Well, I haven't posted in a while. Depression hit. The last cysto went up the ureter, a mass was taken for biopst. Wound up with a T1 cancer. Recommendation to remove the kidney and ureter. did I wait to long with the conservative treatment?
The surgeon wasn't available for four weeks, so the urologist recommended a short course of mytomycin. Then surgeon (who I like to call the butcher) gutted me like a dead fish (appropriate with my last name, Bass) using the DaVinci torture device.
Surgery went well, slightly longer to be freed than planned (six days). When I went in for post op appointment, he told me that the lession was T3, pappilary, and went through the ureter but a clear margin. the recommendation was a courese of chemo. The Medicial Oncologist (AKA the Poisener) gave me thourough talk about the procedure. He acknowledged that no one knows (and there is no way of knowing) if this is needed, no way of knowing if it worked, chemicals being used are not effective against bladder cancers. But this group is reputed to be the best in the area so I do what they say (mostly).
I guess I earned the right to have a minor depression. My wife (also known as SWMBO or She Who Must Be Obayed) does not let me get too deep, The Child (18) did not give me time to depress, but it's there. The Child returned overseas after finding out that I have a chance of living.
Just started the first round of chemo. I realize that this is the first time that I really feel that I'm fighting cancer. The major side effect is supposed to be nausea, gave me some injection against it and two pills (one of which I'm supposed to take, the other as needed. A day later and no nasuea.
I'm afraid that I'm whining a bit too much. I know the survival rate at this point is still rather high. If there is till cancer in the bladder, it can always go and there are good alternatives there. I'm not down now, too much to live for, there's always heaven to look forward to, and if that fails, I get to be with all my friends.