Awwww, my lil lady dental patient br... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Awwww, my lil lady dental patient brought me a card

dockam profile image
69 Replies

So sweet of her, on her own, to make me a Thank you card. So precious 💙.

Made an old man tear up😢

This is why at 65 and #stageivpca for 7 1/ 2yrs, that I'm not retiring anytime soon. Seeing my patients mostly lifts my mood 💙

Fight on

Randy

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dockam profile image
dockam
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69 Replies
dockam profile image
dockam

My cute lil patients💙

Two of my fav dental pts
Yadifan profile image
Yadifan in reply to dockam

Those happy smiles!!

NWLiving profile image
NWLiving in reply to Yadifan

Adorable

siouxbee19 profile image
siouxbee19

What a precious soul!

🕊️🙏❤️🕯️

Scout4answers profile image
Scout4answers

You are a lucky man indeed Randy

dockam profile image
dockam

You're welcome to just come in and say hi💙

dockam profile image
dockam

Oh cool, don't have a panorex up here, but did at my previous office in the OC. Yes, I still get jazzed when I restore a smile or when cute lil girls write me Thank you notes 💙That's awesome about your job as a biomed engineer, you had a productive major. Not like Gender Studies!!

Just got back from the OC, I took my 86 yr old Aunt grocery shopping to Sprouts and a Asian market. I got myself Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan), Baby Bok Choy, Napa cabbage and a jar of Kim Chee

My office is like 3000 sf and I only cool the front side where the front desk and the dental operatories are. I stay in the back with a ceiling fan going. You may have noticed in that pic with the 2 girls, I was in shorts, that's my Summer de rigueur Hawaii style outfit

We keep it at 74, cuz I can't like sweat onto a patient.

Maybe we can have some kind of gathering for any HU people on the West side of the US

Fight on Brother

Kam

Shopping with Aunt Betty
EdBacon profile image
EdBacon

Congratulations!

I think it's amazing that you are still working and a such a strong fighter, downing all those chemos and still going strong. I've only had 8 so far myself.

You are an inspiration for all of us!

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to EdBacon

Mahalo Brother, working helps with my mood, esp when cute lil ones are excited to see me! And so glad that the Cabazitaxel has reduced your pain! I've never had pain from the PCa, as there wasn't any in my bones, so grateful for that. Just in the L side ureter lymph nodes.

Keep on truckin'

Live long and Prosper and always Fight on

Randy

EdBacon profile image
EdBacon in reply to dockam

Seems like the Cabazitaxel working for me so far. Got major reduction in pain to nothing. I did get a bit right after infusion the next day, but that's gone now. My doctor hasn't checked my PSA yet but ALP went down from 162 to 134 after one cycle. That's a good sign. It's not too far out of range now.

I've got 8 more in the queue. My doctor showed me 'See, I've got you down for 10. I think it will keep working and you will be able to do them all."

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to EdBacon

Awesome esp with the ALP dropping. I've tried several times to have Carboplatin added to the Cabazitaxel, MO wants the PSMA scan first to see if there's anything large enough to biopsy. I only have 4 more to go, and with PSA still rising, dunno what could be the next treatment.

EdBacon profile image
EdBacon in reply to dockam

Can you do Pluvicto next? That's my plan.

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to EdBacon

Yea, if Kaiser will ever approve the PSMA scan

EdBacon profile image
EdBacon in reply to dockam

You might not have much on your scan if your PSA is low and no pain, ALP good?

I got my first PSMA scan and my doctor said "Well not much to talk about, there's nothing on the scan except one tiny spot. Looks like you are not metastatic." But 3 months later that changed along with the pain level and PSA. Still not that much on the second scan though.

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to EdBacon

PSA up to 4.2ALP ranging from 36 to 46

EdBacon profile image
EdBacon in reply to dockam

Probably would be good for a baseline PSMA, but you might not have much if anything there.

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to EdBacon

Yea, kinda good news/bad news. Good news if nothing with PSMA, bad news that there won't be anything to do a genetic sample on

EdBacon profile image
EdBacon in reply to dockam

No, it's only good news if there is nothing on the scan. Nothing to biopsy is also good news. Nothing is the best.

