A Series of ‘Really Unlikely’ Events

When you have prostate cancer NEVER assume everything (or anything) is under control

Every once in a while I share a bit of my medical odyssey for those who might be going through some of the same things or can be happy you're not. The past few months have been unusual even for me.

After more than ten years of what I thought was prostate cancer under control, just two years ago I discovered I had bladder cystitis (I have written about it several times). It involves blood, clots, catheterization, and the occasional removal of cancer tumors and growths from my bladder. That, too, seemed to be under control, more or less.

In September, 2015 I started feeling more tired than usual. I had a bout with pneumonia, started vomiting five or six times some days, and was losing weight without trying. At first the weight loss seemed good—I could afford to lose 20 pounds or so. But it didn’t stop at 20 pounds--or 30. For the first time in my life I just couldn’t make myself eat enough. So I had numerous blood tests, a few scans, X-rays, and ultrasounds. No fixes yet, but lo and behold, my kidneys were shutting down, a tumor was growing in my bladder, and my red cell count was seriously low—severe anemia. All at once! Several doctors and clinics were involved in determining all this, requiring medical coordination that didn’t always happen as quickly and smoothly as I'd have liked.

All of this is still in process, and as of today I have undergone several medical procedures to help manage these conditions.

Because there were blockages in my ureters (caused by the cancer in my bladder) between my kidneys and bladder, in early December Nephrostomy tubes were inserted through my back; one into each kidney that drain urine into external bags strapped to my legs. The tubes are still there. My kidney function has improved greatly.

The first week in January doctors removed the tumor and other cancer growing in my bladder. A week later different doctors inserted tubes (stents) from my kidneys into my bladder to unblock the ureters.

This week my nephrostomy tubes were capped and, thank goodness, urine started flowing from my kidneys to my bladder—most of the time. I still need to catheterize myself now and then.

More recently I was given a blood transfusion to improve my red blood cell count. Carol (my wife, nurse, chef, driver, and encourager) and I have spent countless hours in clinics and hospital rooms. Most of this is somehow related to my original prostate cancer.

And to top it all off, Carol and I were both just diagnosed with strep throat. I guess our immune systems aren't up to snuff (or whatever they should be up to).

Much more needs to happen before I’m back in the ‘almost normal’ category. Why and how did these things all happen now? Have some of you experienced these ‘side effects?’ Do you have any solutions or suggestions? Please share.

axman