This has been a long fight. The light is seeming to be at the end of the tunnel ...

[marble falls]

... After three tumor removals from my bladder with a cancer that does not respond to radiation or chemo, and subsequent removal of my bladder, a a prior partial removal of my colon for colon cancer, a kidney blockage that may be part of the bladder cancer or scar tissue from creating new ducts for the kidneys from colon parts harvested for moving urine to to a stoma and bag, I was told by the renal specialist that my bladder cancer may have moved up the duct for my right kidney was 'in situ', highly unlikely to metastasize or grow very quickly.

I have some tests next week to see if the kidney is still trying to work, to see if surgery makes sense on an old codger like me who will likely outlive the cancer. If it's cancer, it most likely will not kill me. If it's scar tissue, it might grow back and require replacing stents a at least yearly.

My other kidney is working at 100%. So it seems like I've pretty much decided to wait to see if if my kidney has shut down or not and if I want stenting if it hasn't.

My first thought is either way, we'll watch it, but I am done with surgery on this cancer and its aftermath complications.

Not a complete win, but I fought it to draw and I can most certainly live with it: trust but verify, as some butthead once said under different circumstances.


Everybody needs a socialist health care system like I have from VA.

[brer cat]

1. Best wishes to you!

[marble falls]

2. Life has been/is very kind to me, brother cat! ...

... I hAve very few regrets and do not want to try any redos (the little bad could have been so much worse).

[mopinko]

5. same here.

even the parts that suck r exactly what i asked for. i got to live the life i saw in my 20s to the hilt.
i got to take my shot at several big dreams, and even those that fell flat i cherish. i got my at bats.

and i have way more regrets for the things that i didnt do than the things i did. pretty sure the wishes my mom had when she brought me home from the hospital were exceeded. (it’s her bday today. she wd have been 111. 2 time cancer survivor.)

[marble falls]

8. I realized in my thirties, most of what made me feel like a victim actually had happened to someone else ...

... and I was in the periphery. I caught some 'shrapnel', but they were in the crater.

You said it exactly right: I also got more than my share of at bats (what with my being white and male) The runs were mine - and so were all the many more whiffs.

No regrets so much as some disappointments of my own authorship. But we dust off and get back up.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. You have a positive outlook in the face of all that

and sounds like a very good hand of doctors. Keep it up, it's working!

[marble falls]

9. I am so fortunate with my medical treatment: this specialist is at UT-Southwest, and VA ok'd him in two or three ...

... weeks, and I got into his office in three or four weeks, with all the intervening holidays, I feel that was good time.

This is what we all deserve in an American health care system.

[Ilsa]

13. UT Southwestern in Dallas?

Great programs. Glad you could get the help you needed!

[marble falls]

17. Yes, two more appointments on the 15th for a current scan and a nuclear test to determing if the right kidney ...

... is still active.

[RKP5637]

4. I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this. Please keep your spirit and get well.

[marble falls]

23. Going to be just fine, no matter what. Just watch me.

[Botany]

6. I wish the best

Like I have found out you will not find more supportive people than D.U.. Keep in touch when
you can and know that we have your back.

[marble falls]

24. I'll be fine. The not knowing how this cancer worked was the really tough part. Now that I have and Idea and a good ...

... specialist with a plan, it's all good. I'm about to resolve an eight year fight.

[Fla Dem]

31. Keep up the good fight Marble Falls.

Your fight has got you this far, it will get you to the finish line. Pulling for you all the way.

[marble falls]

32. I appreciate it beyond belief. I have no sign of cancer anywhere in my body and my left kidney is at 70%...

... I am golden.

[Fla Dem]

33. Fantastic, all good news.

[marble falls]

34. Been at this for a loooong time.

[blm]

7. 🤗

[marble falls]

25. You ought to see MY smile!

[nocoincidences]

10. I'm glad you could fight

long and hard enough to get to this place!

[marble falls]

26. Just cannot give up or give in. Not in my nature.

[ancianita]

11. All the best to you, marble falls. You've got a great attitude and outlook on life.

Thanks for keeping DU in your orbit. Take care.

[marble falls]

27. I am thankful for DU. Everyone has pulled for me through sereral rough spots.

[niyad]

12. Holding you in love and light.

[marble falls]

22. That's my best life preserver.

[yardwork]

14. Heal well, and congratulations on getting to this point!

[marble falls]

21. It has taken determination. My wife was behind me all the way. We are never late, we never blow off appointments ...

... we do as we are told. That only contributes to a good resolution. If you don't show interest in your process VA starts putting your appointments further out. I am very satisfied with my treatment, and I always thank everyone who's helped me, when I was in Temple VA, I thanked even the room cleaners. They thank me for my service and I thank them for taking such good care of me. The intensive care ward was filled with the most caring and empathetic nurses. They made me feel like I was a family member.

The two that were assigned specifically to me were so young and yet so well trained, they showed so much kindness and care about me. I get emotional about it. VA is an example of how we all can get along together.

[yardwork]

28. That's wonderful - and a great reflection on you that you see it!

[pandr32]

15. Sending positive thoughts your way.

[marble falls]

19. DU vibes is big Mojo. It works.

[MLAA]

16. Well done Old Codger! Well done.

💗💗💗💗

[marble falls]

18. We codgers do not know when to quit. The end always is a big surprise.

[MLAA]

20. I married an old codger 36 years ago and, thankfully, he too doesn't know when to quit. He's 88 and been

through a lot of health issues the last five years but keeps on pushing ahead 💗

[Lifeafter70]

29. Sending healing vibes your way.

We are here for you.

[marble falls]

30. Things have gone even better that I hoped for: no sign of cancer and the the kidney is operating ...

... at 70% capacity. I'm very happy.

[Sparkly]

35. "In situ" and "outliving the cancer" sound very good!!

Congrats!! Sounds like you've been through a lot. I hope it's smooth sailing from here!!

[marble falls]

36. It's ended up even better. Since then I spent two days a week for three weeks at UTSouthwestern ...

... having more tests that I've never heard off.

My weak kidney is working at 70% and there is no sign of a cancer cell anywhere in my body.

I seem to be cured.

[Stuart G]

37. Congratulations, and Best Wishes for the Future.

[marble falls]

38. I am certainly glad to be around to accept them, thanks!