I have had a chance to speak with my nephrologist yesterday and today regarding my CT scan on Friday. It turns out that I have a tumor on my left adrenal gland. This seems to have been the expected outcome given the nature of the labs that I had done before. It is not known whether or not it is malignant, but growths of this nature and location tend to be benign. Regardless, it is most definitely affecting many systems in my body.

There are two options from here. One would be to increase medication and scan it again in three months to assess its stability. The other option is to surgically remove the gland, which is not an easy surgery on the body given the location of these glands. With my body in an already weakened condition with my immune system and other issues, it is difficult to know how well I would be able to recover from that surgery, although removing it is likely the better option.

I am working with my specialists and I have a consultation with a surgeon to look at the risks and rewards.

In the meantime I continue to take life day by day and just know that I can’t do things in the way I want to always. I had an appointment this afternoon with my therapist and wanted to take a shower two hours before. I couldn’t do this because my breathing and muscles would be too compromised afterward to make it to the appointment, so I had to wait for after. These tweaks to the day are commonplace now, but if they mean I get to see another day at all then they can be dealt with.

My mom is flying in from Houston today for the week. It’ll be a pretty chill week at home, but hopefully we can still have good conversation. I’ve been able to see her more often than in the past and I’m very thankful for any time she or my father come to see me. Everyone needs their parents every now and then.

I hope your personal journeys are going well, have a great week everyone!