This has been a long fight. The light is seeming to be at the end of the tunnel ... [View all]
... After three tumor removals from my bladder with a cancer that does not respond to radiation or chemo, and subsequent removal of my bladder, a a prior partial removal of my colon for colon cancer, a kidney blockage that may be part of the bladder cancer or scar tissue from creating new ducts for the kidneys from colon parts harvested for moving urine to to a stoma and bag, I was told by the renal specialist that my bladder cancer may have moved up the duct for my right kidney was 'in situ', highly unlikely to metastasize or grow very quickly.
I have some tests next week to see if the kidney is still trying to work, to see if surgery makes sense on an old codger like me who will likely outlive the cancer. If it's cancer, it most likely will not kill me. If it's scar tissue, it might grow back and require replacing stents a at least yearly.
My other kidney is working at 100%. So it seems like I've pretty much decided to wait to see if if my kidney has shut down or not and if I want stenting if it hasn't.
My first thought is either way, we'll watch it, but I am done with surgery on this cancer and its aftermath complications.
Not a complete win, but I fought it to draw and I can most certainly live with it: trust but verify, as some butthead once said under different circumstances.
Everybody needs a socialist health care system like I have from VA.
= new reply since forum marked as read