I've been debating with myself about whether I should, or should not, post anything about it. Well, figured I might as well; it gives me an outlet and it might let somebody find out something new.

BACKGROUND: I had a touch of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma 5 years ago. Private Health Insurance with United Health Care. A big "lump" started to grow in my right armpit. Had exploratory surgery on August 2, 2012 that found a "bad" lymph node. No problem, "it's the good Lymphoma", very easy to treat and otherwise "cure" with chemo and radiation. I have been "cancer free" since January 2013. The worst thing about it all was that Mrs. Dingpatch had slipped in the kitchen and had a very, very, bad Traumatic Brain Injury. She had been in Holmes for a month and had just been transferred to Sea Pines to learn how to eat again, , , , ,! ME? Quite freaked out.

PRESENT: Well, and as luck would have it, , , , , again, , , , , Mrs. Dingpatch is in a Physical Rehab facility with a badly broken left leg. Back in May some of the Lymph nodes in my neck and throat started "going off". I concentrated on taking care of my wife. And, anyway, , , , the nodes did not hurt and they would swell up like ping-pong balls "here and there" and then "go away". Probably some kind of infection thingy, right?

So, , , , on June 9th I had a regular appointment with my Dermatologist at the Lake Nona VA Medical Center. After the Derm appointment (she burned me with frozen nitrogen in about 9 places) I did a "walk in" at Oncology to see if/when I could see my Oncologist, Dr. G. My lucky day, she had just had a cancellation and could see me in 30 minutes. ", , , , Hi Dingpatch." "Hello Doctor"., , , , "Hmmmmm, you never know, , , , people come in all the time with the same kind of symptoms, but it ends up being an infection, , , ,. But, I'm going to schedule you for some blood work and a P.E.T. scan ASAP to see what's going on.

P.E.T. SCAN: Positron Emission Tomography. I had had 3 of them last time. No Big Deal. Special prep diet: no carbs, sugars, fruit or such, nothing that would be "sugar". They give you an IV of a nuke medicine that has a certain type of sugar that "bad stuff" loves to suck in. Anyway, I get there the morning of June 15th, get undressed (no metals) and get the IV, get the Nuke medicine, wait an hour, then they walk me to the PET room. Fooking WOW! It was like walking into a set for 2001 A Space Odyssey! The whole room was built around, and as part of, the scanner. And it was Big compared to the one at Health First in Melbourne. In Melbourne if you yawned, your elbows would touch the sides of the tube. At the VA, you could stick your elbows all the way out and barely touch the tube! Very pleasant, I fell asleep during the 45 minute scan. When it was done, as we were walking back to the prep room to get me dressed, I commented about the scanner and its room. The nurse said something to the effect of ", , , , ya, they had to delay some of the construction waiting for the machine. Most of the "Cancer Centers" you see advertised on TV will only ever dream of having that scanner, , ,"!!

P.E.T. RESULTS: Doctor G called me that afternoon. Yep, you've got stuff going off all over in you neck and throat. But, do you have any "bad spots" or "bumps" on your skin "here, and there, , ,"? Well, no bumps, but if you are asking about "right here and right there, , ,", those are the spots that were "burned" last week just before I saw you.." "Oh, OK". She said she was going to schedule me for a "Needle Biopsy" ASAP!

More later, Next, the fooking needle biopsies in my throat!!!! I'll wear a diaper for that next time!!!!!

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 10/01/2017 at 05:41 AM by dingpatch

The very best to you and your wife.

Needle Biopsy: Needle biopsy in my throat!!!??? Shit, but OK!

On July 14th I get to the Lake Nona VA and check in. "Mr. Dingpatch?" Yep. Come with me, we're ready for you. OK (I'm not ready for you)! Take your shirt off and lay down on this nice table (that was covered with towels). OK. Then the nurse proceeded to gel me up and run the ultrasound probe all around my throat and neck; here, there, everywhere. After about 15 minutes of ultrasound the surgeon comes in. We talk some small talk and he says that we are just waiting for the pathology tech to come in. OK, everybody is here, let's start. Another 15 minutes of ultrasound while the surgeon compares the ultrasound to the images from the P.E.T. scan. Well they have all gotten smaller, but this one looks good, , , ,. Now hold on, turn your head that way and be still. You can swallow, but do not swallow hard, , , ,. OK. Here we go. Oh, and, , , when I tell you, you will feel and hear a "click" (the end of the needle takes a little snip of tissue). Oh, fucking goody!! I'm beginning to sweat profusely (the reason for the towels!). Poke, here, wiggle around there. Even though they've given you some pretty good local anesthesia (no sedative!), you still feel all of the pressure and wiggling.The surgeon has the needle device in one hand and an ultrasound probe in the other. He's talking to me as he watches a 27 inch flat screen that's swung in over my head. OK, you ready? Here's the first "click". Click! Fuck! It was very, very, unsettling. The lab tech checked each sample for "quality" before the next one was taken. 4 more "clicks" for a total table time of about 1 1/4 hours and it was done. I was soaking with sweat, could have pee'd my pants and not known it!!! You did really good, Doctor G will let you know the results ASAP.

Now, all-in-all it was not too bad because after all of the picking, poking and skin cancer cutting in the past 10 years, I'm pretty OK with it all. BUT, the fucking "clicking needle" in your throat is borderline freak out. Perhaps in your arm, your belly, Hell, maybe even your balls, it might not be too bad, but not in my fucking throat! If you have never been "picked, poked or cut" you are just going to truly love a needle biopsy.

Yep, and, sure enough, Doctor G called me the afternnon of July 17th. Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. The "good" and "bad" of that diagnoses will be next.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 10/01/2017 at 05:42 AM by dingpatch

Sorry to hear it dingpatch.

I'm praying the Lord will heal you and your wife an he will!

Good thoughts for your recovery, kick that bitch's ass.

-------------------------
So if you are a surfer I wish you the prosperity that allows you more time to pursue the salt water dream, and the true happiness that comes from warm water, clean waves and the companionship of your fellow surfers. If you are an internet troll just spewing bs then f off.

Chemo Port: So, I went in bright-and-early yesterday (the 28th) to have a chemo port put into my upper right chest. I had one before (left side) so it seemed to be a No Big Deal. The usual surgery prep; nothing to eat or drink after midnight, etc. The usual pre-op stuff there; take of cloths, put on gown and socks, install IV, go through the checklist, name, rank and serial number, etc. Surgeon comes into the cube and asks how I'm doing. He was the one that did the needle biopsy. We go through the procedure and do some small talk. He was going to do the next patient's port and my new guy was still prepping. Also, the same nurse comes in that did the needle thingy and says that she will be my nurse during the procedure. The actual surgeon comes in and explains a couple things. Says that this is not real "surgery", just a "procedure". What? Your taking me into the OR and cutting on me aren't you? Oh ya, but there won't be an anesthetist because they are not going to put me "under"! WTF! No, no, no, no problem, you won't feel a thing. My balls have shriveled up into my throat, but what-the-hell can I do about it now, , , , ,! Anyway, all-is-said-and-done and it is time to wheel me to the OR. Everybody walks off except the nurse. She starts umphing around with the gurney and I ask where all the "big" guys went. She says she don't need them cause once she gets us clear and into the hall, this baby has motorized wheels! Off we go.

