Bum Briefing #14

NED, when you read that the first thing most will probably think of is the name Ned, like Ned Flanders. “Hi diddly ho neighborinos!” Well it has taken on a whole different meaning for me. No Evidence of Disease. It was a term I saw in the online cancer forums when I was first diagnosed. Everyone would celebrate when someone reached that milestone because it’s when you are functionally cured but they want to monitor you for five years before they’ll officially call you cured. On Friday I was given the news that I am NED. The pathology came back from the section they removed and they found no signs of additional cancer cells. 

While that is great news, we’re still in a rough patch. I have what is called a temporary ileostomy, most people are familiar with a colostomy, the main difference is mine is rerouted up higher in the track. I’ll try and keep the details vague enough in case there are some weak stomachs on the email list. The part that’s called the stoma is not healing up where a good seal can happen, that is wreaking havoc on my skin. This is an ongoing issue that’s still not solved. 

They scheduled the reversal surgery for December 8th so I have a finish line in sight and am confident we’ll make it through. 

While all of this is great news, and now is a time to celebrate,I haven’t been in any shape to do any celebrating. I was released the day before our five year wedding anniversary, we couldn’t do anything for that. Most already know, but some might not, today is my 40th birthday. Kind of a milestone and not how I pictured turning 40 but the finish line is close. We’re planning on wrapping all these celebrations into one vacation once I’m past my second surgery and all my weight restrictions are lifted.