Just a request.

[squidlips]

Ahhh, Chateau Barium, 2007. A very good year. Poor Walt, honey. Doubled Interferon and barium too. I'd be demanding cheesecake in my IV toute de suite, my good man.

[jchitty]

Quote:Well,Went in yesterday to pick up my Interferon and then my wonderful barium for my upcoming imaging. Mmmm-mmm!! I get a full-body bone and CT scan, as well as an MRI on Monday, bloody Moday . Gotta be there at 7 am. Yeeha! I just had a full body bone scan not too long ago....hope yours turns out okay...it's not so bad. And the nurse/technician will give you a lollipop if you're good.

[walter327]

Well, the scans went okay. No full body bone scan, though (?!!!). I'll get the results Friday.By the way, my 'puter's down. I'll be back soon as I can.

[walter327]

Well, the news is in. The oncologist said the growth in my torso is stable, but the one in my head is continuing to grow. We're back to talking about radiation, again. He prescribed a patch for the pain in my legs. Don't remember the drug. Starts with a "D", though.I also called MD Anderson today, and they want to see me again mid to late November at the latest. They apparently have a chemo "mix" they use if Interferon fails to work. I think it's experimental. So, insurance is gonna fight me on that. Someone asked me a few months ago which was more important, money or my life. According to the insurance vultures, the answer is "money".So, there's you're update. Sorry if I don't sound too cheery. Got a lot on my mind right now.

[sgs4u]

How are you feeling today Walt?

[squidlips]

Quote:Well, the news is in. The oncologist said the growth in my torso is stable, but the one in my head is continuing to grow. We're back to talking about radiation, again. He prescribed a patch for the pain in my legs. Don't remember the drug. Starts with a "D", though.I also called MD Anderson today, and they want to see me again mid to late November at the latest. They apparently have a chemo "mix" they use if Interferon fails to work. I think it's experimental. So, insurance is gonna fight me on that. Someone asked me a few months ago which was more important, money or my life. According to the insurance vultures, the answer is "money".So, there's you're update. Sorry if I don't sound too cheery. Got a lot on my mind right now.Shyeah, insurance. Do not get me started. I hate them and the completely irrelevant price they love to put on our heads while we're going through something traumatic (like chemo or some natural disaster). You are NOT to consider yourself any part of that, Walt, ya hear what I'm sayin'? I thought it myself while going through treatment but it's not true, none of that type of thinking is true, it's all part and parcel of treatment and silly things that will get sorted when you're all betta and can deal with it. First order of business is survival. There're some firms online coming out of California who help the insured get approved for things like this. Much cheaper than paying the cost out of pocket, too. Something to think about. Po' Walt, I know this sounds like a real big pothole in the road right now but MD Anderson pulls some amazing stuff off on a daily basis and their cocktails are famous for that. Giving you big hugs, see? ((((((((((((((((((Walt))))))))))))))I know your pain either through my own or my clients. I have great faith in you, Walt. You're a survivor of the first order. Keep your mind in the game, swee'pea.

[michaeldean]

Walt,I'm kinda new around here, but I've been following this thread for a few weeks... Just wanted to let you know that your sense of humor and relentless optimism are an inspiration to me (and, obviously, to many others). I don't know how you manage to stay so calm through these many trials.I'm quite sure, too, that your descriptions don't even begin to convey the retchedness of some of these things you've had to endure!On a practical level, something occurred to me as I was reading some of your posts: You had mentioned earlier that you were suffering from fairly severe arhythmias. You may already know this, but I found out (through having had pretty severe ones myself) that caffeine is a notorious arhythmia-causing agent. When you were talking up the charms of coffee, it made me wonder whether that might be what's causing yours? I fought it for years, until I read an article that mentioned the caffeine connection. I went totally off of caffeine and have been practically arhythmia free since. I liked coffee a whole lot, but I have to say, I hated the arhythmias more. I did the Holter monitor, the event monitor and all the rest - I know how disturbing they can be.Of course, if you love coffee that much, this may be a difficult choice, but you might want to just try keeping tabs on the arhythmias and, when they get bad, see if there's been a lot of coffee in the previous 4-8 hours or so... Anyway, just a thought. I debated whether to even bring it up - I suspect that in the midst of chemo hell, arhythmias might not even be on the radar. But then, on the other hand, I figure if there's something (anything) you can do to make yourself a little more comfortable...Anyway, there's the information - do with it as you please.Meanwhile, you are in our thoughts, and I truly believe your humor & positive attitude will stand you in good stead throughout this ordeal.Very best wishes,Michael

[walter327]

Nah. It was the Interferon. As soon as the dosage was reduced, the palpitations stopped.Well, we're off to Cancun 'til next Thursday. A much needed and, I think, deserved break from all the crap. Doc says I can skip a week of Interferon so that I can have a Corona whilst easin' in a hammock. Then it's back here to a new pain patch-Duragesic. That means "No beer" .If I can get to a computer, I'll tune in and brag about how life is in the tropics .

[walter327]

Oh!! Cancun was GREAT!! I think wifey and I are even closer now, too. Will fill you in more when I recover a bit from the trip.

[jchitty]

Glad you had a wonderful time in Cancun, Walt!