Well, I've had surgery at Holmes, the Viera VA and a couple local "outpatient" places but Holy Heck, the Lake Nona ORs are something to see. They are not the usual big rooms that have had OR equipment installed in them, the rooms there are part of the equipment. The floors and ceiling are built with heavy duty tracks built into them. The operating table is built into the floor on it's own tracks and swivels. Again, everything looks 2001 Space Odyssey. I'm paying attention to the techs who are prepping my incision site and such when out of the corner of my left eye I see this very large "black" thing hanging from the ceiling being tracked over towards my left side. It is the biggest flat screen display I've ever seen (lots bigger than anything in Sam's), as long as the operating table. Then, they swing some sort of "scanner" thingy over my head and chest (forgot to ask what the hell it was) and one of the techs stoops down and fiddles with something under the table. They move the table to the left, do some up-downs, and then move it back to the right. OK. ready to go! The surgeon says hello and the techs start to cover me up. The nurse is standing behind my head and asks if I'm OK. Ya, OK. Then she says "OK, time for the I Don't Care". What? I'm going to give you some I Don't Care. What, oh, OK. There, we're almost ready to go, and you won't care. They give me a couple pretty hardy pricks of local, wait a couple minutes and then start cutting. Kind of unsettling because you can feel them pushing and pulling skin and such. The port itself is just under the skin, but it is then connected to your jugular vein!!! Ouch! OK, give him another 125 and 5. I'm guessing that the 125 is the I don't Care, and the 5 is pain med. A couple more Ouches, and a couple more "125 and 5's". Then I realize that the "needles" I'm feeling are actually knife cuts! Well, OK, cause I Don't Care!!!! All-in-all not too bad.

The 'Power Port". Then the lower place is where the port is, the upper is where they connected to my jugular!!!



NEXT: The bone marrow biopsy this coming week. Oh fooking goody! The one 5 years ago was a total piece of work all on its own.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 08/01/2017 at 07:56 PM by dingpatch

Damn ding....
... show the 'bitch' who is in charge!!


Thoughts and prayers to you and Ms ding




-------------------------
Puerto Rico 11 - 24 - 2013

Oops! This should have been posted before the Port thingy.

DIAGNOSIS: I went to see Doctor G on Thursday (7/27). Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. But, But, , , , Doctor G knows exactly which type, kind, class, grade, ABC, 123, whatever, Lymphoma I have now. But she does not have all the definitive, to-the-last-decimal-place, info about the Lymphoma I had before, other than just "Diffuse Large B-cell" so she is waiting on those records before letting me know what/which chemo I'll be going through. Huh? Well, you see, if your new stuff is "different" from the last stuff, we can go ahead with the same chemo you had last time. BUT, if you have the exact same now, well, that would dictate a different, very aggressive, chemo regime! What? I guess the reasoning is that even though it was 5 years ago, and I was declared Cancer Free, the presumption is that the old chemo (R-CHOP) "did not do its job"? So, newer, heavy-weight, cage-match chemo will be needed with possible "in patient" stays. And, the kicker is that the VA does not handle the "aggressive" chemo regime. Out sourced. Fook!!!! So, we are waiting for the old pathology records. But, in-the-mean-time, Doctor G has said "Screw It". We want to get this going ASAP, so regardless of the kind of chemo needed she gave me a direct referral to the "community" for treatment (Melbourne). The VA RN who handles "Community" outsourcing called me on Friday while I was on the table getting the Port. I called her back when I got home. She said that everything had been immediately approved and that the only remaining thing was for me to pick a Center and Doctor. I'll be going back to the original center and Doctor (Health First) from 5 years ago. We should know which chemo by the end of the week. I'll update when I know.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 10/01/2017 at 05:46 AM by dingpatch

Holy crap, good luck to you and your wife. I Hope in the future your only concern is who is getting the set wave!!

kick it's ass again ding

-------------------------
"The truth is incontrovertible.
malice may attack it,
ignorance may deride it,
but in the end,
there it is." -Sir Winston Churchill

Well, I'm "out of the water" for now. The Port thingy makes it very hard to lay on a board and paddle. And, once the fooking chemo starts I'll be doing good to make it to the end of the driveway to get the mail, , , ,.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Heavy shit man, but I love your attitude. Keep up the fight.

How is your wife? Severe trauma from a fall in the kitchen. Jeebus man, that's nuts.

-------------------------
I was right.

Mrs. Dingpatch's current problem is a broken leg. She has more surgery scheduled on it this Friday. She has recovered quite well from the brain injury.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

B.U.M.M.E.R. Stay strong and get well!

Ah, damn.  At least you know what you're doing and what to expect.

Adding thoughts and prayers -

tom

-------------------------
add a signature since I'm here in profile anyway

Fuuuuuuck....If you could see my face while reading that. Dude, I get queasy giving blood. I think I would have to be under for 90% of that! Keep the awesome attitude and strong fighting spirit. I'll keep you in my prayers.

-------------------------


If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

I don't know you personally, but I have enjoyed seeing your fins!! Great work!!

Wish you a fast and speedy recovery.

Wow...that's pretty heavy stuff, hate hearing anyone having to go through what you're going through.

But *thank you* for giving us the details. Hard to read but answers a lot of questions...may even make the process a bit easier if I ever find myself or someone I love in the same place.

A broken leg...

We need a go fund me to get your wife some bubble wrap suits.

-------------------------
I was right.

Good luck man. You got this!

-------------------------
Style is what you make it!

Damn.

Eff Cancer Howard. You'll beat that shit.

 

Dang, Howard, what a bummer.  But you are are a fighter and sounds like you are getting good treatment.  Thoughts and prayers are with you!!!

-------------------------
If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph: THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD WAS MUSIC - KV

Ding I'm sorry to hear that you are going though with all this Cancer crap. You seem pretty happy with the VA I will be checking out some of the VA health facilities when we get closer to making our move to the other side of FL.  Sending positive vibes your way. 

 

Bone Marrow Biopsy: Lots of worry over nothing, , , , , LOL!

