Soooo its been a minute.
Was nice to have a couple weeks of somewhat normal routine.
After reviewing the PET scan completed a couple weeks ago, it has been determined that getting the right kidney draining properly prior to chemo treatment will be necessary and keep the kidney safe and very productive. Not going to be taking any chances backing up the right year into the kidney with the chemo/ immune medication.
On October 9th I will go through a Nephrostomy which will the process of placing a tube inside the kidney and running that tube externally into a collection bag for the urine. The bag attaches to a Velcro belt like mechanism and can be emptied as needed. A review and analysis will be done seven days later to see how the kidney is working. If working correctly, we will bring another tube internally and run it down into the bladder to drain and keep the original tube in the exterior (just in case) but capped. After another week and another analysis, it will be determined whether the internal tube is working correctly, and if so, the external capped tube will then be removed. Some folks stop and just keep the external bag throughout the treatment however; I just didn’t want to be carrying a bag of pee on my belt for the next three months both emptying the bag and urinating traditionally if I could help it and still trying to work although I may have to in the long run anyway.
The next fun procedure will be inserting a port in my collarbone area, which will be where the chemotherapy /immunotherapy line will be hooked up to making it much easier than poking a vein every time I go in for treatment, which will be approximately three times a month for four hours a session. I don’t expect the chemo/immune to start prior to November 1.
That’s pretty much the update of the new upcoming fall lineups. Personally, feeling good still easily working 40 hours a week. Getting back strength in the gym and have a final show of the year on October 3 in Western Colorado. Hope you’re all doing well. Thanks again for all the prayers and thoughts, and I will let you know how phase one goes when we’re done with it in a couple weeks.
Sincerely,
mj
MICHAEL'S JOURNEY 
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