WillowHawk profile image
WillowHawk

Congratulations on being appreciated. Wow, you do a lot more than I do here in OC! Rock on! 🏄🏋️🤸

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to WillowHawk

Mahalo, we all wanna have our clients/customers/patients/coworkers show us that we are valued. But, esp in a dental situation where anxiety is ever-present, it's such a wonderful feeling to have a 9 year who I've only seen since 2020, decide to make a Thank you card. Btw it's going up on my front desk :-).

Fight on

Randy

erjlg3 profile image
erjlg3

That is the most precious note ♥️

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to erjlg3

Yea, I'm impressed with her words, pretty sophisticated for a 9 yr old. As I mentioned earlier, she's been a patient for only 2 years. But, I'm always a big goofball with the kiddos, and that must have made an impression :-)

erjlg3 profile image
erjlg3

I use to get school bus notes like that. I still read them from time to time. Always makes my heart smile. Enjoy every second Randy💞

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to erjlg3

Yes, esp with what we are going thru with ADT induced mood swings. Carpe Diem y'allShe was the 1st in the chair and handed me her card, I read it, teared up and gave her a huge hug. Then gave it to my manager to read and she said "awwww". The Mom said that she also teared up when she read it at home.

My best to you

Randy

spencoid2 profile image
spencoid2

better stay alive to serve this appreciative patient. you have a mission!

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to spencoid2

She's nine, and I said to her that I was her Crazy Uncle and wanted to see her grow up and graduate HS, get married etc .I have multiple three generation patients up here also. Many over 20 yr patients, I posted a pic with a couple of Beermates who are 22 yrs with this Crazy AZN and their son.

Also have two lil guys who are my first 4th generation that I see, the Great G'ma is a Cuban refugee who came here in the 60's

Dobbins Ohana
Blueslover profile image
Blueslover

Nice

DiverDownCA profile image
DiverDownCA

I'm a disabled dental hygienist from a car accident.People don't realize the extent we put our heart into our patients.

They're not just teeth. They are grandkids, and hobbies, and travel and sickness and health and up and downs...

I guess you could say they are definitely family!

I worked at the same dental practice for 17 years and then the car accident took me out in a day.

I got cards and letters from so many of my patients! It warmed my heart!

Unfortunately I am totally disabled at this point and unable to work at all in any career, but I'm always so thankful for those days that I spent with those amazing dentist, coworker coworkers and fabulous patients!

The card from this young lady is a testament to the amazing job you do and the difference you make! Especially when children are happy to come to the dentist because maybe we're helping to create a generation that's not afraid to go to the dentist!

I still keep in touch with several of my patients. They will text me or send me cards 5 years later.

Wow I miss them!

Keep up the Great work and the fighting spirit!!

The picture says it all!❤️

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to DiverDownCA

Oh dang, about the car accident :-(. You never know what the the future has in store for you, but that's so wonderful that you connected with your patients and that they still send you cards. I tell my new patients that they are Ohana (Family) and that I wouldn't do anything on them that I wouldn't do on my own Ohana.

I will ask my 73 yr old hygienist about songs and who sang them, when I'm working on my patients from my operatory across the from her. I have an Alexa in her room to play music, so something will trigger a song, and she will answer or query Alexa. My crazy lyrical brain will prompt a song and I've had patients sing with me too!!

Hugs from CA

dockam profile image
dockam

Oh, awesome Brother. There aren't any Asian markets up in Tehachapi, so when I get a chance to go down South, I get veggies, and other items from the markets in the OC., Never tried to make Kim Chee, but have done sauerkraut - I guess same/same, fermented cabbage (cruciferous with sulforaphanes) .

Yea, I can't do too spicy either, don't wanna have gastric disturbance :-)

Soba, chow mein, and Kim Chee
spencoid2 profile image
spencoid2 in reply to dockam

Kim Chee is easy to make but a little effort to make it as good as you can buy. First do not cheat and try to use regular cabbage, has to be Napa. Be real careful with the quantity of hot spice if you use it, also the fish sauce. If you overdo either of them it will be inedible and now way to fix it. Koreans make Kim Chee out of just about anything with and with out heavy spice and fish guts. I need to make some again, last batch was so horrible it turned me off. I love Kim Chee and could not eat that batch.