Went to the Lake Nona VA bright-and-early Wednesday morning, 8/2/17. Hit the labs to have 5 vials of blood drawn. Went upstairs and checked in.

Mr. Dingpatch? Yes, here. The nurse takes me back to the "procedure" room and we have some small talk while she takes my vitals. Then the "Bone Marrow" PA comes in with a Resident in tow. The Resident introduces herself and asks if she can watch. Sure, join the crowd. More small talk until the lab tech comes in. OK? Ready to go.

Take off your belt and undo your zipper and such. Lay down here on your stomach, Get comfortable. Poke, push, prod on my left hip, , , ,. OK, here's the good place, as the PA explains everything to the Resident. OK. She circles the spot with marker. Swab, clean, swab, clean. OK, your going to feel a bunch of pricks as I give you the local. Not bad at all, and she was putting it as deep as she could around the spot the auger/needle was going to go. Not a "needle" and syringe, but a T-handled tool thingy that looks very similar to a t-handled allen wrench. OK, here we go. OK, me, I can't feel anything. Then, "I'm on the bone, here we go, you'll feel a lot of "pressure"". Push, twist, push, twist. Hmmmmm, , , , pretty unsettling knowing what she's doing. Lots of pressure, maybe a twinge or 2 of phantom pain. I'm ready, at any moment, for "The Big Pain", but it never came. "OK, I'm in and here's the first sample. Going to get some more and take a snip of bone." The lab tech is there checking the samples for quantity and quality. OK, the lab tech is "good to go" and she leaves with a little cold pack of me.

The Resident thanks me for letting her watch. Sure, any time. The Nurse and the PA get me all bandaged up and let me sit up on the side of the bed/table. Not too fast, we have a lot of people take-a-dive if they get on their feet too soon. Well, ya, it is somewhat stressful and you are on an unpleasant "natural high" when it's done. A life-long friend had driven me and I felt so very relieved on the way home!

Test results will take "a week or so".

So, since I found out last Thursday, 7/27/17, about having to have the bone marrow thingy, it has occupied 98% of my brain pan. Dr. G had told me that it would be "smooth as silk", being that her PA did bone marrow biopsies "all-day-long" every Wednesday. But, I chose to remain very apprehensive. Ended up that I was over-stressed for no good reason. Piece of cake! But, the last one 5 years ago was, as I thought at the time, "rough". It took the oncologist 3 times to get into the bone! I was laying on my side and he was pretty much pushing me off the table. He had his nurse get on the other side of the table and push my hip towards him! Afterwards, he asked me if anybody had ever told me that I have very hard bones? No, but you just did!

Oh, and the next afternoon I took a shower and then began changing the bandaging. I pull and tug at it all and I'm looking in the mirror to see what to get with my fingernails, and I see a "sticker" on top of it all. That PA is a joker for sure, she had put a "Disney Vacation Club - Hawaii" sticker on top of the dressing!

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 10/01/2017 at 05:47 AM by dingpatch

daam

Good Luck man

Bone Marrow: No word yet, but no alarm bells either, , , ,

Chemo: Saw my Oncologist at Health First on Monday, 8/14. Usual small talk. Well, the marrow may have some "weight" on the plans, but for now, , , , it will be the same chemo as before, but for 6 treatments instead of only 3. I asked Dr. V about the previously mentioned "aggressive" heavy-duty chemo and he said it was not indicated. IF, the original Lymphoma had come back within the first year yes, Heavy Duty Chemo. BUT, it has been 5 years, so the standard chemo is expected to be very efficient.

Current Prognosis: 98%+ confidence in being "cured".

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 10/01/2017 at 05:56 AM by dingpatch

Excellent!



-------------------------
I was right.

Sincerest of hopes

 

Well, , , , yesterday I hopefully had my last 'test" for awhile, , , ,

MUGA Scan: Went to the Viera VA clinic yesterday morning for a multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan. NBD. They put an IV in my arm, gave me a shot of the "prep" juice and told me to go have a seat or get something to eat and drink and come back in 25 minutes. Had some breakfast in the canteen and went back in. They gave me the nuke med portion and I laid down on the scan table. Two (2) 10 minute scans (at 2 different angles).

>>>> "A multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan creates video images of the lower chambers of the heart to check whether they are pumping blood properly. It shows any abnormalities in the size of the chambers (called "ventricles") and in the movement of blood through the heart. Other names for this test include cardiac blood pooling imaging, nuclear heart scan, nuclear ventriculography, and radionuclide ventriculography.

Some people may need a MUGA scan before chemotherapy to find a pre-existing heart condition. Doctors also use MUGA scans as follow-up care to identify potential long-term heart side effects called late effects. Cancer survivors who may need follow-up MUGA scans include:

People who have had radiation therapy to the chest, spine, or upper abdomen.

People who have had a bone marrow/stem cell transplant or certain types of chemotherapy.

For these survivors, the test can identify heart-related late effects, which may occur more than 5 years after treatment. Learn more about the long-term side effects of cancer treatment.'

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Sounds like you're being well taken care of, ...
... or at least a lot of tests, pokin' n proddin' and samples and what not.


Thanks for keeping us informed ...
... or at least giving me knowledge.


Keep on keeping on!!






-------------------------
Puerto Rico 11 - 24 - 2013

Treating B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is generally divided into main 2 types, based on whether it starts in B lymphocytes (B cells) or T lymphocytes (T cells). There are many different types of B-cell lymphomas. Treatment usually depends both on the type of lymphoma and the stage (extent) of the disease, but many other factors can be important as well.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) tends to grow quickly. Most often, the treatment is chemotherapy (chemo), usually with a regimen of 4 drugs known as CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), plus the monoclonal antibody rituximab (Rituxan). This regimen, known as R-CHOP, is most often given in cycles 3 weeks apart. Because this regimen contains the drug doxorubicin, which can damage the heart, it may not be suitable for patients with heart problems, so other chemo regimens may be used instead.

Stage I or II

For DLBCL that is only in 1 or 2 lymph node groups on the same side of the diaphragm (the thin muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen), R-CHOP is often given for 3 to 6 cycles, which might be followed by radiation therapy to the affected lymph node areas.

Stage III or IV

Most doctors will give 6 cycles of R-CHOP as first-line treatment. After several cycles, doctors may get imaging tests such as a PET/CT scan to see how well treatment is working. People who have a higher risk of the lymphoma coming back later in the tissues around the brain and spinal cord may be treated with chemo injected into the spinal fluid (called intrathecal chemotherapy). Another option is to give high doses of methotrexate intravenously. (This drug can pass into the spinal fluid.)

