Like Albert E is purported to have once said ...
and I paraphrase hereby ...
"EVERYTHING IS RELATIVE" ,,, Right ?
PAIN - UPDATE
(C) - Tom Hyland - 7/19/14
Well Galz n' Guyz, in this continuing saga, the following is to bring everyone up to date. Since my last posting on the subject, here is what has transpired thus far.
On Monday, June 23rd, had a Consultation with Dr. Arif Hussain, Head Oncologist at University of Maryland Hospital, in downtown Baltimore. My niece, Bernie, the RN, was with me. We immediately liked his soft-spoken manner. In 10 minutes or less, he drew a picture of my bladder, and explained that the 2 cancer sites were in the Subcutaneous region, and therefore he would not get involved at this stage.
He did confirm that the next step was to 'go in again' to 'take a look' and confirm that the cancer had been totally removed in the May 7th surgery.
He also confirmed that the subsequent follow-up procedure would be the administration of the BCG treatments, once a week, for 6 weeks.
So, he was going to 'pass the ball to another quarterback', so to speak, Dr. William Naslund, Head Urologist there. His Assistant, Debbie, did call me the very next day to set an appointment for a consultation. It was scheduled for Wednesday, July 23rd, at 2:30 pm.
On that day, additional Medical History forms were completed, vital signs were taken, a urine specimen was given and tested, and I met Dr. Naslund.
He had reviewed my case, confirmed what had happened during my prior surgery, and explained that the extra-peritoneal perforation was a frequent occurrence during such procedures. It had happened to him, while doing surgery, just recently.
He explained that the surgical tool was electric, and the proximity of the nerve which caused the leg muscle to 'twitch' was very close to the Bladder wall, a 'Spark' can 'jump' so quickly that it is unavoidable to prevent. Thus, such 'perforations' can be fairly common. It was a possible hazard, and could very well occur again.
He said that he knew Dr. Dowling, my surgeon, and spoke highly of him. He did a thorough examination, including the longest, deepest Prostate check I ever experienced. The next step was to go in again, via the Cystoscope, and surgically 'look' under the Scar tissue of both sites, and make sure no Cancer remained. A special Dye would be introduced, that would show up with a Purple color, if any cancer was present. This would easily identify any 'spots' that needed excision.
Whether he, or Dr. Dowling, did this procedure, was up to me, but it HAD to be done! Even though the traffic, parking, and downtown congestion was much more inconvenient, because of the possible unknown future medical needs, I chose to go to UMH, if it happens that Oncology does become necessary, they have ALL the facilities in one area.
He also gave me a firm 'lecture' about the need to 'STOP SMOKING.'
So, now I am scheduled for Monday, August 4th at Noon for this 'Re-Section' surgery. Oh, yeah ... urine was fine, no infection, no cancer.
Assuming all goes well, in 6-8 weeks, the BCG treatments will follow.
Although I Dread all these procedures, I'm trying to remain positive.
Time will tell!
P.S. For what it is worth, after seeing so many other patients, much worse off than me, i realize I am actually Lucky that this malady was discovered.
While the method of treatment is quite repugnant, it is far less invasive than abdominal surgery. As The Man said:
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