Finally, tomorrow morning I leave for L.A. to meet with Dr. Daneshmand. He is the surgeon that I learned about on the BCAN network. He is certainly a well known surgeon who has performed hundreds of neo bladder procedures. All of the comments on BCAN are positive and the people have had great results with little or no complications. Of course, that is what I am hoping for. So I am going to see this Doctor so I can talk to him and see what he is like. I have a list of questions for him and I hope he is honest and straight forward with his answers.
An amazing coincidence happened about a week ago. I'm sharing this because this makes going to USC / Keck more feasible. A few months ago while I was seeking information about Dr. Dechet and the Huntsman, someone wrote me about a lady on BCAN who now lives in AZ. who had her operation done at the Huntsman. She said I should try to get a hold of her. Of course I didn't know anything about her, so I didn't see how I could contact her. Well last Thursday, she responded to my Huntsman question. She told me her Indiana pouch was done by 2 doctors - Dr. Dechet and a Dr. Myers. I had never heard of Dr. Myers. He is not associated with the Huntsman Cancer Center. I searched and found he works out of the University of Utah medical college. He does reconstructive bladder surgery on accident victims. The point is that I have been afraid of going to USC / Keck for my surgery because once back in Utah, if I have a major problem - who has the skills here to work on me. Dr. Dechet, I do not feel would be willing to. I don't blame him. But if Dr. Myers has these skills, my problem may be solved. So I called his office on Monday and talked to his assistant who assured me that not only is he capable of performing these procedures, but he would be more then willing to help if complications arose. Let's just say that the conversation put my mind at ease that Dr. Myers would be a competent and caring doctor, if I decide to go to USC for the operation. Funny how things work out in the nick of time, thanks to a great lady in AZ.
Well, I promised that I would make up my mind on who and where I want to do my surgery by Monday. I feel this is going to be a difficult weekend. I have put this off long enough and it is beginning to wear on me. Who knows what the cancer has been doing in my bladder this whole time. They told me it is the aggressive type. But I am not looking forward to seeing my bladder go and getting some substitute. I'm scared, but I know what I have to do or there is 100% chance that I die - sooner rather then latter.
Prayers welcome - Good night.