For younger patients with a higher risk of the lymphoma coming back (based on the International Prognostic Index [IPI] score), high-dose chemo followed by a stem cell transplant might be an option. But it's not yet clear if transplants are better as the initial treatment. Most doctors feel that if a transplant is done as part of the first treatment, it should be done in a clinical trial.

If the lymphoma doesn't go away completely with treatment or if it recurs (comes back) after treatment, doctors will usually suggest another chemo regimen. Several different regimens can be used, and they may or may not include rituximab. If the lymphoma shrinks with this treatment, it might be followed by a stem cell transplant if possible, as it offers the best chance of curing the lymphoma. Stem cell transplants are not effective unless the lymphoma responds to chemo. Unfortunately, not everyone is healthy enough for a stem cell transplant. Clinical trials of new treatments may be another good option for some people.

DLBCL can be cured in about half of all patients, but the stage of the disease and the IPI score can have a large effect on this. Patients with lower stages have better survival rates, as do patients with lower IPI scores.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/...g/b-cell-lymphoma.html

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Howard, I just saw this one man our whole family is thinking about you guys.  If you need anything you know how to get a hold of us even if it's just a car ride so you don't have to drive to/from treatment or a home cooked meal so you don't have to make it yourselves.  We could try some of the foods Rydyr likes to eat when his appetite is lacking too.  

And ask your doctor for a Mary J. Wanna referral!  Marinol/Dronabinol is 100% legal synthetic THC and will have to do until the laws get worked out in FL for big pharma to stop controlling it through the FDA.  Our experience over the last year and a half with Rydyr using it daily has been that it's very safe and effective.

Our best to you and your wife, the Stockton family

-------------------------
"Don't count the days, make the days count." -Ali
#rydyrstrong

Hang in there Dingpatch, thinking of you and sending prayers!

-------------------------

Jesus invented surfing...
Matthew 14:22-33

www.facebook.com/churchonthebeach

UPDATE

Saw the Oncologist on Thursday, 8/31.

Bone Marrow: Clean as a Safeway chitlin!

MUGA Scan: My heart is A OK and good to go for chemo.

I start six (6) courses of chemo on the 14th of September; Rituxan on the 14th, and CHOP on the 15th. Repeat every three (3) weeks. Last chemo on December 29th.

Then, another P.E.T. scan in January, and we will see where we go from there, , , , ,.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

UPDATE - CHEMO

Started chemo on Thursday, 9/14. Thursday was the Rituxan (R) component. Lots of "pre" stuff in bags, and a couple "pushes" in syringes, and, and, and, a 50ml bag on Benadryl, and anti-nausea stuff . My port works fine, so no needles other than the initial "plug in" The Benadryl is a mother; it made me feel loopy and woozy as heck (4 big pours pf vodka is less of a challenge!). Then, the rituxan, a big 400ml bag of clear liquid. Blood pressure check every 30 minutes. Started peeing it out within 20 minutes and every 30 minutes thereafter. Felt shitty the rest of the day and night from the Benadryl. Total session took about 5 hours.

On Friday it was the CHOPS. Lots of small "pre" bags and "pushes" of this-and-that. Then, 2 big pushes of a red syringe that took about 15 minutes to complete (makes you pee pink/red for the rest of the day). No Benadryl. Then, the medium sized bag of a "main" component. Total time was about 4 hours. Felt fine during it all and for most of the rest of the day; had a decent dinner and went to the watering hole and had some Vodka. BUT, later, in bed, it all started to change; my belly felt crappy and I felt kind of "buzzy" all over; slept very little. Took the Prednisone this morning. I see the oncologist this coming Thursday and am going to ask him for Ativan.

The shit is already kicking in this morning; my tongue has a "hot soup burn" feeling and my coffee tastes not so pleasing.

More to follow.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 05/26/2018 at 04:23 AM by dingpatch

Bummer. Good luck with it. I'll take a look at my miracle fruit bush and see if there are any berries on them. They make your taste buds better. I doubt I have any fruit as I looked pre-irma. Look online for miracle fruit. You can buy it online. Turns sour/bitter into sweet. fakes the taste buds out.

Thanks Dave. I'll check into it.

I feel like microwaved poop today.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Sorry you're not feeling well; good thoughts for an easier time going forward...

-------------------------
[Feminism is] a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians. ~Pat Robertson

Good luck, Dingpatch.

-------------------------
I :heart; Q

Marinol/Dronabinol

May not be for everyone, but Rydyr calls it his "miracle medicine".

Pure synthetic THC and helps with his nausea, lack of appetite, mood swings, and sleeplessness. I hate that it's a prescription drug, but hasn't taken anything else in the last year and a half for these symptoms and even takes it before breakfast/school in the morning and at night to eat/sleep well.

-------------------------
"Don't count the days, make the days count." -Ali
#rydyrstrong

UPDATE, , , ,

Saw the Health First Oncologist yesterday morning (9/21) for my first chemo follow-up. Good, and bad.

No, nothing wrong, I'm OK, and am still expected to be just fine. "How's this?", "how's that?", "that is due to the Prednisone.", "this is due to the one part of the chemo.", etc. . . But, my VA Oncologist is still concerned about my Lymphoma being a "comeback / recurrence" rather than being a "new" case and, as such, she has pushed for "The Complete Monty" in my treatments; Cage Match Chemo, bone marrow transplant, etc. . . .

My Health First Doc does not feel that it is warranted because it has been 5 years since my last "problem", but he is proceeding with checking all of his boxes:

> He is going to consult with two (2) of his Lymphoma expert friends in Europe.
> He has put me in for a "Bone Marrow Consult" at the VA (for possible transplant, etc, , ,).
> He is lining up for me what I should expect if I do in fact have to be admitted to Holmes for inpatient Cage Match Chemo.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Do it all and kill the bitch off for good.

-------------------------
I was right.

Random notes, , , ,

Swelling in the mouth? Yep, sure, doing that too. Perhaps not too big of a deal, but, , , , you know how your gums and/or tongue gets cut-up/irritated when/if you chip a tooth? Yep, every single little chip, nick, crack in my teeth have worked my mouth raw. It is "subsiding" now, but Wednesday was a mother.

Constipation? Yep, sure, been there, done that, I even made my own Tee Shirt! Not too bad this time (so far). Everything seems to be slowly working, just very solid (if ya know what I mean). Found a broccoli salad at Walmart that seems to move things along. Last time, 5 years ago, I had to call the "on call" line about it at 2 in the morning. I was actually in tears. The on-call Oncologist called me right back and told me to chug some Miralax and wait for it to work, but that if it did not work, go to the ER, but that my expected experience in the ER would probably be a lot more unpleasant than my current one!

Drink lots of fluids? Yep, that too. Your body starts working ASAP on getting the chemo out. Big, big, urge to pee about every 2 hours, all through the day and night. And, at times, it is a "right now" thing, with a pretty fair amount. Drinking bottled water as I can.

