2:16 PM - Sep 05, 2015 #613
Been a spell since I have posted an update. Chemo rounds 7 and 8 after each 44 hour infusion my chest became inflamed. They think that the large blood vessels around my heart became inflamed and refered pain throughout the whole chest. My oncology team felt that the inflamation was due to my port was in a bad position and was causing a phlebitis. So the port that I had put in on May 1st has been removed. A new course of chemo was selected for me but after talking to my oncologist we came up with a new plan. I have my second PET scan scheduled for 9-11 @ 730 based in the results of that scan will determine where we go next. If my scan is clean I get a two month chemo break if its not clean they want to install a new port and hit it chemo again.
I have not been doing the greatest physically as I have in the past. For some reason my feet and low back have been very painful. My gums have all the sudden started to bleed when I brush my teeth. I also have been nauseated. I am not sure why I have more chemo symptoms while not doing chemo vs. when I do chemo. When I was on chemo I rolled through pretty easily. That is a head screatcher to me. I really dont understand why I feel worse off chemo then when I was on it. I will just chalk this up to another nuisance with chemo/cancer. Not gonna lie I now know why some people just quit. When I was laying in the ER after round 8 I was like fuck this it aint worth it...but I have a huge team that will not let me quit and are always around to kick me in the ass. Thank you all you know who you are...I have the words of one still banging around in my head which was fuck it I dont know what you are going through but finish this "LIKE A BOSS". Well once again I cant thank you all enough for helping me keep my fire lit.
6:12 PM - Sep 05, 2015 #614
From: Pab1964
As I read this it brings tears to my eyes, very tough son of a gun! Not once have you felt sorry for yourself. I pray with all my heart for you trauma you make me a better man. God bless you may God continue to give you the strength my friend!
9:03 PM - Sep 05, 2015 #615
From: KingNothing
Thoughts and prayers are with you trauma. This isn't easy, but you only have two choices, kick cancer's ass or let it take you. I haven't been here all that long, but I've read your intro a couple times and you seem to me the kind of guy that falls into the first category. Keep it up everyday, you have no idea how many people you have in your corner pulling for you in your fight.
7:08 AM - Sep 06, 2015 #616
From: worktowin
It is really fucked what chemicals do to our bodies.
Quitting nicotine damn near wrecked a lot of us, you and me included, for a long time. The misery and feelings of hopelessness went on and on, but we persevered. Quitting booze was no cakewalk for many either... It was such a way of life and dulled senses for so long, but the pain there passed too. Todd - I'm no doctor but it sure seems like this might be another of those situations? Where the body has become accustomed to a poison and now it has been taken away? I dunno, but I do know you. I know that you have been given accolades at work for the job that you are doing even when you feel like hell. That you are completing tasks when your coworkers are trying to get you to take a break. That you have a wife that is world class bad ass and pushing you forward. That only a crazy dude like you would get a convertible to tool around in up there in the arctic.
Life isn't fair. We've all had unfair curve balls thrown at us - but how you have dealt with this is a true testament to leadership and self development. You have helped so many of us on KTC that I don't think you could even count them up. Prayers are with you this week, as always, as you keep kicking cancer to the curb. You are da man.
