An Inch an Hour

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Marly & Delia's Claymation Spectacular!

Here is another video from my nephew Marly and his sister Delia (she would be my niece).

Surgery date has been set

We go under the knife early Monday morning, July 24. It should be quite an event.
This is what I am hoping for.

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Lucy and Shandy go to Pluto

We did this in the spring. Mostly the work of Lucy. I helped with the scissors.

The Cancer Comic

It is kind of sad that I can find time to do this stuff.

Newest Joke for my Cancer stand-up comic routine

Last Comic Metastasizing

You must have read the news story about the 11 cousins who had their stomachs removed to avoid an hereditary cancer.

Last I heard, six of my cousins had their asses cut off.

I'll be here in the chemo-suite all week!

Saturday, June 24, 2006

If Lucy, Mary and I played soccer in Brazil

Scheduling is the battle

Yesterday I was supposed to find out my surgery date.
I got a call around noon. The nurse says we have a date for you, July 24.
"What!?"
July 24, I explained was a full 8 weeks after my treatment had ended. Every doctor I have seen said the surgery should be between 2 and six weeks after treatment.
The problem is that I have two very busy doctors that need to operate at the same time and the kidney guy isn't available until then.
I felt sick.
I can't risk letting the rectal lesion start growing again, but I also don't want to have two operations when I can have one.
I implore them to figure something out - they promised to call back.
I had a date with the radiation clinic - a followup.
There, I met with a doctor I had not met with before.
I explained to her my frustration.
she says, "eight weeks is good."
Now, she says, a lot of papers are saying that the lesion continues to shrink through 8 weeks so waiting is better.

aaaarghhhhhh!!!!!!!

I am waiting to hear back. Hopefully they will call on Monday.
I might have to mow the lawn ten or 12 times this weekend to maintain my sanity.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

No news yet

Still waiting to hear from surgeon's nurse as to a surgery date and the final decision on the treatment of the kidney. Looks like everybody is leaning towards doing everything at once. I am for that, but they have to hash out how to do it.
Did I mention that I hate waiting?

Monday, June 19, 2006

I got this photo over at Ashvegas

A guy with a lute, a girl playing the accordion and a fellow playing the musical saw is about the most Asheville thing I have seen in a long time.

Report from Columbus

Doc took a little peak where the sun don't shine and said I responded well to treatment.
He said we should expect a call this week with a surgery date for early July.
He said he would try to avoid a colostomy but would make no guarantees. Believe it or not, that sounded positive to me.

I know that many of you are wondering which is worse, the rigid sigmoidoscopy, the rectal ultra sound, the trans-rectal needle biopsy or the digital rectal exam.

They go in this order from worst to first (in my opinion):

Worst - the rectal ultra sound - it lasts a long time and they blow a balloon up in your butt.

Not quite as bad - The rigid sigmoidoscopy - it is fairly quick but in addition to the probe, they blow air up your butt to expand your rectum

Not too bad - the trans-rectal needle biopsy -- this lasts a long time but there is no expanding the probe once it is in you, so you kind of get used to it. You hardly feel the needles.

Best - The digital rectal exam - it has gotten so I don't expect to leave a doctor's office without this happening. I can't say that I like it, but I will take a finger over an ultrasound probe Any day.

This is how doctors learn.

Today is the big day, so far.

I see the surgeon in Columbus today to get things started. I have three medical appointments scheduled this week, so far. Probably more coming.
Father's day was nice. Lucy and I went to Tim Hortons to get doughnuts. We washed the car, watched the World Cup, read my new Bar Book and had chicken for dinner.
I am very nervous about today....