Keep your weight up? Ya, sure, but NOTHING tastes all that good. Not that it tastes bad, it just does not taste. Luckily, I have not been nauseous at all (so far). Taco Bell with lots of hot sauce is palatable. Had some chicken tenders last night, actually dripping with Crystal hot sauce and agave nectar. Jalapeño potato chips have a faint flavor of "something".

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Sorry for your discomfort dingpatch, hang tough and when it is over you will be back stronger than ever!

UPDATE: I WAS ON THE EDGE OF FUCKED AND HAD NO IDEA I WAS HANGING TEN OVER A CLIFF, , , ,!!!!!!!!

The constipation mentioned above worsened and came to the point of complete. It seemed that the Miralax was doing nothing. And, all of the grunting-and-groaning and pushing while trying to pass the tiny rock hard turds that where there made my anus as tender as if you had worked it with a dry corncob! I could not take it anymore.

So, last Tuesday (9/26) sent my PCP a message and I cleaned up a bit and did a walk-in with my PCP at the Viera VA Clinic. The PCP's nurse takes me back and tells me that she had left me voice mail and that I should have called her back before I came in. When I had looked at my phone I had seen that there a missed call, but no voice mail ( the V-Mail was still recording). No matter, here I am. The Doctor needs to know what, and how much, you have been taking? Miralax, 4 doses since Saturday night, (filled to the line in the blue bottle cap). Well, chat, chat, chat, , , , you know it could be over 2 hours before he can see you? Yes, but here I am, and I'll wait as long as I need to. Well, OK, I'll take your vitals, Blood pressure, OK. Oxygen and pulse, OK. Temperature, , , , OH, you have a 102.8 fever!!! He's going to see you right away. Go have a seat. Within 10 minutes I'm in his office. Your constipation is only interesting right now, but your fever is of very great concern, you're going straight to the hospital. I'll wheel you over to the Triage Unit where we'll wait and see where they want to send you. It was only about 15 minutes and he came back and told me that transportation was being arranged to get me to the Lake Nona VA Hospital ASAP!

So, I get to the Lake Nona ED (Emergency Department) and they take my blood, vitals. My fever had gone down with the Tylenol they had given me at Viera, but it had gone back up to 99.9, so more Tylenol. OK. So, I guess the blood labs have come back, , , , Because the head ED Doctor comes in and tells everybody to Get Out and to gown and mask before they come back in, Full Contact Precautions, I was "Neutropenic". I had no White Count!! So, the Vascular Access Team (IV) got my IV going and I went to my room hooked up to a big bag of Vancomycin.

So, Wednesday (9/27) the Hematologist comes to see me and we have the usual small talk, , , then down-to-business. I know my White Count was/is low, but when can I go home? Well Dingpatch your count was not "low", you did not have anything to count; your "count" was officially 0.0! I/we cannot/will not discharge you until it gets back over the XXX threshold. You have no immune system right now, the Chemo has killed it. If you had not done that walk-in and had, let's say, got a cut or a cough, you could be here later in the ICU fighting for your life!!! All the IV antibiotics were not because I had an infection but rather to keep me from getting an infection.

I'm "OK" now and got home yesterday afternoon (9/30). I'll fill in a bunch of blanks later.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 09/17/2022 at 06:26 AM by dingpatch

UPDATE:

> Lost 15 pounds from 9/21 to 9/30. Have gained 5 back.

> was on two (2) bags of antibiotics: one was every 6 hours, the vancomycin was once or twice a day. The vancomycin "burned out" the one vein in my right forearm, still sore. They put a new IV in my left forearm for the last day.

> my next CHOP chemo session will include "stuff" to help prevent white cell loss.

> my hair started leaving me Wednesday morning (9/27), shaved my head when I got home.

> waiting on a new chemo schedule, , , , my "authorization" expired at midnight 9/30 when fiscal year 2017 ended.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Ding...glad you caught their attention!!!

and if you need hair...i have plenty!!!

-------------------------
BurrysBreak

Inflation caused The BIG BANG...look it up!

U got this buddy. Think positive!

-------------------------
Style is what you make it!

Thank you for sharing this painful shit. You will beat this, brother...

-------------------------
Who needs a better life?

Constipation saved your life. That's a new one! I bet five of that fifteen pounds dropped out when the blockage freed up.

I sounds like a rough ride, but keep at it. We are all pulling for you.





-------------------------
I was right.

UPDATE:

New chemo schedule starts next Thursday (10/26).

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

11/04/2017 UPDATE

So, started R-CHOP chemo again this past Thursday/Friday; Thursday was the "R", Friday was the poison (CHOP). Uneventful, so far.

But, because of my previous white cell crash, they did put an "On-body Injector" on me for the "next day" injection of Neulasta to protect my whites. Neat little device about 1 1/2 inches square and about 5/8 thick. They un-box it, fill it with Nuelasta, stick it on the fleshy back side of my upper right arm, set it, and wait for it to "count down". After about 10 minutes it beeps, you hear a "click" and a very small nylon needle pokes into you. From there, there is a 27+ hour count-down until the injection. It beeps and starts a 40 minute +- injection process. When it's done, its light flashed red and you peel it off. Done.

Saw my Health First Oncologist before last weeks chemo. He is keeping all of his boxes checked for the VA. Current plan is to have one more course of chemo, wait a couple weeks, and then have a P.E.T. scan at the Lake Nona VA. IF, the oncologists "like" what they see; 3 more chemo sessions and I will "hopefully" be done! BUT, if they Do Not Like what they see, , , , , well it looks like it will end up being The Full Monty for me. But, for now, my Health First guy says that he fully expects me to be OK with just the standard R-CHOP chemo; his Lymphoma Expert buddy in Europe feels that 5 years is a rather long time for a "relapse" to occur. Keeping fingers crossed, hope for the best.

I went to Lake Nona yesterday to begin the initial stages for a "Bone Marrow Transplant". Lots, and lots, of talking and splaining, 16 vials of blood, complete "blood typing", EKG, chest x-rays. All of the other medical disciplines will get to see me, check me out, stick wires up I-don't-know-where, , , , etc. Even Dentistry! If the dentist does not like something in my mouth, I get full, complimentary, dental work. All will take a couple months before I would actually start any transplanting.

The Bone Marrow Transplant process is way more than I initially thought. The VA only does it in Nashville, San Antonio or Seattle. It is "almost certain" that they would fly me to Nashville, where they work with the stem cell folks at Vanderbilt. It takes up to 5 weeks. Mrs. Dingpatch has to be with me as my primary support. They'll put us up in an extended stay hotel. I will not even have a co-pay. Oh, and, I have to pass three (3) street drug tests before they would proceed, no problems there.

