The past month or so have been a whirlwind! I had a CT scan which showed a probable two inch tumor growing on my lower bowel.
I got Chloe's graduation over, went to Virginia and Nag's Head for six days, immediately drove to Bellevue, Nebraska for my 35th class reunion and then road tripped to Mayo with my mom to check out the "tumor" on my lower bowel.
Thankfully I had decided to go back to the doctors that had performed major surgery on me in January 2011. His first instinct was to do his due diligence before he opened me up again in the same area. The surgery in 2011 totally removed my ureter and a tumor which was wrapped around it like a hot dog bun, took some bowel and reconstructed my ureter. They also cut some of my liver away which had a couple small tumors on it. This surgery knocked me down further than I have ever been. I gained 22 pounds in the hospital since they were filling me full of fluids but nothing was coming out. Then I got home to recuperate and proceeded to lose 50 pounds in a month. I was gaunt. I had very short hair since it was just growing out after some chemotherapy. My gums were receding. I slept all day. It was hard for me to go from the bed to the bathroom. I had to deal with a catheter for 10 days which would clog due to debris in my urine which was caused by the make shift ureter made of bowel. Apparently bowel always produces debris even after it is repurposed.
While at Mayo I had my first ever colonoscopy. What they say is true. The worst part is the fasting and drinking and going to the bathroom numerous times. The actual procedure isn't too bad. I was able to see inside and they didn't see anything which looked like tumor encroaching into my bowel, so that was good!
So anyway, all that to say is I am dealing with the same surgeons and team who operated on me back then. They know my history and are going to make darn sure it is a tumor and not scar tissue before they open me up. I assume that area is a mess and they don't want to have to mess with it if they do not have to.
So I go back up to Mayo on July 11/12 to run more tests and meet with the team up there. I supposed they will do a PET scan or a biopsy to see if what they see is a tumor. Or if it is scar tissue. If it is not a tumor, I will be the cleanest I have been in a LONG time!!! I just want to hear the term NED so bad. What used to be called remission is now called - No Evidence of Disease!
Other news on the health front. I've been dizzy lately. I went to the doc today and my blood pressure was very low. I am going to not take one of my high blood pressure meds. I think that will help. I've felt like I am going to black out so many times lately. High humidity. Low blood pressure. Not fun.
And that is that on the health front. Dealing with lots of other paperwork, etc. Cleaning out the coat closet and making it into a pantry. Everything is good!
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