Alpha Centauri 2

Community => Recreation Commons => Topic started by: E_T on February 21, 2018, 06:20:09 PM

Title: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on February 21, 2018, 06:20:09 PM

Since shortly before the Surgery that I had on my Left Arm, back in mid-November, I was starting to have problems with some blood in my rectal area.  I waited until after the surgery to start the long process (with the VA) about addressing this problem.


Shortly after the first of the year, it was getting increasingly difficult to sit, or even stand for long time periods.  I had already seen the GI doctor and my Colon Screening was not until March 5th (would had been April, but I had begged and pleaded and they were able to set it then after making several phone calls).  At the time, no one was seeing the blood that I was seeing and the level of urgency on behalf of the VA was frustrating.


While at work, I had to fart and farted a fair amount of blood.  I then spent the night at the VA emergency room and had a Doctor that was blaming my colon rectal problems and possible blood on my poor diet.  But he did find blood back there (was not documented in my medical files) and had me go back to my general provider for follow-up.  My reg doctor had already sent me to GI, but my pain levels were increasing in something was needing to be done.  I was able to get them to FINALLY get a consult in to the Proctologist/Rectal Doctor that I had seen a few years ago.


But in the mean time, I first had gotten them to give me a Doctor's Note for a pillow to sit on at Work and then shortly afterwards, a Doctor's excuse from all work to due to the inability to be able to be able to function at work in any respect.  My part time Job filed the note and tole me to keep them informed and that they hope that I get better soon.  My Full time job, which I had only worked a few Months and did not qualify for them to hold my job or pay me short term disability, asked me to turn in my badge and clear out my locker... I would be able to come back, once I have gotten medical clearance to do so...


That was about the end of the first week, beginning of the 2nd week of Jan.  Since then, I have been having to mostly stay in bed, as the pain is much reduced when lying/sitting on my side.  I am taking the max daily dosage of Ibprophin to reduce the pain and inflammation back there.  I also supplement this with tylonal at times, but the one seems to do the bast at the pain.  I had also implementation other things to help with swift passage of things back there and to help keep things from building up and causing more pain.

In the process, I was able to feel a growth in the rectal area that more than half blocks the rectal cavity and the anus.

The VA finally set up the Proctologist appt on Feb 6th.  The doctor immediately stated that I had a tumor, wanted me to have biopsy/colon screening as soon as the 9th.  But due to transportation issues, had to push it back until Feb 16th.  He also did an Anal Pap Smear.

Right before the Procedure on the 16th, he told me the results of the pap smear was that I had Anal Cancer.  But due to the location, it should be showing as rectal cancer.  He stated that treatment for the two are different and even more need for the biopsy that he was about to do.  Also to see if it is malignant or not...
After, the Doc did tell me the rest of my colon looked good and will see me at the post procedure follow up.


I have my follow up tomorrow and will learn more.  The VA has already scheduled an MRI on March 7th and should be calling to set up a PET scan soon.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Lorizael on February 21, 2018, 06:33:37 PM

That sounds very unpleasant, E_T. Here's hoping it doesn't end up being terrible.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Geo on February 22, 2018, 05:11:17 PM

Best of luck with your diagnosis, E_T.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 22, 2018, 11:47:39 PM

...This is one of those things where people don't know what to say - which is why I have nothing more original than to say I'm rootin' for you...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on February 23, 2018, 03:12:03 AM

It is Anal Cancer.  It is Malignant. 

It IS treatable with BOTH Kemo and Radiation.

I will not have to worry about a colon bag (from having section of Colon Removed).

PET Scan next Monday, MRI Week after.

Kemo & Radiation Oncology Referals/Consults are in, waiting for schedualling to set up appointments.

That's about it for now...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on February 23, 2018, 03:13:33 AM

Quote from: BUncle on February 22, 2018, 11:47:39 PM

...This is one of those things where people don't know what to say - which is why I have nothing more original than to say I'm rootin' for you...

Everything helps....

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on February 23, 2018, 03:31:38 AM

I just imagine that's why you haven't gotten more well-wishes.  I want to wish-well, but I hate to not have a more creative/eloquent way to say it.



Have they settled whether it's isolated to there yet?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on February 23, 2018, 04:59:43 AM

Quote from: BUncle on February 23, 2018, 03:31:38 AM

Have they settled whether it's isolated to there yet?

Quote from: E_T on February 23, 2018, 03:12:03 AM

PET Scan next Monday, MRI Week after.

Not yet, these test should provide this info...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Unorthodox on February 23, 2018, 05:27:51 PM

Quote from: E_T on February 21, 2018, 06:20:09 PM

The VA

The next good story from that place I hear will be the first, and everyone (politicians) continue to ignores it... 

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Spacy on February 23, 2018, 10:34:50 PM

As I said on WPC - good luck, and keep me in the loop.

My internet is the suck, but you should (I think) have my professional gmail address if'n you need anything - and that I can get at work. 

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Rusty Edge on February 24, 2018, 02:49:40 AM

(I'm on a borrowed computer tonight. Mine seems to be well on it's way out. )

This is terrible news. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: bvanevery on February 24, 2018, 05:30:16 AM

Good luck.

Might I suggest you also include either medical marijuana or CBD oil to help fight the cancer.  The latter is legal to obtain in all 50 states.  Doing my research on the Reddit forum /r/CBD, I bought some for my Mom's cat from Green Mountain CBD (https://www.greenmountaincbd.com/).  They have lab results proving their stuff has in it what they say they have in it.  It's a "whole plant" product and I picked that specifically because the company seemed to be committed to preserving the cancer fighting ingredients.  Now if you have access to a medical marijuana dispensery, apparently a 1:1 mixture of CBD to THC is the preferred way to go to fight cancer.  But if you don't have access, CBD alone is better than nothing.

I am afraid I have no results to offer with my Mom's cat.  She died in less than 2 weeks after we found out.  Chest and liver.  I never even got a chance to use the stuff.  I tried to administer a different CBD product that I bought immediately at retail upon getting the news, but it was really difficult to dose a cat.

Subsequently I've found that this stuff relieves anxiety.  Sometimes I've gotten anxiety, flashing back to my Mom's cat.  Usually happens when I'm in abdominal pain for other reasons, like from food poisoning.  Pain can really warp the mind, so I'd recommend the stuff for that reason as well.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on February 24, 2018, 05:33:12 PM

VA is Gov, so no Med Marijuana Scripts from them...

As for dispensaries, I don't even know it they have allowed any to open in the Orlando area as of yet...supposedly, still under consideration after the last election to allow it in the State.

Ironies abound here with this.  I was arrested in '94 for Cultivation of Cannabis.  I was only growing and selling at cost to people whom needed it for medical purposes... 

