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Again, I hate posting here.
Well it’s all settled, I’m retiring at the end of May because the latest CT scan
shows a new tumor involving my colon. I don’t have all the details until I see
the oncologist, but I’m looking at chemo and radiation treatments. This summer is shot, I don’t expect to be
feeling well with these treatments. Maybe by this fall I’ll be doing better.I don’t understand how the pathologist report could come
back clean and now I have a new tumor? -
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Bob, it’s not the members that put me off. I let it be known
from the very beginning that I did not like the new format. I remember in the survey
that a large percentage disapproved, something like 30%.In the opening seines of Pop Eye he wants to buy spinach but
the vegetable hawker try’s to push everything else on him. No sale. -
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More bleak news, saw the oncologist, the tumor is in my
small intestine, radiation is off the table because it will cause more harm
than good, the only treatment is chemo, of all to chose from the best that can
be used in the small intestine for this type cancer is only 30% effective or 70%
useless. Looking at my track record, I don’t expect to be around more than two
years. The treatments will start soon, chemo by pump for 96 hours every two
weeks and a CT scan on week 12 to see the progress if any.BTW, it took me an hour to find the right place to post,
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Hi Mike,
Sorry to hear about the bad news.
I don't know you personally however, some people have used the power of the mind to help them fight cancer (see link below). I don't know if it works but it surely worth taking a look at it.
Stay positive Mike, you never know!
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Mike,
I have a friend who was diagnosed with colon cancer almost ten years ago. The docs told him it was metastasized and not operable, and all they could do for him was chemotherapy. He has had chemo every six months or so since then and is doing fine to this day. He always stresses that his positive attitude and the chemo treatments are what has kept him alive way past what the docs thought. There's no reason you can't work toward the same sort of outcome.
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Bob, Rich, your stories have a great outcome, but I think
you may not have a full understanding of what I’m dealing with. Cancer is not something
you find on a shelf at the super market. Not only is the location important,
but also the type. I have Squamous cell
cancer which is associated with the worst skin cancer. Of all the drugs to
treat Squamous cell, only a small number can be used for the small intestines
and the best is 30% effective. So, if
your friends have the very same type, Squamous cell what you are saying is not going
to help me.I have also contacted The Cancer Center of Americana, the
one that advertises on TV, I opened a chat room dialog with the agent, explaining
my case, she asked for my phone number to get back to me. Never called back,
they must be embarrassed to tell me they have nothing in there bag of tricks to
offer.I also called Meals on Wheels not be cause I can’t afford
the food, I have trouble cooking for myself because I get tired easily, I’m
willing to pay for the service, no problem with $$$$. Again, no call back. -
You sound unfortunately pessimistic, Mike. I can understand that, what with the latest diagnosis and the lack of response from organizations you have reached out to.
Even so, you might as well be calling them back repeatedly until you get a response as just sitting there doing nothing much. Many areas of the country have cancer patient support groups that can be reached by checking with either the American Cancer Society or the hospitals. Most of those local groups have members (or employees) who are dedicated patient advocates who are very effective at getting you what you need.
You're right that there are many more than just one type of cancer. I've had a couple of squamous cell cancers removed from my hide and my brother had a melanoma removed a couple years ago. Mom died of lung cancer. I have to go get another CT scan of my lungs next week to determine if what set off my collapsed lung/pneumonia etc deal in November is lung cancer. I'm not too happy about that, but I'll take it as it comes.
I don't know exactly what type/location of cancer my buddy Dave has, but I do know that initially they gave him about a 20% chance of surviving another six months – that was almost ten years ago. Dave is a fighter and doesn't take no for an answer. He's also one of the funniest guys I've ever known, in spite of having to go through chemo every few months, probably for the rest of his life.
You might want to talk to your doc about some treatment for depression. Depression is a normal and common adjunct of both the actual cancer and also its treatment, but you don't have to succumb to it – there are plenty of effective treatments for depression these days and I really encourage you to look into them. I wound up in the ICU pretty much dying for 12 days last November and when they finally sent me home I was still in real rough shape physically and it screwed with my attitude horribly. The attitude problem ruined my sleep and killed my energy so I was generally useless and not getting any better. After a month of that shit I finally went to my doc and he put me on some anti-depressants that made a huge difference in both my outlook and my energy levels. I take them every day. They've allowed me to carry on with my life instead of sitting around doing nothing and hating it. I'm pretty sure I could be doing even better if I went and got my head candled for a few sessions, but I can't afford to fly to Florida every week to do it. (No decent headshrinkers down here.)
Anyway, I'm on your side and hope you get things going your way soon. If I can help, let me know.
Rich
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Rich, hounding agencies for
not resounding will only get me frustrated and angry, which I don’t need. The better
way is to post on sites that show how bad they are and give them a black eye. When
I see my new oncologist I’ll ask if his office can help contacting meals on
wheels, the same goes for Sloan and other people with clout that will not take
no for an answer.BTW, AARP is another one that sucks, ripping off the elderly.
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I’ve been felling bad the last few days, very weak, the last
time I was out was this past Thursday for breakfast at the Pancake Plaice, French
toast stuffed with cream cheese, topped with blue berries. Now it is a struggle
to make breakfast, I spend most all day in bed, I order out for lunch and
dinner. Answering the door is hard, very tired. My bag is do to be changed to
day.
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