Created Tuesday, Sep 14th 2021 09:07Z, last updated Tuesday, Nov 30th 2021 16:50Z
Last Tuesday (Sep 7th 2021) I was scheduled to take a precautionary medical check and undergo ultrasound examination (Sonography). While the doctor was still handling the ultra sound head, he remarked "Well, you know, you got a football in your belly". I have to say, I never knew I had shot off my mouth that large that I could have swallowed a whole football, nor did I have any clue how a football would be able to enter my belly.
Seeing my shocked look on my face the doctor quickly turned around and told me, nothing to worry, it's "just" a benign giant cyst, diameter 19cm, absolutely nothing appears malignant. The doctor couldn't determine with certainty where that cyst would attach to and therefore recommended to conduct a CT.
My house practitioner followed that recommendation when I was able to get hold of him on Thursday and issued a referral to a CT institute, I managed to get an appointment for Friday morning (and made an appointment with the house practitioner for Monday (Sep 13th). The CT confirmed size and determined the cyst was sitting on top of the right hand kidney, it ruled out a lot of other options (and as such was rather good) and also determined there is nothing malignant with that cyst.
Yesterday my house doctor referred me to our local hospital, urology, for further assessment and treatment of the cyst, I called them, got an appointment for next Monday (20.9.). Yesterday late afternoon the medical head of the urology department of our university hospital in Salzburg (in German Primar, Latin Primarius, English consultant) e-mailed me telling me, I should show up today (Tuesday 14.9. 12:00L), now in about one hour, in his department. So, in about an hour I am about to show up at the urology not knowing at this time, what is going to happen. Will this just be a preparatory check and discussion of how to proceed, or will they keep me there right away for treatment and either deflation of the cyst (puncturing it to let the fluid drain) or removal, or would they perhaps recommend to just monitor its further development? Either way, I am prepared.
As you can imagine, after that first finding I have been busy since last Tuesday with a lot of appointments with doctors, and finally preparations for today.
Right now I feel my stage fright and nervosity coming up in view of the upcoming "kick off" of my football ... After all, this is probably becoming the most important football match of my life.
Rest assured, I'll return to AVH as quickly as I can and as quickly as is medically prudent. I may be able to do a couple more days after the checkup later today, or may be a couple of days offline for recovery.
Update afternoon Sep 14th 2021: The referee has blown into his whistle and told me, that the kick off will take place in about 4-6 weeks. Until then I shall continue dribbling this football all along and continue working on AVH as usual.
Today's appointment in the hospital turned out preparatory in nature with decision making involved. The cyst needs to and will be taken out entirely, draining it is deemed insufficient, and just monitoring it wasn't a real option. Additional checks have been asked for and do need to get coordinated by my house practitioner now, so I'll keep busy in that direction still. The laparoscopic surgery is now estimated to take place in 4-6 weeks and will keep me in hospital for 5 days then.
Update Oct 29th 2021: The football was scheduled to see the light of the day again on Nov 2nd 2021. Today however I received a call from the clinics that due to heightened alert status on Covid-19 my operation has to be postponed for another 3 weeks probably. I might receive a phone call however to call me in for the operation on short notice.
Sarah has been my strength and background support throughout these times. We had planned to get together shortly after the operation, but these plans are now disrupted,too.
Update Nov 19th 2021: I just returned from a preparatory meeting with the newly chosen Surgeon, Dr. Hruby at the Tauernklinikum in Zell/See (Austria), which went very well. The team of the Tauernklinik re-assured me, that the operation will now take place on Nov 26th 2021 no matter how the situation around the Pandemic develops further. In particular this operation (as well as my trip to Zell/See for the operation) will not be affected by the lockdown, that the Austrian government has just imposed. I'll be estimated to remain in hospital for 5 days after the operation. This means, I need to show up at the hospital the previous day, Nov 25th, and am likely to return home by Dec 2nd or 3rd. On Nov 26th 2021 I'll definitely be absent from AVH, I hope to be able to resume some limited service the next days and return to full service on Dec 3rd or 4th.
When I asked Dr. Hruby, whether this appointment is now cast in stone and in hieroglyphs, he smiled and affirmed.
Update Nov 25th 2021 06:30Z: The adventure into the footballless times starts, I am about to leave home for the Tauernklinikum in the next few minutes. This means, limited to no service in the next few days until I return home.
Update Nov 25th 2021 12:00Z: I am settled into the hospital and have setup ability for limited service.
Update Nov 26th 2021 16:20Z: Dr Hruby gave the ball a huge kick and managed to score the decisive goal, the match has ended with glorious victory. Still feeling weak though today!
Update Nov 27th 2021 09:23Z: I want to thank for all the empathy and the well wishes that have arrived in both comments and mail since the first announcement. Now, after the operation everything is going to plan for now, I was permitted to sit up and then stand up and walk around already, I feel fit enough to re-start (partially) working on AVH.
Update Nov 30th 2021 16:35Z: Home, Sweet Home! I just arrived safely back home being driven through a deeply winterly landscape (impression from the window of my hospital room and during the drive below), now am getting organized back home and trying to get into gear (and see how far I get). I can't thank enough Dr. Hruby and the Tauernklinikum for the immensely good work, well done!
