I am back from the meetings with my doctors and have mostly good news to report. First, my surgeon feels that I am recovering nicely from my esophageal surgery. However, since I am still having so much trouble swallowing, he is going to do a procedure a week from Friday called esophagogastroduoderoscopy which is a dilation of my esophagus at the point where it is joined to my new esophagus that was constructed out of part of my stomach. He will be able to do this procedure on an outpatient basis but I will have to be sedated. Let's hope this works!
I also had a contrast CT-Scan today to check the mass on my right kidney. The good news is that it hasn't grown since they first discovered it early this year. My doctor said that it looks like a cyst but since it lit up when they did the scan, it is probably malignant. However, if it is cancer, it is not very aggressive and might even be destroyed using a cold temperature probe. In any event he is not very concerned and has scheduled my next appointment in September when he will do another scan and I will then also meet with a urologist oncologist named Dr. Harry Clark.
So there you have it! I'm sorry about all the big medical terms but I thought I would write them down so I will be able to look them up on my blog once I forget them. All in all, I feel pretty good about my diagnosis and I plan to get on with my life. I think I will go back to doing water aerobics three time a week starting tomorrow.
Thanks for all the prayers and positive energy you have directed my way.
dad,
ReplyDeletewish you would've called me!
i'm so excited about coming to visit.
keep swimming. i'll be in the pool with ya!
i think i'm only packing a bathing suit with all the luggage charges!
love Tan
Now there you go! Got that doctor's visit out of the way. But I'm glad they are going to do that...hey! don't ask me to spell it, but I'm glad they are going to stretch your uh, food passageway. You've fought that long enough. I want you to have a nice thick steaming steak!!
ReplyDeleteWith horseradish slathered on it, if you like.
And I agree. Get back down there and splash in the pool with all those pretty ladies! Call it
water aerobics if you want but Frank told me
they have l-a-d-i-e-s in the class. Go show 'em your battle scars. They'll be impressed too.
You know, in your spare time, you can be a
nature photographer for any slick magazine. You are so good at it. And you can use your yard for the subject matter. Gorgeous photos!
I enjoy them so much. Take one of that GIANT tree out front, where your driveways winds around. I LOVE that tree.
And... your kitties are soooo cute. Tan's gonna fall in love with them when she gets here and we'll have to watch them or they'll accidentally on purpose stowaway in her suitcase, amongst her stuff!!
I'm proud of you, big guy!! You're doing great. You'll have all this behind you in no time. Good thing you're writing about it or you'd forget you went through all this. Tell those doctors you are worth it. You are.
with dottiehugs
Bernie it's good to hear the good news I had one of the esophagogastroduoderoscopy when I had a hernieated ulser. The good news is that you are sedated. Like I always say "it doesn't hurt to be unconcious!" And Debbie always says "no not you"
ReplyDeleteKeep up the work Bernie, I'm proud of you.
Mike Romine
Bernie- great news! Now you can start pulling some weeds and doing laps. We are off for a weeks visit to Atlanta to see Susie & family. Good luck with the proceedure..........Bob Mc
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty good news Bernie. I've known people who had the stretching procedure. A tough guy like you will handle it ok. Sounds like you will be out pulling weeds on a regular basis soon. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteBernie, It was sure good to see you after all this time. All the ladies at the pool missed seeing you, and I hope you didn't do too much today. I know you'll feel all those aerobics after so long. Bobbi & the Drew gang
ReplyDeleteWow, Bernie! What great news. Jason and Jenn ask about you all the time and I'm really excited to tell them you are doing extremely well. What a journey, huh? Keep up the great work and enjoy your water aerobics. We spent some time in the lake today and it felt great. Give Terry a big hug for us. love, holly and john
ReplyDeleteBernie, I want to relay best wishes
ReplyDeleteto you from Nancy Humphries. She just
got her husband home from the hospital
and she has a bad cold and sore throat;
but she is asking about you.
I told her about your Tuesday visit back
to Charleston and the upcoming procedure
to stretch your esophegus.
She just wants you to know you are in
her thoughts and prayers too.
Sleep well and snuggle with the kitty cats!!
Later, Dottie
Dear Bernie, Good news. Nancy and I enjoyed our talk recently and you are always on our minds.
ReplyDeleteMy sister Loretta always benefits from water therapy and you have the ideal atmosphere among your wonderful garden flowers to enjoy every aspect. Ou best to you and Terry.
Fred Nowicki
Bernie, Happy Birthday! Keep swimming. I see why you're there...you're the only Man. Good call Buddy.
ReplyDeleteMike Romine