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: bvanevery on February 24, 2018, 07:18:38 PM

Quote from: E_T on February 24, 2018, 05:33:12 PM

Ironies abound here with this.  I was arrested in '94 for Cultivation of Cannabis.  I was only growing and selling at cost to people whom needed it for medical purposes...

Well there are websites on how to make the anti-cancer stuff yourself, if you have a source of pot.  It's a movement really.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 03, 2018, 02:22:51 AM

In case anyone wants an update:

PET Scan was this last Monday, MRI is next Wednesday.  Radiation Oncology initial Consultation Appt is next Thursday with the Kemo Therapy initial Consultation the following Monday.  As for when the actual treatments start, it all depends...  I'll see in one/two weeks...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 03, 2018, 02:43:01 AM

How's your immune system doing lately?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 03, 2018, 06:08:01 AM

I have been taking my meds, for one thing...

My last blood draw (3.5 months ago) had viral load as Undetectable (as it has been for a while) and TCell count at about 260 (IIRC, might be less, but definitely over 200).

Thing is, as I have dipped down really low, twice now (over the years), I am much more at risk for anything than if I had not been.

One Doctor put it this way:
Think of your TCells/Immune system as a Football Team.  You have your veteran players whom make up your first string lineup.  Then you have the not so good players, that you have to send out if too many of the first string guys get hurt, etc.  They aren't as well seasoned or just not so good at playing.  Then you have your third string guys, your rookies and has been players that make up the remainder if the team.

Your most experienced team members have knowledge of all of the little ills that your body has fought off since you were born.  Use the same analogies for the rest of the team...

Now, in the case of your TCells dipping below 200 (into AIDS range), what happens is that you take your first sting guys all out and shoot them dead.  Your now working off the 2nd string guys.  Have it happen again and your now using the 3rd String exclusively...  Doesn't matter if it bounces back above 200, you've lost that experience base for infection fighting that has built up since birth.  And a Child can fight off things much better than an older adult...

Which is one reason that I was sort of expecting this to happen, as I am more susceptible to things, like strange cancers.  This one is already kind of strange, according to the one doctor.  The Anal Pap Smear showed it as Anal Cancer (which the biopsy confirmed).  But the location of the Cancer, which is in the Rectal Cavity, then it should have been Rectal Cancer (which is treated differently and would have required sectioning the bowl and me using a colostomy bag afterwards).  There are other things that I am suspecting, but we will see over the next few weeks.

Now, I already have an ID (Infectious Diseases) appointment with Blood draw set for two weeks from now.  I will be doing the Blood draw for that Appt this Wend (the day of my MRI).  I will also be getting ID to step up the frequency of appointments over the year while I am being treated for the Cancer.  I will also be asking about any prophylactics that they might recommend, too... 

So, moving forward, we will have a very good baseline, prior to my cancer treatment.  Which we can see if we need too keep any eye on anything and hopefully stomp on it before it becomes a problem...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 03, 2018, 06:47:34 PM

I would think a better analogy would be a school team all graduating, leaving the coach to make do next year with green freshmen of equal talent but no experience; really, a green coach, too.  Sounds like all the antibody templates accumulated over a lifetime get lost - which I didn't know.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Geo on March 03, 2018, 11:08:45 PM

I'd have thought the immune system spreads out acquired information on how to combat infections to newly created blood cells?
At least that's how I thought white blood cells worked?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 03, 2018, 11:25:31 PM

When antibodies encounter something new their programming tells them isn't part of The Body, they take a template of it back to the spleen or lymph nodes or something, and the next time the invader turns up, the system has a specific antibody design waiting.  Apparently, having your T-cell count dip below 200 wipes those specialist designs out, so you can get chickenpox again.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 04, 2018, 02:29:07 PM

One reason that the better of the doctors like to have their patients reboost some of the more important vaccines (I have a vaccine card with me in my wallet that I update with every one I get).

The Immune system is a very complex "organ".  It is made up of many parts.  The T4 Helper Cells are one part (which the HIV attacks) and work in concert with the rest, mostly the T8 Cells (one of the blood draw metrics that is always looked at is the T4/T8 percentage ratio). 

Kemo & Radiation Therapies DO have an effect on the immune system, but in a much different way than the way that HIV does.  Which is why I will be having my ID doctors also keeping a closer eye on me while I'm in treatment.  I don't need to be leaving myself open for a 1-2 punch...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 05, 2018, 04:07:27 AM

No you certainly don't - and it stands to reason that vaccinations would be incredibly helpful forgetting back some key templates by the very nature of the thing, but I didn't know it and probably wouldn't have worked it out.  This has been educational.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 09, 2018, 09:37:24 PM

...I still feel bad about having so little to say to try to be comforting after I exceeded myself over your sister - just, the latter is a thing I'd wrestled with too much myself in the previous decade, and your current --- danger is something I can only imagine, and thus, have no informed sense of how it feels and what would sound genuinely comforting, or trite, or even offensive.  I think I cannot go wrong in saying that I've worried, not least out a sincere desire to somehow be helpful and offer comfort - the context I've provided taking it out of the likelihood of triteness.









SO - given all that, and on an inexcusably crass note, give me a feel for how you'd tend to take the inexcusably poor taste of making butt-jokes.  I would never go there absent a high-sign from you to proceed, all this being offered in the humble spirit of I don't know for sure you'd be offended, and sometimes gallows humor being a coping mechanism and a way to chip in to cheering you up.  I apologize in advance, and will never bring up this very wrong thing ever again absent your encouragement.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 10, 2018, 02:27:07 AM

BU, your recent issue at home (as per your other thread) has left you tip-toeing around the thing.

First off, you have read posts of mine for how long?  What tone do I normally take things on a regular basis?

That being said:  Your ass-uming that if you crack a joke that seemed to have me at the butt of it, that it would put you in a deep and dark hole, from which you would not emerge for a very long time, at least not without smelling a bit crappy...  poo poo on you...  :p

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 10, 2018, 02:59:22 AM

Everyone loves a good sport, sir. :D

The topic begs for jokes.  They wanted to write themselves right away.  I been dyin' to say "Doggonit it, E_T, I done TOL' you to remember the lube!"

-Ahem-.  The management wishes to remind everyone that we're trying to run a classy place [snickers] and E_T just asked for it, but let's not embarrass ourselves getting too directly vulgar, and confine this exercise in very bad taste to black humor and try to have a modicum of wit re: the butthole and poop angles.  Thanks.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 10, 2018, 03:27:47 AM

Oh, you have no IDEA as to how many Ironies abound from this...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 10, 2018, 03:29:18 AM

I assume that's a good thing...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 10, 2018, 03:35:18 AM

it's very mixed

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 10, 2018, 03:51:55 AM

Well, it's sad that you're in this predicament and the butt of jokes, to boot.

