05 July 2007

 

Having surgery, off the grid till mid-July

Tomorrow by this time I'll be at St. Paul's Hospital recovering from my major cancer surgery. My rectum and a chunk of my lower colon will be gone. Depending on how things go, it's also possible that my left kidney will be removed as well, if the surgeons can't reconnect the ureter after removing my tumour. I will either have a temporary ileostomy to let the doctors later hook up my plumbing again, or if that's not feasible, a permanent colostomy. No one knows yet.

Yeah, okay, that freaks me out. But I'm ready, I think.

It's been a strange couple of days. Yesterday my wife and I met with the urologist and the pre-surgical team and went through all the details. By the end of it I was aching and tired, and slept and slept and slept. Today I'm on an all-liquid diet to prepare (Jello is as solid as it gets), and even though I haven't taken my sodium phosphate solution yet, my intestines are purging out in anticipation anyway.

I'll be in the hospital at least ten days. I won't be blogging or Facebooking or reading email. My wife may post some stuff here, and my dad has started a blog that will include updates. See you in mid-July sometime.

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# 1:31 PM

Comments:

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# posted by Blogger jj : 05 July, 2007 13:54
 
Good luck, Derek. I just came across this posting on my story patrol. And I'm rooting for you. Keep strong,jj
# posted by Blogger jj : 05 July, 2007 13:56
 
Godo luck, dude. In your recovery, surround yourself with love and gadgets, in that order.
# posted by Anonymous Darren : 05 July, 2007 14:08
 
Hey Derek, I'll be waving my figurative pompoms for you.
# posted by Blogger Gillian : 05 July, 2007 14:09
 
Er, that's 'good', not 'godo'. As you might have guessed.
# posted by Anonymous Darren : 05 July, 2007 14:13
 
All the best, Derek!
# posted by Anonymous Jen : 05 July, 2007 14:15
 
I wish you all the best. You have no idea how many people are following you with their prayers and wishes.
# posted by Blogger francine : 05 July, 2007 14:29
 
Good luck, I hope your recovery goes well.
# posted by Anonymous megan : 05 July, 2007 14:49
 
Derek, we are thinking of you and are hoping for the best possible outcome for your surgery tomorrow.
All the best
Norbert and Christine
# posted by Anonymous Norbert : 05 July, 2007 14:49
 
Best of luck Derek.
# posted by Blogger tibby.dude : 05 July, 2007 15:18
 
Good luck Derek! I have three kidneys. I'd give you one of mine if they'd let me. (Sadly, they seem to think that would be unhealthy.)

See you when you're back!
# posted by Blogger Tod Maffin : 05 July, 2007 15:18
 
Do chocolate milkshakes count as liquid? You might try that when you get hungry. I hope you bring the Big C to its knees
# posted by Blogger Vajra : 05 July, 2007 15:19
 
Derek -
Know that you and your family will be in our thoughts (as they have been, especially in the last few weeks)in the next stage of this journey. We wish you well...and a safe surgery.
- Christel
# posted by Anonymous Christel : 05 July, 2007 15:31
 
Derek, I'm wishing you all my best prayers and thoughts. It's a huge day for you tomorrow, but soon a day that you can put behind you and move forward. I'm glad your Dad will be blogging so we'll have updates.

Kick that stupid cancer hard, I'm so mad at that disease. Be strong and good luck ....Barbra
# posted by Anonymous Barbra Goldman : 05 July, 2007 15:37
 
Glad the day is finally here. I'll be waiting anxiously for the updates. Good vibes your way from my entire family. Take care, and soak up all that attention and special care at the hospital.
# posted by Blogger Kerry Anne : 05 July, 2007 15:47
 
Hey Derek. Good luck tomorrow. I'm sure you'll get through it. Holly and I will be thinking positive thoughts all day.
# posted by Anonymous Scott : 05 July, 2007 15:54
 
Good Luck. We're thinking of you.
# posted by Blogger Alastair : 05 July, 2007 16:16
 
All the best from Maple Ridge,Derek.Our thoughts are with you and your immediate family.

