(Now... I am writing this for my children to read. I don't really want to saddle them with any of my problems, but they should be aware of at least one of them, because at some point, I may call upon them to ferry me here and there... but not quite yet.......so, if you are not one of my wonderful children or a relative, why don't you skip this blog entry and try again tomorrow. I love you anyway.)
Last year, I had 30 pounds of water removed from my body and I immediately felt wonderful.. and I have felt great ever since. However, during a cat scan to make sure the water was gone, a "shadow" was observed on my left kidney. When I was told this, the urologist did not look happy. He set me up for an appointment with Doctor Lowentritt, a urological surgeon. In the meantime, he had me do two MRI scans, that I might have mentioned.
Although the MRIs were "open", I was extremely uncomfortable, especially since the operators told fibs about how long it was going to take. Anyway, the MRI results confirmed the decision to have me talk a surgeon, namely, Doctor Lowentritt. (Incidentally, the Doctor grew up in New Orleans and talks and looks a lot like Myrna's husband. He visits N.O. three times a year.. and always at Mardi Gras time. Seems like a real nice young guy, with beautiful children.)
Waiting for the appointment with Doctor Lowentritt, I have been extremely nervous... looking forward to a repeat perhaps of how I lost my dearly beloved Elaine. I decided that I would fight this surgeon, because I am too old to be carved like a turkey.
Today was the fateful day! My blood pressure rose from 122/35 to 165/65 in his office. However he and Elaine calmed me down so that I could listen to what he said. I have a 3 or 4 centimeter growth (tumor) on my left kidney. It has blood vessels, which means that it will probably become cancerous. (80 to 90 % of such tumors do)... However, we don't know if it is growing very fast. It may have been at this level for years.
What is done with tumors of this type? He outlined 4 options:
1. Do nothing.
2. Remove the kidney.
3. Remove part of the kidney.
4. Freeze the tumor.
You know what option I picked. Yes... number one. Let's wait for a while and monitor the tumor. Right now, it is far from the size when it will start to bother my system. It could speed up. It could slow down. It could just sit there. But, it makes sense to me not to rush off and do something drastic without knowing if it is necessary or not. Besides, I'm 82 years old!
Dr. Lowentritt says that he operated on a 90 year old man with my condition two years ago and he still is chasing young girls. The doctor said that I looked like I could handle the procedure. Yeah, but not now! Let's monitor the damn thing first! Doc sez... OK.
So.. now I will get another cat scan (not an MRI thank goodness) in six months to see if things have changed. Meanwhile, I feel much relieved and once again 18 years old. And, I am no longer depressed.
Elaine and I both thought that I should write this out so you know what is happening with this old dude. I love you. Dad
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