CT Scan

I got the scan done yesterday.
The veins in the hand were not cooperative.
It goes like that sometimes.
The radiology tech's name was Robyn........good looking!

The Rig

The data was sent to the neurologist at the Sepulveda VA ACC in North Hills.
Basically, the wait begins on step one in this little journey that I am on.

I'll say it, OK?
Cancer.
That is what we are looking for.
Yes, I am scared shitless..................

Thursday, the 11th, I have my EMG at Sepulveda. The neuropathy thing is still an issue itself.

Shit is getting real or not. Who the hell knows at this point.

I haven't even seen any lab results from about a month ago............That is beginning to piss me off a tad.

Anyway, it's a step by step process............

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to the electrical current going through me..............not.

Consult and other news...................

I had my consult for my upcoming colonoscopy yesterday. I was in the place for two hours...........
I will get a call from the place where it will take place to let me know the day and time.

Other news:
I had my CT Scan date changed to the 8th of this month under the Veteran's Choice Program. Beats the hell out of waiting until the 26th of June! I only have to go to Tehachapi Hospital Radiology. I am not looking forward to the contrast........................... But I guess it is on the order of a minor inconvenience considering what all this is for.

Doc Riggs called this evolution a tumor hunt......................

Notable event anniversary

5 years ago today part 3.
Arrived at Via Christi Saint Francis Medical Center at 0530.
Got admitted. Went up to the surgical floor. 
Out of the clothes and into the gown. 
Belly was shaved.
Warm up shot.
Kissed Sharon.
Rolled to Pre Op.
IV in each arm.
Second warm up shot.
The last thing I remember was going through the double doors into the OR.
Woke up in the rolling bed going down a passageway surrounded by people.
Got to the room.
Doc and a small squad of nurses doing checks.
One nurse said that I needed to get up and walk!
The answer is not repeatable in mixed company. I assure you of that.
The surgery started at 0800. It was all done by 0945.
Left Kidney had been removed. The Fancy word is nephrectomy.
When I was released 4 days later, Doc Farha told me the pathology said that it was cancer.
Smack! Upside the head.

I wonder what could have been

As that mass that was found on my left kidney was considered large, I wonder if a procedure like this would have been practical.

http://abc7.com/health/high-frequency-ultrasound-procedure-can-eliminate-cancerous-tumors/312722/

CT Scan Results

Got the letter in today's mail from my doc in Tehachapi.
CT scan did not show any new problems/no suspicious areas.
So far so good. I have to keep getting these until I am 61, which is not that far away.......................................

Four year milestone

Four years ago today, I underwent a Nephrectomy. That is a fancy word for having a kidney removed.
Arrived at Via Christi Saint Francis obscenely early-------------------0530 for registration and preparation.
The surgery began at 0800 and was done at 0945..........I came out of recovery at about 1300 or so.
Two IVs and a Catheter.............................The cute little nurse said "we need you to get up and take a walk." My reply was colorful to say the least! The Missus did the pat of my shoulder and said that the young lady was simply doing her job...............................................
I had a huge bandage on my stomach covering an incision with 12 staples in it. The three laproscopic cuts only had two staples each with band aids................................
On day four, doc came in and checked everything and said I could go home. His parting comment was that the pathology came back and the mass was cancer.......................................Digest that one.

Cancer Survivor Continues to Lead

This was on my Facebook this morning. It is at Marines Blog.
Good read, my friends. I can relate even though my go around with cancer was very short.


So please hit the link and read about SSGT Nestor Cruz.
Cancer Survivor Continues to Lead

Lord, Grant me the Serenity

Got this picture off of Facebook from Joy McCann, AKA Little Miss Attila.
I had my annual CT Scan yesterday. I hate that Radium Solution Contrast!!!!!!!!!
It was the check to see if anything has come back after the go around with the Renal Cell Carcinoma three years ago.
The scan is being sent to my doctor and then I will be informed of the results...........wait, wait, wait, and probably wait some more................
Serenity. They can't take the sky from me...............................

Bad news with a ton of bricks............

We at the 416 AMU got bad news today. One of our coworkers had been in the hospital in Palmdale for about a week or so. He had been feeling poorly and not looking good either, for a while.
One of the guys was able to pay him a visit last night. The tests said cancer. Ton of bricks on all of us.
Ed Cunningham AO1, US Navy Retired. Shipmate.

Two Years Today: Updated

Two years since the kidney was removed. Doing good. Waiting for my referral for a CT scan of the lower torso/abdomen as will be the norm from the first anniversary of the surgery until I finally leave this world. Got to keep tabs on things, ya know.
There has been some changes with this. My blood pressure is higher than it used to be. Found that out with the hernia last year! But I had a check up on the 13th and things are looking really good.
For all my friends who were  with me in spirit then, again, I thank all of you.
Special thanks to Jeff, Buck, Cindy, Kath and Pinch from the blogosphere!
Sometimes the realization that it was cancer does hit me a bit. But the process was so sudden ya know!

Two years ago, already

September 4, 2009.
I was having some digestive issues. Got an appointment with my doctor.
He did some pushing and listening. Then had me go through a CT scan.
Waited..............
Went in for the results.
Good news, diverticulitis. Manageable with diet changes and knocked it down with antibiotics.
Bad news, large mass on the left kidney. Going to a urologist. That appointment was made before I even left the building. It was scheduled for the Tenth of September.
Basket case? Yep. For a while I was.

Yesterday, almost forgot

18 months ago.
The kidney came out, the left one.
Big tumor on it. Renal Cell Carcinoma.
The pathology said it was.
18 months.

The Wikipedia Entry for Renal Cell Carcinoma

Not much commentary needed on this one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renal_cell_carcinoma

18 Months

Tomorrow is the 18 month mark. Of when I had my left kidney removed. The one with the mass on it. Turned out to be cancer after the pathology was done.
The scar is not much more than a line, with some small tuck and roll effects.
It is also the same mark for quitting smoking. Yup. I spent four days in hospital, it was fairly easy to finally do it. But I did have some incentive, as it were.
So thanks go out again to Ann, Buck, kc, Snigs, Jeff, Kath, MUD, Old NFO, Wyatt Earp, Opus 6 and all the rest. For the support and understanding. I will not forget.

I love ya all!

In case you think you have it bad.

The link is to Boston Maggie.
She is getting treated for cancer. Her blog is a journal of sorts about it.
With all the ups and downs. Makes what I went through a cake walk.
Feeding Frenzy Pays Off.
I read this one every other day. Got to. And I say a short prayer for Maggie. Not eloquent or fancy, just to pray for her to get better.

Remember why this was started?

It began as a way of dealing with the cancer.
This week, one of my co workers at Falcon started Chemo and Radiation. Mary has a tremendous support network from those of us in the 912AMXS. But I have no shame in asking for any prayers and positive waves for her again.
Kind of been down the same road.

Eight Months

No! I ain't pregnant. Smart asses anyway!
Naw. Tomorrow the 21st it is eight months since I had the surgery for the cancerous kidney. Wow has time flown. Eight months, already.
It is early due to having to take the Missus to a specialist in LA, on Wilshire Boulevard, no less. It is related to her diabetes. Tricare covered, don'tcha know.
And my HABS WON! 5-1 over the Flyers!