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twodogs

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  1. Kasey, Thanks for the reply. While reading it I happened to glance up and notice that I'd added Celebrex to my regime about a month and a half ago. Now I've got another element to add to the puzzle. Maybe it's metabolism and Celebrex for me. I also wanted to include that last summer I decided to get rid of all my "fat pants". Being a good Samaritan I took them to the local thrift store and dropped them off. I am now buying new ones and replacing all the ones I gave away. "No good deed goes unpunished". At least this time I'll save the "skinny's" longer than I did the "fat's". I not only forgot to include that pants thing in my last post, but I prepared this same response about an hour ago and forgot to send it and had to recreate it. Between chemo brain and early Alzheimer's a guy sure can make a lot of work for himself. John
  2. Since entering into this latest series of treatments I've been on several different cocktail formulas. The latest is Abraxane and Carboplatin along with the usual complementary prep and flush bags. I've been on it for a few months now and have really noticed my weight increasing. Early on, 2003-2004, I dropped about 50 pounds I didn't think I'd ever get back and now I'm going tubby. For a year or so I was hanging in around 167-170. Then I took a jump to 174-175 and I was good with that. Recently I noticed that my neck and jowls as well as my belly were expanding, 36-38, and I'm running around 186#'s. It's been a rather sudden gain and that put the fear in me because the neck swelling is a prime symptom for SVC. The Doc and the nurses tell me it's common with these drugs and my CAT scans are showing nothing other than the regular areas of concern. I know my diet, especially during the Holidays is neither healthy nor disciplined but this seemed pretty sudden to me. Anyone else ever get on this see-saw? John Have Happy New Years (MANY)
  3. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to all the friends and angels who reside here on the board. John
  4. Hi Connie, I got in on this one a little late but just in time for the excellent news. Congratulations to you and your family and your team on the latest developments and best wishes for your continued success. John
  5. Connie B., You have my best wishes and prayers for continued recovery on your Cancer Crusade. You have served as an inspiration and a model for many of us and we have relied on you for strength and guidance. Your kind and giving spirit has helped us as we will be there for you. Bless You. John
  6. twodogs

    Help

    Good advice all around. Call the doc. Pound down the liquids. I've been through several variations of chemo cocktails. Some have worked well and were like taking candy. Some have not worked at all and just tore me up as they are you. The one I'm on now treats me really bad the first and second day and then those symptoms disappear. So far it has been working well so I don't complain much. John
  7. twodogs

    Chemo Ports ?

    Thanks Ken, http://health.yahoo.com/news/reuters/cancer_meat_dc.html I found that last night too. Then I asked the oncology gals about it and none of them had heard of it yet. They did all say that they had never specifically heard about not eating pork. So, I guess we're sort of faced with a choice of a healthy vegan slanted diet or continue on with what we did before and hope our drugs protect us. I've heard and can't cite any sources, that everything I liked for food was always bad for me only now it's worse. One of my first reactions to all this treatment was serious weight loss. I lived on ice cream, puddings and cream filled pastries for about a year. It drove my cardiologist nuts but every pound I gained was a thrill to my oncologist. I still thrive on high protein meals, good whiskey/wine and rich desserts. I did not like reading the summary of this latest report. Regarding my new Power Port, today was day one. We had a hiccup or two making the first connection, presumably because of the swelling. Then it took a couple more shots to get it flushed and then we were off to the races. It worked very well. I don't know if I'm ready to give it a four star recommendation yet because I still have a small amount of bruising, swelling and peripheral pain. Next week is my off-week but I will have a Cat Scan, blood counts and visit with the doc. Again, IF I remember I'll give another report on the PP.
  8. twodogs

    Chemo Ports ?

    Ken, I think that relationship to the tumor and the possibility of radiation is a big factor. In my case they've indicated I can't have any more radiation but the surgeon was hot to go for the opposite side of the chest anyway. So far I'm still soaking off the bandages and ink marks and haven't exercised the incision area. It's definitely tender though and I get that same sensation of having a large, extra vein going up into my neck. I'll find out tomorrow if it's ready for use. Kleen Teeth, I've never heard anything about eating pork and have no idea where that came from. If I can remember I'll ask tomorrow. John
  9. Prayers and best wishes from our home to yours. John
  10. twodogs

    Chemo Ports ?

