Cabernet and Carboplatin

Today I had my bladder surgery. I was my surgeon's first patient of the day, which meant getting to the hospital at 6 am, but it also meant I'd get out early, which was good. But, as usual, everything took longer than imagined, and it was not without its little twists and turns. Seems the staff assigned to me had never had a patient with a removable leg. Patients normally walk to the OR. One staffer seemed a little flummoxed, but another got a transport wheelchair and off I went. All were impressed at how easily I climbed on to the operating table. The surgery went well, but I admit I was in more pain than I had imagined, particularly because I was not prepared to get a dose of chemotherapy after the surgery. It was infused directly into my bladder, and then I had to wait an hour. That's when the drugs came in. After oxycodone, fentanyl and zofran, I was in far less pain, but pretty loopy. Despite that, I do remember what the surgeon said. Which was-- until the path...

This week, six years ago, I had my last chemo. It seems like a lifetime ago. My check-ups have gone from every month, to every three months, and now to every six months. A big Woo Hoo. Also, just about this week two years ago was when I got hit by a bus in London. I went from not being able to walk or use my arms to where I am now-- walking with a cane and even driving a car. I'm back volunteering at the shelter and taking Pilates. A couple of weeks ago I starting getting pretty bad heartburn, which I had six years ago. It led me to a gastroenterologist who ultimately diagnosed my ovarian cancer. So when it returned, I made an appointment with a gynecological oncologist who scheduled a CT scan. The good news was there was no ovarian cancer recurrence. The not so good news, or should I say the up in the air news, was that the CT scan showed a mass in my bladder. A small mass-- only about a half inch-- but a mass nonetheless. Today I saw a urologicsl oncologist. I was hoping he ...