-Now booting the right butts is something I wish was going on in this country more - present company excepted. ;)

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Spacy on March 12, 2018, 09:01:36 PM

Sooo tempting, as I know all about how the Great Banana came into being, and the worship that happened 'around' it.  :banana: 

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 12, 2018, 09:22:23 PM

Give IN to the temptation, baby!

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 13, 2018, 12:16:47 AM

Quote from: Spacy on March 12, 2018, 09:01:36 PM

Sooo tempting, as I know all about how the Great Banana came into being, and the worship that happened 'around' it.  :banana:

:smack: :DOITNOW!:

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 17, 2018, 12:51:47 AM

I figured that it is time to post an update as to everything that is going on with this.

First off, the Anal Cancer is fairly advanced...but still within treatable limits.

I start a combination of Kemo and Radiation Treatment on March 26th.  The Radiation Treatments will be for 6 weeks, 5 days a week (I have the weekend off.... woohoo :rolleyes: ).  So a total of 30 days of Radiation Treatments.

The Kemo will coincide with the Radiation treatment.  I will have a Port installed on the 23rd, to facilitate this.  I am still uncertain as to if I will keep the port in or not after it is done...  we will see...

The Kemo will be a 96 hour (4 days) pump that I will carry in a kind of belly bag.  After the 96 hours is done, they will give me a pill.  Then, on the final week of the radiation therapy, they will give me a second 96 hour pump, followed by a pill.

So, first week is both Kemo and Radiation, followed by 4 weeks of only Radiation and then the final week gets both again.

At that point, from what I am told, even though I am no longer getting the treatments, they (the after effects for the radiation and kemo) are still working, sort of long term, on taking out the Cancer.  Then, Sometime in August, I will have another PET scan to see as to how the cancer had responded to the treatment.

The Radiation Oncologist, believe it or not (I sh*t you not), Dr. Geiger, tells me that he is fairly confident that this treatment SHOULD be the only one that I will need to have to take care of this.  BUT, just to be clear, he also had told me that my Anal Cancer is by far, the largest that he has ever seen (and treated).  This is because people normally have problems much sooner than I had happen and thus catching it much sooner than this cancer is in me now.

It's around 9cm and has started to get into some other areas.

So, from what I am understanding, this treatment regiment is going to be very aggressive and I'll be going though a lot before the 6 weeks has passed.  They have already set up daily transportation for me and are getting things ready, for in case they need to put me into an assisted living facility, towards the end of the treatment.  This should make sure that I don't miss any days of treatment.

Because, one other thing that Dr. Geiger (and everyone else) has stressed is that once I start this treatment, I can't even miss a day of the treatment.  This is because the cancer could rebound and become immune to the treatment.

Also, next week, I will also be meeting with my Infectious Diseases Doctor (for my HIV/AIDS) and see what Prophylactics that they will want to have me start on, because I WILL be needing something to help prevent any opportunistic infections, before this is over.  Dr Geiger is also concerned about my current T-Cell count (which is now around 265), because he likes to have people with counts of 400 or better before starting treatment.  But that is not going to be possible in my case...

They (the Oncology and Infectious Diseases Social Workers) will also be helping me with applying for SS Disability.  Because, even after the treatment has been successfully completed, I will still be in a position, medically, that would make me fully disabled, Medically.  I will need to keep up ongoing medications, check-ups and maybe other treatments, to keep the cancer from popping back up in me somewhere else.  Also, this cancer is sort of HIV/AIDS related, as it appears to be an HPV (anal warts), that in the environment of me being immune compromised as well as having T-Cell counts dipping very low (below AIDS threshold) twice in the past.  So, I'll be filing and likely getting SS Disability from this.

It's going to be a concerted effort to get though this, but I will get through this...  It's going to be a tough slog through this, but I will get through this...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 17, 2018, 01:24:17 AM

Yes you will, my friend.

Just don't make an ass of yourself. ;nod



-I 'spect you're going to find the SS Disablity astonishingly hard to get and a prolonged process, even with your situation and a lot professional help depending on that to get paid.  After years of humiliation and annoyance at the process my maw initiated w/o consulting me, turns out I'm not crazy enough - just too crazy to want to leave the house, even though there's no sex here and not going to be.  Can you beLIEVE that bodily-waste?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 17, 2018, 02:45:52 AM

They are fairly confident that I will get it, which kind of tells you the state of my anticipated physical being, once the treatment has been completed.

And they know that it is getting harder and harder, but are certain that it will go through anyways...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 17, 2018, 02:50:21 AM

I had already applied and was deigned for my HIV/AIDS.  Which, when I consulted about appealing, was convinced that it was not worth the effort, for me at that point in time.  Told same to the social workers and they didn't blink and are confident that there will not be any problem with it when they submit it...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 17, 2018, 02:52:08 AM

hehe, at the time, I knew that not getting it was going to turn around and bit me in the a$$....  and had said the same to my case worker at that time, too...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 17, 2018, 03:06:20 AM

;lol

Being danger of death, eh, having to go through the SSD process, I feel sorry for you.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 17, 2018, 04:35:10 AM

And you should be sorry for me.  I cannot find me any sex anywhere in this house, and I've looked in in every room and only found a cat or two.  Please do not make the obvious vulgar joke you're thinking.  This ought to be a sexy house, just a little, once in a while, but please don't tell my mommy who owns it and don't hold with me having my fun - and good news, Mom!

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 17, 2018, 04:54:49 AM

: o_0 :

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Geo on March 17, 2018, 05:27:44 AM

Think of the stains, BUncle. ;marr;

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Geo on March 17, 2018, 05:32:31 AM

SSD? Social Subsistence Disability/Disorder?

Ur Yankee acronyms are really givin' me a hard time...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 17, 2018, 01:06:00 PM

Why would I want to think of them?  There is no sex in that for me.

Your guess is excellently close.  Social Security Disability.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 17, 2018, 08:46:41 PM

Y'all wanna know what's REALLY funny?  I went and told my mommy what I said in this thread yesterday, pretty exactly, and the end about my mommy not holding with me having my fun?  She nodded at that. ;nod

Update: Still no sex for me have come to my house today.  There are still cats in the yard, though, and for a few hours, the Reverend Doctor my-little-brother Buster's Daddy and a giant puppy.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 19, 2018, 03:36:41 AM

Posted at Solver this evening on Skype:

Quote

I'd sure like me more of that there money stuff -and you know, maybe chase me some of the sex- but I like a quiet life more.
I think the first thing you ever said to me was  that I officially had no life.
Incorrect.
I had just found a new one wrecking up your net enterprise.
Damn, was soiling OT ever fun while it lasted.
Best time I ever had online -
-And I DO like teh pr0n.
P.S.
 ;lol

Solver's right put out to hear your news, E.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 20, 2018, 12:22:27 AM

Dunno why it hadn't struck me before to share, but my Dad's Dad's generation were nearly 100% put down by the cancer.  Daddy was the oldest of six, two are still alive, and it got him and a sister.  Two died of something else, and one of the two left is going to die of being senile in a home soon, what also got the sister who died a few months ago.  The last has been surviving on one lung since before I remember, but that was tuberculosis, and she gains three pound a decade -she was crazy skinny when I first recall- and is looking like she'll live forever.

