.

Dr Cusack Joining The Conversation And The Team Feeling That Followed

Soon after Doctor James Cusack a surgeon who specialized in these melanoma cases joined them. He introduced himself and complimented the work Doctor Tierney had done earlier. Both doctors explained that John had fourth stage metastatic mucosal melanoma. They spoke as a team patient friendly and sincere. They answered every question even when John repeated himself out of nervousness. The doctors made it clear they would monitor both his body and his brain because of how this cancer could behave.

Understanding That Treatment Decisions Would Move Quickly Once The Team Agreed

The doctors outlined next steps that included further surgery to create wider margins and possibly address a few lymph nodes that might be affected. They said that once the tumor board reached a consensus things would move at warp speed. John learned the whole approach stayed coordinated and focused. The pages of Body and Soul capture this moment with quiet honesty. What had felt completely overwhelming suddenly gained a clearer path thanks to the right place and the right people stepping in at the right time. There was still plenty ahead but for the first time the weight of uncertainty felt a little lighter.