Got The Call

My phone rang at 9AM today. I never answer the phone and each call is screened.  Sandy from Dr. Previte's office left a message that I have a scheduled 'surgery' at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen and needed to provide a urine sample on June 28th (at his N Andover location).  There was nothing more left in the message.  It was so brief, by the time I picked up the phone she was gone. So I returned the call and got their answering service who took my information for a call back.

Around 10AM, I received a call back from Sandy who told me that Dr Previte wanted to start the procedure.  I was surprised that a surgery was scheduled for July 6th in the morning.  It sounded like I was going to have a biopsy.  She couldn't provide a whole lot of information other than, I will go under anesthesia and will need a ride to and from the hospital.  I've had biopsies before, but I'm guessing that this is different because of the location.  She added that I will be receiving three calls (unlike the three spirits that Scrooge dealt with).  The first will be a nurse for medical history and logistics, second for Covid protocol (and proof of vaccination).  The third will be the day before the surgery for the time.  I'm assuming it will be in the morning and I'll need to be there quite early.  She did say that she was going to send me a letter with all this information.

I know while talking with Dr Previte yesterday, he had mentioned that there would be a biopsy to determine the presence of cancer (assume that he'd need to determine what it's like in there since my last surgery was January).  He did mention that the BCG could not be administered if I was bleeding or if I had an open sore.  So I'm concerned that any snipping will require some recovery time before the BCG.  In the past, doctors have all given a 6 week time frame for healing.  I sure hope that's not the case, because that will bring me into August before I can actually start.  But these are just my thoughts and I have little control over the situation.  I'm sure there are steps to be followed and this is merely a first step.

I did receive an email appointment notification for my urine sample at 9:40AM on 6/28. So that's what I have at this moment.

Post Script:  Received a call from the Salem office where I provided a urine sample yesterday.  Apparently I have a UTI (no symptoms).  They called in an antibiotic to Walgreens that I have to take for about a week then go back and give a new urine sample. Geesh!

More to come!

Finally Something To Report

I had my consultation today with Dr. Steven Previte of NE Urological Surgery at his Salem, NH office.  I had an appointment at 1PM and was told to be there 15 minutes early for check in and complete another round of SAT paperwork.  I was there, but there was a note on the door that that attendant was at lunch until 1PM, with instructions to please come in an be seated in the waiting room.  So much for being early.

Close to 1PM a male attendant acknowledged me, but said that "Donna" was out to lunch. He did say that I was required to mask and had one for me, but I came prepared and slipped mine on.  He also said he would check me in but he didn't know how to.  [So much for cross training].  I waited a few more minutes and Donna arrived and indicated that she would be checking me in shortly.  I waited.

Donna looked up and said, " I'll check you in now but I need to go over some Covid questions and take your temperature".  [Normal protocol these days].  She reviewed my file to verify that information was complete and accurate.  She took copies of my medical cards and soon said that the co-pay was $50.00.  I repeated while asking Five - 0, fifty?  Yes, she said.  [It is what it it, but I thought it was going to be $15 like every other place.]  She asked a few other questions, then gave me the SAT booklet to complete.  Kind of crazy, cause much of the information we had just reviewed was being asked again, but bureaucracy lives in the medical profession. I returned to me seat and started completing the paperwork.  I had two pages completed then Dr Privite introduced himself and asked me to follow him.

Of course he asked many of the same questions.  I guess they were making sure I didn't change my story. Then he said, 'Start form the beginning and tell me everything'.  I did and he took many notes (from what I saw it was typical doctor scribble, but if he can read it, then great).  When he heard that I had seen three doctors already he called his assistant in and requested all the files form the doctors.  I thought that it might mean that he had to review everything then I'd need to see him again.  The assistant left and he examined me.  As I was told to cough, he said I had a hernia.  I was surprised, cause I thought I just had a hiatal hernia, and not down there.  He then quipped, "Forget I said that". [That's not the first time I had that comment.  A few years ago I was told I had a hernia and I asked my primary care doctor about it and he said, "Are you exhibiting any symptoms or pain"?  I said no.  He said then don't worry about it.  [Still odd]

Dr Previte inquired about my last colonoscopy and if I experienced any night time urges to 'go'.  Of course my last colonoscopy was to have been March 2020, then all elective/preventive procedures were halted.  I did have a colorectal screening that was negative (last month), but nothing more was discussed.  I did get the greasy finger and kind of a good sign grunt from him. [Still no dinner and a movie].

