Nerds worldwide know March 10 as Mario Day, but this year, MAR 10 meant Kidney Day, a day I both love and hate in equal measure.
Kidney Day is my annual kidney screening. I undergo an MRI, an X-RAY, and blood-work, then I see my urologist, a hero in my world since his keen eye, expertise, and perseverance saved my life and most of my right kidney.
It was February 6, 2019 when I had Arnold the Nepharious Klingon removed. That's what I had named the tumor (so I could bid it an "Hasta la vista, baby"). At that time, we did not know it was cancer. My urologist, as well as the other doctors on the cancer board at the prestigious Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center were convinced it was malignant based on the imaging, even though the biopsy came back negative. That's why we decided to go ahead with the surgery. And thank goodness we did. Twenty days later I would learn that Arnold was renal cell carcinoma stage 1A. My doctor had performed a partial nephrectomy to remove about 1/3 or my kidney and the tumor. Because we caught it early, the entire tumor was removed and it had not spread, so no further treatment was required. I would, however, require regular kidney screenings for the next five years.
Cancer changes you mentally. I've become a bit of a hypochondriac. Whenever there is anything off, I see a doctor. To be honest, this is a good thing, because strange mutations seem to think my body is a safe haven. Well, as Arnold and other Klingons can tell you, mutations are not welcome here.
My first screening was six months after the surgery, and the second was six months after that. At that one year mark, I graduated to annual screenings. March 10, 2023 marked year four. My doctor told me that next year we can likely talk about graduating from these screenings. I'll be having a big celebration then, I assure you.
I love Kidney Day because it gives me about eleven months of peace. I hate Kidney Day because the month leading up to the screening, dread and anxiety kick in. I don't mind the tests. It's what those tests might find that terrify me. I once thought I was indestructible, invincible, that nothing could harm me. I never thought I would get cancer because I'm way too strong for that.
Well, strength has nothing to do with cancer. Nothing at all. Except it makes you stronger than you were before it threatened you.
I came into 2023 hoping for no surgeries this year. I've gone under the knife too many times in the past few years...nephrectomy in 2019, skin cancer removed in 2020, tonsillectomy in 2021, two polypectomies and an oophrectomy in 2022. I don't have a whole lot of body parts left to send to the incinerator. Putting the law of attraction principles into practice, today I started reciting, "I AM the picture of perfect health." This will be my mantra this year.
I AM the picture of perfect health.
Oh, and by the way, I truly am invincible...as I have proven time and time again. But in 2023 I want both physical and emotional health to have a break from the drama...so this won't be the last time you hear me say, "I am the picture of perfect health."
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