Hey - I concluded a long time ago that I was definitely going to die of cancer someday.  I just realized last week that Daddy's generation have only been fifty percent and another going to go for another reason, and that gives me hope that I've only got a 25% chance from him, Momma's people not being cancer-prone.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Geo on March 20, 2018, 08:13:43 AM

The environment you live in has eomething to say about it too.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 20, 2018, 11:00:36 AM

Sure.

But, though we've lost about a third of the first cousins my generation on that side, none to cancer, I think.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2018, 02:04:12 PM

E, I want to give you something, and a custom user title would take me a minute.

How would you like "Future Cancer Survivor" or "Butt of Jokes" or something else like "Girl Genius/Schlock Mercenary Fanatic" or whatever you ask for under your handle?  (That last is short enough to be entered in the field for that, I think, but awkwardly long and would display in two lines, maybe three, so shorter is better.)

-At least I had the cooth to not suggest "log-cabin Republican".  The utter lack of any sex for me in this house anywhere I look is quite a strain on my disposition...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Geo on March 21, 2018, 02:30:40 PM

Quote from: BUncle on March 21, 2018, 02:04:12 PM

The utter lack of any sex for me in this house anywhere I look is quite a strain on my disposition...

There's a whole world of other houses outthere? ;)

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 21, 2018, 03:13:25 PM

Quote from: BUncle on March 21, 2018, 02:04:12 PM

E,

It's E_T, not E....  please do not shorten...

Quote

I want to give you something, and a custom user title would take me a minute.

How would you like "Future Cancer Survivor" or "Butt of Jokes" or something else like "Girl Genius/Schlock Mercenary Fanatic" or whatever you ask for under your handle?  (That last is short enough to be entered in the field for that, I think, but awkwardly long and would display in two lines, maybe three, so shorter is better.)

no

Quote

-At least I had the cooth to not suggest "log-cabin Republican".  The utter lack of any sex for me in this house anywhere I look is quite a strain on my disposition...

I am a Libertarian...  and as for lack of sex, I haven't had any for over two years and looks like it will be a while longer and you don't hear me beating around the bush about it....

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2018, 03:21:39 PM

That last is a sinful level of punning.  Shame.

Just no?  This comes as a surprise.

And YO - I HATE typing the underline.  It's just awkward.  Would ET be acceptable?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2018, 03:26:48 PM

Quote from: Geo on March 21, 2018, 02:30:40 PM

Quote from: BUncle on March 21, 2018, 02:04:12 PM

The utter lack of any sex for me in this house anywhere I look is quite a strain on my disposition...

There's a whole world of other houses outthere? ;)

Rather the overt point of where the joke started.  Not crazy enough for SSD, just too crazy to want to leave the house, even though the sex is all elsewhere, and I'm not okay with the lack, just not willing to invest the time and money and stress finding and keeping love would cost.  SO GET ME SOME SEX IN THIS HOUSE!

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 21, 2018, 03:40:28 PM

Quote from: BUncle on March 21, 2018, 03:21:39 PM

That last is a sinful level of punning.  Shame.

Just no?  This comes as a surprise.

And YO - I HATE typing the underline.  It's just awkward. 

Boooo Hoooo....

Quote

Would ET be acceptable?

no

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2018, 03:41:39 PM

We're having ourselves a day, aren't we?

This is me trying not to take offense.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Geo on March 21, 2018, 05:36:41 PM

Quote from: BUncle on March 21, 2018, 03:26:48 PM

SO GET ME SOME SEX IN THIS HOUSE!

Ask ur mom to organise Sunday-After-Church dinner parties. :P

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2018, 06:38:48 PM

To nail ignorant Republican bigot tail?   I don't know for sure if that comes hot enough that I'd want it.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: gwillybj on March 21, 2018, 08:59:11 PM

I'm catching up on threads I've missed. I just read this one.

E_T:
As for the cancer, you'll need to trust the doctors. Treatment has come a long way. One of my gf's aunts recently went through a tough chemo+radiation regimen and won. All subsequent tests and exams are 100% free of any signs.
As for the SSD, I had to go twice to get it. The first time was for physical reasons. The second time was for increased severity of the physical and added really bad psychiatric issues. I'm dependent on medication for the rest of my life, but I'm not in the "Unit" any more.

BUncle:
Man, here all this time I've thought you were tough as nails. Seriously, I believed you were one who could sh:t bricks and smile. I'm going to need a day or two to square this.
I remember when I was reapplying for SSD that I was told getting it purely on psychiatric grounds is tough. It's hard enough if you're out of control and hospitalized, so it's harder if your mind is "controlled" by medication and you're "free" of constraints. I'm not writing this to discourage you. If someone happens along who can help you to try again, absolutely don't pass on it.
As for your other situation, I know your pain. It's been months. The weird part is we're both as horny as if we were 25 years younger. We just don't act on it. She has said she doesn't want me to hurt my back, but I've assured her she's worth every twinge. Also, I apologize if this question crosses any line: There is/was no BAuntie?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2018, 09:14:24 PM

You seriously believed the guy I try to be online -a format that plays to my strengths, not least that typing is slower than speaking and it's rarely real-time conversation which makes me take the time to think before I can say stuff- is the real me?  (Sorta; it's actually good to wear our masks sometimes, trying to be the person you want to be tending to eventually stop being a mask.)

-Actually, I am tough - and part of that is cultivating serenity -thus the quiet hermit life- and emphasizing that serenity in my speech and my thoughts even when it's not the whole story, probably making me seem more mellow than I am.  Jesus is great, and so is the Tao.  I am determined to rule my anger, not the other way around.  The rants are - well, some jokes are true.  Sucks that this here house ain't got no sex in it, and the sex ain't gonna come-a-knockin'!  -But I don't actually worry about it much, for all that it's true; I've made my peace.


-However in college, I did throw a number of pizza parties the occasion of which was  the anniversary of the last time I'd then gotten any... ;nod

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2018, 09:22:20 PM

...And if I was still throwing parties like that, I'd be past 15 in a row now, alas - but that's not a useful line to dwell on...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: gwillybj on March 21, 2018, 10:55:09 PM

Cultivating Serenity
Part of what I learned that got me out of The Unit. When I first went in I was so tense I could almost sleep standing up - when I could sleep.

