Newbie! I\'m checkin\' in....

<strong>maryland_mike wrote:</strong>
Update #7: I'm pinching myself that today is only Wednesday. On Monday, less than 36 hours ago, I had my diverticulectomy/partial cystectomy done, and I have truly been part of one of the miracles of modern medical science. As part of treatment for my bladder cancer, I needed a bladder diverticulum with a tumor in it removed. The procedure was done this Monday using the Da Vinci robot (and very skilled robotic surgeon operators, of course), and I was discharged from the hospital yesterday - yes, only a 1-night stay - after this major bladder surgery. I should be cancer-free - at least for a while - now (later tests will show), as after the BCG treatments no cancer cells were found on the bladder wall.

I highly recommend to anyone needing internal major surgery to investigate the use of the Da Vinci robot (Google it for more information - there's lots out there).

I face maintenance BCG treatments in a few months, with constant moitoring, of course. I will keep posting on my progress.

By the way - I learned during my surgical ordeal that there is an acute shortage of Mitomycin C in the U.S. My urological oncologist had planned to use a single dose of Mitomycin C during the diverticulectomy as a safeguard against any cancer cells that might have "leaked" from the tumor while it was being removed. Unfortunately, there was none to use, and he said there was an acute shortage - and also a shortage of BCG - throughout the country. He said the combination of my low-grade tumor, plus his careful avoidance of leakage and the thorough washout they conducted, would hopefully prevent any stray cells from leaking into my abdominal cavity. Here's hoping!

Cheers - Maryland Mike

Thanks so much for the sage advice, Sara Anne. I agree that the "man at the controls" is the most critical part of the Da Vinci system. The urologist performing the surgery has excellent credentials (he's head of urological oncology at a major regional hospital, and will be assisted by another Da Vinci expert during the surgery. I did not yet ask him how many procedures he has done, but I will do that before the surgery is scheduled.

Compared with the alternative (open surgery, with a probably longer recovery and hospital stay), I am excited to undergo this procedure. Perhaps being a retired computer engineer has incresed my interest

Cheers - Maryland Mike

Thanks for the update Mike.

You have cronicaled your journey very well. This a good thing to do, so others can see the steps that are taken and when.

The Di-Vinchi knife I have only just heard of, but it sounds like its the cutting edge. (No pun intended)

I hope all goes well for you. And keep up the good posting.

Mark

<strong>maryland_mike wrote:</strong>
Update #6: Had a bladder cysto/biopsy on 2/1 to check on the BCG results. Main part of bladder was CLEAR! My uro said it was "beautiful" - I saw the scope pics, and indeed, where papillary tumors were present before the TURBT and BCG, it looked perfectly smooth and even-colored. HOWEVER.......
I have a divertilulum, as stated on my first entry. Unfortunately, there is a tumor inside this ~2cm diverticulum - maybe the BCG couldn't reach it (my guess). So - I am having a diverticulectomy and partial cysectomy of the bladder close to the mouth of the diverticulum. I'm having this done by the head of urological oncology, Dr. Mohan Verghese, at Washington Hospital Center, so I fell I am in good hands. I have another cysto/biopsy tomorrow so Dr. Verghese can plan the surgery, which will be done by a ROBOT! Yes, I will have a date with the Da Vinci robot in the near future. My hospital stay should be only 2-3 days, thanks to the laparoscopic technique used with the robot. I will post my impression of the experience.

Cheers to all!