Back to the Urologist

Then we rushed back to the urologist, which we were late for as well. We brought the CT scans and the bone scan with us. Then he had us sit for awhile while he reviewed them all. I was quite nervous. It was time to hear more results, and he had proven yesterday that he isn't the best at being informative or at presentation either. But we have heard repeatedly since yesterday that he is a great surgeon (and everyone seems to agree on the lack of communication - but that's ok! We'd rather he be a good surgeon! ;) ).

He was not very informative at all, but we were prepared for that. In fact, we didn't really want him to be the one imparting much overall knowledge. He is very focused on that kidney and doesn't have much to say on the rest, as that is just not his area. But he did make some comment about things spreading to my bones and that we already knew about the pelvic area, but that there is something on the bone scan in my shoulder area as well. He didn't say anything further, and we didn't ask. We will wait for the full scoop from the radiation oncologist tomorrow. But it sounds like it is confirmed that my severe left arm pain is in fact caused by yet another tumor. But I do feel much more confident now that radiation is going to help me!! That is my prayer. I imagine we will discuss any other areas outside my pelvic region tomorrow at that appointment.

So....the very good news is that the urologist can remove my kidney!!!! I didn't mention yesterday that there was some question of that after our meeting with him, and it had me rather freaked out. He wanted to be sure that things surrounding the kidney were clear of tumors. And they are!!!! Praise God!!!! And my liver is tumor free as well!!!!! :) Alleluia!!!! So he can remove the right kidney. And one of the few sentences he uttered was that he is going to do it next Friday. Wow. By the way, it was also discussed yesterday that sometimes when the "mother tumor" is removed, it helps kill off all the other ones. So although I have 2 kidneys and this one is probably already useless, it is still important to get the kidney out.

I did step in at this point and question him though. My doctors were supposed to all communicate with each other at the end of the day. In addition to surgery, radiation is also important. The oncologist yesterday was very concerned that I have 2 pinched nerves and that nerve damage could be happening. I have been having numbness in my left foot this week and shooting pains down my left leg for a couple weeks. So she wants those pelvic tumors to be radiated. But they can't be radiated while I'm having surgery. And I had asked the radiation oncologist today if there could be a pause during the radiation process for surgery, and he said probably not. So when the urologist said surgery in a week, I was concerned that radiation couldn't begin for at least 2 weeks. I'm glad I spoke up. So he then went to call the radiation oncologist and was able to speak to him before the day ended.

When the urologist came back, he said that I will begin radiation tomorrow morning. Wow. I will get my tattoos and begin radiation. Then I will have treatment each day next week until my surgery next Friday, September 19. I will be in the hospital (the most local one - but I'm keeping names off the blog, since this is public) for 4-5 days. sigh. And when I get out, I go back to radiation to complete the treatment. Apparently this isn't much of a concern, since my hospital stay goes over a weekend, and I won't get radiation on weekends anyway. So I actually left the office today HAPPY that I begin radiation tomorrow and will have surgery a week from tomorrow. I'm happy about these things???? ;) Well, yes, because they are going to heal me!!!! Or rather, God is going to use them to heal me!!!!

So my current schedule is...

Friday: radiation oncologist for set-up, tattoos, and first radiation treatment...then MRI in afternoon (yikes!)

Monday: 2 more MRI's (yikes!!), radiation (each day until surgery)

Tuesday: pre-op appt at hospital

Friday (Sept. 19): surgery and stay in hospital for 4-5 days

I will return home just a few days before my 35th birthday, and I've made my wishes known that I want a big celebration this year!!! :) Fortunately, my birthday is a Sunday, so I won't have any treatments that day. And I will already be home from the hospital. Yipppeee!!! :)