I wish you had been able to see what — hands down — the most painful moment I have experienced through all three of my bouts with renal cell carcinoma. I think this happened on Wednesday morning. My nurse, Kay Quattlebaum and Theresa, her hospital tech and Ellen Harden, a good friend of our family who works at The Medical Center, set out to change the bandages on my back.
I have a very hairy cro-magnon style back. My mother was sitting in the room as they started ripping. I know that I dropped at least two F-bombs with my sweet mother sitting right in front of me. Honest to God, this barbaric wax job I got at the hands of these three well-meaning health care professionals was multiples worse than any pain I have felt to date.
So, when my neurosurgeon came into my room the next day I set in on him. (Never mind that he had just saved my life and probably also my ability to continue to walk!) “WTF,” I started, surely there must be a better way to do this. He explained quickly (I’m sure to keep me from building up a good head of steam.) that it is dangerous to shave body parts that will be adjacent to the blood and gore of surgery. He told me clearly that freshly shaved skin leaves many, many portals for infections and other issues to develop post surgery.
“Well, OK,” I said. “It would have been nice to get some kind of a heads up to Nair my back, wax my back, hell, to do anything to de-hair my back and keep from having to relive that funny scene in the 40-Year-Old Virgin. I screamed my way through it, then we all laughed like crazy people. You really should have been there.
Here’s the situation right now: I have a nice, new titanium vertebral body at L-2. There remains a tumor (rcc metastis) in L-1, which needs to be dealt with. The great news is that Dr. Gorum got a good look at the tumor, knows where it is, how big it is and how much in the way of margins we have around it. Seems like a classic, good case for another stereotactic radiosurgery.
Sadly, it is also time for us to seriously consider some type of system therapy. If this cancer is becoming aggressive, it won’t take it long to take me out. High-Dose Interleukin-2 is probably what I’ll do. Either at Duke University Hospital with Dr. Dan George or at a hospital in New York City under the care of Dr. Janice Dutcher. Whether we’ll shoot at this other back tumor first, or go straight to HDIL-2 is what is on the table for discussion now.
Whichever we decide, I’ll let you know as soon as I know. I am completely confident in my team, led by Dr. Andrew Pippas. But, he is giving Jill and me a full vote on the panel as we make these important choices. I’m either going to beat this thing back down and have many happy, healthy, but highly-vigilant years left, or we’ll know pretty soon whether we might be living on borrowed time.
Either way, I am surrounded by the indescribable love of friends and family. I am in full warrior mode. I know what I need to do and I’m making a plan to do it. Your support is everything to me right now. I’ll write as much I physically can to keep everyone posted on our situation. This is helping me heal, so push me.
Your story made me laugh…sort of like a M.A.S.H reaction. If you don’t laugh in the face of adversity,it will get you down. Clearly, you’ve chosen the “Hawkeye” persona. Good for you. Keep writing, and fighting. We’re with you. Carter & Richard.
Consider yourself pushed Mike! Hope u are feeling better !
God’s continued blessings upon you and Jill. I’m praying for the “beat this thing back down and have many happy, healthy, but highly-vigilant years left” option!! I enjoy your journalism so much…reminds me of the easy reading my Mama loved to write.
God bless. Keep us informed on the progress Mike. (consider that a shove instead of a push!)
Carla
You are one tough bird! You and Jill remain in our thoughts and prayers. Keep on truckin’…. Old age is just around the corner.
who is encouraging who here? you are so engaging and honest…your warriors love you and i know i am not the only one laughing as i read!
I totally laughed out loud! I love that movie! However, the pain that you went through is NOT funny! Keep your humor and know that God “has your back”–hugs!!!!
Mike,
Consider this push is coming all the wall from South Carolina and it is pushing you to get better. I could have handled that back wax a lot faster, but it helps if you are very unconscious at the time.
Richard Barrett
Praying and pushing!!!!!!!
Mike,
I’m glad to see that you still have your sense of humor and are ready to keep fighting! So here’s another push from a fellow cancer survivor. Wishing you the best as you move forward with your treatments. Lisa Scrivner
Hey, Mikey!
Sending the love from C-town. … As usual, funny, serious, poignant. .. thank you for spelling out what’s in front of you. … we love you and are rooting for you!
xxoo church lady
PS I hear they got a hurricane headed to NY so i wouldn’t go just yet 🙂
They do say that laughter is the best medicine. I am sure being able to laugh at yourself is even better. We were laughing with you and not at you. Take care. We send our love and prayers.
No one does Warrior Mode like you do Warrior Mode, friend. Glad you’re back & big as ever! Disappointed in not getting to bust out my carpenter skills, though; can’t lie.
I am confident that you will be healthly and happy. Your humor is amazing and brought a smile to my face. Keep the positive attitude and I look forward to each update. Praying for an awsome and complete recovery. Although I don’t know Jill I know that she is an angel.
We are pulling for you… and pushing,too! You have our ongoing prayers!.
Thanks for the update. Sending stength and courage your way to you both. We are willing and able to do whatever we can to help. Remember, Marshall is your gutter man and is available to come tomorrow and work. Just say the word! Love you both.
To be able to write your blog posts with such candor and spirit when faced with a health challenge of this nature is truly impressive. You are indeed a warrior. Hope to see you at Rotary soon.
I’ll bet my rods are longer than yours!!!! Common ya’ll… I’m talking about the titanium rods we have in our backs!!! Get your minds out of the gutter… Mike your friends are wacko… Anyway!!! L1 is what I crushed in my plane crash. I wish I did not know so much about my spine!!! By the way … You crack me up man!!! Keep up the wit!!! Thanks for sharing. I hope the pain eases off soon!!!! – Grandin
Mike, the pain must be incredible! Hang in there, brother. Still praying for you!
Mike,always in my prayers.As you know I know about this horrible disease.Hang in there buddy.Love,Bev
Thinking of you and your family. Keep up with spirit.
OMG…when I read the title I immediately thought of this old nurse that is still roaming the halls of the Medical Center and thought you surely had an encounter with her. Be thankful that it was just the tape and not the bearded, large size woman that would love to snuggle up to a man of steel….Just kidding , last I heard she retired with a cardiovascular surgeon.
Hey Mike & JIll,
Sounds like you are developing your POA and I’m sure those specialists at either hospital are well versed in situations like yours and can make you all better. You are a cancer survivor, like a lot of us out here, and don’t forget it.
Take good care and keep in touch, looks like you have a huge peanut gallery out there.
Don’t know how I missed this entry! You made me laugh and cry. I admire you, Mike. I respect you and am looking forward to continuing a long working life together with you, Jill and Callie.
See you soon!!!
Everyone I visit regarding Columbus and the Valley asks about you and sends their well wishes!!