Out of Cancerstan...really??

Out of cancerstan…but really?

May 24, 2011, while prostrated by Dr. McBride’s epidural, most of me left cancerstan.  Dr. Bruce Lowe and his team kept my bladder, my prostate, an unknown number of lymph nodes, and a little blood. 

Wednesday and Thursday brought Dr. Lowe for short visits, it was Friday when Mandy, Dr. Lowe’s PA delivered the pathologist’s news which seemed both good and bad.

1.    No evidence of cancer in lymph nodes and margins of the (?) tumor were “were clean” BUT

2.    The tumor had penetrated through the muscle into the fat around the bladder.

I was never alone!  J   However, I was not allowed to eat or drink nor leave the hospital until I farted and pooped.  Mary Ann and our granddaughter   the brand new BSN, accompanied me on the trip out of cancerstan.  Fortunately, one or both of them were always there with me at Good Samaritan Hospital room 651.  Over the weekend, added help came from Lisa.  And, because of those three I was actually doing the medically requested hourly deep breathing exercises to clear the lungs along with the four or five daily long walks around the hospital from Tuesday night onwards.  Given help from the ladies of mercy both from the family and the staff those two important and necessary exercises were easily accomplished…however, sleep was difficult.  And, I couldn’t FART.

I lost it twice…Twice, I COULD NOT ACCEPT WHAT WAS.

a.    Thursday (?) the Ostomy Nurse, scheduled to change my new external plastic bladder (AKA urostomy bag) at 10am arrived at 11 and promptly freaked out at the appearance of some greenish/brown sludge within my new external plastic bladder.  She threw up her hands making some comment about me not being her only patient.  She needed advice and approval from the surgeon who was unavailable …around 1pm he showed up in suit and tie and leaning over me, suggested it was probably just some sterilized fecal material that had not gotten completely washed out of the folds within the ileum as they were creating the new ileal conduit.  So, go ahead and change the bag and instruct us how to do so on our own June 1 or 2.  Do watch and report any more strange stuff.  If so, further but “simple surgery” might be necessary.  OH NO!

But the heavens opened and my first guardian angel showed up to accompany me on the journey   

b.    Friday (?) the IV failed (from the doctor ordered (and unneeded?) Potassium drip?  The irritation was painful and producing a red streak up my left arm.  That IV needed to be removed.  My nurse called a nice lady from IV central to insert a new IV on the right hand…it failed, Nice Lady returned a couple hours later and put a new IV on the right forearm.  My nurse continued pushing 100 (ml? per hr.?)  Of the potassium drip…it hurt!  Around 10pm IV central’s night time specialist showed up and an hour and half later, (midnight) got a new IV line…pushing just saline at a rate of 50.  Still had trouble accepting what was.  Finally, with the help of pills and a shot, from Sophie, my second guardian angel I was able to get some sleep.

Saturday daytime appeared and the guts were rumbling and finally I was allowed something more than chipped ice.  I was allowed four ounces of clear liquid every 12 hours.  Rumblings continued, burps began with both helped along by walks. Saturday, evening permissible liquid intake was increased to 500 ml every 12 hours… lots of rumblings…sure sign, I was told, that the bowels were waking. 

Wakeful bowels would soon, I was told produce farts and poops…with farts and poops I could eat drink and go home.

Saturday night fitful sleep…lots of rumblings in the bowels…

No farts no poops.  L

Sunday lots of rumblings…lots of walk…lots of unease….

FINALLY, SUNDAY afternoon I was released from the hospital prison to the good home care of wife, daughter and, granddaughter.