Merkel and Me

Monday March 30, 2026     Thursday thoughts on a Monday.  Maybe I should come up with a name for everyday of the week and just write whenever: Monday Musings, Tuesday Topics, Sunday Summations, and so on.      It's been an interesting few weeks and another interesting one coming up. Thursday I am scheduled for the surgical colonoscopy (what I'm calling it) to remove a large polyp or two. I had to have an EKG (anybody over 60) and it was nice to know they approved my heart for the procedure. Today I have to get a general clearance from a PCP.  You would think with all of the procedures I've had over the past 15 months they could just considered me good to go.  Nope, check all of the boxes first.  Prep day for the procedure is always a challenge, both in the fasting aspect and then the prep procedure.  Thankfully I was invited to play golf Wednesday morning/afternoon so that will keep me busy.  Just have to remember to stay well hydra...

 Thursday March 12, 2026     Just when you think you've found calm waters... I thought I was going to write today about being done with my year-after checkups, scans, and tests. I did have a dental procedure this week, part two of an implant. It went very well and the dentist did a great job with the anesthesia; I didn't realize when I fell asleep or when I woke up.  From my perspective, I was awake from beginning to end.  I wasn't, but it felt that way. There's been little pain since the Tylenol 3 wore off, and no bleeding. After that, I anticipated a quiet week of relaxing with little on the schedule.      And then... I contacted the colonoscopy specialist my GI wanted me to see. I anticipated there would be an evaluation and assessment appointment and then we'd schedule the colonoscopy. Turns out this doctor only specializes in surgical procedures, and they scheduled me for April 2. My GI had said I should do the follow-up in 3-6 months, but wh...

 Thursday March 5, 2026     It's been a good week.  James 1:17... Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variations or shadow due to change.      Tuesday, I met with Dr. Tran, my surgical oncologist.  She reviewed my CT and PET scan and outside of a kidney stone, everything came back clear, no signs of metastasis anywhere. She said the site looks good and I'm right where I should be. Again, because of the potential seriousness of merkel cell she is going to keep a close eye on me for another year. Check-ins every 4 months and CT and PET scans every six. Once we pass the two-year mark, we can start checking in and testing once a year.      Wednesday, I met with my gastroenterologist to discuss my colonoscopy results. We've been together for over 15 years now. As I shared, I was more inflamed than I had been previously, but not as bad as I've been in the past....