My 2nd Lupron injection - November 24, 2025

I have to admit that being back at the Zimmer Cancer Center here in Wilmington is a little surreal, and I also feel like I have come back home. I am thankful for the opportunity to receive care locally in coordination with Duke.

Yesterday I received my 2nd Lupron injection - 21 days after my 1st. Again, it was administered in my flank, this time switching the left side. Very little discomfort, just a pinch. No noticeable side effects so far. In fact, I ran 2 miles, then walked 3 this morning and felt great.

I appreciated the opportunity to see Dr. Robinson yesterday. He is so incredibly kind and caring. I felt seen and heard.

He allowed me to have blood tests yesterday that I requested, and, at my request, he has ordered those same blood tests for December 8 - two days before my surgery with Dr. Rossi and Dr. Zani.

Further, we scheduled my 3rd Lupron injection and next office visit with him for December, as well as a follow-up visit in January before the WDW Half Marathon (which I am still hoping to complete).

Tomorrow I’ll be two weeks out from my scheduled liver resection and debulking surgery at Duke.

Don't burn bridges

Taking a great deal of advice from other women with GCT, this morning (October 13) at 7:30 I showed up at Zimmer Cancer Center without an appointment and asked to be seen.

The front desk said, "You have to have a referral." (Who just walks in at an oncology office and gets seen on request, right!?) I went on to do a bit of begging, and the front desk said they'd send a note back to the team of my former oncologist, Dr. Robinson,

A few minutes later, my favorite nurse, Melinda, walked out. She remembered me, and she had taken a look at my chart. It was 7:45 am, and she asked if I were willing to hang around until 9. Of course, I said yes. Five minutes later, a 9 am appointment appeared on my phone, but I didn’t even have to wait until 9 am.

At 8:30, I was called back. Dr. Robinson saw me in the hall, smiled, and gave me a hug before going to see another patient.

I went into another exam room where I asked the normal questions you get with a visit.

15 minutes later Dr. Robinson came in, and he gave me his full attention for an extended period of time, answering every question I had and affirming his willingness to talk to Dr. Hillman and his willingness to think outside the box.

I reminded him I am willing to drive full speed into a brick wall, but I am not willing to die by a thousand paper cuts.

He seems to be okay with that, too.

I look forward to sharing more after my telehealth consultation with Dr. Hillman at UCSD on Thursday.