Seemingly Mellow
This, though, has been me all my life, and it confounded the shrinks. How could someone so placid be so badly messed up?


I'll not carry on further, though. I'd prefer to give E_T back the thread.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 21, 2018, 11:20:43 PM

Quote from: gwillybj on March 21, 2018, 10:55:09 PM

Cultivating Serenity
Part of what I learned that got me out of The Unit. When I first went in I was so tense I could almost sleep standing up - when I could sleep.

Seemingly Mellow
This, though, has been me all my life, and it confounded the shrinks. How could someone so placid be so badly messed up?

I use a lot of Music Therapy.  I have a yearly, renewing from check account (cheaper that way) subscription to Hearts of Space Archive Channels (most I can afford, but is more than enough at times) as well as a few Classical pieces that I downloaded from Archive.org that I use to listen to.

It helps a lot.

Quote

I'll not carry on further, though. I'd prefer to give E_T back the thread.

You (or anyone else) can 'jack my thread, as long as it's not a lame thread-jacking and doesn't take it out of the city (or into a chop shop...  ).  But, please...,            bring it back with a full tank once your done....  ;)

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: gwillybj on March 21, 2018, 11:39:56 PM

Quote from: E_T on March 21, 2018, 11:20:43 PM

Hearts of Space Archive Channels

I need to look into that. A long time ago, I listened to them every Saturday from 10pm to midnight on Vermont Public Radio.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2018, 11:43:38 PM

Quote from: E_T on March 21, 2018, 11:20:43 PM

You (or anyone else) can 'jack my thread, as long as it's not a lame thread-jacking and doesn't take it out of the city (or into a chop shop...  ).  But, please...,            bring it back with a full tank once your done....  ;)

That is an excellent attitude, sir.

That quiet life I've mentioned features WDAV, an FM classical station, playing quietly in the background - at least when it's not drizzly in South Carolina and the Christian station down there takes over; to their credit, no preachers, thus precious little right-wing hate politics - but I miss Amy Grant; when did all contemporary gospel begin to sound like (gag) Creed?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 21, 2018, 11:59:09 PM

Quote from: gwillybj on March 21, 2018, 08:59:11 PM

Also, I apologize if this question crosses any line: There is/was no BAuntie?

A gentleman's way of asking, no apology needed.

Siigh; no, the only Buster's Aunt -the two on her mother's side don't exist in my world- is my sister Mylochka - we were always just friends.  Honestly, I've never been involved with anyone who, on long reflection, loved me back.  I've never believed that poor persuasive skills and a sad lack of aggression about putin' my game out there was any reflection on my masculinity.  The story of my love life could only be a long book if I allowed myself full license to elaborate on how badly each broke my heart - until I swore off looking for love in the late 90s, which actually improved my love life until I came off the road to do family duty and fell back into being a hermit.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 24, 2018, 02:30:46 AM

I had my Port installed today.  And I can't take any Ibuprofen for 5 days.  I did get the docs to let me go only two days, I'll see what I can do to make it the whole 5 days.  Thing is, at this time, Ibuprofen does the best at relieving the ongoing pain, helps reduce some of the swelling of the tumor (which helps when I want to pee or cr@p) and almost completely removes any tumor associated fevers.  Extra Strength Tylonal (which I can take and they recommend), barely touches the pain.  I did have some T3 (with codine), when I had gotten one refill and had been very mizerly with (I now have 4 left) it.  But they would not give me any further refills for it, due to some recent BS with the drug BS...  So I'm going to be in some pain this weekend, before treatment starts on Monday.  I will be talking to them then about pain management, moving forward...
 

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Syn on March 24, 2018, 02:35:04 AM

Talk to them about kratom. I've heard good things re: pain management with a controlled daily dose that mimics morphine but doesn't have the same addiction risk.

It didn't do anything for me so I can't personally recommend it. I just hear enough about it to know that it's a potential option. I have no idea if it would interact poorly with some of your other medications though so that's why I recommend talking to them first.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 24, 2018, 02:42:10 AM

Quote from: E_T on March 24, 2018, 02:30:46 AM

I did have some T3 (with codine), when I had gotten one refill and had been very mizerly with (I now have 4 left) it.

SIR!  RESPECT!

That's a wise attitude with strong painkillers.

If your suffering is such that we can help with you're still able to laugh or enjoy conversation or something, I'll make you a priority this weekend.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 24, 2018, 08:47:14 PM

Another thing I should have mentioned already - Momma had to have the butt-cancer cut out last summer (actually she lost the top third of her colon).

I never mentioned it online before, oh, for a couple reasons; time between discovery and being home on the couch recovering was short, maybe under two months, and the woman's just unnaturally young and healthy for 77 and had an optimal convalescence.  -And this is the big one: I couldn't afford to think about it, let myself worry about, face that she could die at her age, when NO surgery is just safe; that wasn't what she needed from me, and I also couldn't afford to.

I understand the prognosis is optimal, and she was active again in under a week, but had a tube ending in a pus-blub coming out of her abdomen for a couple months, and Lord, Lord, did we ever make with the jokes about getting her a dog cone to keep her from biting at the drainage tube.

-Naturally, I told her about my weird Florida butt-cancer friend, and have been keeping her posted.  She sends her sympathies.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 24, 2018, 08:57:06 PM

My cancer, is not treatable by surgery (at least not initially), as it is better to use Kemo-Radiation to treat this particular one.

If it had been Rectal and not Anal Cancer, I would also be having to deal with the baggie....

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 24, 2018, 09:16:41 PM

How do you browse, BTW?  I think you've mentioned sittin' up doughnut pillows - is that up to the  job today, or are you browsing laying on one side?


(Mom really did hate the tube and bulb, but we never actually caught her biting...)

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 24, 2018, 11:33:46 PM

I have a comforter that I sort of fold up, that I use to put my Laptop onto.  The Laptop actually sits on a Laptop cooler by Targus, so having it on bulky cloth, etc doesn't clog the air intakes up.  It works really well when I use it.  It also has felt on the bottom, so it doesn't slide when given a slight tilt (which, when your sort of on your side, having that tilt allows you to still see the screen "upright" somewhat.

The Comforter raises the Laptop combo to where typing, is not a great strain.  Or just watching a streaming show, or playing Stellaris (and the space bar is at about the right place for quick pause/unpause... ).

I also use a Logitech Thumb Trackball (M570), wireless and easy to place for quick use.  Don't have to use a mouse pad, etc.  I've had wired and wireless versions of this Trackball for over the last 2 decades.  I hate the Regular mice and almost never use the touch pad on the laptop (I hate how I have to go about copy/paste large amounts of text with it).

