Good News....Bad News

Friends,
Hope all is well in your world on this rainy Wednesday morning. I awoke from one of the best nights I have had in quite some time, actually sleeping for more than an hour at a time. Went to see Doc Polsky yesterday afternoon. Nicole scanned my bladder to find out I am not emptying my bladder after I pee even though I felt like I had. This is a condition they referred to as "retention". I have been dealing with this for almost two weeks, never really voiding my bladder and when I had the urge to go, sometimes every 10 minutes, it was never in a stream but drop by drop. So......it was time to take a look inside and see what is going on. Doc told me we could do it now or set up a time at the hospital under anesthesia. Straddling the line between courage and being crazy, I opted to do it now, in the office. A "Cystiscope" was used to go in through my penis, along the urethra and into the bladder. It only took a few seconds for the doc to see that scar tissue had developed from the surgery and had constricted the opening in my bladder that allows a normal flow and elimination. That scar tissue had to be stretched. My eyes were closed so I didn't see it all but Brenda was and did see it and said three tube like devices were inserted, each one bigger than the previous and YES....it was very uncomfortable! Good news is, when I stood up and gathered myself, I did pee..ALOT. It felt so good. I am on anti-biotics again, on a drug that should lessen the growth of scar tissue and a pill that should help heal the irritation and discomfort caused by the procedure....and it makes my pee a pretty shade of blue/green! This morning I am sore and peeing does seem to cause some discomfort, burning for about 15-30 minutes. I will have to go in again in a month to take another look and see if the scar tissue growth has closed the opening in my bladder. This time...I HAVE VALIUM !!! Bad news is the scar tissue may be a problem for life, good news is, I am better today that I have been in more than two weeks. Once again, Doctor Polsky and Nicole took good care of me and they make me feel "special". Most every procedure I have had has been less than pleasant (understatement?) but the Doctor and Nicole have made it as easy as it could be...I feel blessed to have them taking care of me. Nicole has always been respectful and considerate of me and preserved my dignity to the greatest extent possible for what had to be done...."Thanks Nicole, you're the best!"

On another note, yesterday I spoke with Anne from L.N.U., Mooresville office. Next week I will be attending a meeting of a support group of those affected by prostate cancer. I am so looking forward to it and working with other men and families.

My left hand. I think it is better and I attribute it to being back to work. There are still some issues with numbness but is so much better than a month ago. I am confident it will continue to get better and stronger in time.

Looks like a rainy day....I suspect a nap or two and catching up on my recorded shows is in my immediate future?

Thank you all again for your prayers and concerns. I Love You ALL !

THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR BLESSINGS ON ME
Mike