As some of you already know I have been undergoing some rather extensive testing the past month. Today the cancer doc took some bone and bone marrow out of my right hip. He is a big strong guy and let me tell you that needle must be BIG and strong. Of course he also had the nurse draw 4 more vials of blood. That makes 13 in the past week. He kept asking me if he was hurting me and I told him no just get it done. To me it was better than being out in the line of folks getting chemo therapy for hours. Won't know the total outcome till I go back in 2 weeks. He told me to drop the iron tablets the heart doc has had me taking for 4 years. Said my iron levels were way elevated. After all that fun I went next door for my annual pacemaker/ICD check. Says I should get 3 more years from the battery.
Then after a little shopping and lunch got to get an ultrasound of my testicles.
The only test they have not done yet is a colonoscopy although he did mention that a few weeks back. He did not ask and I sure as hell did not mention it.
Let me tell you I never realized how hard a toilet seat is till I had that needle stuck in me today. Going to be a 2 pain pill night for sure.
That was back in December when the radioactive isotopes they inject to check my heart leaked out into my bones. Thus began the saga of scans, bone scans and more blood draws than you can imagine. I am going to include some posts I did on another of Doc's forums to bring folks up to date.
Went to the doc again to get the results of the bone marrow tests. Seems I have a form of leukemia that is only treated by a bone marrow transplant. He is kicking me up the road to Rochester to Strong Memorial for an analysis to see if they think I will be a candidate for a transplant. Meanwhile they are treating the anemia with a shot and blood tests every 2 weeks. Next up is the cardiologist in 10 days for my annual checkup. Then 2 days after that up to Rochester. Two more days and back for another shot and blood draw. Hell I am just a pin cushion anymore.
I had a new nurse named Pat today. I named her one stick Pat as they already have a 2 stick Pat. And then there is 3 stick Debbie but she was going for 6 vials at once. Maybe they are selling it?
Thanks everybody. It is what it is and the man upstairs calls the shots, not me. I figure he has already granted me almost 5 years of bonus time after my heart problems. I got to retire early but just never knew it was gonna hurt so much!
Went to Strong memorial hospital in Rochester today. They drew some blood and said some of the counts show a little improvement but their analysis of the first bone marrow showed mixed results. I have some very mutated cells but they were not defined enough for them to give an accurate diagnosis. So I will go back Feb. 16th for another marrow and bone draw along with more blood work. Meanwhile they are requesting any blood tests from the last 5 years to see if their is any history of something changing in my cell counts. I wish I was 10 years younger the way all these young lady docs like poking and prodding me all over.
Hopefully they are on the right course to finding what is going on inside my bones. The chief doc seems to feel it is cancer but wants better test results from a fresh sample from their lab and pathologist before deciding what form it is. They were worried I would not want to go through another one but it ain't that bad and if that is what they need it is just a pain in the other hip. Not that big a deal.
Here is the Cliff notes version of my trip last week. 2 lady docs and an assistant DRILLED a hole in my left butt cheek into my hip. Took out 12 tubes of fluid and I am very impatiently awaiting the results of the pathologist and treatment options. I have not been a nice guy while waiting.
The pain is nothing compared to the waiting.
Why does pathologist sound like somebody from the morgue???
This all took place on the 16th of February. Fast forward to last night about 8 pm. Wow and then some. I just got off the phone with Strong memorial getting the results of my tests. Seems I have leukemia and need to start shots right away and a whole lot of regular testing and annual bone marrow tests at the minimum. The shots will be weekly with dosage adjustments and when it gets worse, chemo. Have some serious lifestyle changes to do and start really working at building up my health and stamina while they try to match me with a marrow donor. 3 years is the rosy side of things right now but it is all subject to change depending on how fast it mutates. This has been a week of roller coaster emotions that take my breath away and scare the hell out of me at the same time. So much happening that it is a little overwhelming even though I knew this day was coming. Will be getting the shots and some testing in Elmira and go back to Strong at least every 60 days for more extensive tests to monitor the progression which she assured me will come. Soooooo... it ain't a death sentence but it will get worse without a marrow transplant. Whole lot to digest with deaths and hospitalized folks and more this week. Wish it was not dark out and waiting for a snowstorm to roll in. Would be a good time for a long walk and some life reflection.