I can put the folded comforter on one or the other side of the bed, so that I can get into and sit/lie down on one side or the other.  Typically, once I get up for something, I switch sides, but it all depends.  I kind of have my legs curled under me (for as long as I can stand) and then stretch them out after a while.  I kind of lean on 3 pillows and have to put some form of chocks on the bed feet, so that my leaning on the wall doesn't push the bed out from the wall (and I sink into the pillows).  Doesn't always work, but it's enough most times...

And I use Firefox for my browser....

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 24, 2018, 11:50:50 PM

Asked and fully answered. ;b;

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2018, 02:51:03 AM

So how's the horrific suffering treated you today?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 25, 2018, 03:42:32 AM

Just a few minutes ago, was climbing back into bed and had a rapid series of very sharp pains in that area, hitting like someone poking an ice pick in my ass several times.  First time that has ever happened.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 25, 2018, 03:52:08 AM

I got something a little like that, in the six months between the diabetes symptoms got bad, and getting diagnosed and treated, randomly at night in the soles of my feet.  Most of the numbness has receded in the five years since, but I was scared the neuropathy would never get better.  There were zones hard to describe around the edges of the numb spots that were hypersensitive, and it got so bad that I only exaggerate some to say walking barefoot on a smooth floor hurt if it was dusty.

Definitely could't go into the back yard barefoot, and that was SO not me.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 27, 2018, 01:50:51 AM

I was asked at WPC how my treatment had gone today.

I replied::



Well, The Kemo/Infusion Dept gave me an IV push of one of the two Kemo drugs. (sort of blueish...  I will relate a story associated about that soon).  They then installed the 96 hour pump of the other Kemo drug.  The Pump is kind of neat in that it uses my body temperature (and I'm also assuming, the temperature difference between my body and the medicine) to slowly pump the medicine from it's container (that is a a pouch that I can can strap around my waist or like right now, having handing from my neck) into the port and thus, myself.

So, that part of the treatment is ongoing for a few more days.  I'm warned to expect most of the bad side effects of the Kemo about 1-3 weeks after this infusion has completed.

On the other side of the Treatment coin, Day One of Thirty of the Radiation Treatment went well.  I have to be in a sort of frog legged position on the table, can be uncomfortable.  The machine did 3 passes over my abdominal area.  When the 1st pass commenced, I made a declarative statement (directed at the Cancer), "Eat Hot Neutrons!"  For the second pass, I stated, "Fricassee Cancer" and Lastly I told it, "Bar-B-Que [jerk, sphincter]".

Power of Positive thinking....

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2018, 02:03:32 AM

Which is powerful indeed. ;nod

I have to say to you the same I said to Pekka about his inoperable/terminal brain cancer.  My dad died badly -he didn't want to go yet, and died anyway in fear- you're living with it, instead, until you're not, which is so much wiser.

Pekka got better, BTW, I'm happy to say; haven't heard from him lately, but he's been cancer free for several years and only posts at 'Poly when he -wait for it- needs to [complaint or disagreeable woman] about his love life, which he has one! :1st:

---

Back on the ibuprofen today?  Review of your sufferin' weekend?  Were we any help distracting you?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 27, 2018, 02:27:41 AM

I will go until the 5th day (as first recommended) for the Ibuprofen.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2018, 02:28:50 AM

So the sufferin' was bearable.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 27, 2018, 02:32:37 AM

I am surviving...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 27, 2018, 02:35:20 AM

Should I post a Destiny's Child video?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Geo on March 27, 2018, 07:40:41 AM

Beyonce in Khaki? OMG! ;lol

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 31, 2018, 06:04:38 PM

Just to let ya'll know, the first week of Treatment has been completed.  5 days of Radiation and the first half of the Kemo has been completed.

I still have 4 more weeks of radiation ONLY and then the Last week of Combined Radiation and Kemo treatment.

But that's were we currently stand....

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Syn on March 31, 2018, 06:06:56 PM

How has the nausea been?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 31, 2018, 06:35:21 PM

Low, but expecting it to increase over the next few weeks.  They tell me that the side effects from the kemo doesn't show up until about 1-3 weeks after finishing it...  Same with ongoing radiation, as I further progress into the treatment cycle, I will be feeling more and more effects from everything...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Syn on March 31, 2018, 06:42:17 PM

Do you live somewhere where CBD and THC oil is legal? With careful dosing, you can get the bonding advantages without the high. It would, or at least it's supposed to, help tackle the nausea and some of the pain. Everyone I've known with cancer goes through an immense weight loss a couple months into it and the nausea always made it impossible for them to eat enough, let alone eat enough to regain the weight.

Just a thought, anyways. The treatment is already a terrible experience so I don't like the thought of recovery and after-effects making it even worse.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 31, 2018, 07:01:18 PM

Central Florida, but there are issues with that.

First off, dispensaries are still being "stalled" by county/city ordances, but they are being worked on.

Second, I go to the VA (Veterans Administration - a Federal Government Agency) and they would not give me (i.e. write a 'Script for) anything that was still illegal in the Federal Government's eye....

So...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 31, 2018, 07:05:38 PM

Believe me, your preaching to the choir here....

I was busted in early 90's for Cultivation, which I only provided to people whom had medical needs and at COST of production, no profit...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Syn on March 31, 2018, 07:11:38 PM

Bah. Unfortunate. :(

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on March 31, 2018, 07:57:28 PM

How fast is your hair coming out so far?

My Gramma spent almost a year looking like a pink Yoda with an ear bob.  Never knew before that how much she and her baby brother Carl looked alike.

Gramma had a tumor under her left eye and ended up losing all between that eyebrow and the roof of her mouth, roughly a quarter of her face, and yuck, right?  And there were annoying medical complications involving snot you wouldn't automatically expect, and the eye prosthesis took a little getting used to, but partly hid well under glasses -and she actually looked better, the rest of her life, losing a lot of weight that stayed off, and stopped dying her hair yellow- and she lived a happy and productive life for another 20 years and died in her 80s of age-related, no cancer ever again...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 31, 2018, 09:27:52 PM

Actually, they said that I was likely to NOT lose any hair, but we will see. 

None so far as I can see...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 31, 2018, 09:29:07 PM

at least, none that you could readily see....

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Syn on March 31, 2018, 09:58:51 PM

Free manscaping!!!

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on March 31, 2018, 10:33:40 PM

not THAT hairy, although my brother....

Title: He appears to have Butt-Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2018, 02:06:22 AM

How's your butt feeling?

Title: Re: He appears to have Butt-Cancer
Post by: E_T on April 01, 2018, 02:51:21 AM

Quote from: BUncle on April 01, 2018, 02:06:22 AM

How's your butt feeling?

