Still Here
Sorry I've been gone so long, it's been a rough stretch of road. I had two very nasty reactions to Oxy when they tried it on me again. The first time, I fell over during treatment and cut my eyebrow. The second, my temp hit 103 and my oxygen level fell to 76%. My onc said if we were to try it just one more time the reaction could be bad enough to kill me. End of oxy.
Diarrhea has been another bad issue, but my last two treatments they gave me a shot to stop it and it's working good. I've had some bowel discomfort, but it's easily knocked down with lomotil.
I've lost a huge amount of weight, down from 175 to 135 in a couple of months. Out of concern, my onc asked me if I was considering stopping treatment and dying in about 3 months. I told him no, I've got too much work left to finish. With treatment at my current weight and energy levels he only gives me about 6 months.
It hasn't all been bad, an old buddy of mine came out to visit from North Carolina this weekend, last time we saw each other was in England in 1979. We had a few adventures that wiped me out but it was a great time. Over the weekend, officers from my VFW Post came to omy house and formally initiated me into the VFW. It was really quite an honor.
Well friends, I've been sitting up to write this and need to lay back down now.
God Bless
Ray/Doc
Comments
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I am SO glad to see you on here, Doc!
It sounds like you have been having an incredibly tough time. I'm really sorry. I truly hate it when doctors give us expiration dates. I just don't believe in them. I've seen too many people come back from very dire straits, in complete contradiction of their doc's estimates. You're a tough guy...I think you've got more strength in you than your doctor realizes. That's exciting to hear about being initiated into the VFW! Where did you serve, what branch? Hugs and again, happy you're back. AA
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Hey Doc! I've been coming on
Hey Doc! I've been coming on here to check on you. I'm so glad that you were able to get on. I've been thinking about you and am looking forward to your next post telling us that you're gaining weight and doing better. Hang in there. You've got a great spirit and I'm looking forward to hearing many more of your adventures. Helen
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Hate to hear your having suchDyanclark said:YIKES
Well we were all waiting to hear from you. Not such good news, I feel sick knowing what you are going thru. I can tell you really love life and I will be thinking of you everyday.
Lots of Hugs George & Diane
Hate to hear your having such a rough time of it, truly sounds horrible. Is your weight loss from the diarrhea? Maybe now that you've found something that helps with that you'll gain weight and strength. Take care of yourself!!
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We are glad you are up and
We are glad you are up and fighting again! Keep up the good fight. We are sending thoughts and prayers for you to find more strength.
No matter how bad we feel we all must remember that Food and Nutrition are feeding the enginge of life. Oatmeal helped me with the diarrhea. Lomotil and Simethicone help me a lot with the bowel issues.
Feel Better Ray!
Best Always, mike
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Glad to see your post
Youhave through a lot but I'm glad you're still fighting. I know what you mean there is so much more to do. Has your oncconsidered Stivarga chemo pills. I'm on them because I've been through all the other chemos and can't take them. It's too early to tell if it's stopping the cancer but I'm hopeful. I pray yrecover well well enough to have some more adventures. Jeff
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If you are losing weight due
If you are losing weight due to cachexia and are losing muscle tissue, hit the gym big time for resistance training. It may seem counter productive to exercise when losing weight, but its not. From my experience I lost 16kg in just a few weeks. After hitting the gym I recovered most of my previous muscle mass and gained back 7kg within 2 months, which put me back at a healthy weight for my size.0 -
Hello Doc ... I have followed your brave journey and
I just want to tell you how much I respect your courage. It sounds like you have dear friends that have loved you for a long time. Please keep posting when you feel up to it. Congratulations on your formal initiation into the VFW, you must be very proud. -- Cynthia
The most genuine acts of kindness are done without fanfare and when no one is looking.
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STill here is the best place to be
Great to hear from you again - had assumed you were distracted by having a rough time but also sounds like it has been intermingled with some great times to so hope you made the most of them. Timeframes are always hard to hear and we know how inaccurate it can all be- I guess it simply focuses the mind on living every moment for its pleasure and joy where ever possible. When quantity is limited, quality becomes the issue so I hope you are able to implement your plans to get done the stuff you want (wish to share the details?)
Thoughts are with you and great to hear the positive attitude has survived these rough times,
steve
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glad you're back!
I've been peeking at your profile which shows when you've logged in, and I've seen activity, so that's good.
Glad you're still hanging in there and are a part of this community. Happy day!
- Karin
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hello Doclilacbrroller said:glad you're back!
I've been peeking at your profile which shows when you've logged in, and I've seen activity, so that's good.
Glad you're still hanging in there and are a part of this community. Happy day!
- Karin
glad to see you posting again.im sorry you are having a tough time.oxy wiped me out back in 2009 and i can no longer take it.take care and Godbless...johnnybegood
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I am glad you posted. I have
I am glad you posted. I have been thinking about you lately. Are you out of options. Usually Oxy is first line. Have you done irinotecan avastin erbitux or any of the new drugs. you are in my prayers.
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Expiration dateannalexandria said:I am SO glad to see you on here, Doc!
It sounds like you have been having an incredibly tough time. I'm really sorry. I truly hate it when doctors give us expiration dates. I just don't believe in them. I've seen too many people come back from very dire straits, in complete contradiction of their doc's estimates. You're a tough guy...I think you've got more strength in you than your doctor realizes. That's exciting to hear about being initiated into the VFW! Where did you serve, what branch? Hugs and again, happy you're back. AA
They've been giving me shots in the butt cheek to help with the diarrhea so Tuesday I asked the nurse if she saw a date stamped there. She didn't and asked why, so I told her I was checking for my expiration date. Since it ain't there, I ain't expiring.
I was in the Air Force from 1978 - 1985, served in England and upstate New York.
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thinking of you
Been thinking of you, I admire your attitude and fight. Prayers to you!
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