Let me know if you’d prefer not to hear more of what is turning out to be a minor medical saga.
I went to see the colon/rectal specialist today. He confirmed, took a look around and found another patch inside. I had hoped that it wasn’t anything more than what I’d seen, that I’d caught it quickly enough. He said that it looked like I had caught it pretty quickly, but I don’t feel that way. It’s only been active for a month or two? Is that “all”? I haven’t had anything up my butt that wasn’t related to a medical procedure in that span. Hell, I think it’s been at least 4 or 5 months. As for how long since I last had _unprotected_ anal sex, we’re getting into the realm of over a year. I think well over a year. I was hoping that it could be taken care of quickly and easily and I’d go back to nearly normal in no time. Well, that’s still theoretically possible. Sorta.
They’ll do a biopsy to see if the tissue contains cancer-causing-wart-virus as well as wart-causing-wart-virus. I’m also going to have surgery. Like, under general anaesthetic surgery (for the second time in my life, first being wisdom teeth.) I was initially told that my options for surgery were mondays or thursdays, and that I would be out for two days afterwards, and my ass would feel like it’s been burned for another week after that. I managed to schedule something for a friday. I’m going to need someone with a car to take me from the surgery, because I’m going to be fucked up on anaesthetic.
I’ll have to see the doc on a regular basis for months-if-not-years to come, basically to catch rectal cancer early if it starts (he didn’t say so explicitly, but I can add 1 and 1 together and get 2). I was also told I’d have to have another physical before surgery. After repeatedly explaining that I’d just had one, she (the scheduling assistant) said that I could get by on that one.
The “good” news is that the doc thinks condoms are sufficient even when symptomatic. So, if I want to get pounded, I have the medical okay for that.
Take home: I need a ride home from the hospital (I’ll be fucked up on anesthesia) on friday feb 25th. Anyone willing to offer will have my undying gratitude.
I’ll save the lecture on sexual self-care, and limit myself to the following: condoms, limited numbers of partners, and taking my bloody time: I should have done it, I should work on doing it for the future, it’s for my own goddamn good, and it’s not all about hiv, many other diseases suck hard too.
And now on to the presentation I’ll be giving in about 3 hours. Oy.
Much love, light, and healing to you.
I’m sorry you’re ill. 🙁
Yikes. Hope it all turns out well.
I’m sure you’ll be back up and… whatever… in no time at all.
I need a ride home from the hospital on friday feb 25th.
If nothing else comes up for you (presumably you’d be more comfortable with a closer friend) I would be able to do this (taking a block of time off in the middle of the workday is not a problem for me if I know about it in advance). The logistical issue is that I’ll be visiting SF from 2-16 until 2-23 and unreachable by email, but I can give you contact information (both at my home and in SF) if you need me to.
Let me know if you’d like me to send you my contact information here.
The question is: will you want your post-surgical self to be pounded? <:)
That sucks. If you’re stuck at home afterward I can be your errand monkey.
Not until long post surgery, if at all, I imagine.
…!
My comment had two lines. I also offered to play nurse when you’re stuck at home, but the second line alternately appears and disappears as I refresh this page. Bizarre.
I saw the second line. I was planning on you being my bitch as needed. I’m glad to see you’ll be cooperative 😉
*hugs*
good thoughts, dear.
In my thoughts
I hope all will be better soon and if you need anything from me feel free to ask. I wish I was in MN and I could be of more help. Much love from Hubby and I!
Yikes this sucks. But eventually, I know from experience, you’ll be back to normal down there. Depending on how things go you may get lucky not feel too much discomfort after the surgery.
As far as exposure, I’ve read that the virus can lay dormant for years (or rather usually the immune system successfully fights the virus and keeps it from forming the warts until stress or something changes the balance). I’ve read that most people with warts are exposed by there first couple of sexual encounters even if the warts don’t show up until 10 years later, so you can quit beating yourself up trying to figure out what you did wrong in the last months. Also as long as you follow all sane precautions and act responsibly, IMO you can also kinda assume that if your partners are susceptible to warts they were or were not exposed before they met you.