Better now that I was able to do some much needed flushing of the brown, due to not being able to shower while having the pump in/on me...  The Kemo side effects is also helping, as the bowel is loosening up and had several movements Friday (small, but there) in over a week...  I had also taken a Magnesium Citrate on Thursday...

or was that a buttload too much???  (you did ask)


Thing is, this is not going to go away overnight, especially the size it is (hello, 9 cm.... ).  It is going to be a while. 

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2018, 03:52:45 AM

Do you notice any size/tightness reduction yet?

Catching up on pooping COULD be that in action, as the blockage slowly eases...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on April 01, 2018, 04:19:33 PM

Dude, way too early for anything except for side effects from treatment.

I have had to switch from Stool Softeners/Laxatives to Anti-diarrheals, if that tells you anything....

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on April 01, 2018, 04:22:26 PM

Considering, that they will NOT have the post treatment follow up PET Scan until AUG/SEPT (when last Radiation treatment is May 4), to see if the treatment regiment was good or not....

Title: E_T's butthurt thread
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2018, 04:34:09 PM

-Apropos of nothing current, it occurs to me to say insert butthurt joke here.  It's too easy. :D

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Syn on April 01, 2018, 05:57:27 PM

Read an article today that mortality rates with colorectal cancer have dropped by 7% in the past ten years.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 01, 2018, 06:31:41 PM

Momma says -I asked for the first time last week- that she had to go a little more often, with 2/3rds the colon as before, but no change in texture or anything, and it's really almost entirely like the problem was never there.  The doctors were pretty doogon happy with how it went.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 07, 2018, 08:13:47 PM

Quote from: BUncle on April 07, 2018, 12:10:15 AM

That's with a semicolon in front is all... ;buttdance  -No colons, pardon the expression.


Hey! Now I'm tempted to add it as a thread icon and put it on yours...




I'm going to Hell someday...

Done...  :-[

Title: Re: He appears to have Butt-Cancer
Post by: Geo on April 07, 2018, 08:18:16 PM

Quote from: BUncle on April 01, 2018, 02:06:22 AM

How's your butt feeling?

Rumour goes things are a bit hairy there?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on April 07, 2018, 08:30:19 PM

a bit...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 07, 2018, 09:00:47 PM

That is SO wrong of you, Geo.  ;b;

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on April 07, 2018, 10:21:28 PM

BU, you put your finger right on it...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 07, 2018, 10:36:03 PM

Owww!

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on April 07, 2018, 10:39:14 PM

Make sure you use plenty of Lube...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 08, 2018, 12:09:46 AM

Eeeyuuckk! ;goofy;

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Elok on April 08, 2018, 03:07:25 PM

... erm, without asking or looking for details, as I just ate breakfast, I hope you're doing okay, ET.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on April 12, 2018, 12:35:36 AM

I just want to give everyone a quick update: I am over 1/2 way through my 3rd of 6 weeks of Radiation Therapy.  I will be getting the 2nd bout of Kemo on the 5th Week (not the 6th as I first reported - so last full week of April) of the Radiation. 

And then there will be the wait until August/September for the follow-up PET Scan, to see how well the treatment had gone.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Unorthodox on April 12, 2018, 09:39:13 PM

Hrm.  Judging by the folks I've known down this route, it's this 2nd half of the radiation that the side effects start to hit home.  Keep us posted. 

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on April 12, 2018, 09:50:02 PM

Having a form of diaper rash as well as anemia.  Got B-12 and Iron (prescribed strength, both) for the Anemia and other things for the other...

Yeah, Con said he had Rads on his head for brain cancer once and it knocked him sideways somewhat...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 12, 2018, 10:17:56 PM

I take it you're homed and not hospitaled?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Geo on April 12, 2018, 10:41:43 PM

Home(d) alone...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Unorthodox on April 12, 2018, 11:22:45 PM

Quote from: E_T on April 12, 2018, 09:50:02 PM

Yeah, Con said he had Rads on his head

That joke writes itself. 

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 12, 2018, 11:32:05 PM

I'd like to watch and kibbitiz anyway...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 18, 2018, 07:51:59 PM

Any shrinkage detectable yet?

-In back, son; in back.  We all know about the other shrinkage...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on April 18, 2018, 09:56:15 PM

BU, you could always help the other shrinkage...   :P

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 18, 2018, 10:07:53 PM

??? Yes - yes I could; I'm hawt.  My avatar rocking teh handsome w/ Buster ain't five years old...

-This is some homersexule thang, ain't it?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on April 19, 2018, 02:33:04 AM

Quote from: Buster's Uncle on April 18, 2018, 10:07:53 PM

-This is some homersexule thang, ain't it?

What do YOU think?  :P

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 19, 2018, 02:54:52 AM

I think you one of them there nasty homersexules.  -My buncle powers work many things out, all clever like that...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Syn on April 19, 2018, 02:59:56 AM

Why they gotta be nasty, mang?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on April 19, 2018, 03:02:08 AM

Ask E_T; he's the nasty one.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on April 21, 2018, 06:37:36 PM

4th week of Radiation Therapy is completed.  Two more weeks remaining to do, i.e. 2/3rds completed...

Also, next week starts my 2nd Week of Kemo Therapy, starting with a Chem Push followed by 96 hour pump of other chems...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on May 06, 2018, 03:20:41 PM

An update:

Finished with Kemo week ago Friday and with Radiation this last Friday.

I am having some side effects, like: Nausea, Diarrhea/Loose Stool, Electrolyte Imbalance, Anemia, Appetite that is nonexistent, Crotch rot from loss of hair (radiation) in pelvic area, Barbecued and Pickled Anus (from the Radiation and Diarrhea) that hurts when passing fecal matter (and sitting).  The tumor seems to be reducing, but still partly blocking passage of fecal matter.

As I write this, I am currently admitted to the Lake Nona VA Hospital for Blood Transfusion (1 pint) and Electrolyte and Fluid Replacement.  I will be release later today.  The overnight stay is a precaution for the Transfusion.  I am feeling better with the blood topped off than I have been in a while.

My blood will be monitored over the next few weeks.  I should have a CAT Scan in about a Month with PET scan in Aug.  My two different Oncologist will be coordinating these.

But for now, it's a waiting game while the treatments fully percolate inside me...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Rusty Edge on May 06, 2018, 07:29:30 PM

Fingers crossed.

It's good for me to be reminded that blood transfusions make sick people feel better. Usually I think of it in terms of trauma survivors, and surgeries like heart transplants.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on May 06, 2018, 10:25:59 PM

And from the list of things that could happen, even under the best of circumstances in the Hospital, they are sobering.  A Transfusion is no small thing...

I'm back home now...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Spacy on May 25, 2018, 02:12:43 AM

Keep gett'n better!

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 28, 2018, 07:36:08 PM

How are you these days, ET?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on June 28, 2018, 08:33:07 PM

I should have posted an update last week, but have been lazy and busy with other things...

