I appear to have Cancer

[E_T]

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

[Buster's Uncle]

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?

[E_T]

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

What do YOU think? 

[Buster's Uncle]

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

[Syn]

Why they gotta be nasty, mang?

[Buster's Uncle]

Ask E_T; he's the nasty one.

[E_T]

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...

[E_T]

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...

[Rusty Edge]

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.

[E_T]

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...

[Spacy]

Keep gett'n better!

[Rusty Edge]

How are you these days, ET?

[E_T]

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...

[Rusty Edge]

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.

[E_T]

For Sure...