His assistant arrived with a stack of paperwork.  Apparently she got all the notes and tests results he had just requested.  Now this demonstrates a time when technology works.  He quickly reviewed the notes and put dates next to some of his own notes.  He said, "And you had AAA surgery"?   [ Well he caught me.  After writing the same thing a few times, I seem to have forgotten to mention that.]  'Yes', I said.  "It was Endo-vascular surgery and stint implant that I get checked every 6 months'. He wanted to know who did it and where, to which I updated him to include into his notes.

He gave me a pamphlet about bladder cancer (which I had already read online).  He said that I have TA or T1 cancer - superficial, non evasive but very aggressive.  He said that BCG was right for me and he wants me to start soon (I'll get a call).  I'll be having 6 treatments (once a week) administered by a nurse at his other office (Andover/N Andover).  I will be given a catheter, BCG injected (assume the catheter comes out) and sent home to lay on each side for 15 minutes then 'pee it out'.  He did say that it's important that I have had no bleeding so the treatment doesn't get into my body.  He said that if it does I'll have a fever of 105 and chills.  He said in his 40 years of doing this he has seen one case.  [When it comes to health odds I seem to hit the lottery.  So I hope I don't make it number 2 for him].  He added that after the six weeks (or so), I'll have another cystoscopy and he'll take a tissue sample and test for cancer.  If cancer is still there, he'll do a TURBT again and another round of BCG.  If no cancer is found in the tissue, I'll have a cystoscopy every 3 months, then 6 months, then every year.  He said the success rate is 65%. But he added that mine was caught early and cleaned up, so he feels confident that I won't need radiation, chemo or bladder removal.

So I'm waiting for the call to start this next chapter.

More to come!

Well 'Dah....'!!!

On the afternoon of April 12th, I noticed my answering machine light blinking.  Figuring it was yet another robo-caller leaving or not leaving a message, I listened.  I was (sounded like) Emma from Doctor Hurley's office.  She indicated that the BGC is still back ordered, but Dr. Hurley found some available  at Northeast Urology in Andover.  She said the doctor sent over a referral and she wanted me to call her back to confirm.  Of course she said the number (once) and trailed off on the last few.  I listened a few times and didn't get it.  So I looked up the number for Doctor Hurley's office and called.

In this day and age of medical networking, phone systems are a shared tool and it's very difficult getting back to any particular individual without their direct number.  So I had to say that I got a call and 'Emma" requested I call back.  Of course there's no one named Emma.  So the representative asked for my name and date of birth and found my record.  She said Vilmarie had called me and she had sent/faxed a referral to Northeast Urology.  She also provided their number, but also indicated that once they receive the referral they would contact me for an appointment.  Ok, makes sense, I thought.  She said to call them since the referral was sent over in the morning. Alright then!

I called the number provided and after giving my name and date of birth, she said I was not in their system.  I added that the referral was sent that morning.  She said, "We get tons of faxes daily for various departments.  If it came in, it's probably waiting to be distributed to the correct department/person."  So I said, "Then I'll probably be hearing from someone soon?".  She said yes.

The good news is that Doctor Hurley found some BGC.  The bad news is bureaucracy moves slowly.  I'll wait a few days before calling them again.  It's almost 3 months since my TURBT.  Every time I pass water I hope I don't see any blood.  I did see a small clot the other day.  Just concerned.

More to come!

Post Script:  Received a call today 4/14/22, scheduling an appointment with Dr Previte on 5/26 in Salem NH.

Visit with Doctor Gruber

Since my last visit with my dermatologist, Dr. Gruber of Andover Dermatology in December, I noticed a growth on my chest near my right breast.  Given my ugly relationship with breast cancer on my left side I was concerned as it seemed to appear out of nowhere and has grown quite a bit.  I originally tried to get an appointment at the beginning of the month, but the only appointment available conflicted with my appointment with my oncologist.  So they gave me a date in May.

As time went on, the growth was getting bigger (no pain) and looked very angry.  So I pleaded for an earlier appointment.

Today, I had my appointment.  I was a bit anxious given my luck with cancer, but knew that even if it were cancerous, it's treatable.  I clearly caught it early enough. After an easy check in I hardly waited until the nurse called me in to the examination room.  Once there, she was looking over my chart and noticed that I had just been there (December).  She asked why I was seeing the doctor.  Once I explained, she updated some information in my file and said, "The doctor will be with you shortly".  [Insert thank you, but don't call me shortly - joke].

