Drew Wohl

A yearly thought - 8 years ago today I opened a report on a scan that I had the day before.  At the end of the report was a note with a recommendation for a further scan. "Focal abnormal 1.2 cm enhancing focus involving the right pubic bone which also demonstrates diminished enhancement a neoplastic lesion cannot be excluded. Correlation with a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis and bone scan is recommended." I felt fine.  There was nothing wrong with me.  U I had no symptoms whatsoever of any problem.  It was clearly an example of people being overcautious.   There was a mention of a possible stone.  Two hours later I had incredible pain in my abdomen that continued on. The EMT in me figured it was psychosomatic, and I just thought I had pain.  Two weeks later a scan made it clear - #cancer. I am not sure of when I should officially count the start of the cancer diagnosis. Was slow and creeping. I always figure my first surgery left no doubt, but this ...

This is going to be long.  I have not posted things in a bit. I do not have pain today.  At worst, maybe a bit of soreness.  It is strange to write these words, because I have been in pain pretty much every day since the spring of 2020.   I may have been in pain longer, but I know 2020 was really bad.  It may have been from the chemotherapy - Lonsurf - that I was on at that time.  I recall screaming, crying and cursing so much that I expected the neighbors would call the police.  Particularly because there was usually a major outburst of pain at some point in the early morning hours.  Crawling into the shower after taking a double dose of painkillers.  Trying desperately to find any position that could reduce the pain in any manner.  Waiting for the drugs to take effect.   Once I was done with Lonsurf, the pain levels came down.  But during 2021 it was still there.  It was a challenge to get up to Yale for treatment. ...