Journal entry by Keith Rice —
I’m overdue for an update. I am currently sitting in an infusion chair at UT Southwestern for my 4th chemo treatment. So far things have been going well. Over the last few weeks I have seen improvement in my tumor symptoms. I haven’t had any follow-up tests yet to see just how well I am responding to treatment but I’m encouraged by what I’m experiencing.
My tumor is on the posterior side of my bladder which means that as it grew it pressed backwards against my lower colon, causing bowel movement problems. My oncologist had me start taking Colace and Miralax.
The tumor also blocks my ureters causing urine to back up into my kidneys, This was why I admitted to the hospital at he end of October for six days when they placed the bilateral nephrostomies in my kidneys.
The tumor is muscle-invasive and, as a result, anything I urinate normally has blood.
However, these have all changed since starting chemotherapy.
I have not had to take Colace or Miralax for two weeks now so the tumor is not pressing backwards as it was, I am now urinating more through the normal route with a lot less blood, and I am resting much more comfortably. All very good signs.
Over the last two weeks I have seen three of my doctors. My oncologist and primary-care doctor both told me that I am loooking good and my cardiologist told me that everything he hears and sees with me is good as well.
After today I am halfway done with my chemo. Only two cycles left, four treatments total.
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