    Well, I'm ported. Everyone agreed that it would be best to put my port in on the left side to accommodate my shooting. Trouble is, when they went to install it my left side wouldn't cooperate. So now it's in and it's on the right side instead. I guess I'll just have to see how it goes. I can't believe I'm the only person who has run into this and so far, I don't even know if there would ever be a problem with it. Also, as should be expected, ever since I agreed to have it installed no one has had a problem finding and sticking my veins for anything including blood, chemo, anesthesia, or anything else.
  11. Same symptoms here. We are very high and dry and winter is generally worse because I spend so much time indoors. Many of our acquaintances who are otherwise healthy have the same problem. A few have installed humidifiers in their homes which seems to help. When I think of it I swab Vaseline inside my nostrils. Hey, it works for me. John
  12. Starr, I don't know too much about when people die because I've been focused om the living part. We're all going to go from something but I figure as long as I'm being treated someone thinks there's a positive result in the works. I'd hate to think I spent all that insurance and Medicare money and the time and effort getting back and forth to treatment for a lost cause. Ned has stated this very well,"For many, the diagnosis of cancer has served as a wake-up call -- to repair damaged relationships, to live each day to the fullest, to renew friendships and family ties, to help others less fortunate." When I reflect on what I've learned, especially here, it is more about the strength of the human will and the power of faith than the frailty of the body. And the ever present possibility that the miracles of modern medicine may release a cure any minute now. John
  13. twodogs

    Chemo Ports ?

    I've been lucky not to have to use a port in the past but seem to be getting unluckier recently by having more difficult sticks. My oncology nurses have finally decided to quit playing hide and seek with my veins and asked me to have a one installed. So far, everyone I've asked has recommended that I go ahead and do it. The main concern I have left is whether or not I can select the side where it gets installed. I do a fair amount of target shooting, (shotgun and rifle), when the weather allows. Occasionally it's all the exercise I get. I really hate the thought of giving that up if I don't have to, (health is always the #1 concern of course). I've been told that standard practice is to use the right side of the chest for the port but I think I would need it to go on the left. Anyone know for sure?? Thanks John
  14. HI Starr and welcome to LCSC. I think you are fortunate to have found this group of folks so soon. When I was diagnosed in 2003 it took me almost a year to find a place on line where I felt both comfortable talking and asking about it and encouraged about the processes. This is it. . Many other sites were mostly focused on anger and activism and , while I agree they have that right, it just wasn't what I was looking for. If you spend a little time here searching through these stories you will see that many others have walked your path and have had success. I would avoid anything obviously negative or angry because there are many, many more positive perspectives. You can see and feel when these are turning and right now you don't need that. Like most of us, you are probably going through the most anxiety you've ever experienced but your Oncologist seems to be very positive. I found early on that the attitudes of my doctors provided me with hope and inspiration when things looked pretty darn ugly. The only one I got to say "cure" was my Radiation Onc. but that was enough. Now I'm relying on my Chemo Doc and just got today's Cat Scan report that my recurrence,(which started in June), has stabilized. Very good news for us. We just keep on chuggin' with faith in God, Medicine, doctors, friends and family including all the folks on this site. Keep the faith and best wishes. John
  15. Please allow me to jump in here and add my thanks also. When I first found this site I'd spent nearly a year looking for a place that was not filled with anger and despair to share my concerns and feelings. I knew right off the bat that this was it. It takes the right people and right perspective to make LCSC successful and that is obvious in everything we hear and see from Katie and Rick. Thank You for all you do and all you have done. John
  16. Connie, It sounds to me like you have a good team and a good plan. Along with them and all the prayers and support from here you should cruise through this next episode with flying colors. Our prayers and best wishes will be with you all along the way. John
  17. Hi Joanie, It is good hearing from you and that you are on the mend. As others including you have mentioned, we have enough problems without having to worry about picking up infections in or from the hospitals. This latest MRSA scare may help by focusing on this issue but it doesn't do anything for the folks already affected. Good luck and best wishes for your treatment for this . Our prayers are with you. John
  18. I emailed this out this morning. It is and was intended to include everyone on this site. ***************************************************** HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! This is my fifth Thanksgiving of survival in this battle. Without my Doctors, my Friends, Relatives and Loved Ones and their support and prayers I would not have been this successful. Thank You All and have a Happy Thanksgiving. John.
  19. Jen, I'm sitting here trying to wrap my arms around the news both you and Barb have gotten. You both know my prayers are going out to all of you. I've sort of been on track with you and your dad since his diagnosis and treatment began. Besides, we had the same symptoms and we're almost neighbors. I don't want to minimize anything your dad is going through but I have coughed up blood on a few occasions myself. Mine have been classed as both expelling tumor particles and damage from coughing. Neither ended up dangerous or threatening. You may have noted lately that I'm back in chemo again and on my fourth different cocktail in four months. I still have faith in God, my Doctors, Medicine and my friends and relatives that we're going to come out ahead on this. Your dad has shown that same spirit and you are his partner in this. I can't tell you not to freak out but please remember, that's not how we got here. Give Dad my best and you keep strong. John
