The Brattychick

The doctor that found the growth in my bladder happened to have a fiance that is a uro-oncologist at NIH. I have received VIP treatment there. While I'm still cautiously optimistic, I'm certain I'm in good hands. On Wednesday my sister Jennifer took me.  I had an ekg, labs and met with him. My oncology team believes this is very early and feels they will be able to remove everything on Tuesday. They think that is probably the only treatment I'll need. This was a huge relief.  Thursday and Friday I returned to NIH for pre-anesthesia clinic and CT scan. I don't know if it was the driving or the appointments or my headspace but this took a lot out of me. I'm okayish in the daytime,  but when I wake up at night, I immediately think "Oh my God,  I have cancer!" And then I cannot get back to sleep.  Did I mention that Adam and Benicio got hand foot and mouth disease this week? The universe is being so rude to me these days.  If you'd like to help please

On Tuesday I had a cystoscopy for pelvic floor issues (I have five children). It was meant as a precaution along with many other measures we were doing diagnose why I am having so many issues. A cystoscopy is when they put a camera into your bladder. It feels like a catheter and they don't have to knock you out. Surprisingly, the Dr. found a growth that she estimates to be 1cm x 1cm. She called later that afternoon to say that the urologist that saw the images said they looked cancerous.   That sucked and I had a meltdown.  I am feeling much better now. I have an appointment on Wednesday at NIH's uro-oncology department. This is a consult and bloodwork. They are hoping to do a biopsy (where they hope to remove the whole growth, if they're able, on 7/30. This is all extremely fast and I am very fortunate to have had some doctors pull some strings for me. I also have an appointment for a second opinion with another doctor at VHC.  Of course, we are reeling and frightened, but