Todd's Journey

Hello everyone,

We have finally received the results of my CT scans. There were two scans done. One on my chest (to review the progress of the bladder cancer cells that had spread to my lungs), and one on my abdomen (to review the bladder cancer progression or recession).

I have received the first of the two scans which was the chest and lungs scan. The CT scan showed that most of the detected nodules prior to chemotherapy are almost undetectable now, and the larger nodules have shrunk considerably in size. There were no further indications of spread, nor were there any additional spread through the lymph node system. The report indicated that there were no new nodes of concern. This indicated that I responded well to the chemo treatment as it related to the cancer in my chest.

The only negatives detected on the report was calcification of my coronary artery, and a very small hiatus hernia. Both are treatable and I suspect that the doctors will be referring me to further doctors to deal with those issues.

It's been 12 days since my chemotherapy ended. I am still awaiting the results of my latest CT scans to determine what, if anything, the chemo has done to the cancer.

I am slowly starting to feel a bit better, and less fatigued. Every day I get a little bit more energy back, and my requirement to nap during the day has lessened. At night now, I am almost entirely off my sleep aids, and getting back to somewhat of a normal sleep pattern.

The only two issues I continue to deal with are; my nephrostomy tubes, and my bladder infections.

As for the nephrostomy tubes, they really are an inconvenience of having to cart around collection bags on each side of my body. It really does restrict my mobility somewhat. In addition, while the tubes do remove the majority of urine from my kidneys, it leaves very small amounts going into my bladder. This may sound like a minor issue, but I just want to get back to urininating normal amounts of fluid.

I still suffer a bit of PTSD from the days where I was retaining and passing very small amounts of urine, so now when I only pass small amounts (due to the nephrostomy tubes) I sometimes get anxious and worried again. It is very difficult for me to overcome the past traumatic experiences from June. The smallest issue can prompt me to suffer mental anxiety.

I have finally stopped taking my anti-anxiety medication as it wasn't something I wanted to be on for a long time. Perhaps that is why I may still have some anxiety but I will overcome that. I await the moment that Dr. Morash tells me I can get rid of the neph tubes.

As for the bladder infections, Dr. Morash started me on a daily dose of antibiotic as a strategy to prevent further bladder infections before they start. The first antibiotic that he prescribed me makes me quite ill, so he switched me to a new antibiotic today.

Around the homefront, we finally got all our Christmas decorations and tree up for the year. We finished our Christmas shopping (thanks to Amazon), and just have to wrap them up now.

Anyhow that's the update for now. The official discussion with my oncologist will be this Thursday, so we will definitely know what's next by the end of the week.

Here is the Monday video update.

Here is the Chapter 13 update of my Journey.

Just got my bloodwork back for the upcoming final cycle of chemo. Neutraphils look good, White Blood cell count looks good. Creatinine level is a bit higher, but that could be because I am fighting yet another infection. Am on Cipro so that should help get rid of the infection. My hemoglobin is quite low so I am likely anemic again. With the infection and the low hemoglobin, the fatigue I am experiencing is likely due to that. They will fix my hemoglobin issue with another top up likely Friday or early next week. But that shouldn't impede proceeding with my last cycle of Chemo.

Of course the official decision on proceeding with chemotherapy will be made by Dr. Reaume or Dr. Touche tomorrow when they review the bloodwork and talk to me.

However, my prediction is we should be good to go.

Mark your Calendar

The results of my cancer treatment scans will be revealed on Monday, December 11th during my morning blog. Good or bad. So mark you calenders and tune in for the results. Keep your finger crossed.

This chemotherapy is wiping me out! Seems each cycle of chemo is a bit rougher on me than the one before. I just got over a bladder infection a couple of weeks ago, and now I have yet another one.

These infections are probably occurring as my immune systems are under a lot of stress these days, and so I am prone to more infections.

I am awaiting to hear back from my urological oncologist, who will likely ask me to get another urine culture. Then will treat my infection with antibiotics again.

Hopefully after the last chemo session, my immunity will return to more normal levels over time, and I should see less infections. At least I am hoping so.

I was warned before I began chemo that there is a higb probability that with each cycle of chemo, the side effects may become more pronounced or worse. Well, I can legitimitely say that is a true statement.

With this Cycle 3 completed, I do have more fatigue, and much more nausea and actual sickness. Moreso than in previous cycles.

But, I only have one cycle left to go, so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.

I have to give credit to my aunt-in-law Danielle who did warn me that the chemo could get harder with each cycle. She was right. As she is most times.

To celebrate the end of my chemo and hopefully my radiation therapy, Jamie and I bought season tickets to the Ottawa Redblacks for next year. We do like the outdoor event of football, so hopefully we'll be in good shape to attend the games.

Just one more thing that I can look forward to, and helps incentivize me to keep up the fight.