Whipple Guy Post
3rd Whipple Anniversary!
Happy 3rd anniversary to my scar. We have been together for 1,095 days. Crazy to think it has been three years already!! Life is awesome and blessed. Spent the day volunteering at local dog shelter- walking the dogs is the awesome part- cleaning the kennels the necessary part. Yard work in the afternoon and hoping to talk my wife into dinner soon because I am starving. Have a wonderful Easter.
First Colonoscopy
I had my first colonoscopy today! The prep was horrible (I don't remember it being that difficult for my Whipple - Maybe I was so stressed I did not notice?) I was also stressed because of the fact I had some blood in my stool earlier in the month - So increase the anxiety! Great news - removed two small non cancerous polyps and found a small abrasion that created the blood loss. Ok, that is a lot of information about me. I just want to ...
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. RIP Alex Trebek
Fall Hike
What a beautiful day! Great Fall day with my best friends! Almost 4 miles of great river views and fall tree foliage.
All Clear!
Another scan in the books and I was given the all clear. I had to do another CT Scan because the MRI was booked out four months. My surgeon stated that he was pushing my next scan to one year out. I was always hesitant to go that far between scans prior to this one, but I am ready to put distance between my scans - So I did not fight him on his suggestion. Life is good!
Scanxiety
Just confirmed I am scheduled for my annual scan on June 15th at Barnes Hospital in St Louis, Missouri. This will be the fourth scan I have had since my surgery, so you would think I should be a pro by now I am not overly anxious about this one, but there is still always concern in the back of your head regarding the results. I was to have an MRI this time versus a C Scan - But MRI appointments are four months out due to Covid-19 and it ...
The Big 50!
Thank you for the cards Turning 50 years old, yikes! I use to think that was ancient, I mean you are eligible to join AARP. The crazy thing is once you are that age level and look back, life is really a blink at times. I actually want it to slow down and just hit pause. I was reminded on this birthday how awesome life is. My wife is a member of a Whipple group on Facebook and asked for people to send me cards for my birthday. I was surprised ...
2nd Whippleversary!
Yesterday was my 2 year "Whippleversary". I can not believe 730 days have already passed since I woke up to a nurses voice saying "Mr. May". I remember the first thing I thought was hoping the surgery was a success. My recovery has been more than anyone can possibly hope for: No cancer, no chronic pain issues and no real restrictions. I belong to a Facebook Whipple survivor group. Usually people will put a message out there on the date of ...
Missed Bucket List Opportunities
I have always wanted to be the New York City "Tourist Guy" and see the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and Central Park. Iconic NYC sites that you always see in the movies. Our family booked a trip to see these things and hopefully finally be able to mark some items off my list. A week before the scheduled trip we decided that maybe a crowded city was not the best idea with the news of a potential virus spreading there. So Plan ...
Another first…
Since my Whipple I have always worried about being sick and needing to vomit. I remember when I first had my surgery being worried that it would physically hurt to be nauseous. This past weekend I had a touch of the stomach flu and I found out the answer to that question. The result was the same as before, being nauseous is not fun, but it did not feel any different than it did prior to me surgery. On to the next question in life I guess.