Yeah, It kind of feels a little like a truck just knocked you down. I can deal with my own pain a lot easier than seeing what it does to those around me. I ain't told the wife all they said just yet as she is a little overwhelmed right now. Knowing this day is coming is one thing but it sure is different when they lay it out for you. Lots of emotions to process right now.
I will start the first shot Monday and the Doc over there will lay it out for the wife if she goes along. Part of me wants to fight and part of me wants to say &&&& it. Changes about every 5-10 minutes right now.
Originally Posted by squerly That's a disappointing prognosis to say the least. What causes, or how does one get leukemia? Is it something in your (our) lifestyle or is it hereditary? Can you do something about this with a lifestyle change?
They said it could have come from transfusions when I had my cardiac trouble or a whole host of things. It is somewhat unusual to show this late in life but who knows. The only thing that fixes it is a marrow transplant which is a needle in a haystack hunt. __________________
I willingly offer my body to medical science for women to experiment on! I aim low cause I don't hear well but can see them dance.
Originally Posted by squerly How does that work? I'm gong to bet that bone marrow isn't the same for everyone? You need a special type?
She said it is like a needle in a haystack hunt to match the DNA, blood type etc. They have a natioal registry and all you do is send a spit swab like the FBI does on TV. Donors they take it out of your wrist.
Real simple to do. They mail you a card, you give em some spit and send it back. It may not help me but the more that join the better the odds. Hopefully it will give some kid a chance at the life I have enjoyed.
So now you know how my holidays etc. have gone. Long road ahead yet and many things can change as the treatments get underway. This was the first time in 46 years I missed hunting season among other things. Coupled with the strangest winter we have ever had the wildlife population is booming up here. When they ain't poking me at doctor visits I have had some serious watching time as the turkeys and deer come in to the feeder. Filling the feeder and trash runs is about all the RTV has been used for lately. I have been working on changing my diet and losing some weight as well as walking a lot. been getting a lot of 3/4 mile walks on the flat areas up top here and hope to get to where I can do the whole lane to get the mail. That is 1 1/2 miles and I am walking more than that each day now but not uphill.
If you're reading these and haven't caught the gist and format, it's because muleman as taken posts out of some threads on another forum (www.forumsforums.com) and put them in here.
As expressed on FF Bill, my prayers are with you and if there's anything I can do to help, let me know. I'm also looking into the bone marrow donor program but am on the cusp of eligible or not in several categories.
Bill, I have been keeping you and the Mrs. in my prayers since you told me. I am also a volunteer on the bone marrow donor list and hope one is found for you. Wouldn't it be something it if was one of us! You know that we all care very much for you and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. bordercollie
Muleman, Sorry to hear about your situation. My prayers are with you. Just remember that the MAN above is with you every second of the day and he will not abandon you.
You will need to get well soon because I will need your help. I just got word that BCZOOM was scouting for turkey on the Ice Mountain. We have to keep him out of our prime hunting territory. I wonder if Bczoom knows the difference between a turkey and a turkey buzzard. LOL We may not have a problem ater all unless Two Guns educates him.
Keep the Faith Good Buddy. The MAN above will get you through the worst of times.
Sorry to hear about your current condition. My hope and prayers will be with you during these trying times. Hope you can get a chance for a couple gobblers this spring! Take care.
Jamey
Sorry to hear about all your health concerns. Sometimes the cure seems to be worse than the illness huh? Well, I'm sure I speak for lots of folks here on the Forum that we are praying for you and wishing you a speedy recovery back to good health.
you hang in there buddy things will get better . i know with my back and neck problems i have some very bad days . i can't even imagine the bad days your havin but just keep a positive outlook on things .
Then after a little shopping and lunch got to get an ultrasound of my testicles.
The only test they have not done yet is a colonoscopy although he did mention that a few weeks back. He did not ask and I sure as hell did not mention it.
Let me tell you I never realized how hard a toilet seat is till I had that needle stuck in me today. Going to be a 2 pain pill night for sure.
