What Procedure? I don’t need no stinkin’ procedure.

You may remember my update from November 29 where I went to the Doctors because I needed to go the bathroom about every hour and it was painful in a way only women who have delivered 10 lb. babies without anesthetic could relate to.

Oh – you forgot – well I didn’t   As of today the pain hadn’t subsided and the pills they gave me hadn’t really worked.  I felt really good while taking them – until I went to the bathroom and as Emeril would say, BAM!  There was the pain.

So today (Dec. 10) we went back to the urologist to check in and see what was what.

We’re Ready for Your Procedure

Now… here’s a bit of advice… when you go to the Doctors office and all you’re expecting is a chat and a new prescription and they say something like – “we will be going to a different room for your procedure” – that’s the time to turn tail and run.  Nothing good comes from those words.  Today was no different.

Bottom line I had to have a surprise cystoscopy.  Yeah – it’s what you think it is.  Every guy reading this just slammed their knees shut.  Mine was even more memorable in that I had a male nurse, a female Doctor and my wife all gathered ‘round my nether region as they had wonderful chit-chat about my insides.  I was lying on table slightly inclined at the head so I couldn’t see any of them.  Weirdest day of my life (and that includes some days that could have easily been in The Hangover movie – I or II)

Truthfully – the procedure was not painful at all – just a bit uncomfortable.  See image at right and understand where it goes… ‘nuff said.

The net-net of the cystoscopy is that the since the cancer is in muscle wall of the bladder it makes it impossible for the bladder to expand as it fills. Therefore, it only takes a small amount of liquid to make it feel full.  In addition, the location of my tumor is such that it is pressing on nerves that cause the pain.

Not the best situation.  Hey – who ever said I do things the easy way.

If we’re doing cancer, those Doctors are going to earn their money!

Next Steps?

Tomorrow – Dec 11 – is my long chemo day (delayed from last week due to low white count.)

Wednesday I’m having another CAT scan to compare the cancer from CAT scan done at the time of diagnosis until now and see how aggressive it is.  If it is King Kong aggressive then we may just jump to the surgery and do chemo later.  If it is more squirrel monkey aggressive, then we may wait it out, manage the pain and have the surgery after the chemo as planned.

We won’t know what will actually happen until after the appointment on Thursday.

Nothing in the world of cancer is easy.

Another piece of advice – don’t get it.