Here I sit... Ouch!

Okay, so apparently google didn't care for the amount of "cheek" I was discussing in my earlier attempt to update the blog and gave me an error message when I attempted to post... So here goes... With less "cheek" about my cheek area... :).

The procedure appears to have been pretty straightforward yesterday and the doctor removed the walnut sized tumor as well as another smaller one. The second one is likely the small roid left from my march procedure that Dr Harrie didn't feel needed to come out.

I was OUT like a light on my way to the operating room... And woke up in a different room wearing these fancy mesh underwear. You know it really is considerate for the hospital to consider my need to feel good about my appearance post procedure by fitting me with such sexy undies. I guess it's part of their holistic approach to patient care. :)

The only left turn with the procedure was my bladder deciding it wouldn't let me urinate, so the nurses had to use some torture device (I'm sure it was German in origin... Just sayin) to get me to pee.

Um.... OUCH!

Fortunately I was able to resume my normally scheduled bio evacuative procedures at 11 pm last night (and 1:15 am, 2:30 am, 3:45 am, 5 something am and a few times since). This is better than needing to go to the ER to request help urinating... There was literally a moment before my first self directed urination where I felt the muscle control come back, so it must have been shocked into a stupor during the anesthesia that was (and still is) keeping my rectal area numb.

On that note I fully expect to be quite cross with the universe as I start bowel movements... From what I recall post op last march, it took about 2 weeks for me to regain my composure when visiting the bathroom for a solid evacuation. Needless to say, I'll be focusing on soft foods for a bit.

I have a follow up with the new surgeon in 6 weeks, and hopefully the surgery will have removed the whole tumor so I don't have a sequel... And everybody knows, the third movie usually stinks. With the Yervoy chugging along in my system we're hoping it won't recur anyway.

And on the 11th I'll see my oncologist to check my progress on Yervoy, and discuss the insurance company's refusal for the Gleevec (for which we have an appeal started). Hopefully they just want us to give the Yervoy enough time to prove out.

Thanks again for all the positive thoughts, prayers and such.