I still have a lot of things to "nail down", but here are the high points:

They start with a couple days of a dialysis type procedure where they collect your white cells. (current indications are that my whites are just fine, no need for a donor).

Then, the Big Step, , , , they put you in the hospital and give you the full Cage Match Chemo that basically kills off everything in your blood and bones. Then they start putting your "good" whites back into you. After all this and all that, they re-vaccinate you with all of you childhood immunizations.

That's the short of it and I know that there are many blanks to be filled in.

I'll keep you posted.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 11/04/2017 at 05:41 PM by dingpatch

Good luck. Pulling for you. Thanks for blogging about it. Must be tough.

Thank god for (no thank our fellow Americans for funding) the VA.

-------------------------
"The truth is incontrovertible.
malice may attack it,
ignorance may deride it,
but in the end,
there it is." -Sir Winston Churchill

Hoping for a full recovery and remission dingpatch.

We're praying for you!

Thoughts and Prayers




-------------------------
Puerto Rico 11 - 24 - 2013

Thank you, to all of you.



-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Hang in there Howard, just seeing this now. It's Vic. Hit me up if you want. I'm a dietitian that worked in oncology for quite a few years. Check out Synsepalum dulcificum, aka "Miracle Berry", for your taste issues.

-------------------------

11/17 UPDATE.

So, started R-CHOP chemo again this past Thursday/Friday; Thursday was the "R", Friday was the poison (CHOP). Uneventful, so far.

Saw my Oncologist Thursday morning before the chemo. Small talk, then he checked me over some. Everything seems to be OK. Then, he says that this will be my last chemo for awhile until I have another P.E.T. scan (currently scheduled for 12/6). IF he likes what he sees in the P.E.T. scan, he'll continue me on three (3) more rounds of R-CHOP and I should be "Good To Go"!!

BUT, if he, and the VA, do not like what they see, then WE HAVE TO TALK (about the bone marrow transplant thingy)! He was surprised to learn that I had already started the bone marrow "consult" protocol at the VA. When I saw him last he had had his nurse contact the VA about it. The VA had called me with an appointment schedule while I was driving home after the 10/26 chemo!

Drove to Lake Nona last Wednesday (11/15) for an Electrocardiogram and more blood work.

I go to the Viera VA this Friday (11/24) to start a Pulmonary workup.

Go to Lake Nona on 11/29 for dental, and them back on 11/30 to start with Social Services in regard to my "Support System", etc. and the potential trip to Nashville with my "Support Person" (wife, family, friend, whoever it may be, etc.).

Back to Lake Nona on 12/13 for a two hour "Mental Health" workup.

More to come.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 11/20/2017 at 02:59 PM by dingpatch

A bit of self encouragement, , , ,

Had to take Mrs. Dingpatch to the Viera Hospital ER late yesterday afternoon per VA instructions (it was "after hours" for the Viera VA clinic).

While there her attending nurse (RN) ask me about my chemo status. I told her about the possible trip to Nashville. She said that her husband is a Vet and had just been through the bone marrow program at the Nashville VA earlier this year.

She said that as having been a RN for over 15 years she knew what to expect and such, but that she had still cautiously wondered about the level of care her husband would receive at the VA. Nope! She said that she was very impressed with the facility and the level of care he received while there. And that the Stem Cell group at Vanderbilt University is second-to-none within the U.S.

Makes me feel not so apprehensive about it all, , , , ,

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Not surprised about Vanderbilt.

It's one of the finer schools in the country, sometimes called the Harvard of the south.

It sounds like you will be in good hands.

Happy Thanksgiving.

!!!>>>> UPDATE <<<

Just got back from my Health First Oncologist, , , ,

To put the recent P.E.T. Scan results in plain English, , , , "Previously seen Bunch of Greek Words in the neck has been RESOLVED during the interval. , , , ,".

Layman terms, , , , Complete Remission after only three (3) courses of Chemo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUT, I will still have to have 3 more courses of Chemo to satisfy all the Doctors! And, I need to continue with all the VA/Vanderbilt protocols involved with a possible Bone Marrow Transplant until all the Doctors say I don't have to go to Nashville.

Please do not tell the Doctors, but I am going to consume a touch of Tequila tonight!!!!!

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 12/13/2017 at 06:23 PM by dingpatch

Maybe all the recent high-grade tequila has helped?
I was hoping your docs didn't browse this forum.

Congrats on the awesome news!

--------

Funny aside: When my grandfather was in the hospital for cancer treatments 35 years ago, he had my dad rig up a beer can with a hose and made it look like it was spliced into his IV lines. The nurse had no sense of humor, but at least his doc did.

Best news I've heard all day!

-------------------------
add a signature since I'm here in profile anyway

Keep it up brother!

Great News!!!

Maybe prayers (and tequila) do work.

Keep on keeping on.

-------------------------
Puerto Rico 11 - 24 - 2013

After enough tequila , the prayers come while trying to hold onto the floor you're laying on!!!

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 12/16/2017 at 05:44 AM by dingpatch

Excellent to hear about the positive news. Praying for you that is all you hear going forward.

Great to hear your news.  Seems like you have been getting really well treated through it all.  Good to know you seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

My brother in law is going through siimilar treatments with a recurring colon cancer.  He Had "issues" earlier on but seems on track now. Thank god no metasticizing as yet. He wishes he has done all of the 'extras' a couple years ago

Definitely go through the rest of yours just in case - even though it may get gnarly.

-------------------------
There are NO white people at all in the Bible... take all the time you need with that...
Please stop feeding the trolls - they will go away if you do...

Thanks to all!!!!

As of now, considering the results of the last P.E.T. scan, it "looks" like I will only be doing these last three (3) courses of chemo and then, hopefully, ALL the Doctors will waive-off the trip to Nashville.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Awesome!
I'll tip one for ya too!

-------------------------
"The truth is incontrovertible.
malice may attack it,
ignorance may deride it,
but in the end,
there it is." -Sir Winston Churchill

Congrats

-------------------------


Zzzzzzz.. Zzzzzzz.. Braaaaaapp!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

To celebrate this good news you should make me a fin for my 9'2" O'Hare!!

PM me if you think you could find the time. Good luck and hang tough!

Epic! Hang Tough

-------------------------
"I remember South Africa in the late 70's, sleeping on the beach at J-bay, smoking ganja with the blacks. On weekends we'd go to the pub in East London to drink beer and fight with the Afrikaners. They liked to fight, I liked to fight. It was a good time"

Let's hope all the Doctors agree you don't need the bone marrow transplant.  They've been around long enough to have an impressive track record, but.  

