Another check off the Bingo Card…

Hey friends! 

First- I won’t be having surgery till next March 😭 the surgeon didn’t know his schedule when he told me he could do it whenever I wanted, and he’s completely booked till March 2027. They did put me on a cancellation list, but this is not the kind of surgery that I can just do the next day so looks like I’ll have almost 6 months to prepare for this. I’m trying to think of the positives in this situation, but I am disappointed for a couple of different reasons. When you want a journey to be over, you want it to be quick, and then this just prolongs it. Also, I hate that financially it’s annoying as well since I’ve met my deductible this year and now I’m gonna have to meet it again next year! This surgery will entail me staying at the hospital for several days, so won’t be cheap. I’m almost in the mindset that I’m not sure I even want to do it. Well, now I have so time to think about it! 

Another issue that we’ve encountered is that I had my first colonoscopy last week. I’ve had G.I. issues since college and kind of been blown off by doctors about it. Before it was more of an irritable bowel syndrome versus an irritable bowel disease. 

They found out that I have immunotherapy induced colitis. You know, the infusions that saved my life? They caused me to get an irritable bowel disease. The most concerning part is that they found a mass right at the end of my colon that is very unusual looking. It also covers 70% of the circumference .The doctor had them biopsy it 2 times, by 3 different pathologists.  As of right now there is no evidence of malignancy.   Reassuring, wouldn’t it be? I had an appointment this morning with the doctor that works for the one who did my colonoscopy. They are still not convinced that it’s just inflammation from the colitis. 

One of the biggest things is that when they did all the samples for the biopsy, you’re not able to go deep into the tissue because they don’t want to puncture the colon. Obviously, that would have issues of its own. So he’s still concerned that it’s just not inflammation and that it’s possible that the biopsies need to go further enough into the tissue to pick up anything. After my colonoscopy, he did mention there was a possibility it is rectal cancer. The pathologist reports obviously seem reassuring in this, but after the doctor talked to me today, he said they are not convinced about it just being inflammation. 

So what are my next steps? I started steroids again yesterday. My least favorite thing in the world. I also have to go back and have some entryvio infusions. I also will have another colonoscopy in three months to check with the inflammation. And see how the mass looks. He said the inflammation should go down with the Steroids and that if they need to biopsy more of the mass if it’s still there, it will be easier. They also contacted my oncologist to ask what he thinks the next steps should be as well. I’m extremely thankful for how thorough and how much effort they are putting into this case. Honestly, I hope nobody ever has to have cancer or deal with this kind of issues but these doctors are hands-down amazing. 

So that’s life right now! As the doctor said “we’re sitting in limbo”. It’s a sit and wait game at this point. 

But I’m still trying to enjoy life! I’m hoping to get back into shape the next five months, we’re living at the ball fields and soccer fields right now, I have a couple big markets coming up, and just trying to live my best life. Thanks for all the continuous support!