Thusday Oct 30 2008

Steroids are all right except that it must be similart to Manic/depressive. So far the manic has been full bore. I am thinking about buying a dog, taking flying lessons, scuba diving and of course buying a car. Fortunately Ms. Director has confiscaticasted all my credit cards check books posted my pictures and all pertinent information at local merchants and warned my friends if I call them wanting to corner the stock market--you know GM and Ford need to make bigger SUV, oh well she is just no fun.
Seriously, the steroids just seem to help push my body around where it doesnt want to go on its own--trudging is the most descriptive term to describe this "burst of energy". I am tired but I have the energy to enjoy walks and meet with friends. White count has remained fairly stable and thus I have not had to avoid crowds---ironically I am to avoid sick people. Try that going to doctors office and hospitals on a regular basis--I try to sit next to those who appear to be transporting the patients---but some times you get fooled and have to run to another chair---I try not to point and scream at the sick one "don't you infect me" as they edge nervously away from me.
Now we wait. We have an appointment at MD ADERSON on Nov. 8, so we will leave here the 6 or 7th. We meet with the Surgeon, and then they do a battery of test, PET, Endoscopic Ultra sound, cardiovascular stress test, pulmonary function test, and if all looks doable the surgery should take place around 15-16. I will be in surgery 6 hrs or so, then ICU2-3 days and they estimate with no complications out in about 10-12 days. I will be on a feeding tube and they want me to be able to eat "solid" food before the release me. I will probably stay in Houston for at least a week to 10 days and then return to KC.
Before we make the final determination about MD with are awaiting confirmation of the number of these particular types of surgeries (Trans-hietal esophagectomies) the surgeon has performed and the number the hospital has performed. KU has performed esphageal surgeries but as near as we can determine only 20 of these particular surgeries in the past 2 years and the Surgeon has only performed 13 over the last 2 years. While the KU Surgeon is obviously a skilled surgeon, according to the literature the most desirable set up is a hospital that has performed over 50 of these per year and a surgeon that has performe 20-30. That means the support personnel know what to be alerted to and there are more doctors to call upon should complications arise.
The latest, my cousin Elaine just had surgery to remove colon cancer---she has never drank or smoked but of course that is not the primary cause of colon cancer---but you ought to get some credit for something. She seems in good spirits so say prayers or think positive thoughs for her. She is a charator.
I find it reassuring that so many people have shared their cancer stories with me. This confirms my belief that we must all share this information. People are not dropping like flys because the big "C" word gets muttered. Lance Armstrong has done a magnificent joy in demonstating that Cancer is treatable and beatable. The treatment is not fun but as for mine I would not want to exchange my discomfort I have been through for that discomfort so many of our young people returning from overseas have suffered.
AARP has an excellent article on how to take care of yourself if you are going through health difficulties. I am making copies of this an will be glad to share it with anyone--just send me you address or email and I will get it out to you.
So it goes...