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to spencoid2

My daughter in law gave me a fermenting kit : amazon.com/Easy-Fermenter-W...

I made a batch and it wasn't good. I'll try again :-)

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

spencoid2 profile image
spencoid2 in reply to dockam

It has been a while since I made any. My best was almost as good as the commercial stuff. My worst was horrible. Check online for various recopies and suggestions. Make sure to keep things clean, do not use too much salt etc. I have some of those airlock bottles but the best success was with a large crock and a weight on top. All you need to do is keep air out of the brine so mold does not grow. I do not trust the airlock especially if you keep opening to check. If you live near an Asian market, just buy it :) When we had a house in Edmonds WA there were 5 Asian markets in walking distance. Now we have to drive 4 hours to find one.

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to spencoid2

My batch may have been contaminated :-(.Got a bottle of it when I took my Aunt shopping at HMart - a Korean grocery store in the OC.

But, I just looked at the Albertsons up here:

albertsons.com/shop/search-...

spencoid2 profile image
spencoid2 in reply to dockam

we don't have an Albertsons nearby. when we lived in Edmonds H mart was one of the nearby Asian markets. Safeway might have it but I don't like to shop there. I will get some Napa cabbage (really should grow it) next trip to town and will try again. Will post the results in a few weeks. I think that "rotten" food is great for your intestinal health and your health in general. My latest is perfecting smoked Salmon at which I have gotten pretty good. If I can get Kim Chee as good I will be very happy. They both have the need for getting that salt and flavor balance just right.

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to spencoid2

Ohh, smoked salmon, kim chee on Brown Rice. Yummy

spencoid2 profile image
spencoid2 in reply to dockam

perfect pairing, you have convinced me to make some good kim chee.

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to spencoid2

Salmon with omega 3 fatty acids for heart health, kim chee with probiotics, and Brown rice for whole grains

dockam profile image
dockam

I concur - Yummy!

Wow. My home A/C bill is a third of that here in the Phoenix area during the hottest months. We have sunscreens on the outside and shutters on the inside of the windows. We also replaced our A/C unit with a high efficiency Trane model a couple of years ago. We keep our thermostat at 78 too.

dockam profile image
dockam

Oh cool, didn't realize that Buffets were still operating after COVID, it all sounds like my kind of Town :-). Love fresh seafood, as I grew up in Hawaii.

Last time I was up in Fresno was in 11/2014 for a marathon, a few weeks after I had a PSA at 555.2 10/2014 athlinks.com/event/33864/re...

I have to venture up there for a Weekend of gastronomic ecstasy and a meetup with my HU Brother 💙

dentaltwin profile image
dentaltwin

I find I remember the great and the awful. I had patients with me over 40 years--some who started as kids and who are now in their 50s. Some of the loyalty was amazing, and yes, a real love develops there. I'm sure the love patients have shown you was richly earned.

Steve B., DDS

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to dentaltwin

Yea. lol! Unfortunately, it's the two extremes of patient's behavior that is memorable. The wonderful, really nice ones vs the ones in which we look at the schedule and think "oh no, not (him/her) 😂But, the awesome ones, like my 9 yr old, really push the difficult ones out.

Below is the pic from the ZERO 5k in Bakersfield a few years ago. It's all patients and staff

💙

Team KamOhana at ZERO 5k
peri2014 profile image
peri2014

Thanks so much for sharing you sound like such an incredible person I can see why your patients like you so much!

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to peri2014

I've always tried to be kinda "down to earth" DDS, but esp after the #stageivpca diagnosis in 2015, I've become just way more "chill", being silly, singing to my patients, making off the wall comments (not risque tho)I say to my patients to accept me as I am or they can go the the DDS in town that wears a tie and pushes $1200 crowns on you

Fight On

Randy

dockam profile image
dockam

Our office never shut down during COVID, we did temperatures, and queried about symptoms. Took out 1/2 the waiting room chairs and spaced the patients out more to be able to reset the rooms. My fav buffet place in OC, Souplantation totally shut down. That was a huge loss

Pianodude profile image
Pianodude

Beautiful!

