Well friends, it has been an interesting year, last May after some indication, doctors found that I had 3 kidney boulders, 1 being 10 mm and the the other 2 were 8 mm. As I had timing activities to do at Colorado Mile and Texas Mile I delayed further tests until late September. A further investigation of my bladder showed some irregularity that doctors felt needed attention. Surgery to take out the kidney boulders was set for November 15 so I could still do the timing function at Texas Mile. (Colorado Mile was already done)
After I returned from Texas I had a brief discussion with my urologist and it was his opinion that in addition to kidney stones I had bladder cancer! Stone removal went well along with a scoping out of my bladder and samples sent forth for a pathology report. Report came back with confirmation of a T1 tumor and CIS cancer. I started immunology treatment as soon as the kidney healed. I had resigned from Texas Mile activities and MKM Mojave activities previously to concentrate on treatment as so many unknowns were popping up!
I was concerned about my treatment as my urologist was doing and accepted treatment but a second opinion suggested that I have surgery to remove a bladder diverticulum where the tumor was located. Thru a kind friend, I was put in touch with Stanford cancer center and in particular a bladder cancer specialist. He immediately scheduled me for another bladder scope and he further confirm cancer and that with blue light (and white light) indicated that all cancer was present in the diverticulum. He suggested removal of that area and he further thought he could preserve the remaining portion of the bladder.
I was able to work the Mojave Magnum event as my surgery was postponed until April 25. Surgery went well and further was confirmed that the cancer was only in the diverticulum and the main body of the bladder was cancer free. Divertiiculum was removed along with a couple of lymph nodes all sent away for pathology tests. It was a long 2 weeks and finally got the pathology report back along with the catheter being out. The great news is that all the cancer was in fact completely removed, margins were negative as well as the lymph nodes were negative. I can say I am cancer free but we all know cancer can return!
I will start further immunological treatment to raise my immune system response May 24 for 6 weeks, 1 treatment per week. In the mean time I will start to return to my normal grumpy old man self, HaHa. I have certainly been blessed on this journey and to those that knew of my situation for their prayers, God has a path for us all! I now have been given more time to give back to a life I have gotten so much from!
A special thanks to people like Rachel Edberg who will be riding a bicycle with a group of dedicated young people (texas4000) from Austin Texas to Anchorage Alaska to contribute to further research of cancer. I have sponsored her and Inspirit I will be riding with her and the others. God bless her journey!

Glad to hear your outcome was as favorable as mine - I had a small lesion on the liver, which is cured...

Ed, so glad your results turned out well. You have been blessed!
I have not forgotten getting together some day for that cup of coffee.
Randy

ED: I'm glad you had excellent results.Rusty: Glad you made it also. For me my prostate is not doing too good. Had a bad kidney infection. Gave Betty a scare when I went into a "Code Blue". Now I have a catheter for the rest of my life. Doctors think my age (90) is too old to start cutting now......Carl

Ed glad you beat it with the help of God and good Dr's. Hope we are still in the plan for the GTG. I am pretty sure Kenny's singing help cure all ills. Hope to see you then. You and a couple of others have been quiet for a while and hope they are also doing well!

Keep up the good "keeping up".

Like Mary Ray says, getting old ain't for sissies, but it beats the alternative.

Keep up the fight we are all rooting for you. Hope to see you at the next GTG and many more.

Take care all, and be well

quote:

The great news is that all the cancer was in fact completely removed, margins were negative as well as the lymph nodes were negative. I can say I am cancer free

PRAISE GOD !

quote:

I had a small lesion on the liver, which is cured...

PRAISE GOD!

Ed, Rusty and Carl.
God blessed us all.
I guess I can join your club. .... radiation 5 days a week
for 9 weeks .... PSA .02

My best wishes and prayers go out to all of you, all get well and dance again!!!

Best to all of you.

Ed I'm glad things have worked out well.