dukenukem

I go to an acupuncturist who has received training in TCM (initially educated in western medicine – MD from Ohio State). There is no way to objectively evaluate the benefit, but it makes me feel better knowing that I am not limiting myself to conventional medicine. Too bad insurance does not recognize acupuncture except as used as anesthesia.

When I was diagnosed, CC had already metastatized to both lungs and to lymph nodes.

My mother had thyroid cancer. My father had malignant melanoma, metastatic to lungs, bone, liver, and kidneys. They both smoked and drank. I don’t smoke and drink little, use SPF 35 whenever I go outside.

BTW, I worked at nuclear power plants for over 40 years. My dose over the years was less than 8 REM whole body, about what you’d get in 25 coast to coast airplane rides. I don’t believe that played any part in this.

Frankly, I’m more worried about my daughter getting breast cancer simply because it has a high incidence rate. I can’t wait for a comprehensive diagnostic test for cancer. If my kids insurance won’t pay for it, I will, just to set my mind at ease. I’m an engineer – I hate random events.

I’m not worried about this. I’m pissed because I won’t live to a ripe old age with my wife, doing all the things we dreamed of. We all know what the final score will be. The only thing is how many innings the game will last. “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” is something we’ve all heard, and as parents, what we’ve told our kids. After a while, you realize it’s true for us.

I was down to 140 pounds for about two weeks. Since I’m 5’10” I was gaunt. While I was in a chemo session I mentioned to my nurse that I needed to stop losing and start gaining weight. The person in the next chair “whispered” “Chocolate cake. 500 calories a slice.” If that doesn’t row your boat, pick something that does. Sam’s Club has a great blueberry muffin that also goes 500 calories each. Just remember, once you get within 10 pounds of where you want to reach, you need to taper off. And make sure you combine this with some sort of light exercise so that what comes back has some tone to it. Eating anything you want is about the only perq of this cancer – make the most of it.

I am farther down the road than you are, so I have fewer options. I was diagnosed only after it had spread to my lungs and lymph nodes. Onc hit me between the eyes with “Unless you start chemo now, you will be dead in six months.” Not the best bedside manner, but it got my attention. Started chemo in July 2013 with carboplatin one week of three and gemcitabine two out of three. Lately continuing with gemcitabine only two weeks out of three to give my kidneys some relief. Sounds like they’ve backed off like they suggested for Matt. Will see what CT scan shows in a few weeks.

This site and the people on it are the best thing in the world. People I see every day are truly supportive but they don’t understand what is going through my mind. And, unless someone is in our position or is a supporter of one of us, they never will. As far as tears go, sometimes you can get by with a few kleenex tissues but other times require a roll of Bounty towels.

I know what you mean by not leaning too heavily on people. You don’t want to wear down your support organization. That’s where we can help. There are so many here to share with. The following is based on a line from a novel by R. A. Salvatore: “Where there is darkness, friends joining hands bring light.” There are many combinations of words that can be substituted for “darkness” and “light”. Pick the ones that work best for you.

I’m going to Lake Hospital/University Hospital Seidman Cancer Center in Mentor, Oh. They have limited experience, so I am probably getting “plain vanilla” treatments. Since we are making progress on decreasing size of tumors, so I am happy.

I’m with Mary (the patient) fully on this. I’ve been an engineer for over 40 years – the latest catch phrase is “trust but confirm”. That says it all. Since so little is known about CC (and probably less about how it would restart), extra testing (within some restraints) makes sense to me.

How many of us change engine oil every three months or 3000 miles? Realistically, it is fine to run it twice that, especially the synthetics. Why hesitate about testing? “If only” I had found CC earlier, I might have been eligible for surgery and might have a better prognosis. That belief is probably affecting my attitude.

I’m not advocating CT scans every five years for adults over 50 – there are probably not enough resources to support that, plus the insurance companies would refuse to cover it. It almost sounds like the position is that after you’ve had cancer, even if you’re in complete remission, the clock is ticking, so testing more frequently than recommended will not appreciably affect the outcome or the timeline. I hope I’m wrong.

Thank you, ma’m

John Wayne
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Thank ya’ll, ma’am.

Elvis
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Go ahead, make my day, Pilgrim.

Clint Eastwood impersonating John Wayne

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How do you like my impersonations? Since I am quitting my day job (retiring April 1), I’m looking for a new line of employment. Think this is promising?

Duke