Cancer Report

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Cancer Report
for Wed, 19 Nov 2008 @ 1700

I was initially diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma on 14 June 2008. The
diagnosis was confirmed on 20 June 2008. X-ray and MRI located the
tumor in my pelvic girdle and lower spine. Over a two-week period X-
ray therapy was used to kill as much of the tumor as possible without
damaging the adjacent healthy bone & tissue. Following the X-ray
therapy I was put on an aggressive regime of chemotherapy which was
adjusted from week to week based on data provided by periodic blood
tests.

The blood tests indicated I was doing quite well with regard to the
tumor but I was wracked by a constantly increasing level of pain in my
lower back. On 22 October a series of X-rays revealed I'd suffered a
compression fracture of the #3 lumbar vertebrae.

On 30 October I underwent vertebroplasty, a surgical procedure in
which the crushed vertebrae is first returned to its original length
and configuration then fixed in that position by injecting a fast-
setting cement into the voids the tumor had created INSIDE of the
vertebrae. The procedure was successful. The cessation of pain
allowed me to devote more time to the exercises needed to restore the
musculature that had been destroyed by the tumor... and by the
chemotherapy.

Today, the 19th of November, 2008, the aggressive regime was deemed a
success and was replaced with a more benign regime using drugs that do
not have the side-effects of the original regime.

I still have cancer. I'm still as weak as a cat. But the cancer has
been reduced to a manageable state that may lead to remission. The
weakness now depends on my determination to overcome it.

--R.S.Hoover


The five-year survival rate for MM is not the greatest.

http://cancer.emedtv.com/multiple-my...ival-rate.html

One in three. But, I'm sure you've done the research. Hope you manage to
buck the odds. To do that you've got to eat and get your strength back. This
includes exercise. Swimming might be good for you as your spine probably
precludes impact activity. This "weak as a cat" stuff just won't get it. Too
bad chemo tends to suppress the appetite. Try smoking pot. Anything to get
your appetite back.

--
Gregory Hall

On Nov 19, 9:46*pm, "Morgans" wrote:

Jim: *YOU have done that, by keeping your projects alive, and going, as best
you could. *Keep up the good fight. *Your news today, I believe is just one
in a long line of successes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Jim, et al,

Now my hat don't fit... How are we going to solve that one? :-)

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

I'm scheduled for another MRI today, this one will focus on my right
hip which has formed an unexplained lump.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The most worry-some side-effect is neuropathy along my left side.
Neuropathy is a fancy name for ANY kind of pain or unusual behavior.
In this case it means my left arm & hand have 'gone to sleep.' I'm
unable to grasp things with my left hand. AND I CAN'T TYPE. I'm
doing okay now but the tingling will become worse as the day wears on
until my left hand becomes disabled.

The problem here is that neuropathy resulting from a drug interaction
or side-effect is often PERMANENT. The physician has discontinued the
drugs that are the most likely candidates for causing this particular
side-effect but it will take several days for my system to flush-out
the remnants. My worry here is that if the effect proves permanent, I
may not be able to type. I'll just have to wait and see.

-R.S.Hoover

On Nov 20, 10:06*am, " wrote:
On Nov 19, 9:46*pm, "Morgans" wrote:

Jim: *YOU have done that, by keeping your projects alive, and going, as best
you could. *Keep up the good fight. *Your news today, I believe is just one
in a long line of successes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Jim, et al,

Now my hat don't fit... *How are we going to solve that one? *:-)

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

I'm scheduled for another MRI today, this one will focus on my right
hip which has formed an unexplained lump.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The most worry-some side-effect is neuropathy along my left side.
Neuropathy is a fancy name for ANY kind of pain or unusual behavior.
In this case it means my left arm & hand have 'gone to sleep.' *I'm
unable to grasp things with my left hand. *AND I CAN'T TYPE. *I'm
doing okay now but the tingling will become worse as the day wears on
until my left hand becomes disabled.

The problem here is that neuropathy resulting from a drug interaction
or side-effect is often PERMANENT. *The physician has discontinued the
drugs that are the most likely candidates for causing this particular
side-effect but it will take several days for my system to flush-out
the remnants. *My worry here is that if the effect proves permanent, I
may not be able to type. *I'll just have to wait and see.

-R.S.Hoover

Thanks for the update Bob. It is in the early stages, I'm sure you
can flush out that side-effect.

Monk

In article
,
" wrote:

On Nov 19, 9:46*pm, "Morgans" wrote:

Jim: *YOU have done that, by keeping your projects alive, and going, as
best
you could. *Keep up the good fight. *Your news today, I believe is just one
in a long line of successes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------

Dear Jim, et al,

Now my hat don't fit... How are we going to solve that one? :-)

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

I'm scheduled for another MRI today, this one will focus on my right
hip which has formed an unexplained lump.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------

The most worry-some side-effect is neuropathy along my left side.
Neuropathy is a fancy name for ANY kind of pain or unusual behavior.
In this case it means my left arm & hand have 'gone to sleep.' I'm
unable to grasp things with my left hand. AND I CAN'T TYPE. I'm
doing okay now but the tingling will become worse as the day wears on
until my left hand becomes disabled.

The problem here is that neuropathy resulting from a drug interaction
or side-effect is often PERMANENT. The physician has discontinued the
drugs that are the most likely candidates for causing this particular
side-effect but it will take several days for my system to flush-out
the remnants. My worry here is that if the effect proves permanent, I
may not be able to type. I'll just have to wait and see.

There are ways to deal with that problem, such as chording keyboards.
Helped a friend of mine who lost one side to a stroke.

But worry about that when it's definite. Sufficient unto the day is the
evil thereof, and all that.

wrote

I'm scheduled for another MRI today, this one will focus on my right
hip which has formed an unexplained lump.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jim: Good luck. Theere are bound to be ups and downs.

The most worry-some side-effect is neuropathy along my left side.
Neuropathy is a fancy name for ANY kind of pain or unusual behavior.
In this case it means my left arm & hand have 'gone to sleep.' I'm
unable to grasp things with my left hand. AND I CAN'T TYPE. I'm
doing okay now but the tingling will become worse as the day wears on
until my left hand becomes disabled.

Jim: I wonder if that is more problems with the spine, and nerves being
pinched. I have a bad back that often gives me similair syptoms in my leg.

The problem here is that neuropathy resulting from a drug interaction
or side-effect is often PERMANENT. The physician has discontinued the
drugs that are the most likely candidates for causing this particular
side-effect but it will take several days for my system to flush-out
the remnants.

Jim: Keep us up on how the "flush" goes. We will hope that does it.

My worry here is that if the effect proves permanent, I
may not be able to type. I'll just have to wait and see.

Jim: Plenty of one handed typers, out there. Plenty of one handed
mechanics, and everything out there, too. Let's not go there, yet, though.

Again, my thoughts and prayers will be with you on your journey. Good luck,
and best wishes to you.
--
Jim in NC

On Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:06:09 -0800 (PST), "
wrote:



I'm scheduled for another MRI today, this one will focus on my right
hip which has formed an unexplained lump.

are you sure now that you arent a pimple on the arse of a very patient
frog?

(it's an old bar room joke :-) about a drunk ordering another beer...)

ol' snake unda the verandah.