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to Pianodude

Yes, such an eloquent note from a 9 yr old 💙

Can't retire or die :-) yet, have to watch her and her sis grow up

😍

dockam profile image
dockam

Just got back from $3 movie in AC, saw latest Jurassic Park in IMAX.We had all patients rinse with Listerine pre appointment. Never got COVID, despite living with girl who got it😊💙

Spyder54 profile image
Spyder54

Randy you must be doing a lot of things right. Yourenergy to show up. Wow. My buddy is a Dentist. It is physical. People dont know how physical. Keep Strong, Mike

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to Spyder54

Mahalo, kinda always been hyper and optimistic, that's a great combo when dealing with BS PCa :-)

Fight on

Randy

dockam profile image
dockam

Hey Brother, here is my noodle bowl

Noodles for dinner
dockam profile image
dockam

Was pretty packed cuz of the $3 special, but I reserved a seat next to a wheelchair space and figured there wouldn't be anyone there, and there wasn't

dockam profile image
dockam

Chicken based with seaweed, shiitake shrooms, napa cabbage, and dumplings

dockam profile image
dockam

Yea, shoulda picked up Miso for my broths.Have soy sauce and Chinese mustard on the side🍲😋

SeosamhM profile image
SeosamhM

'Nuff said! What a tribute to you, Doc!

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to SeosamhM

Mahalo, that made my day/week/month/year :-)We all need to get a boost every now and then as we deal with the darn ADT side effects.

Life is Beautiful

Fight on

Randy

dockam profile image
dockam

Oh yummy about what your wife does!!I love to use soba aka buckwheat noodles. The one in last night's dinner was steamed chow mein that was fresh and meant for like a pan fried noodles.Those were chicken dumplings, my Aunt Betty got me a rotisserie chicken and I tore it up and used bones for broth and then added the meat back in for dinner

spencoid2 profile image
spencoid2 in reply to dockam

I love rotisserie chicken (absolute best is in Paris from my experience) but need to say something about Costco's version of it. They undercook them horribly but the worst thing is the way they raise the poor chickens to reach market size in just a month. Their treatment is really horrible worst than most and there is a lot of press about it and even lawsuits. Ever notice that they almost always have broken wings and often legs. Just can't support that sort of torture even if the end product was good which it isn't.

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to spencoid2

Oh dang, that's horrible :-(Like how they raise turkeys with huge breasts for Thanksgiving

Got mine from Sprouts, maybe they were raised more humanely

spencoid2 profile image
spencoid2 in reply to dockam

i think anything would be raised more humanely than those from Costco. Free range at least have to be able to stand up.

dockam profile image
dockam

Awesome Brother. Post pics You also, have a wonderful week also. Really nice to chat and not about d*mn PCa :-)

Though this thread started with my heart being overjoyed by a lil patient's endearing note and it segued into food!

Fight on Food on

Randy

dockam profile image
dockam

Sweet, Mahalo for that very detailed instructions. So, you're doing an inoculation with the previous Kim chee, I dig it. Like having a sourdough mother batch to seed more bread🍞💙

dockam profile image
dockam

K cool Brother, took a screenshot for posterity

Kaliber profile image
Kaliber in reply to dockam

❤️❤️❤️

Adlon57 profile image
Adlon57

Yes had a call on Friday completely out of the blue, a doctor not even my own, but out of my doctor's practice, rang me up, asked how I was, how my PC was going, how my symptoms were, he listened, was interested in my progress, really nice, "very much appreciated" I told him, REALLY made my day!😲😉🤗

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to Adlon57

Random acts of Kindness, makes a brighter day for both the receiver and the giver. Cui bono - who benefits?

We all do

💙

Carlosbach profile image
Carlosbach

Thanks for the positive posts Randy. Mark Twain wrote, "The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer somebody else up".

I hope you are reaping the positive benefits from your efforts.

dockam profile image
dockam in reply to Carlosbach

My Pleasure, I'm a glass mostly full kinda guy :-)

As I posted above Cui bono? Who benefits? - both parties did. Now y'all on HU are seeing that being kind and grateful can work wonders

youtu.be/NTxxEdBIL6Y

youtube.com/watch?v=xfqND7q...

youtu.be/t5ze_e4R9QY

youtu.be/I_CE7GqqrvY

Lol, my age is showing

Mahalo my Brother

Fight on

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