This weekend I was at a conference and someone told me that “your articles really helped me, even though I didn’t have Cancer – why did you stop” I didn’t have an answer for them. When I started this blog/article site at the beginning of my cancer journey I felt that it would be good for me, feeling that maybe if I shared my journey it would somehow be easier for me – and it was. the selfish side of me was ignorant of the fact that there were (non-cancerous) people out there that were benefiting from the site.  So I’m back with more frequent articles.

So for many that have been following me, some from the very beginning, it is time to give everyone an update. For those who may have drifted of during my journey and are at a loss to be able to connect the dots here is a recap to bring you up to date.

Bladder Cancer was discovered back in March of last year.

Shortly after tumors were removed and the remainder of the bladder tested positive for more cancer.

A metastatic urothelial carcinoma with supraclavicular lymph node was discovered in my neck which was an indication that my cancer had spread.

A long and arduous regimen of almost weekly sessions of chemo went on for 5 months

Happy, happy oncologist informed me that chemo had amazingly successful and that cancer had been reduced

Next step was to remove the bladder completely, an almost 6-hour operation followed by 7 days in the hospital

An ileal conduit procedure completed at the time of the surgery

Rest period at home for a month.

Return to Sunnybrook hospital to have stitches and plastic tubing removed.

That brings us to today.

First let me say Let me that Dr Robert Nam in my mind is the finest surgeon, lots of compassion, support and just enough humor to brighten your day when a day could be full of bad news. Today he said that he couldn’t be happier, all results came back in my favor, no surrounding tissue showed any indication of cancer and all the lymph nodes were clear. The lymph node in my neck which is still almost too small to detect is going to be removed by a neck surgeon colleague of his Dr Danny Enerpekides, Dr. Nam informed me that this surgery was so routine for him he could do this ‘with his eyes’ closed, I trusting that was a joke.

lI waited until I got back to my car before a burst into tears of relief. – it’s been a hard journey thanks to those who have been here with me but I wonder why we keep the good news to ourselves keeping our tears of joy private?

After meeting with Dr E and a short ultrasound it was discovered the ‘bad node’ is still there and yes even though he never mentioned closing his eyes while he operated but did say he was going to surgically remove it, probably in the next few weeks or so.  I also met with my Oncologist Dr. Y who is also happy with my recent test results, confirming that although not yet cancer free I’m getting closer and closer.  CT Scans are booked, which is part of the operating procedure, then hopefully under the knife again.  Given all that they have thrown at me, the neck surgery will be a walk in the park compared to what I had done to me so far.

The attending nurse told me after the surgeon had completed the ultrasound and left the room “so you’re going to get a ‘bad-boy’ scar” I wasn’t sure what she meant until I got home and Googled the operation.  Holy Lymph Nodes Batman….. That’s one big scar he’ll be left with The dang thing is almost 6 inches long from just under my ear on to my shoulder.  I’ve been thinking how I could explain it to people when it’s all done, things like:

• I was fighting off a guy with a machete who was mugging an old lady
• Was swimming and a shark tried to take a bite out of me
• I took a course as a Japanese Benihana Chef, I threw the knife in the air the wrong way and it cut me.

There’s plenty more, I’ll share them at a later date.

Thanks to all my ‘peeps’ sorry I haven’t been around, your prayers for me have worked so far – if you have any left over my daughter has a friend who is undergoing breast cancer surgery today and needs some help.

Have a great day (unless you’ve made other plans) try to keep smiling and whatever is troubling you “You’re going to be OK you know”

Peter