Posts

April 2021

Image
April 2, 2021 Hey everyone! Quick update. I've got an endoscopy scheduled for April 26 with the advanced endoscopist (Dr A). Dr W (surgical oncologist) will also be there, for "informational purposes". I have been assured that this will NOT turn into a surgery that day & I will be able to have discussions with whomever I need to before that's even a thing. The goal of this endoscope is for Dr A to remove the polyp. Hopefully, he's able to do that. There's potential that this will be a multiple attempt situation. April 26, 2021 Today, I had an endoscopy (scope down the throat) with the advanced endoscopist, Dr A, who is now practicing with her existing gastroenterologist’s practice. Dr. W, who performed both her colon removal / rectal resection as well as her ileostomy (attach the bag) and reversal (remove the bag) attended the procedure. However Dr. A was in the driver’s seat, and Dr. W was “riding shotgun” (his words). The hope was that Dr. A would be abl...

November 2019

At some point, I stopped writing in the journal. Apparently it was after my first appointment at the Cancer Center. In the coming posts, I'll jump to present day and then work to catch up the posts with what happened after that initial Cancer Center visit.  November 1, 2019 - Scan Day Before this mess started, I had planned on today being my century ride with Peloton. 9:55am with Cody. Thankfully, my scans are later today and I was able to do the 20 minute Pop Ride. I got a shout out with less than 5 min in the class - it was GREAT! I had a hard time pulling my head out of life & concentrating on the class, but it’s to be expected, I think. I also did a 5 min arms workout with Cody. New month, new PeloARMy challenge.   Scans - easy! Tech asked a lot of questions about getting diagnosed. Halloween make-up day.   November 3, 2019 Powells came over & brought dinner (and fabric!).   November 4, 2019 Dr N called with CT results Got scheduled with Dr. W November 6,...

October 2019

Below are the entries in my journal for October 2019.  Some of the entries are are just quick notes, while some are more expanded. I figure it's better to just get it in a post and I'll fill in blanks later.  October 3, 2019 Ever have that feeling that everything’s happened just the way it’s happened for a reason? From here on out, I’ve had that feeling. Like the stars aligned just so, just for me.   I went to Dr. N’s office to check in for my appointment, got settled in, and waited to do my whole blood pressure and all of that mess. After all of those things were done, I was led to my room and waited for Dr. N. When he came in, we chatted about the blood in my stool, how often it was happening, and all sorts of other details about it. So much poop talk!   Colon polyps run in the family, so I brought in the list of types of polyps that have been found. Dr. N told me most people aren’t that prepared on which types and all of that. He was thankful that I was. After see...

The Beginning: September 2019

In September 2019, I started a document for myself to keep the memories somewhere easily accessible. A journal of sorts.  I had no idea that it'd become the journey of a lifetime for me. Below are those initial September entries. The ones before I really knew what was going on.  Note: I have abbreviated doctor's names and taken out any kind of location information for obvious reasons.  Mid September 2019 Is that blood in my stool? Again? Why is this happening? I didn’t have that much dairy or too many grains. Hmmmmm. Time to stop putting off changing my primary care and get in to see the doctor about this.   September 16, 2019 I called the new primary care’s central scheduling today. She told me it’s normally a 30 day wait to get an “establishing care” appointment. After chatting about which location and who I wanted to see (Dr. T), she was able to get me into a slot that had been canceled for later that week.   September 20, 2019 Today, I headed in for my 3:00 ...