Survivorship Program Appointment

I had my first appointment with the nurse practitioner at Stanford’s Survivorship Program this morning. It went quite well. It took an hour, though a part of that was just introducing myself and her asking questions to get to know me. She asked what I wanted to get out of the appointment. I explained that in addition to still wanting an annual kidney ultrasound, I’d like to include my intestines (since I’ve had to have two pretty extensive surgeries six years apart for twisting) and my aorta, as my dad had an aorta aneurysm (fortunately replaced before any rupture) and my paternal grandfather died from a ruptured aorta. So I have a bit of a concerning history. She explained that since none of the CT’s I’ve had in the past showed any aorta issues, it’s highly unlikely that an aneurysm would develop at my age (66). She also explained that neither aUS or CT would give warnings on the twisting. But, she was happy I wanted to continue getting the US as she had preliminarily drawn up an order for a US, a chest x-ray and blood work. We discussed other preventable cancers and cancers more readily diagnosed through common tests. I just had my colonoscopy (and it was clean), I don’t (and have never) smoked. And I have a PSA test done as part of my annual physical. The only thing I don’t do is use sunscreen, but I guess I’ll start.

The balance of the appointment talked about nutrition that helps prevent cancers and various programs Stanford is involved in. I’ll have the tests and a follow up appointment in June to get back onto a regular schedule that coincides with the anniversary date of my surgery.

If your insurance covers it, I think it’s a worthwhile program. Another set of eyes looking out for me can never hurt and some of the tips I got were quite helpful. And that was for me, a stage 1 chromophobe. If you’re someone that had a more involved stage or if you had a more aggressive form of RCC than chromophobe, I think you’d get even more out of the program.

This seems to be doctor week for me, as tomorrow, I see the folks at the Stanford Ear Institute to get evaluated for a cochlear implant. Truth be told, I’m torn. I’d certainly like to get some better level of hearing back, but after three operations, I’m pretty tired of getting cut. Of course,countering that is the fact that my first abdominal operation was in 2004. My second was in 2010. The kidney chunk was removed in2016, so if the pattern holds, I’m due in 2022…..not that I’m superstitious, mind you.