Hello Friends and Family...

It has been an extraordinary journey from Thursday August 12th to today, Wednesday the 18th. As you all know last Thursday Dr. Guido Delbagni and his surgical team did a partial nephrectomy on my left kidney. I was told the cancerous material was about the size of a leche nut, and was successfully scooped out with 80-85 percent of my existing kidney intact. Dr. Delbagni says it is great likelihood that this problem is now behind me. Dr. Delbagni and his team will  also advise and implement the treatment for my prostate cancer. When I go back for my followup in two weeks, we will tackle that issue so I will have more on that later.

When someone is told they have cancer at two different sites in the same week, one would think that the patient would have fears, panic, a crisis of confidence and survival concerns. Fortunately, those were not associated with me. I felt that there was a learning experience and a challenge to my basis beliefs in cause-and-effect. There is a reason for everything, and it is closely correlated with how you live your life. So I felt I was okay in the karma department.

I then sought my answers elsewhere. After the surgery I found I had zero tolerance for the IV narcotics and had to suffer with a 6-7 inch slice on my left side with just Tylenol and Tramadol. I found that the pain of the incision with a clear head and no nausea was better that the narcotic fog with dry heaves. It did make for a very difficult adjustment just trying to be comfortable. In the first three days of the operation I felt that my goal of being back in the world in 3-4 weeks was unobtainable. The pain was excruciating but with a clear mind, I was able to draw strength from fellow patients. My room mate David (leaving off last names for privacy) had a beautiful bonded family. He was from NJ, his family came up from Florida to be with him. They even put their believed pet in a Pet Motel which they called twice a day. They were not rich, nor were they privileged, but there was a love so bountiful that it also fed and nurtured me.

Among the things we were required to do were 14 laps around the hall every 24 hours which represented a mile of walking. A physical therapist would get you started but then it was up to you. At first, without the therapist egging you on, it was easy for me to stay curled up in the bed. That very angry gash on my left side would explode with an unmanageable of pain with the slightest movement. That's when I met Duane, a guy who the nurses staff referred to as "The Jogger". Duane was in for a week of Chemo, but he refused to wear the perfunctory gown with the tusshie exposed in the back. By comparison, some chemo patients were in private rooms where the only way to visit with them was to put on surgical scrubs and face masks. But Duane's mentality was different. He was far worse off than me, but was inspirational.  He told me, get up often, take a shower, dress like you are ready to go home, and you will feel a sense of satisfaction and dignity that will carry you through. That was such good advice because after that, I would get up at 3am to begin my laps. I would do 3 or 4 laps, then nap until "Way Too Early" on MS, watch the top of "Morning Joe" then do 3 or 4 laps more. By the end of "The Today Show", I would shower, get dressed in real clothes and meet up with Duane for laps around the building. Then there was Aaron who was another late night walker whose cancer operation was similar to mine. He too was nauseated by the narcotics. I told him of my approach and the next night we both were saying "no" to dope and even convinced my roommate  David too. In one fell swoop, we all felt better, and we were able to eat since nausea was no longer a factor.

Two days out when I started eating, I discovered that Sloan's room service was 4-Star hotel quality. The food was excellent and prepared specifically for you with all dietary requirements observed. My roommate David was Jewish and his family loved the fact that MSK has a "Sabbath Elevator" and a Glott Kosher menu. If it were not a hospital, it would not be a bad place to hang out!

My first three days of bathing were difficult. I was hooked up to all kinds of IV tubes and needed assistance. A wonderful, professional RN named Veronica would assist me through my modesty. It was one less thing to worry about.

I was ready to leave MSK on Sunday, but tests showed that I was still severely anemic and my internal organs had not yet begun to function in unison. I was told this is common in invasive surgery procedures. So I had to get two pints of red cells transfused and await the results of more tests. Late Monday afternoon I got the OK to leave but the two hour ride home and change of venue showed me how weak my body still was. Then the pain of the incision took center stage and I had a slight relapse because the the stress of my distended abdomen on the incision.

I figured out what the difference was, and that was exercise. I am back to walking that mile, eating regularly though light soups and smoothies. My digestive system has kicked in, pressure on the wound is lessened.

I now face the challenge of prostate cancer, but knowing what I know about pain and pain management, it is likely to be the least invasive procedure that preserves my nerve cells. After all, I still have a young and beautiful wife!

I thank you all for the well wishes, flowers, calls and friendship.  Thank you, and I will keep you posted.

Will
631-269-2128 home

Will is Home At Last!!!

Hello Famikly and Friends,

I thought they were going to hold him at MSK forever but they finally released him Monday afternoon.  They kept him an extra day because his red blood cell count was low.  This was what he went to see his doctor for in the first place. They did additional tests and decided that it was safe to release him.  What a relief, we are so blessed.!  There were so many other people on the same floor that he was on who had more severe problem; some had to have chemo and others had only a short time to live.

Will has not been able to tolerate the pain killers that were precribed for him so he is going through a difficult period  right now. The muscles around the incisions to remove his left kidney are some of the thickest muscles in the body so he has to be very careful to keep the stitches in place for proper healing. In 1977, I donated my left kidney to my brother, so I know what he is going through and it is  a very painful healing process 

As I write this, I pray for everyone who has to go through this trauma and wish the best outcome for them.

Your calls, emails, notes, visits, and those beautiful flowers have helped Will through these trying times. You are such wonderful people and I thank you for being there for my soul mate and the beautiful father of our incredible daughter!

Once again, thank you for your good wishes and your prayers.

Love, Light, and Blessings,

Will, Pat, and Patricia

August 12, 2010, Will Wright's First Day at MSK

Woke up this AM with thoughts of my many colleagues who are doing tremendous work.. Laughing along with Willie Geist "Way Too Early" ...the D-Backs' back-to-back-to-back home runs, the family of toddlers who terrorized the TODAY set yesterday! Trying to rough out next week's DJ eMag so my work partner Tim won't have to make himself crazy coming off vacation next week... All this while enjoying Chris Jansing filling in for Mika on Morning Joe. Wife Pat barks at me "enough!" gotta get out the house. True, this is no ordinary day! Will

So, now the three of us are on the 7:24 train out of Kings Park headed to MSK. Our spirits are high and we expect nothing but the best to come of this day! More later......

We arrived at MSK at 9:45 and finally at 1:45 Will went into Surgery. Now the wait begins.

It is now 3:50pm and we have just been informed that Will is coming out of surgery and into the recovery room. We are now waiting to get the results from his surgeon, Dr. Dalbagni.

4:20 Dr. Dalbagni told us that he removed the lump on the left kidney and found that the cancer had not spread into it so he was able to save the entire kidney. We are intoxicated with joy, This is such wonderful news!

We are now waiting,(once again, but happily this time), to go and see Will in recovery.

Friends and Family, thank you so much for your prayers and your support!