Cancer-Free:)

Yesterday, I saw Dr. T2 and he told me that I am officially cancer-free! And all this time, I was thinking that the hysterectomy hadn't worked! BUT, he still thinks I should consider having radiation therapy because it may lower my risk of recurrence. I've already made up my mind to do it. He told me that my treatment will probably begin around Valentine's Day. Side effects are usually fatigue by the 3rd week, as well as some bladder issues, and maybe diarrhea. He thinks that it will be a 4-5 week ordeal, during which I would show up for radiation treatment every business day for that period and have about "a minute" of radiation. Sounds wonderfully short and easy. I'm crossing my fingers that my side-effects will be minimal.

I also saw my urologist, Dr. D yesterday. He was super nice and told me that he would be removing the stint from my ureter in 5 weeks. It will be a fast and painless process in his office, requiring no anesthetic. Apparently, it's harder to insert than remove. He also removed my leg bag, and his nurse, R, showed me how to self-cath myself. I feel so free without the leg bag! Also, I self-cathed myself several times since and I can already feel that bladder is getting stronger, though I still have some bladder retention. Actually, the first time I self-cathed myself, it went well until I started experiencing bladder cramps and spasms. I think I must have inserted the catheter too far in and bumped the stint. R warned me about this. The cramps were incredibly painful and when I called in desperation, she spoke with Dr. D and he prescribed some medication to relax the bladder and numb it, but I ended up taking Ibuprofen instead, at the advice of my sister-in-law. Today, I haven't had any cramping and I've self-cathed myself successfully:)

Today, by the way, was an incredibly wonderful day. I ran errands with my Mom and felt nearly my old self. It is just so great to know that I do not have cancer in me anymore.