Finally, unfortunately, I had to go get my ass burned with lazers on practically a monthly basis (and in the long term the unpleasant side effects had more of a cumulative effect – so this repeat performance is clearly to be avoided). Finally, my doctor gave me Aldera creme which (re)stimulates the immune system so that your own body rids itself of the warts. For me NO side effects – it’s not an acid like what you’d put on your hands or feet so there is no burning. After more than a year of this crap, the creme cleared me up completely (always possible I’ll have to do another course of it … but that’s not so bad). Unfortunately, this can only be used internally or very near the outside – but if you haven’t please check this option out, before you go the more invasive route. For the sake of your butt.
And as something to look forward to, remind me sometime to tell you the story of my last visit to the proctologist six months ago that practically turned into a scene from a porno after I got my clean bill of health – all medically ethical of course.
Aldera, as I understand it, has a much higher recurrence rate, though it’s good to hear that it worked for you. We used acid at the clinic I worked at, because it had a lower recurrence rate. And surgery has a lower recurrence rate still. Still, internally or very near the outside is exactly what I have. I should be asking the doc a few questions anyway, I’ll add that to the list. =)
I doubt anything porno-riffic will be happening with my doc (he’s not homo-hostile, just a little homo-awkward, and not in the I’m-attracted-to-you kind of way. Odd for a butt doc, but so it goes. Sadly, I can’t find any gay proctologists in town. Still, your story sounds quite interesting, and I’d be interested to hear it.
Ok. I’ll move the porno-riffic story high on the list of things to report. :=)
As far as the Aldera goes, even if it has a higher reoccurence rate it’s completely non-invasive – “so what” if you have to use it again is what I say. And as I said it’s an EASY treatment (though I guess some people experience iritation with it).
Regarding the recurrence, that doesn’t seem completely logical to me since surgery only removes the warts but can leave dormant virus – but the Aldera causes your body to fight the virus.
Anyway, whatever route you go best of luck.
Gosh
It sounds like you’re going to have a procedure similiar to what I had, if not the exact same one.
The warts virus can “gestate” for several weeks (and in many cases months) before it actually becomes symptomatic. I’m sure there is plenty of information and resources on it on the web, most of which you’ve probably checked out by now.
The recovery after the procedure will be a bit rough, but there *is* an advantage to having the invasive extraction done vs. exterior only acid/freeze drying.. this has been true for me, and for the others I’ve talked to who have dealt with this.. when you get the full surgery, they are far far far less likely to ever come back. I’ve seen some statistics that say there is a 30% chance they can come back with only the exterior extractions. Also, when you heal, you’ll be “good as new” 😛
I’ve yet to have another outbreak, and my procedure was done in early 2000. My doctor checks for “less visible ones” whenever I get my annual physical, and that’s been fine as well.
I’ve also yet to have anyone tell me they’ve had them after a romp with me..
Anyway, chin up, and good luck. Stock up on soft fruits and bran crackers 🙂
>> Allen
Re: Gosh
All good news, and glad to hear that my diet won’t have to make a significant change for that cause 😉
When I had my surgery to remove some cysts in my intestines in July, movements became quite … well, you’ll find out. Although mine was also way more invasive than your procedure probably will be. I’m sure you’ll have a quick recovery period.
But I will give this advice: Metamucil will be your friend. It was certainly mine.
Thanks for the advice & support.
Well, I know we haven’t actually *met* yet, but if you don’t have any other options for a ride, feel free to let me know.
Eeek, well its gotta be done – so its good to be over with it, as soon as is reasonable? Certainly not the end, but is far from ideal. Hang in there…
I’m sorry, this is all my fault. You’re having to go into the hospital because I don’t seem to be living there this winter :-).
Sick humour aside, good luck, get better soon, take care of yourself or I’LL HUNT YOU DOWN AND BEAT YOU WITH MY BAT.
And dammit, why can’t I remember that Stevie knows Stephen? I keep forgetting and it keeps making a few more braincells leak out everytime I catch it…
For pain, take one of my icons and call me in the morning.