Oddbean new post about | logout
 Just coming back from NYC, I have spent the last 26 years in Cancer Advocacy working alongside the best minds in lymphoma. The first 7 years of my advocacy and after firing my wife's first two Hem/Oncs I thought like you. Then she got to the best, after my 1000s of hours of research. After I stopped yelling and bitching, I was invited behind the scenes. I was shocked what I saw, the opposite of what I thought, including some of those at the NCI. They are incredible people, they do care about their patients, I am exhausted after spending 3 16 hour days with them as they 'talked shop' late into the night. 

My wife, at 31, diagnosed with incurable stage IVB (bone marrow, all over) should not be here. 

She is because of the best minds in the world, not all doctors are equal.

Do you know what you call a doctor with a D average? A: Doctor

We spend our lives trying to find that trusty mechanic yet we go to the closest doctor when we get a cancer diagnosis.

That's wrong, if it's your radiator go to a radiator specialist. 

Specialist. Not generalist.

Reality is we spend more trying to kill the people we hate than to save the people we love.

Cancer researchers are welfare recipients in lab coats. 

My wife is alive. For those hematologists who understand this but are skeptical, this was before Rituxan. It was IDEC-C2B8 and she had CHOP only, recurrence, then Rituxan, recurrence, then palliative care to buy time with radiation.

NEGATIVE PET.

Shocking.

She has survived Breast Cancer too since then, I am grateful. Grateful for the amazing doctors out there so I give back with 1000s of hours of volunteer time to help those in the cancer community.

Health is way more important than wealth.

Bitcoin is a hobby.

Be thankful.