Latest Health Status

Yesterday Joy brought me to my MRI, doctor appointment, and lab work. It was good she brought me as it was a long day!

The neurosurgeon, Dr. Pollack, gave us her initial analysis of the MRI, but reminded us that this was only her opinion. She had not received the radiologist's reading of the MRI yet, plus she could only look at it on her computer which does not have the same quality of resolution as the radiologist's computer would have.

Dr. Pollack said that from what she can tell, the spot has faded a bit. Also, Dr. Kelley said that while the spot is at the T8, there is a bit of something both above and below the T8--disqualifying my remarks that the 'spot' was at the T8 only.

What does this mean? Dr. Pollack thinks there's a possibility that this is not "spinal necrosis" (spinal cord damage...from the radiation) but that it very well may be the MM (cancer). The fact that it is better might indicate that the [evil] steroids did some good and started killing the cancer.

What next? The lab work done yesterday will show whether the cancer is active. Has my m-spike increased? There are also other markers that will be telling. I'll find this out next Thursday. If it is the MM (cancer), then Dr. Deauna will decide upon treatment. I fear it will include steroids.

One thing Dr. Pollack said that I must consider. I'm blaming my leg-weakness totally on the steroids. It could be what the cancer is doing, too.

Also, one of the two neurosurgeons yesterday, Dr. Kelley (other Dr. Pollack) wants me to see a urologist right away due to my trouble eliminating. He explained that if you don't eliminate you can permanently destroy your kidneys and need dialysis for the rest of your life. That, of course, is worst case scenario. So, I have to first go to an Internal Medicine (IM) doctor, who will refer me to a urologist. It's a complicated process, isn't it?

Equally complicated was getting me to an IM doctor, however, Dr. Kelley pulled his mentor and whatever and got me into one today, a Dr. Pioli in Overland Park. I've heard of her before and she's fabulous. She will now be my new Primary Care Physician. Adam liked her very much, too! If she passed the "Adam test" I know she's good.

I was initially going to see the urologist that saved my ureter and kidney after a doctor injured me back in 1997, but he does not work out of KU. I decided on just making the leap and going to a urologist from KU. All the doctors work together and given the complications I may have with MM, and MM can affect your kidneys, I will keep everyone in one place. My PCP, now Dr. Pioli, doesn't work out of KU, but she's good enough and as she puts it, she's the "air traffic controller" and just keeps everyone together, etc. She's so good and cooperative, etc., that I don't think I'm losing anything with her being outside of KU. As far as I know she doesn't go to KU, I didn't ask her, but the doctors who would be "operating" on me are at KU; that is what counts...I suppose. I'm trying to think through this as best I can and make the best decisions I can. That's about all I can do.

Well, all the urologists are out of the office next week. I don't understand that, but the first I'll get in is July 7th. Someone was supposed to call me today and make an appointment, but they never called. I supposed the "appointment desk" can call me next week. If I don't get a call by Monday, guess I'll be calling someone. I was told by both Dr. Pioli and Dr. Pollack's nurse that if I get to wear I can't eliminate, to go to the emergency room. The nurse said that on a weekend at KU I may be waiting a couple of hours because of t being a trauma center. I suppose if I have trouble over a weekend, I may just go to St. Joseph for "catheter relief" -- I just pray I'm OK and this doesn't happen.

In summary: this numbness from the waist down & spot on my back can very likely be the cancer, and I'll know at my next appointment with Dr. Deauna next Thursday. I will be seeing a urologist regarding my bladder/kidneys and how well am I eliminating. If I'm not eliminating very well, I may have to start doing "self-catheterization" from home. OH--and Dr. Pioli recommended Senna tea for bowel movements. She says it's natural. Dr. Pollack also said to try natural first as much as possible and she mentioned Fiber One cereal. So, I will be buying both and trying that.

Well, as far as my health status, that's about it...in a big fat nutshell.