Colonoscopy - September 15th

Well, I can't help but notice the circled date on my calendar for next Monday and Tuesday. Monday is the prep day and my procedure is scheduled for Tuesday.

So along with the fading sunsets, the fading summer and the dreadful thought of winter coming, I also have to think about my first annual scope check.

I keep telling myself that there is no sense in worrying because that won't change the results one way or another, but it's impossible to forget last year's procedure and what followed after the diagnosis.

Even though the CT scan was clean, this is the "real" test for me. I'll be following up and posting next week...

"Fighting Cancer is a lifelong deal..."

Very true words indeed, that a fellow blogger and cancer survivor, rotorhead (Charles) had posted on his blog!

Being in remission sounds great, but fighting cancer is somewhat like any fight and you are seemingly left with scars, wounds and images that you will never forget.

Be it scar tissue/adhesions, nightmares or whatever, it seems to never really go away, but I DO believe that it makes you a stronger person for it. I chose the video for this post specifically because it is a song that I've always liked, it's played by a great guitarist (Bill Frisell) and was sent to me by a friend who is now going through chemo to fight a form of Leukemia.

Never give up!!!

Mediport Removed :)

This morning I had my mediport removed. I had a decision to go with conscious sedation or just the local numbing. I asked the surgeon which he preferred and why.

He said 90% of his patients do NOT get the consious sedation and they have no problem and walk out of here after the procedure is finished. The other 10% have to be wheeled up to a room and wait for another two hours before they can be released.

I opted to just go with the local numbing. The only pain I felt was the needle pokes into my chest to numb the area. After a little less than one hour it was out and I was given instructions on care for the next several days.

It's just now starting to feel sore/uncomfortable, so tylenol should calm that down and I'll probably rest awhile on the couch. It's not having it out so much that I feel good about, but more for what it represents!

Remission

I went to my oncologist today and was told that my cancer is in remission, total remission!

It was a very emotional moment after a year of a very strange, but enlightening journey that took many turns but ended on a good note.

Next, I'll be having the surgery to removed the mediport and will be monitored for the next five years. I feel that God and early detection saved my life and I will be forever thankful!

Blessings,
-Mike

Scans Completed

I had the scans done twice. After the first one, they claimed they couldn't get a good image and wanted to increase the IV dye.

They sent me to the lab to have blood drawn to see if the kidneys were strong enough to "work harder" with the increased dosage.

I thought that the jug of chalky stuff would have been enough, but what do I know?

On the second trip into the radiology center, they were able to get better images. I'll get the results next Tuesday.

Now it's wait and wonder, but thinking positive!