Tuesday, May 09, 2006
at least it is not malignant
as most of you may know by now, the tumor i had in my kidney region has begun to grow again. for those of you just finding out, surprise!
this is a lymph node that was infected with the original cancer 3 years ago, but was treated and turned into a cyst (scar tissue) with the chemotherapy. at the time, with advice of my oncologist, it was something i could live life with and have nothing affected. however, i had to maintain regular scans and check ups to keep an eye on it. well those regular scans have proved their worth, as the last CT scan last month picked up on the fact that this cyst was growing. for about 3 weeks i was sweating bullets as, there was no indication to whether it was malignant or benign growth.
i had to undergo a special radioactive exam called a PET scan, which looks for fast growing cells- malignant cancer. nearly $1000 and lying very very still for 2 hours, i later found out the good news, it was benign.
the cyst is what is referred to as a benign teratoma. but it is growing nonetheless. i can feel it. it is now the size of a golf ball, and will continue to grow and grow. there is also the possibility that it will turn nasty and evil, so i want the bugger out.
i have been interviewing and looking into surgeons over the past 3 weeks to determine the best person and best course of action to take to achieve the best result. last night cherry and i met with another surgeon and have chosen to him to do the job.
so on may 17, 2006 i am going to get sliced open threw the belly and undergo 2-4 hours of surgery to have this tumor removed. it is on the iside of my left kidney, near my spine, near my descending aorta, and other nerves. to get at it, my colon, small intestine and perhaps a few other vital organs will be moved aside for this thing to get at. while the surgeon is in there, they will cut out and clean away all the infected lymph node etc. to me it sounds like dr frankenstein stuff, but what other choice have i got? i will be in hospital for 5-7 days and should take 4-5 weeks to have an 80% recovery and up to 3 months for full recovery.
the bad news is i am going to be sore and somewhat immobile. the good news, i will be around on planet earth, still stirring shit up.
this is a lymph node that was infected with the original cancer 3 years ago, but was treated and turned into a cyst (scar tissue) with the chemotherapy. at the time, with advice of my oncologist, it was something i could live life with and have nothing affected. however, i had to maintain regular scans and check ups to keep an eye on it. well those regular scans have proved their worth, as the last CT scan last month picked up on the fact that this cyst was growing. for about 3 weeks i was sweating bullets as, there was no indication to whether it was malignant or benign growth.
i had to undergo a special radioactive exam called a PET scan, which looks for fast growing cells- malignant cancer. nearly $1000 and lying very very still for 2 hours, i later found out the good news, it was benign.
the cyst is what is referred to as a benign teratoma. but it is growing nonetheless. i can feel it. it is now the size of a golf ball, and will continue to grow and grow. there is also the possibility that it will turn nasty and evil, so i want the bugger out.
i have been interviewing and looking into surgeons over the past 3 weeks to determine the best person and best course of action to take to achieve the best result. last night cherry and i met with another surgeon and have chosen to him to do the job.
so on may 17, 2006 i am going to get sliced open threw the belly and undergo 2-4 hours of surgery to have this tumor removed. it is on the iside of my left kidney, near my spine, near my descending aorta, and other nerves. to get at it, my colon, small intestine and perhaps a few other vital organs will be moved aside for this thing to get at. while the surgeon is in there, they will cut out and clean away all the infected lymph node etc. to me it sounds like dr frankenstein stuff, but what other choice have i got? i will be in hospital for 5-7 days and should take 4-5 weeks to have an 80% recovery and up to 3 months for full recovery.
the bad news is i am going to be sore and somewhat immobile. the good news, i will be around on planet earth, still stirring shit up.
