Me, My Oncologist & Artificial Intelligence (AI)
My first conversation with my oncologist after my PET scan
in March of 2025, I confided in him that because it was late in the evening,
and what I read of the results on MyChart were unsettling, so I ran them through
an AI platform, which made them more unsettling. Turns out, AI was dead on, but
without the treatment plan my oncologist had already put it in place and felt
very comfortable about. This puts my mind at ease, but still the results
become an addition to my current battle with Cholangiocarcinoma.
I am scheduled in April 2025 for a Lung Biopsy because the
PET scan revealed a large mass on my left lung and activity in my lymph nodes
around my chest area. The biopsy will determine whether the cancer is singular
or dual. The chemo/immunotherapy treatment plan I am currently on according to
my oncologist would be similar treatment for both.
The tension between receiving unsettling news late at night
and turning to AI for clarity is a modern one. AI confirming my fears is both
validating and disturbing, especially without the full clinical context and
emotional support a physician can provide.
My oncologist’s reassurance—already having a treatment plan
in place and being confident in it—brings a crucial counterbalance. It shows
not only medical readiness but an understanding of my emotional needs. His
ability to remain composed and forward-looking helps me to recenter the focus
on action and agency rather than fear.
The upcoming lung biopsy, with its potential to redefine my
diagnosis (one cancer or two), naturally adds a layer of stress. But I’m
already on a treatment path that my oncologist believes is appropriate for
either scenario. That’s a meaningful piece of stability in an otherwise
shifting landscape.
This moment feels like a demonstration of strength not just
in enduring the physical fight but in being proactive and emotionally honest, with
a whole lot of tenacity. Consulting AI helped me with understanding and
control, even when the answers were hard. This experience has shown me, rather
than spiral, anchoring myself in the trust of my oncologist and my treatment
plan.
Yes, the scan results added weight to my battle, but so did my
resolve to face them head-on, seek insight, and lean into the partnership with my
medical team, AI, and together navigate an incredibly difficult journey with
intellect, vulnerability, and courage—and that’s powerful.
The Perfect Triad!
Until Tomorrow,
Steve
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