As most of you know, the past several months have presented me with some health issues. Back in April, after Easter, I had  unsuccessful surgery to remove a large kidney stone. The doctor mistakenly explored the wrong kidney and hence wasn’t able to locate the stone! Needless to say I changed doctors and set up an appointment with a new urologist. In the meantime, I have been having difficulty with my right leg – radiating pain down the whole leg. My primary care doctor ordered an MRI which revealed two things. I have a condition called avascular necrosis of the right hip, The hip bone is deteriorating. This past week I met with an orthopedic surgeon.  I will be scheduling hip replacement surgery sometime in January.
    The other very surprising finding was a shadow on my bladder wall. After further testing the new urologist discovered a tumor in my bladder. During my summer vacation I had surgery to remove that growth. Pathologically it was determined to be malignant and I am now undergoing treatment to retard the regrowth of any other tumors.
   The prognosis is good. The MRI luckily imaged the growth early on and it had not grown into the bladder wall. I will have four more treatments (I have had two already) and a follow up cystoscopy in November and every three months going forward to check for any recurrence.
   When I have my hip replaced I will be away from the parish for about ten weeks. My hope is to return in time to celebrate Holy Week and Easter.
   I have been pretty healthy over the years so I guess it is time to face the aging process!!!
   Needless to say I ask for your  continued prayers and understanding   during this time.