"Damn the torpedoes"
# posted by Anonymous ralph : 05 July, 2007 16:34
 
All the best Derek. We're thinking of you.
# posted by Anonymous Miraz Jordan : 05 July, 2007 16:40
 
I'm visualizing you riding your bike to work and enjoying life. Tomorrow the ride continues.
Love, Gail
# posted by Anonymous gail : 05 July, 2007 16:42
 
Lots of good thoughts going your way for tomorrow and the coming days!
# posted by Anonymous Fiona : 05 July, 2007 16:48
 
Wanting nothing but the best of outcomes for you.
# posted by Blogger aprigliano : 05 July, 2007 16:58
 
i'll be thinking of you allllll the way over here in virginia, USA! hang in there - and see you on the other side.... ps- whatwill i do without my penmachine fix everyday??!!

:) much love, dude!

lisa
# posted by Blogger sambycat : 05 July, 2007 17:15
 
Good luck Derek. May the force be with you.

Dono & Lynn
# posted by Blogger Don : 05 July, 2007 17:32
 
Don't worry about what's happening in cyberland just concentrate on getting better, OK. I'm with you all the way and Airdrie and the girls as well. Hear from you when I hear from you.
# posted by Blogger Melanie : 05 July, 2007 18:08
 
Good luck, wishing you all the best!
# posted by Blogger Ian Page : 05 July, 2007 18:11
 
Hope all goes well, Derek.
# posted by Anonymous Alison : 05 July, 2007 18:37
 
Hi Derek, The whole family is thinking of you and yours. Good luck tomorrow and beat this crap. Love, Ray & Family
# posted by Blogger Real M. : 05 July, 2007 19:00
 
We love you Derek so so much..we think about you all the time. Our thoughts are with you. It just has to be O.K...Be strong..Much love...Auntie Sirkka
# posted by Blogger Real M. : 05 July, 2007 19:32
 
Derek, from our hearts to yours, strength and love. Airdrie, same goes for you ...

Terry & John
xxxxx
# posted by Blogger Terry : 05 July, 2007 23:10
 
Come on everybody!

We'll fucking shout that cancer out!

Derek! Derek! Derek!
Derek! Derek! Derek!
Derek! Derek! Derek!
# posted by Anonymous canadianboy : 05 July, 2007 23:18
 
Excellent. You'll finally do the surgery. Then try to forget about the cancer, I suggest. Also, not very relevant for this post, but I'd like to comment that you have a wonderful wife.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 05 July, 2007 23:46
 
We'll be blasting your tunes and thinking of you!
# posted by Blogger Julie Leung : 06 July, 2007 01:22
 
Hey get well man! Ten years from now you'll be doing Inside Home Recording with your multitouch mouse and playing us one of your tunes, which you've made with Garageband 12.0. Take care!
# posted by Blogger hz37 : 06 July, 2007 07:04
 
All the best, Derek. We'll think of you.


JH
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 06 July, 2007 07:34
 
Good luck and get well soon!
# posted by Anonymous Tania Danilenko : 06 July, 2007 09:31
 
Kick out the Jams!

Playing and podcasting Penmachine tracks all week to send out the positive vibes!
# posted by Blogger DaveO : 06 July, 2007 11:25
 
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Get well soon!
# posted by Blogger Dougs : 06 July, 2007 15:14
 
Best of luck Derek, Jayne and I are thinking of you.
# posted by Blogger inkbase : 06 July, 2007 17:03
 
by now you'll have had your surgery. i wish you a speedy, easy, painless and comfortable recovery. and as darren said: love and gadgets!
# posted by Blogger isabella mori : 06 July, 2007 21:41
 
Derek, I hope everything went well. Thinking about you. I'll check your Dad's update site. I know they're worried sick.
# posted by Blogger Shane Hendricks : 07 July, 2007 14:29