Let’s Chat: Trying to stay poo-sitive
By Linda Tooth on August 21, 2024.
Thank you to everyone who has been asking for an update on my partner’s health since he had his sigmoidoscopy. The results from that test were inconclusive so he had to have another colonoscopy two days later. The doctor in Medicine Hat felt confident he knew the area of the unmarked cancerous polyp removal, so during the colonoscopy he marked the area and we were sent home to wait and hear what steps would be next. I had not mentioned he also had a CT scan and an MRI and they noticed a small spot on his kidney. Due to that, he saw another doctor in Medicine Hat who specializes in kidneys (urology) and he felt the intestine area should be looked after first, and then we would worry about the kidney. OK, we saw a surgeon in Calgary regarding a bowel resection last week. He told us that kidneys were not his specialty and he would have to consult with a doctor regarding the spot on the kidney. We were told to be in Calgary on Friday in hopes we would get a call from the hospital regarding admittance so that the surgery (bowel resection and kidney removal) could take place. If we did not get a call, we would be in emergency at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday for admittance. The call did not come in so off we went to emergency. We sat there for six hours before they found a bed. Now he has not eaten for two days because they thought surgery would happen on the weekend. It did not! I am not sure what is worse, watching a person starve themselves and wither away, or what we saw in emergency. The verdict is still out on that. I have come home for a couple of days to regroup and take care of things before heading back up. I lived in Calgary during the 90s, so I know the Trans-Canada Highway and the city well. I am thankful the weather is good because, as we know, in the wintertime it can be another story. So where are we at now? He is waiting for the urologist to see him and then a date for surgery can be set. He is eating and even when the hospital meal is over he goes to get a sandwich from the shop in the hospital. My grandmother used to say, “You do not want to shake the sheets to have to find your partner.” She was so right. I worry about the mental health of not only my partner but also myself. This is taking a toll on both of us and I will keep an eye on him and use laughter to brighten up his days. I love thrifting and have found a Goodwill store in south Calgary that has my name written all over it. Between thrifting and reading, I think I will be OK. Your health, whether mental or physical, is crucial. Please make sure to look after yours! Have a Meowtastic Day! Linda Tooth is the positive culture co-ordinator at Sanare Centre in Medicine Hat 14-13
