Maureen Donalds
Mo’s Missive: Cancer under Control, Or, A Mini-Guidebook for New Cancer Patients, Their Family and Friends 8/3/10 – Colonoscopy — Dr. Sunman (Gastroenterologist) finds large polyp. Thinks it’s cancerous and probably has been there for about 10 years. He immediately calls Dr. Lee to see if he can operate. Age 67 and this was my first colonoscopy – how really stupid of me. Dr. Nambile (Primary Doctor) thought I had anemia – but wanted me to get the colonoscopy – actually asked me to get one 2 yrs. ago. Dr. Sunman told Lee I was all cleaned out and made an appointment for me to see him in 2 hours. On the way home, I suggested to my husband, George, that we go out for lunch downtown since Lee’s office was nearby. He replied angrily, “No, we’ll go home for lunch.” I do believe he was pissed at me for possibly getting cancer (in retrospect, I think this angry retort was a cover for fear). When we arrived at Dr. Lee’s office, he introduced us to a female intern and then explained in detail and with pictures, exactly how this operation would take place. The one variable was whether he would be cutting or doing a laparoscopy because the polyp was so large and he will make that determination once he gets in there. As this explanation was going on, I felt myself shaking uncontrollably (I have only been in a hospital to visit people – never as a patient). George told me I was shaking and of course the doctor also noticed, but the only one to comfort me was the female intern – guess it’s a girl thing. Going to have operation on 8/5, eating very little to stay “cleaned out.” 8/5/10 – Never one to be disorganized, I left a “Just in Case” list for George (I take care of all the bills, etc.). List consists of update on all bills, get cell phone changed to your message. Get Anne or Alice (sisters that are real good in dealing with bureaucratic assholes) to help you change my Social Security to you since I receive more income. Drop my Medicare and AARP premiums. Gave him all financial people and phone numbers. You will probably pay bills via mail, so drop the high speed Internet (which you don’t use) … etc., etc. As I was being prepped for the colon operation at the hospital, I recognized the doctor giving me the blood transfusion. He is the guy my former real estate partner lived with for a few years. Seriously, geez. We didn’t leave our partnership on very good terms, so I’m glad he didn’t recognize me…. I need him to be nice – I need 3 pints. When I finally get wheeled into the operating room with the incredibly brilliant overhead lights, I said out loud and to no one in particular, “this looks just like it does on T.V.” With that, one of the doctors yelled out “why isn’t she under?” I was promptly given another shot and out I went. Dr. Lee (ended up doing the laparoscopy) – removed polyp plus 15 lymph nodes and about a quarter of my colon – pathology finds microscopic amount in 1 lymph node. Lee referred me to oncologist, Dr. Basso. The hope is that the cancer hasn’t departed from the colon wall (metastasized). I was in the hospital for 8 days and adjusted to the pain by walking the hallways– doctor would not release me until I had a good poop – I was just pushing out small, hard pellets for 7 days….and then finally, some real shit. 54