Reset, Recharge, and the Rush of ASCO: Reflections from Two Transformative Weeks

After a whirlwind start to the year packed with travel and locum work, I finally took a meaningful pause these last two weeks—a much-needed blend of family time, professional inspiration, and personal reflection.

We kicked things off with a family trip to Toronto, celebrating birthdays and reconnecting with loved ones. It was pure joy watching the kids play with their cousins, and seeing the families come together. That kind of time—unhurried, unscheduled, unplugged—is precious. After a week there, my wife and I stole away for a couple of days in Chicago to attend the annual ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) meeting.

ASCO never fails to energize. There’s a certain exhilaration in being surrounded by the sheer volume of knowledge, cutting-edge science, and passionate professionals all pushing cancer care forward. But as much as I left inspired, I also left a bit overwhelmed. The deluge of new data—abstracts, lectures, posters—is both a gift and a challenge. You leave full of ideas, yet wondering: will I retain all this? When will I find time to really digest it?

That’s part of the reason I want to write more in the coming weeks—both to share what I’ve learned and to internalize it myself. As they say, one of the best selfish ways to learn is to teach.

This year at ASCO, I dove deep into sessions on cutaneous and connective tissue oncology—my comfort zone. I also explored hot topics like AI in cancer care, the microbiome’s emerging role, rare immunotherapy toxicities/management and cannabis in oncology. Some sessions directly echoed cases I’ve recently managed, such as nuanced approaches in upper GI cancers—distinguishing between MSI-H tumors, the evolving role of neoadjuvant therapy, and total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) strategies that are already standard in rectal cancer and now gaining traction in esophageal and gastric cancers.

These discussions reminded me just how specialized oncology has become. I’ve come to accept that in areas like GI and skin cancers, I’m a splitter—I go deep, chasing nuance. But in other domains like breast or lung cancer, I am a lumper! I stay current enough to ensure my patients get optimal care, knowing my role is often to triage or refer when needed, especially as a locum oncologist.

From Chicago, my journey didn’t end—I went straight to Georgia to give some talks then back to West Virginia to resume locum work. That stretch of travel reflects what this past year has looked like for me. It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve slept on my bed in Orlando. Since leaving my prior institution, I’ve spent more than half my time on the road—working, exploring, speaking, hiking and just living more intentionally. I’ll back home in Orlando this Wednesday and look forward to some downtime with my kids.

That’s been one of the greatest gifts of this past year: the space to reset.

I’ve said this before… I’ve learned that when you’re in the thick of a long-term role, especially in medicine, it’s hard to see how deeply embedded you are in its rhythm. You don’t always realize what you’re sacrificing—your mental health, physical health, family time, spiritual wellbeing—until you step away. Locums gave me freedom: more time, more calm, more income (ironically working less), and more space for self-care. I’ve found joy in things like morning meditation and spontaneous weekends with my family.

That said… I do miss being a part of a collaborative village. I’m ready for the next chapter.

I’m nearing a decision about joining a long-term practice. One institution has been my frontrunner all year. But interestingly, ASCO brought two other very compelling opportunities to the table—unexpected, yet just aligned with my values. I’m reminded that job decisions in oncology aren’t just about money or call schedules. They’re about culture, leadership, mission, community, and work-life integration. I’m grateful to have multiple strong choices, and I’m taking the time to explore each one fully before making a final commitment.

ASCO also gave me a fresh reminder of how much I love being part of a large academic hospital environment—walking into a bustling medical center filled with diverse specialists, where every hallway might introduce you to someone new. That’s the energy I thrive on, and it’s helped clarify what I’m looking for in my next home.

So, while this blog has been quiet for a couple of weeks, expect more activity soon. I plan to share “nuggets” from ASCO—practical, bite-sized insights that you can apply in the clinic or just chew on intellectually. And if any of my colleagues out there want to contribute—especially in fields like breast or lung oncology—I’d love to include your voices here too.

Thanks for reading—and more to come soon.

About the author

Dr. Sajeve Thomas is a distinguished medical professional and a compassionate guide in the field of oncology. With over a decade of dedicated experience as a board-certified medical oncologist/internal medicine specialist, Dr. Thomas has become a trusted expert in the treatment of melanoma, sarcoma, and gastrointestinal conditions. He brings a wealth of expertise to the complex and challenging world of oncology