Doctor Gruber came in and after pleasantries went right to work.  Right away he said, no worries.  'It's not cancerous.  It's seborrheic keratosis"

A seborrheic keratosis is one of the most common noncancerous skin growths in older adults. While it's possible for one to appear on its own, multiple growths are more common. Seborrheic keratosis often appears on the face, chest, shoulders, or back. It has a waxy, scaly, slightly elevated appearance. No treatment is necessary. If the seborrheic keratosis causes irritation, it can be removed by a doctor.

 

I requested that it be removed.  I was sick of looking at it and when I had a tee shirt on it looked like I had a third nipple.  He complied.

 

After a shot to numb the pain, he sliced it off.  He said that he will still send it to pathology, but feels that it is not cancerous.  He said I would receive notification in a week or so.  He placed a band aid on the area and said that there were no restrictions. And,  it would heal in a few weeks.

So glad to have taken care of this before the date in May.  Now I just wait for the confirmation that it is not cancerous.

 

Post Script: Received notification 4/2/22 via post card indicating that the growth was benign.

More to come!

Follow-Up With Dr. Song

I had my follow-up visit at Mass Eye and Ear at the Waltham location this morning.  Although quite brisk, the sun was shinning and traffic was moving along.  No issue with the commute.  I arrived a bit earlier than expected.  You can never tell what traffic will be like, so one always gives a buffer.  After checking in I was told to wait.

There were a number of people in the waiting room but I was early and expected to be sitting for a spell.  Well, I had some entertainment.  A "Karen" was being quite vocal about her having to have waited two hours.  (I don't believe that length).  She was yelling at the receptionist and indicated that her anxiety medication was wearing off and she could not wait much longer.  Another medical professional came out and tried (in vane) to calm her down indicating that it would be 'soon'.  Of course Karen had the stage and needed to have all eyes on her for her performance.  Her husband sat quietly and made no effort to calm her down.  So she kept going on and on.  Another office person came out and tried to explain what the delay was, but she wanted nothing to do with it.  She said she would wait until half past the hour then leave.  She sat back down, but was loudly complaining to her husband that she 'couldn't take it anymore'.  With crocodile tears she rushed into the rest room to gain composure. People in the waiting room were exchanging eye rolls and were waiting for the follow up act.  Not even 10 minutes later she announced that she "was leaving".  The receptionist walked from her station to console the woman to no avail.  Another person said they were now ready.  She then stated quite loudly that she wasn't going to be waiting in a room by herself for another hour.  She was whisked away.  It may have not been a coincidence that the TV just then began airing a story of Will Smith's assault on Chris Rock.  Karens come in many flavors.

Although my appointment was at 11, I was called in at 11:15.  [Two hour wait...LOL]

Like all my other appointments, I had a barrage of tests with three different medical professionals/technicians. By 11:40, I was waiting in the exam room for Dr. Song.

It wasn't too long before the doctor arrived.  After exchanging pleasantries, he reviewed my test results and said the eye pressure in my right eye had come down significantly (Previously a reading of 33 and today 18).  He then took a look at both eyes and stated everything looks good.  He'll see me in October.

Luckily I saw no more of Karen as I checked out and booked my next appointment.  So good news and free entertainment.

More to come!

Annual Check-up At U Mass Memorial

 Although I'm liking the extra sunlight we've gained as a result of the time change, my body has a difficult time adjusting to the new schedule.  This and the fact that I had to fast since midnight (no coffee) and having to get up early to drive to Worcester, Pi Day (3.14) has been rough!

Traffic to Worcester was not a problem and finding parking was a piece of cake although I was confused and made a turn to a lower level.  I can use the exercise.

I meandered to the 3rd floor and was checked in immediately.  I didn't have to wait too long to be called. I was instructed to follow the medical professional to the vascular lab, where I would be having my annual ultrasound on my endo-vascular repair (stint in my abdominal aorta).  I was asked if a trainee could observe.  Of course I agreed.  I said that I may learn something from the 'show and tell' chatter.

The ultra sound was uneventful, and I didn't learn anything new from their chatter.  I'm happy that there were no audible gasps or 'wait a minute come look at this' moments.  I was discharged and instructed to return to the waiting area.  As soon as I returned, I was called immediately.  Wanda asked if it was alright if a trainee observed.  Of course, I agreed.