Nashville.  Neat town to visit if you don't have to go.  

It does sound like the VA offers good care.
Ecouraging as I approach a need for it.

-------------------------
"The truth is incontrovertible.
malice may attack it,
ignorance may deride it,
but in the end,
there it is." -Sir Winston Churchill

VA keeps in contact with its people more or less for life.  That's very unusual in the US and it seems to make for good patient care.  

UPDATE

Started R-CHOP chemo again this past week (Thursday was the "R": Benadryl and some other "pre" med them the Rituximab, , and Yesterday was the CHOP: soem pre-meds then, C -cyclophosphamide, H - doxorubicin (hydroxydaunomycin), O - vincristine (Oncovin ®). After the CHOP on Friday they put the Neuprogen on-body injector on my arm to counter the white cell depletion that the CHOP causes. Then I choke down two prednisone pills from Saturday through Wednesday.

So far so good, although dinner did not sit very well last night. OK this morning. As per usual I will probably feel the downer effects of the CHOP by Monday-Tuesday, and by later in the week my "taste" will be gone.

Two more Thursday/Friday courses (3 weeks apart) and then hopefully my last P.E.T. scan three weeks after that. THEN, keep fingers crossed, the VA will probably cut-me-loose from the Bone Marrow Transplant Program!! I meet with the Transplant Team on the 12th of this month and they just might start talking about it! I really would like to be able to do some of the THC meds again, but the VA and Vanderbilt Transplant Teams say NO, NO, NO, HELL NO.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 02/14/2018 at 06:47 PM by dingpatch

Oh, and, WG, it is never too early to get signed up with the VA once you hit 60.

For any of the Veterans out there, the VA co-pay income thresholds aren't too bad and without having to pay private insurance fees and such, a "modest" income (SS and possible 401/pension) can go a long way.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Finish those treatments and kick that shit to the curb.

Your appetite will be fine when that bitch is a bad distant memory.

-------------------------
I was right.

Keep on keeping on ding, sounds like you're fighting a great fight!

Soon it will be a bad memory.

Hope you catch LOTS of good waves with good friends in 2018!

Thanks for the awesome deal on the Greg Loehr board Ding.
I think it will clean up real nice.

You looked plenty healthy to me.

-------------------------
"The truth is incontrovertible.
malice may attack it,
ignorance may deride it,
but in the end,
there it is." -Sir Winston Churchill

Edited: 01/01/2018 at 08:53 AM by WG

Looking healthy because I've got the "Good" Lymphoma!

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Finished my 5th round of chemo today. Only one more to go!

Thought about going out and having some fun tomorrow, but but decided not to, , , , afraid that the stripp,,,. I mean the danc, , , ,. I mean the entertainers would dislodge the On-Body Nupro injector off of my arm. LOL

The VA is still on me about completing all the tests and procedures and such for the trip to Nashville. Still have to complete the dental (extractions), mental health debrief, and some additional cardiac screens. They have sent my "packet" to Nashville for review and have scheduled me, and my support person(s), for a video conference on Feb 1 with the team in Nashville.

My Health First oncologists says, but not too firmly yet, that I probably will not have to go, but that, at this point, is between me and the VA once I complete chemo and have another P.E.T scan. It will be another 6+ weeks from today until what will hopefully be the last P.E.T. scan and then I'll have to wing it from there

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 06/06/2018 at 12:09 AM by dingpatch

Well, , , , , so far, , , , this 5th go-around is kicking my ass, per se.

I could tell that it was going to come on strong by Sunday afternoon, my taste started going about 2 days earlier than previously. And, Sunday night I went to bed at 9 and did not open my eyes until 7:30; I would normally wake up around 6 no matter what, , , ,. This morning I woke up at 7 and hustled to work. No problems there.

But, my taste buds are shot to shit. My mouth does not feel bad like it did early on in treatment, but I'd at least like to be able to taste a little bit of what I'm chewing, , , ,. It will pass in a couple days. Last night I micro'd a frozen lasagne; I've had it before and it is sufficiently spicy for normal purposes, but last nigh it only tasted like rather bland cardboard! Tonight, a spicy beef burrito, same result. So, I figured I'd try to spice my life up a little bit and went and got out the very nice Maytag Blue Cheese (it is the best!) that we just got. Did not taste a single thing, , , , spit it into the sink.

Mrs. Dingpatch constantly watches the Food Network and all those good looking eats are driving me out of my chemo stricken mind!

Three more weeks until my last chemo sessions. The VA is still riding me about going to Nashville for the bone marrow thingy. Time will tell.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Following this thread, and wishing the best for you!

-------------------------
GOP:

Gaslight
Obstruct
Project

^Same here. I still find it odd that it affects your taste but i guess that could be a good thing depending on who is doing the cooking.

Kicking My Ragged Ass!!

Friday afternoon and night was "bad", or at least I thought!!

Yesterday, Saturday, taught me a lesson; as in, it can always get worse! Spent all day in bed napping and otherwise existing is suspended animation, , , ,! It was all I could muster to get up and walk to the end of the driveway to get the mail.

I've lost 10 pounds this past week; so far. Ya, sure, NOTHING tastes good. Which I can get past in order to eat what I need to, but, , , , EVERYTHING FEELS LIKE PURE SHIT in my mouth. Went for some spicy chili, hoping to at least get a little bit of flavor. Ya, could sort of taste it, but only ate about a third of it because it was so unpleasant in my mouth. Been choking down Ensures.

And, no, I have not been nauseous, and if so, I do have a heavy dose of Zofran to take. It's just that, and believe me, the "mouth feel" is just about way too much to take.

Probably going to be more of the same today.

I have been going to my part-time-play-job; small shop, only 8 guys. BUT, with the Flu going around, the Docs have told me to STAY AWAY from "public" places/crowds. With the added "day after" Neulasta my "white count" has been sufficient, but I've been told to Not Push It.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

I know you will beat this! May God Bless You

Steve,

Thank you, but for all intents and purposes I'm pretty sure I already have it beat! I have not stayed at a Holiday In Express lately, but I am pretty sure none the less.

I'll know for sure in about 6 weeks. Then, hopefully, I can get back to creating some fins!

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Damn... once you have "officially finished" kicking this,
there won't be much you can't do or handle.

I admire you for both your attitude and sharing, keeping us informed.

Prayers going out, and keeping you in our thoughts all the way through.

Stay strong and get more healthy.






-------------------------
Puerto Rico 11 - 24 - 2013

Not just flu.  My doc's office reports that my nasty runny nose (virus? allergy?) is widespread.  It was pretty debilitating.  

Well, , , , , had the video conference with the VA Bone Marrow Transplant team in Nashville this afternoon.

Crap!

