Right around the first of the year, I began to exhibit symptoms. The morning after our last gig on January 17th, a Sunday, it became very apparent that something was real wrong.
I went to see a doctor the following day, but was only allowed to see a Physician's Assistant. After a cursory examination, he seemed convinced that there was nothing wrong as I was not symptomatic that morning. He recommended that I return in 6 months and donate another urine sample to see if anything had changed.
Fortunately, Sharon convinced me to take a picture of what had happened the day before and I showed that to the PA. He then decided that I needed to have a CT scan as soon as possible.
As soon as possible turned out to be the following Friday, January 23, 2015. They did one scan without Iodine and one with. When the appointment for the CT scan was set up, another was set up for the following Monday to discuss the results of my CT scan.
After the CT scan, I got dressed and drove home, a scant 1.5 miles. When I walked in the door there was a Urology surgeon on the phone. He proceeded to tell me that they saw a large mass in my left kidney and that my only option is to remove the kidney.
I was allowed to ponder that juicy piece of news without any answers all weekend long.
Monday, January 26, 2015 I went in to discuss the CT scan and what it all meant. The surgeon pointed out that I had a stone in my right kidney, but that the kidney was otherwise healthy and normal sized. The left kidney has a malignant tumor the size of a '66 Buick LaSabre.
I go in for a couple of Pre-Op appointments on February 5th and provided all goes well, I am scheduled to have the kidney removed on February 19th.
At this point, I don't know what to think. The thought of the surgery doesn't really bother me, but I guess the prospect of what else might be discovered in the process does bother me. I do not feel real well and I have pressure and some pain in my back. When I saw the CT scan it is very apparent that this thing is pushing on my other organs and that was a week ago. I suspect the tumor is growing fairly fast. I also suspect that my body is trying to fight it, because I feel weak, a little nauseated and at times feverish.
I am confident that things will work out 'ok'. I have too much to do and way too much music to make to check out prematurely!
February 28, 2015 - Great News!
