In July, I had my yearly oncologist appointment. He always calls for blood work - to check the level of the cancer enzyme (?) and the complete metabolic panel. My kidney function is off. He sent me for an echo of the kidneys. He thought there could be some shrinkage. Never heard the results.
I then had my semi-annual cardiologist appointment. I took him the lab results. He said it didn't look too bad, and referred me to a nephrologist.
I saw the nephrologist yesterday. Cutting to the chase she is referring me to a urologist because (and here is the kicker of it all) there is a MASS in my right abdomen that may be pressing on the ureter causing urine to back up into the kidney causing the results I am getting.
I was in shock yesterday. I was really rather numb. Today I called the urologist. He is taking over another practice and can't see me until the end of September. The nephrologist wants me seen quickly. I called her office for another referral. Crickets can be heard at this point.
I called the oncologist. He is only in the office on Tuesdays. I called the appointment line to explain what I should do since I never heard a word from him. THEY got through to a Tiffany - whoever that is. She FINALLY called back. He wants me to have a cat scan. The orders will be faxed over on Tuesday, and I will be called.
It is hitting me. I may be facing cancer again. My mind is running rampant. Could it be (hopefully) a cyst? Could it just be a mass - fat (that would be something). Or could it be ovarian cancer? Am I facing chemo and radiation again - and how advanced is it? Is that the reason my back has been hurting more than usual?
What I feared was kidney disease and thought I might be facing dialysis has now turned into something that may be far worse. The numbers DO say it is stage 3 kidney disease, but that might be something that is reversible - once this mass isn't pressing on the ureter. But it may be so much worse.
I am in a state of panic. If you can - say a little prayer.
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Thursday, August 16, 2018
A little drama
Yes - a little drama in the family. Actually, it is a little more serious than just drama.
Katie is having surgery as I type this. She has a torn labrum in her right shoulder. That could stop her career in water polo if it isn't repaired. Fortunately, they won't be "opening" the shoulder - just arthroscopic surgery. But this does stop part of her swimming competition. She loves to do the butterfly and is great - but that is over.
She needs this surgery done as quickly as possible. Colleges are really talking to her. She will be going to two schools for a visit in New York in September. I really am hoping she chooses Maris. I think she would love that school. But in reality, I think she is still looking at UC Santa Barbara lovingly.
The other thing, DIL has been in school (with three kids) for nursing. She went because her dad promised he would pay for her schooling. He can be a jerk. He and her mom divorced many years ago, and he had tried to put a wedge between her and her mother. So things haven't always been close between DIL and dad. That changed when the first grandchild came.
But he has remarried. He is older than the new wifey. They had another child - who is a senior in high school New wifey is the one who is grousing about the money going to DIL. This after her son (from a previous relationship has been put through school - and they will probably pay a good part of the upcoming wedding. New wife - who also was put through nursing school and became a nurse practitioner on the dad's money - keeps saying he wants to retire. Well - they have money. Lots of money. They can most certainly pay for my DIL. I told her I would somehow help if it came down to it. It will be a good investment for the future and not a waste of my (little) money.
So things have been a little full of drama around here last night and today. But hopefully Katie is almost out of surgery right now and DIL just texted me that this semester's tuition has been paid. All is good right now.
Katie is having surgery as I type this. She has a torn labrum in her right shoulder. That could stop her career in water polo if it isn't repaired. Fortunately, they won't be "opening" the shoulder - just arthroscopic surgery. But this does stop part of her swimming competition. She loves to do the butterfly and is great - but that is over.
She needs this surgery done as quickly as possible. Colleges are really talking to her. She will be going to two schools for a visit in New York in September. I really am hoping she chooses Maris. I think she would love that school. But in reality, I think she is still looking at UC Santa Barbara lovingly.
The other thing, DIL has been in school (with three kids) for nursing. She went because her dad promised he would pay for her schooling. He can be a jerk. He and her mom divorced many years ago, and he had tried to put a wedge between her and her mother. So things haven't always been close between DIL and dad. That changed when the first grandchild came.
But he has remarried. He is older than the new wifey. They had another child - who is a senior in high school New wifey is the one who is grousing about the money going to DIL. This after her son (from a previous relationship has been put through school - and they will probably pay a good part of the upcoming wedding. New wife - who also was put through nursing school and became a nurse practitioner on the dad's money - keeps saying he wants to retire. Well - they have money. Lots of money. They can most certainly pay for my DIL. I told her I would somehow help if it came down to it. It will be a good investment for the future and not a waste of my (little) money.
So things have been a little full of drama around here last night and today. But hopefully Katie is almost out of surgery right now and DIL just texted me that this semester's tuition has been paid. All is good right now.
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