The CT scan that they did, a few weeks ago, is showing that everything is looking good as for shrinkage of the tumor.  Both Radiation and Chemo Oncologist are pleased with the results as they currently stand.   They expect the cancer to continue to decrease over the next 6 months to a year.

I should have a PET scan in mid August, with Oncology follow-up on Aug 23rd.  I also have proctology follow-up on the 11th, where the doc will check things out from that angle...  I don't expect anything but good news on that exam.

My CD4 counts are back above 100 as of a week ago (can't remember the exact figure) and I have an ID follow up on the 3rd, were we will likely go back to the "normal" 3 month blood draws and checkups that I've always had.  Don't know if they want to keep me on the prophylactic they currently have me on or not, we'll see on the third...

After the PET scan in Aug (and follow up), the Oncologist expect to likely have me scanned (not sure which type) every 6 months to a year.

I also got a Part time Work Release from them and I worked The Orlando City Men's Soccer Game (Event staff - Usher), last Saturday.  It was the first time back to work sense the first week of January.  Longest time on my feet for 6 months, but I made it...

So, that's it for a while to come...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Rusty Edge on June 29, 2018, 08:25:49 PM

I'm glad to hear it, particularly the part about working, simply for the fact that you were able to be on your feet and out of the house for several hours. Because it's a measure of freedom, and because it's good to get out of the house or hospital for a non-medical purpose.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on June 30, 2018, 02:53:57 AM

For Sure...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 09, 2018, 06:56:53 PM

It's after August. How are you doing now?

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on September 10, 2018, 06:55:56 PM

Well, I had the PET scan and it shows that the Cancer seems to be gone now.

It did show something in the lymph nodes around my heart and after my Doctor consulted with colleagues, it seems to be just something that is HIV related.  They did cross link over to my Infectious Diseases Doctor, whom I'll be seeing next month, but other than that, seems to be all right now...

And I'll still be having scans every 6 to 12 months, too...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Rusty Edge on September 10, 2018, 08:28:49 PM

Quote from: E_T on September 10, 2018, 06:55:56 PM

Well, I had the PET scan and it shows that the Cancer seems to be gone now.

That's great news!

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Lorizael on September 10, 2018, 08:46:13 PM

Quote from: E_T on September 10, 2018, 06:55:56 PM

Well, I had the PET scan and it shows that the Cancer seems to be gone now.

That's great to hear.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Unorthodox on September 10, 2018, 10:22:58 PM

Quote from: E_T on September 10, 2018, 06:55:56 PM

Well, I had the PET scan and it shows that the Cancer seems to be gone now.

It did show something in the lymph nodes around my heart and after my Doctor consulted with colleagues, it seems to be just something that is HIV related.  They did cross link over to my Infectious Diseases Doctor, whom I'll be seeing next month, but other than that, seems to be all right now...

And I'll still be having scans every 6 to 12 months, too...

! No longer available (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnBtoOAhba4#)

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Geo on September 11, 2018, 08:49:02 PM

Quote from: E_T on September 10, 2018, 06:55:56 PM

Well, I had the PET scan and it shows that the Cancer seems to be gone now.

Here's one for keeping it that way!  ;morganercise

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 07, 2019, 01:51:35 AM

Important update:

There still ain't been no sex in this house for me to have...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on May 08, 2019, 05:37:58 AM

I have had some sex in the last several months, got the release from the doc a while back and have been trying to make up for lost time, as much as possible...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on June 06, 2019, 10:11:45 PM

Over a Year after my Treatment ended and all is still looking very good.  After my last PET and follow up, My Oncologist o.k.'ed the removal of my Port, which was taken out last Friday.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Trench Dog on June 06, 2019, 11:10:37 PM

Just been reading up on this a bit; my sincerest congratulations on surviving cancer. My late grandma, who died some years ago of old age, survived breast cancer and that was a tough and hard battle for her. Glad to see that this insidious disease has not taken another.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Elok on June 07, 2019, 11:57:01 AM

Awesome!

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on December 04, 2019, 03:01:32 PM

Recently, I have had a small amount of bleeding issue in this area.  Even though all things have shown good so far, my Colon/Rectal Doctor (a former Colonel in the Army Medical Corp) after my most recent check up with him, wanted me to come in for an Inpatient check.  This was sort of half way between a full GI thing (which requires sedation, transportation and escort) and a regular check up, with Digital and Speculum.  This did not require any sedation, but did have to have a quick cleanout before hand...

Part of this check was with a video probe to better look at things on the inside (to better see into those not so deep and dark places... ;wink ).  The doctor's main comment was that the damage to the tissues, from the Kemo-Radiation treatment, was not as bad as he had though it would have been.  The slight bleeding that sometimes will possibly be present, is not going to be an issue, moving on, but sometimes is expected.  But he was very pleased with everything and so we are back to regular followups for the foreseeable future.

Butt (hehe), I wanted to let everyone know the news as it stands on this...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Rusty Edge on December 04, 2019, 03:20:44 PM

Glad you're still okay.

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on December 04, 2019, 04:22:02 PM

Not only the fact that it took so long for me to have problems with the cancer (as all the doctors agreed, I should have had my problems and associated pain much sooner), but that the expected amount of post treatment problems (due to the level of treatment required for the type 3C level that it had gotten to) that all of the doctors had warned me about, have not been remotely close to what they thought it would become.

I DO have some post treatment Gastric problems, mostly with my intestinal Flora and Fauna creating larger quantities of gasses that drive things through a bit faster than what would be normal  (or what I had prior to treatment).  This causes me to sometimes have internal pressures that do cause some issues at times (I tell my supervisors at work, that I have "issues with issues" at times :) ), which pushes the stuff out faster and it does not get to do a proper liquid re-uptake (part of the thing that the Large Bowel is supposed to do) before getting to the rectal area.  It is not Diarrhea or even close to that, but sometimes, very similar to it.  And it isn't a daily thing, but could start up without warning, several days apart.

I've had two major "accidents", One while standing outside the closest bathroom at the VA, waiting for person inside to get out.  The second, while driving my car while taking a friend someplace.  That one was bad, but not as bad as the first and the mess was semi contained.  But both times, even if I had one of those "diapers" on, it would have quickly overflowed and spilled out of it.  no matte what, they weren't pretty...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: Buster's Uncle on December 04, 2019, 07:32:59 PM

...I'm up for my first colonoscopy in exactly a week.  Really looking forward to the prep...

Title: Re: I appear to have Cancer
Post by: E_T on December 04, 2019, 09:37:22 PM

Oh yeah, that was fun.  On the last 1/2 of the gallon, I ended up bringing the glass of it with me to the bathroom.  Because, I was not able to be off of it long enough to take more than a swallow or two, before having to go back to the toilet...