I was weighed and the observer came in handy and offered to hold my 'lead bricks' prior to my weighing.  I guess the new rule is: shoes must be kept on.  So with my lead boots, I stepped onto the scale.  Surprisingly it was only two pounds more than my home scale reading. Of course gravity is winning the game of reducing my height.  It seems that my license says 6'4", but the reality is 6'2 and 3/4.  Well that throws my BMI off.  Oh well.  I had my vitals taken.  Pressure was good, but pulse was low (44).  Generally it's around 66-71, but she though that I must be really relaxed.  She might be on to something.  I had just had a belly massage although I was not purring or wagging a tail.  She took the reading twice (on different hands)...same reading (purr).  Wanda went over my meds list and updated a few things.  She then said that the doctor would be in shortly.

In less than a minute, I heard a knock and Dr. (someone) came in.  [Masks make hearing things difficult when you can't see the lips].  Dr. Someone was an assistant to Dr. Schanzer (it's been normal to have two doctors see me).  He asked me about my condition and any changes since my last visit.  I had explained that I have bladder cancer, had 2 cystoscopies and am waiting for my treatment of BCG.  I also told him that my MRI indicated an enlarged aorta above the heart. We chatted for a bit and he examined blood flow in my femur arteries and manually checked my pulse on both wrists.  He said, "Everything seems fine.  Dr. Schanzer will be with you shortly."

It was merely minutes before Dr. Schanzer and Dr. Someone entered the examination room.  Dr. Schanzer said the results of my ultrasound were very good: stint hadn't moved; blood flow is good; no endo leaks and the sac has been reduced from 4 cm to 3.4 cm.  That was great news.  He indicated that next time I will have a CAT scan instead of the ultrasound so he can 'see' what's going on above the heart.  But he added, that AAA is not a concern.  He'll see me next year and he offered support for my battle with bladder cancer.  He hopes that the BCG will be available soon for me.

I check out and paid for parking (just 3 bucks today).  I was in and out in a bit more than an hour.

All in all a good day!  More to come!

Some Odds And Ends and Other Updates

BGC

Since my last post, I'm still in a holding pattern for the BGC.  I did send a message through my patient portal and was informed that it's still back ordered and the office will contact me when it's in.  So I continue to wait.

Mammorgram and Follow-up

On March 3rd, I had my annual mammogram at Holy Family in Methuen.  Pretty routine,  although this time I did not have Dr Moore to give me a thumbs up after his review.  However, I did receive a letter from the Breast Cancer Care Unit of the Hospital indicating that the mammogram was clean - no cancer found.  YAY!

I had my 6 month check up with my oncologist, Dr. Mehta at Dana Farber in Methuen . I was the first appointment of the day so I was called in for my vitals even before I completed my SATs.  According to my visit summary, it appears that I lost another half inch in height.  That darned gravity gets us all eventually.  That just means that my body mass index needs to be recalculated.  I was at ideal weight, so I'm probably just shy of over weight now.  [Can't win].

Dr Metha said it looked like I lost weight.  But we haven't seen each other in person for two years, so since then I have.  Unlike many who gained covid weight, I lost it.  (Eating my own cooking) LOL.

The doctor reiterated that the mammogram was clean.  After he 'felt me up', he said he found nothing (lumps).  Also good news.  We were discussing other health issues and I reported that I had bladder cancer.  He seemed somewhat disturbed by this.  And asked if I had been exposed to chemicals or dyes, to which I said I worked in an office environment for 30 years.  He did say that chemo can sometimes cause that, and seemed saddened that it might be that.  He asked about smoking.  I did say that 'back in the day' when people smoked inside, I played in clubs for 5-6 nights a week with second hand smoke.  He asked, "For how long?"  I said for 10 years.  He then said, 'That's your exposure.  Second hand smoke".  He inquired which doctor I was seeing.  When I said Dr Hurley, he said, "Oh my buddy".  He said that BCG is definitely the route to follow.  Dr Metha did add that if BCG is not successful, to contact him because there are other options.  It's always good to have options.

Dr. Mehta said he'd see me in 6 months and said he'd initiate genealogy counseling.  Just another method to determine if cancer is genetic or due to environment.  So we'll see.

As I wait for BGC there will be more to come!