  20. Thanks again to all for your prayers and support. I went in today for my normal chemo routine with the Abraxane and we actually got out about 11:00AM. The only hiccup was that my blood pressure is elevated again. I'd gone off those pills when my BP dropped earlier in this treatment but the Oncologist and Cardiologist, (don't know if I'd mentioned that little problem), are putting me back on them. Still feeling good and my counts today were improved over all although some are still higher or lower than they should be. Since we did have a little extra time we hit Albertson's and loaded up on cream filled Bismarks, avocados and other essential health foods. By then I was so whipped we barely made it in and out of Rocky Mountain Sports before the big crowd could beat us to Las Margarita's. I had such a tough time with the #1 lunch special that it took two Margarita Grande's to get it all down. And Mabel was a real trooper, hanging in there bite for bite and swallow for swallow while battling her Celiac and Giardia. At least we didn't pig out. We left about a fourth of the bowl of complimentary tortilla chips unmolested, (the crunched ones). Lunch in town is a treat we rarely get so dinner was kind of creative. We had some avacados and chips and I've followed up with a couple chocolate and strawberry freezer sundaes and too many Halloween and gourmet candy treats. Some day I'll have to ask why I have such stomach distress the night of my treatments. It started again about an hour ago. Next Cat Scan is the 28th. Take care of yourselves and have as much fun as you can stand. Thanks again. John
  21. I sent the following email to many of my close friends and relatives and decided to share it with my friends here also. Marilyn,(Mabel), is my wifemate, lifemate of 44 years and caregiver and Lori is my daughter. **************************************************** The day started with the now usual 6:00 AM alarm but we were both awake well before then. Weather was foggy and 28 degrees with icy lawns and prairies but good roads. We managed to clear the house by about 6:50 but realized we were low on gas so stopped and filled up at the local pumps, $2.899 for 87 octane regular. The ride in was uneventful and we chit chatted about the upcoming deer season which opens tomorrow. Decided we’d likely skip it due to the impending schedule for the day. I should have a blood draw, CAT scan, Doctor’s visit, up-to three pints of blood and then Chemo. It could be up to a thirteen hours day just for medical stuff and won’t feel much like trudging the hills tomorrow. The CAT scan and blood draw went like clockwork. Lab Tech, Tia, hit the vein first stab and I didn’t feel a thing. Lab gal got the draw for my blood panels and they got a good CAT shot on the first pass. I was on my feet and out of the room before 8:00. We went straight to the Oncology Clinic where my appointment to see the doc was scheduled for 9:30. Sometimes they take me right in and other times they don’t, so today we decided to just hang around hoping I could get in early. Turned out not to be the best decision we ever made as the doc didn’t get there until late, (Jeez, we coulda’ gone to Wal-Mart). To top that off, the labs had problems delivering my test results. When the blood report did get there they weren’t too bad so the doc decided to give me two pints of blood again today instead of three. But, he/we had to wait to get the CAT results to make the Chemo call. Those results were “not so good”. It appears this crap is progressing, albeit gradually. I have been feeling good recently and this was a shocker, especially for Mabel. She’s been telling me I was kind of puny but I just didn’t feel it. I was figuring on being stable to slightly improved. I’ve had more energy and ambition than in a long time but I guess that’s a false sign, more a reaction to my blood levels than the disease itself. As in the past, this latest progression required another change in recipe for my chemo treatment. I have now gone from Taxol to Abraxane which is the same stuff wrapped in a different carrier. I’m off the Benadryl for now so all the leg kicking and dozing off during treatment are at least temporarily off. Marilyn and the oncology staff will have to find some new entertainment to fill that time slot. As it turned out the new drugs are packaged so I get the same effective dosage in half the volume so, with just two pints of blood and my new whammy we were finished at 3:00. Only seven hours and we didn’t generate any OT charges against my account. We even skipped Wally World and just shot on home. This is now the fourth recipe we’ve tried since June and with the tumor changes, both smaller and larger; we are back at about ground zero for the tumor, (mass) size. We’ll stay on this for three weeks, unless we need a change and then do the blood and scans again and see what happens. I’m still doing Decadron so the chances of me still being awake through Friday morning are worthy of a bet. As Lori has reminded me, it’s not wise for me to post emails during some of these periods. Personally I think it is some of my most creative and expressive time. Sort of reminds me of the past when some folks have asked me how I “really felt”. Thank You All for Your Prayers and Support, John
  22. twodogs

    My Latest PET/CT

    That is really great news. Congratulations and thanks for sharing. We can all use the inspiration. John
  23. I had a heavy white mane like old Buffalo Bill Cody and I went through about five months of chemo and radiation without losing hardly any hair at all. Then I went into PCI and by the second week my hair was falling out like yours is now. I gave up and got my head shaved bald just before Christmas. By the end of February my hair had started growing back thick and strong and DARK. I think it was darker than it had ever been previously. Now that I've reentered treatment my hair has gone gray really fast and it began falling out again as soon as I restarted chemo. Different recipes this time so different reaction I guess. Having gone through it once I don't worry about it this time. It looks like a mess and I look like a wreck but that doesn't bother me in the least. I wear a hat or a cap when I feel like it and don't if I don't feel like it. Just like Arnold Schwarzenegger, it'll be back. My only worries now are the scans and draws and they're improving. Have fun on your shopping trip. John
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