A quick health update

[JamesMiehoff]

A few months ago there were several threads about "Where is so and so?". To avoid some of the confusion, I decided to confide in my Lit friends. I have not been feeling great for several months. I was chalking it off to quarantine depression. Well, it was not.

A week or so ago I was advised by my oncologist that the result of the biopsy is that I have stage 4 colon cancer that has spread to my liver.

As you might imagine, this was quite a surprise, since I have none of the symptoms of colon cancer.

My tiredness is due to the tumors displacing 90% of my liver so that I have virtually no liver function to speak of.

I should be starting chemo-therapy in a week or so to try and shrink the tumors. The good thing is that the same chemo that attacks the colon cancer in my liver will attack the original source of the colon cancer as well. Buy one get one free.

If this doesn't work I will most likely be dead by the first part of next year and I don't know how much writing I will be doing between now and then. Which is a shame because I had finally finished the outline for the second part of the Journey series and I was hoping to spend some time putting that out this summer.

If the chemo does work, it will probably add 10 years onto my life although it is indeterminate if my liver function will recover fully. How much energy I have will depend on how much my liver recovers.

I did not write this for sympathy. I just wanted to leave a record in case somebody asks about me. I will document the journey as I have time and energy.

James

 

[Lady2020]

 

[DrHappy]

James, I’m hoping the best for you. Within the past two years, I’ve known someone with Stage 3 and someone else with Stage 4 colon cancer. Both are in remission now. The stage 3 had surgery to remove it from his liver. I know that this is anecdotal, but they seem to be getting pretty good at treating it. Keep your spirits up, and I hope to read that you’ve published your story. I’m sure that I speak for a lot of people here.

 

[SimonDoom]

James, I'm very sorry to hear this.

Cancer is awful, in every way. I have not dealt with it for myself, but I have dealt with it in someone very close to me. She had a different kind of cancer from yours, but it metastisized to her liver. After some unsuccessful initial treatments she found a treatment that succeeded in significantly reducing the tumors. She was initially given two years, and she's still here, five years later.

Do everything you can to find out how to fight it. Don't let up and try not to get down. It's a rapidly changing field, and new treatments come available all the time.

I wish you the best.

 

[Rustyoznail]

Well, shit. That’s no good.

I’m hoping for the best for you, and reckon you should spend some quality time with your 4’ 7” groupies.

 

[oggbashan]

I hope you can have the result from Chemo that I have had - now 15 months clear. (and no side-effects except some temporary hair loss).

Good Luck!

 

[Bramblethorn]

Well damn. Wishing the best for you.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Oh dear. I am so sorry, James. Hope and prayers coming your way.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Well, crap... no pun intended... that's rough. Hopes and wishes are with you.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

so very sorry to hear—prayers up. Please keep us all posted

 

[_Lynn_]

 

[Tio_Narratore]

My sincere wishes for a good outcome for you.

 

[oggbashan]

My sincere wishes for a good outcome for you.

The AH's good wishes are working for me. I hope they do for you too.

 

[LAHomedog]

A few months ago there were several threads about "Where is so and so?". To avoid some of the confusion, I decided to confide in my Lit friends. I have not been feeling great for several months. I was chalking it off to quarantine depression. Well, it was not.

A week or so ago I was advised by my oncologist that the result of the biopsy is that I have stage 4 colon cancer that has spread to my liver.

As you might imagine, this was quite a surprise, since I have none of the symptoms of colon cancer.

My tiredness is due to the tumors displacing 90% of my liver so that I have virtually no liver function to speak of.

I should be starting chemo-therapy in a week or so to try and shrink the tumors. The good thing is that the same chemo that attacks the colon cancer in my liver will attack the original source of the colon cancer as well. Buy one get one free.

If this doesn't work I will most likely be dead by the first part of next year and I don't know how much writing I will be doing between now and then. Which is a shame because I had finally finished the outline for the second part of the Journey series and I was hoping to spend some time putting that out this summer.

If the chemo does work, it will probably add 10 years onto my life although it is indeterminate if my liver function will recover fully. How much energy I have will depend on how much my liver recovers.

I did not write this for sympathy. I just wanted to leave a record in case somebody asks about me. I will document the journey as I have time and energy.

James

I'm sorry to read this. I am a two time cancer survivor including a full on bone marrow transplant. They are doing amazing things with cancer treatment nowadays and with any luck, you will be like me and joining the long and growing list of survivors.

Good luck and best hopes for you. Holding a good thought.

 

[Handley_Page]

As a survivor (so far), I can only wish you luck

 

[BelleCanzuto]

I wish you all the best, James. Few side effects, and a return to full function.

 

[Ginlover]

 

[ChloeTzang]

Hang tough, James. They’re getting better and better at putting these into remission- all the best and see you back here, once you get through it.

 

[mfan2112]

Hang in there, we're all pulling for you.

 

[SisterJezabel]

Well that sucks festering donkey balls.

Sending all the good juju I can. Take care xx

 

[GinnyPPC]

Well that sucks festering donkey balls.

Sending all the good juju I can. Take care xx

^^^^ This sums it it up perfectly.

 

[JamesMiehoff]

Thanks everyone.

Had a meeting with the oncologist yesterday and start chemo tomorrow.

The good news is that 80%+ of people get some relief from the chemo. Not right away, but within a few treatments.

The bad news is that I will probably be on this treatment for the rest of my life. Apparently the tumors grow resistant to the drugs and different combinations need to be used as time goes on.

I guess I will find out how well I will tolerate the chemo tomorrow.

Ogg, according to the oncologist, it is unlikely that I will lose my hair, which is a shame because I always wanted to know what I would look like with a chrome dome.

James

 

[oggbashan]

...

Ogg, according to the oncologist, it is unlikely that I will lose my hair, which is a shame because I always wanted to know what I would look like with a chrome dome.

James

Chemotherapy is a generic term. The drugs used, and their dosages, vary widely and are tailored to the condition and patient.

Some hair loss was my ONLY side effect, much to the annoyance of all the others receiving Chemo at the same time as me.

Most had issues with stomach troubles but when I was seen in the hospital canteen eating a full English Breakfast half an hour after chemo, I was the most hated person for a week.

 

[gordo12]

I'm sorry to hear about this, James. You've been a shining addition to the conversation around here. My best wishes for your recovery.

 

[JamesMiehoff]

Well, I tolerated chemo pretty well. They threw in an IV steroid and I actually left the office feeling better than I went in. Whatever it was I want more, it really helped my breathing and left me generally feeling good.

Unfortunately, I caught a head cold two days later and I have been miserable all week. I'm just now getting over it. So much for my week off.

Next week I start the regimen all over again. Tuesday = bloodwork & doctor consult. Wednesday = chemo and installing the infusion pump. Friday = infusion pump removal. Then one week off and we start it again.

The bloodwork last week showed my liver was not processing bilirubin, the stuff that gives you jaundice and turns your skin yellow. So the doctor put me on horse pills twice a day. I'm not sure if I have those to credit, but my fever finally broke and I am running a fairly normal temperature for the first time in over a month. For a while I have been joking that my new normal temperature has been 99.5 degrees. But it has been normal (98.6 +/- .2) the past two mornings and only barely climbed passed 99 degrees when I have been really exhausted.

I am hoping those are good signs.

I've tried writing a couple of times but when I go back to look at it, I've had to throw it all out. Just goes to show you the old saying, "Never try writing when you are drunk, high or feverish or you will regret it" is at least partially true.

James