Not too encouraging. It was a pretty solid "This Is Why You Should Not Delay In Having This Done, , , , ,"!

Looks like 5 weeks in Nashville is in my near-term future.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

So, , , , I've decompressed so, more on the video conference with the Nashville Transplant Team.

The doctor talked about two kinds of cancer cells when you eyeball them; the first kind "looks" like a cell from the organ it came from, the second kind does not look like a cell from the organ it came from. The second kind is "angry"! My lymphoma is "angry", still easy to treat, but not as straight forward as it would be if it was not angry. "Angry" is more likely to recur than "non angry"; not a "sure thing" to recur, but just a higher percentage of recurrence, but still low.

Bottom line is: IF this lymphoma comes back a third time, the resultant Chemo Heavy Duty will make the current treatment seem like a joy. Both Oncologists (Nashville and here) start talking about "heart failure" and nice things like that after having "too much" chemo, , , , ,! And, I would still have to have a bone marrow thingy!

So, have the bone marrow done now and forego the chance of a recurrence in the future.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 06/06/2018 at 12:14 AM by dingpatch

"I've lost 10 pounds this past week; so far. Ya, sure, NOTHING tastes good. Which I can get past in order to eat what I need to, but, , , , EVERYTHING FEELS LIKE PURE SHIT in my mouth. Went for some spicy chili, hoping to at least get a little bit of flavor. Ya, could sort of taste it, but only ate about a third of it because it was so unpleasant in my mouth."

There is a (now legal in FL for medicinal use) solution that helps with that I hear.

-------------------------
"The truth is incontrovertible.
malice may attack it,
ignorance may deride it,
but in the end,
there it is." -Sir Winston Churchill

I just want to know when I can yell at him again for saying dumb stuff.

Hey H....

... I know your food has no taste, or very little,
but wondering if you have heard of, or tried Synsepalum dulcificum??
Also known as miracle berry or miracle fruit.

I've never had it, but it is supposed to make food taste good.
Lemons are sweet after eating the fruit, etc etc.
But of course if you can't even taste something, not sure if it would help.


Stay strong, stay positive or at least try to.
You've gone through more than I can imagine,
or even thinking I could.

Wishing you the best and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.






-------------------------
Puerto Rico 11 - 24 - 2013

Between the VA and Vanderbilt, anything with any kind of THC in it is verboten. I'm almost over the chemo effects, so no need for the berry stuff. Just the next two weeks will be tasteless.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Ahhh, I understand about the VA and Vanderbilt with THC,

but I wasn't aware that it had any THC.
If so, my bad.

I'll have to check into that...






-------------------------
Puerto Rico 11 - 24 - 2013

Oh yes, no THC in the berries.

Lots of people are telling me to smoke some though.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

The 6th round of Chemo, and hopefully the last! Last Thursday and Friday (2/8 - 2/9).

Yay! But, it is kicking my ragged butt big time; additive effects do add up! My taste was just coming back decently from the 5th round. But, it was gone by Sunday night! My ass is already feeling pretty "draggy", and that usually does not happen for a week or so after infusion. But, so far, so good. Told my boss yesterday that if I was going to have to have a 7th round, I'd just tell them to F-Off and let me know how long I have to live! LOL! No, I'm good-to-go for what ever this takes!!!!! I've been able to Bitch Slap this Bitch so far, and I am certainly going to continue to do so!

Still must have my "dental" work and clearance, which won't be done until late in March. The first VA Dentist I saw said that they would only remove the broken/cracked teeth that "had to go". He was pretty clear about it: during my "Close To Death" chemo in Nashville my immune system will be non-existant and, as such, NOTHING can be allowed to remain that could present any opportunities for infection.

Then, the Team in Nashville will start prodding me to get up there. My concern is still that I may have to wait too long after this last chemo and, as such, that the Team may make me have another round of chemo to ensure that I am "clean" before my stems and whites are harvested!! Crud! Keep fingers crossed, , , , , , , ,.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Edited: 06/06/2018 at 12:18 AM by dingpatch

Hang in there. You got this!

Well, yep, , , , , hopefully done with that Chemo crap!!!!!

BUT, BUT, BUT, was way, way, too premature to be talking about how bad the 6th session was "kicking" me.

Yep, came on with a Fooking vengeance!!! Friday morning, the 16th, if I had not known I was on Chemo and what to expect, , , , I would have called 911. Yes, it was THAT BAD! It was all I could do to make little plans in my addled brain as to how/when I was going to be able to make it from the bed to the bathroom! Lost 15 pounds, and am still "down" 13!

It was not until Friday night, the 23rd, that I even had the faintest taste of anything, but much better today.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

I spent a good deal of Friday with a woman (and her husband), helping them to, of all things, prune bonsai trees that had gotten somwhat out of control.  She was still undergoing chemo after nearly a year, and of course was carrying on even though exhausted.  She managed to seem much livelier the next day.  Perhaps a wig helped give that impression.  I admire her (and her husband's) coping with the ordeal.

Shit man... hang in there

UPDATE

Had my "last" P.E.T. scan on Friday, 3/9/2018. And, I just read the radiologist's report. I'm as CLEAN AS A SAFEWAY CHITLIN! Even the few "possible", other, non-lymphoma problems seen in the December scan are gone. With my "Premium" (ID validated) My HealtheVet account I have access to ALL of my VA medical records; labs, tests, notes, etc. Very handy!

Now, I need to start getting my head around the Bone Marrow Transplant trip to Nashville.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

GREAT NEWS

Bone marrow's been done for quite a long time, so they must have it figured out.  Big trip.

 

Outstanding news!

Chitlins for everybody!

-------------------------
add a signature since I'm here in profile anyway

Get ready to start a new thread titled "The Bitch is GONE!"

The new thread will be dedicated to the "transplant" process. It just plain sounds like loads of fun!

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Hopefully this will be the last update to this thread, then on to a new thread about the "transplant" process, , , , , , , ,

Saw my Health First Oncologist Dr. V for the last "official" time today. Yep, the P.E.T scan from Friday says that I am in total remission. OK, great! "But, you do know, , , , that with this being a "relapse", and your lymphoma being non-germinal, , , , that your chances of another relapse are 50/50." "And, if it does come back for a third time, , , , , it will be very hard to cure it, , , , , ,." OK, OK, OK, I get it, , , , , I am for certain going to go to Nashville for the Stem Cell Transplant! "Good, I'd like to see you a month, or so, after you get back from Nashville."

So, and as such, it looks like sometime in the first week of May will be a travel day.

I'll start a new thread to keep ya'll updated on those plans.

-------------------------
Dora Hates You

Good news ding and the stem cell transplant will go well too, we're all rooting for you!