Terry's nails during and after chemo (ABVD).

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Kat

A cheshire cat, no doubt !  My basic, most fundamental feeling is thanksgiving.  My kids need me in this ugly world for as long as I can hang in there  !

To borrow Shoopy's line, "I plan to live forever, and so far it is working ! "

I knew you went through it but think this is the most gruesome account yet, know you could probably write a book!  I hope to see you in foreverland.  Bill and I are planning on being there too.  You're the best!  Becky

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Perspective

Toni,

I was run over by  a car years ago: Eighteen fractures, caved-in chest (what trauma surgeons refer to as a "flail chest") , displaced sternum, leg nearly torn off (kneecap found in my pants leg; femur ripped completely in two midway down, and broken again at the hip socket), twenty-five days in ICU.  I was awake and unmedicated when a trauma doctor thrust a chest tube into my right side.   Two years learning to walk, with trauma-induced ossification of the hip, two wholly collapsed, untreatable discs in my back.  A therapist was doing range-of-motion therapy on my arms in ICU while I was on a ventilator (and hence could not speak).  She did not know that both of my scapulars were broken (the docs thought that only the left one was broken at that time), and she pulled the scapular apart while I watched, such that my right shoulder is higher now than my left.  Abdominal trauma left me with a hiatial hernia and horrible reflux.  The docs thought at the time that I had liver failure, but it was actually just out of wack due to severe bruising.  My  blood gases were so messed up that the head of respitory therapy told me later that my 02 and C02 levels "did not indicate life."  I have had two more severe auto crashes since.

I went for a chest x-ray a year later, and when the tech saw the film, he carried it around the office, showing it to coworkers.

 And then advanced lymphoma and six months of abvd, with ALL of the side-effects thrown in for good measure.  Following that, a little gall bladder pain is hardly noticable ! The last time I felt normal or OK was 26 years ago.   I say to my gall bladder scar:  Bring it on baby !  Gimmmie what you got  !  This song is what I say to a mambie-pambie little gallbladder incision:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=DE&hl=de&v=vIFsQbM3ofY&app=desktop

I am just thankful to be above-ground and cancer free,

max

Omg Max, you have given new meaning to 'defy the odds'!  I am humbled.

toni

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Roll on

illead,

I was on a local radio station for "Amazing Survival Stories"  --before I got cancer.

I think I have another 10 or more years in me. I have been totally cancer free for four years, which is a very positive thing.  My issues are mostly orthopedic at the moment. I show some signs of early Parkinson's, but that is not officially diagnosed yet.  My doc said I would have to follow up on that with a neurologist if things get worse.  Maybe they won't.  I still want to get a bike and tour the country, Easy Rider style.  I am only 57 now, but people say I look 75.  People just need to realize how much stamina and endurance is within them, if they have spirit .  I am blessed !  

Many EMS techs have told me that when they get a call regarding "ejection" from a motor vehicle crash (such as I had), they do not expect the person to be alive when they arrive, so I have beaten the odds.

I have a good vibe about Bill -- he will be fine.  We will stay in touch .  

I had a buddy die about two months age after 13 years with prostate cancer .  I took him to the cancer center for most of his treatments during his last cycle.   Because I used the same center, he once said to an infusion nurse regarding me, "This guy is one of your success storys !"  I told him in reply,  "YOU are the success story ! You have been doing this for 13 years !"   Most of those were good years.  But, the last six months or so were ugly -- very.   I remember this song in his memory.  It is so deep.   I used to play guitar, and am hoping to begin on bass soon, if my fingers will cooperate.

The song might have meaning for you.  Anyone out there facing anything: Know you can beat it !  Laugh at it, and it will leave you alone . Disease is a coward and a punk .

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrkEDe6Ljqs

max

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Nice to see you in fine form as usual max glad everyone is doing well. I may be back in the chair soon but th jury is still out. What the heck, kinda missed the nursing staff anyway. I'll keep y'all posted, I haven't posted much lately but I'm always keeping watch on the forum. Take care and be well everyone 

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Huh ?

Aaron,

What does "in the chair" mean, big guy ?  I hope not what I think....

max

I won't know for sure until next month but it's not looking good. Hopefully it's localized in the neck so possibly it can be dealt with with radiation and rituxan. We shall see

Aaron said:

It might

I won't know for sure until next month but it's not looking good. Hopefully it's localized in the neck so possibly it can be dealt with with radiation and rituxan. We shall see

Hi Aaron,

 Gosh...I sure hope it's not back. I'll keep you in my prayers. Let us know when you find out for sure. Best wishes...Sue

(Follicular NHL-stg3-grd2-typA-Dx 6/10-age 63)