Judgment Day #3 - ALL CLEAR - May 14, 2009

Hello and thanks to one and all for reading along, caring, and praying or sending alternative forms of positive energy. Mixed with my complementary therapies, we have a resounding success in the form of an ALL CLEAR today. Only thing to wait for is the lab result from the urine cytology and FISH tests. So today we have the CT scan results showing nothing of concern, a urine exam for bacteria, blood, and/or tissue all clear, and a visual inspection via cystoscope also all clear. With the lab results next week we should be able to declare me cancer free for a year minus a few days, but close enough! The doc confirmed that he will go to every six months on the BCG, so no treatments this time, and then another scope to be followed (if all goes well) by 3 BCG treatments in September. Until then, I am free from medical obligations.

So let the celebration begin! We got some fresh fish at the market for dinner tonight, and some very expensive cheeses to use as appetizers. This was truly an awesome birthday present.

We left about noon for our 1:15PM appointment. We had to pick through two construction areas on different freeways to get to the doc's office, so we left earlier than usual. Arrived at about 1:05 and was into the exam room by 1:15. Urine provided and checked, I hopped on the table to await the doc. He came in and told me the X-rays showed a minor scar on the kidney, but nothing at all to be concerned about. One thing was different this time. While the office has four doctors, they have only one video-cystoscope, and today was the first time my scope day had lined up with Dr. Hopkins turn to use the video. So Kathryn and I both got to watch the whole thing live and in color. Counter-intuitively it was not "yucky" at all, and being engrossed in watching distracted me from the discomfort so much that the stress balls were not even needed. The doc took his time and explained what we were seeing, which was a pretty healthy looking bladder. One unusual area near the ureter where one tumor had been, and a tiny pink spot that most likely came from the scope bumping into the bladder wall with its hot lamp. Dr. Hopkins assured me that it was nothing of concern, as CIS spots look much different - he described them as "velvety." The narrated video tour made the exam take two minutes instead of one, but no discomfort at all. Of course, urination is fire-y today and likely tomorrow, but that's the price of admission to this club! I got a copy of the CT report from the radiologist, a single antibiotic pill to take prophylactically, and we were on our way. Maybe next time I will request a video of the procedure for the hardcore blog readers out there...

All's well that ends well, and Judgment Day #3 is now in the books - ALL CLEAR!!