Anyways, today we went back to my Urologist, Dr. McFadden to discuss what was found in the tumor.
Dr. Michael McFadden served in the military with my one of my Grandfather's very best friends, Dr. Richard Tapper, a Urologist who has been living and practicing at Toledo Hospital with my Granddad, Dr. Gerry Sutherland, who is a famous Orthopedic Surgeon hailing from the wonderful city of Toledo, Ohio as well. Yes readers, his real name is Dr. Dick Tapper and for a profession he plays with balls and wieners... life is nutty sometimes (pun, intended). Anyways, they served as doctors in the military together in the 70's and had not spoken to each other in thirty years... that is until, I went and got cancer and brought these long, lost, kindred souls back together again. You're welcome you two.
And now back to me... Dr. McFadden successfully removed the entire tumor and testicle from my groin section on Tuesday, he left a very small incision that is rarely bleeding. Today, I was to find out the preliminary test results from the pathology report. Kasia loaded me up in the Nissan Murano, put on some Pandora, turned up the Jimmy Buffett and I serenaded Kasia to, "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw" as we drove down the canyon. I am a born romantic, even in the harshest of conditions... it's more of a curse than a blessing. We arrived to the doctors office in typical fashion, 15 minutes late, mostly due to my current groin condition. And also because of the fact that no one gave me a gas powered wheel chair, as I had previously requested.
We got into the patient room and Dr. McFadden showed up in typical Doctor style, 20 minutes late. No joke... all doctors walk into your patient room, or curtain room at least 20-30 minutes after the nurse places you in your designated area. This is not something I am complaining about, but more of an observation that I have decided to share. The best analogy I can think of to relate the situation is like this: Remember as a child when your parents would take you to go see Santa, you were so excited when that short girl dressed as an elf grabbed your hand to take you to the big guy so you can request presents (in my case, what my plan to live is). What if when you got there Santa was dealing with his bladder infection for 25 minutes. I am not saying Dr. McFadden has a bladder infection either, I am just saying... don't bring me back in that room until the good doctor is good and ready to see me, and can tell me what presents I am getting. (I can't believe this is the best analogy I can think of... I can see my dad shaking his head now).
Well after these overblown 20 minutes Dr. McFadden answered my questions. And by my questions, I mean Kasia's. She has been captaining this drugged up ship (me) and making sure I take all of my medications, go to my endless doctor appointments, brush my teeth, consume food, get up to use the toilet, and other odds and ends. Kasia has turned out to be worth the investment on my part... I am going to go ahead and chalk her up as a win for me. My new fiance has continually surprised me throughout this ordeal and has gotten me to fall in love with her in a way I did not know was possible. She is the silver lining on a shitty situation, but man that silver shines, right?! Here are the questions and answers she got from my doctor.
1.What kind of tumor was it?
I have an Embryonic Tumor. This means that I have caught a rare case of testicular cancer that has either attached itself to an old tissue from my previous cancer or even more strange, has started all on its own. Their seemed to be a vascular invasion by the tumor, which means it had survived on my blood stream, and is how the cancer is carried... which is typical.
2. Did we catch it early?
Yes. Because I had been getting regular check ups the cancer seems to be caught early, making the recovery faster and easier on me and all of my friends and family members.
3. What is the recommended treatment?
Dr. McFadden is a urologist and not an oncologist, he cannot give me the details on the exact treatment that I will most likely be getting. Although, he did give me an idea on the typical process that will follow a diagnosis like this: three different types of intense chemo therapy. But there is always "other options."
When you have cancer, the doctors always let you know that you have "other options." The doctors have to treat you like they are speaking to someone that has the intelligence level of a five year old. "We recommend that you should do this. It will save your life. But of course, you don't have to... there are always other options." Usually those other options have to do with dying, which is not in the cards for this guy. I promised my little sister I would remind her that she loves me at age 77 only four days ago. A hefty promise, because 50 years from now is a long time to be alive. But a promise is a promise... Soooo I am going to do the chemotherapy. Unless the different options in this case are something that will keep me alive and kill the cancer.
On the brighter side, lets talk about my prosthetic testicle. Next Friday, is when I think we are going to plop that mofo in. Apparently they used to have lots of different prosthetic testicles but now there is only one approved by the FDA. Which only leads me to believe that the manufacturer of the only current prosthetic testicles burned the other factories down to monopolize the industry. Smart.
**I would also like to thank my good friend Aaron Burrell for offering one of his testicles to replace mine... I will have to get it tested before we move forward, but I think it's going to be tough getting it past the FDA. You're a good friend though.
I also wanted to give a quick shout out to all of our friends that have been there by our side... friends from Park City, college, high school, family friends, and people I haven't spoken to or heard from for decades have reached out to offer that support. For this, I am extremely humbled. I can't express how much it helps to know we have great friends that are ready to help, especially when it actually counts.
The last few days Kasia and I have had our friends Scotty and Kara over to help, because apparently I can be needy. Scotty has helped make sure I don't fall down the stairs, watch hockey, and eat the food the girls prepare for us. Because my appetite has not been the usual trash dispenser Kasia and Kara made homemade chicken noodle soup from scratch, that was "to die for" yesterday. Speaking for both of us I cannot express our gratitude towards Scotty and Kara for being so selfless and dropping their regular lives to help Kasia and myself after surgery. I mean, I don't want to give them too much credit, they do get to hang out with us.
We have also had amazing meals made by other friends as well:
French Dip: Josh and Charlotte
Spaghetti: Britt and Rich... Well, Rich hung out with me, Britt cooked.
The whole Whole Foods Store: The Kosiba's <-- Who have continually been there for Kasia and I through everything.
And other nick nacks and treats from others. They are the best, and so are all of you people. I am falling in between sleeping and staring, which happens when I am on painkillers, so I am not even going to try and proof read this post, nor will I structure any of my thoughts, because I am too tired.
This is RAW blog writing people. You're welcome. Other blogs will have more pictures, my apologies.
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