Can't sleep.
My new thing now is pain in my leg and back during the evening and now night hours. There's several explanations. The tumor in my leg that was radiated last week is probably the culprit. It could be the cyatic (sure don't know how to spell that one) nerve because I've been sitting many many hours a day or could be a swollen testicle. Whatever the culprit, somethings sure hurts. Other than that and suffering from lack of sleep, my appetite has improved and when I'm not in leg and back pain, I almost feel like living.
My alarm clock is about ready to beep me for pill time. Thank goodness for oxocodone and some nausea pills.
I do plan to write a book on my new diet. I've lost 45 pounds since last summer.
Take care
Jim
Monday, February 27, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
2/18/12
Have a few updates this week. I saw my radiologist on Wednesday and did a CT scan on my leg. I have a tumor growing there. We did an 8 grey radiation on that yesterday. The radiation seems to be doing more that anything to the tumors.
The tumor under my arm has shrunk to almost nothing and there was no sign on the scan of the tumor in my pancreas. As long as the tumors don't show up in vital places, they scan be zapped with radiation.
In the long term, my oncologist at Kaiser said he can't cure the cancer - only buy more time. My hope is or the "GREAT" healer as far as a cure.
We are looking at a chemo drug called yurvoy. The problem is the side effects could be worse than the cure. My feeling at this point is treat with radiation long enough to see if another immune enhancer (like yervoy) gets approved that doesn't have the side effects. When you've been in pain for some time, it seems like the last thing you want is more pain.
The pain in my leg from the tumor there seems to be getting a little better. I'm able to get some pretty good long naps.
I started a 1000 piece jig saw puzzle yesterday, and then wondered if I really needed more frustration. I asked Jodi to pick up an easier one today - Maybe 25 pieces - the smallest of which is 3 x 5 inches.
It really does make a difference when someone says: " You're in my thoughts and prayers" If there is a good side to all this - that is it ! ! !
Jim
The tumor under my arm has shrunk to almost nothing and there was no sign on the scan of the tumor in my pancreas. As long as the tumors don't show up in vital places, they scan be zapped with radiation.
In the long term, my oncologist at Kaiser said he can't cure the cancer - only buy more time. My hope is or the "GREAT" healer as far as a cure.
We are looking at a chemo drug called yurvoy. The problem is the side effects could be worse than the cure. My feeling at this point is treat with radiation long enough to see if another immune enhancer (like yervoy) gets approved that doesn't have the side effects. When you've been in pain for some time, it seems like the last thing you want is more pain.
The pain in my leg from the tumor there seems to be getting a little better. I'm able to get some pretty good long naps.
I started a 1000 piece jig saw puzzle yesterday, and then wondered if I really needed more frustration. I asked Jodi to pick up an easier one today - Maybe 25 pieces - the smallest of which is 3 x 5 inches.
It really does make a difference when someone says: " You're in my thoughts and prayers" If there is a good side to all this - that is it ! ! !
Jim
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
2/8/12
I made the trip to Seattle yesterday and talked with Dr. Nghiem. He was impressed with the way the tumor under my arm had shrunk, but really couldn't tell anything about the one in my pancreas. He's talking with my oncologist at Kaiser to help decide what to do from here. It's too early to do another scan.
He talked about a drug called yervoy. It enhances the immune system instead of killing everything in it's path (good or bad) like Chemo or radiation. There are apparently side effects that could be worse than the cure.
He also said there's a couple other immune enhancers that seem to be real good and do not have the side effects. Problem is they haven't been approved by the FDA. He's hoping I can hang on with radiation until they do become available.
As far as I feel - crummy pretty well says it. I threw up three times yesterday (Partically because of the long trip I'm sure), but I've also had that problem today. I did manage to get to the store to take part in an interview of the person that will be taking my place in the repair department. He seemed like a good choice for us at this point, and I'm exited for Jodi on that. He will come on board the first of May after he's finished repair tech school. He doesn't bring a lot of experience, but does bring the desire to work with Linda whenever need be.
Got off a bit there. I didn't feel a lot of pain today - just nausea, so I skipped my pain medicine and I think that got me way off track. Got my buddies coming to play cards tonight, and I think I might have to bail. I hate to do that.
I won't post again as long as there's no change.
Thanks again and again for your thoughts and prayers.
Jim
He talked about a drug called yervoy. It enhances the immune system instead of killing everything in it's path (good or bad) like Chemo or radiation. There are apparently side effects that could be worse than the cure.
He also said there's a couple other immune enhancers that seem to be real good and do not have the side effects. Problem is they haven't been approved by the FDA. He's hoping I can hang on with radiation until they do become available.
As far as I feel - crummy pretty well says it. I threw up three times yesterday (Partically because of the long trip I'm sure), but I've also had that problem today. I did manage to get to the store to take part in an interview of the person that will be taking my place in the repair department. He seemed like a good choice for us at this point, and I'm exited for Jodi on that. He will come on board the first of May after he's finished repair tech school. He doesn't bring a lot of experience, but does bring the desire to work with Linda whenever need be.
Got off a bit there. I didn't feel a lot of pain today - just nausea, so I skipped my pain medicine and I think that got me way off track. Got my buddies coming to play cards tonight, and I think I might have to bail. I hate to do that.
I won't post again as long as there's no change.
Thanks again and again for your thoughts and prayers.
Jim
Sunday, February 5, 2012
2/5/12
Not much new to add to my blog, but lots of people have been asking so I'll thought I'd better add a few words.
I've just been feeling "not so good" since I got home from the hospital. I'm taking oxocodone, itch medicine, and nausea medicine to feel somewhat like living. My jaudice is a lot better. I still itch, but my color has reallly cleared up. It's funny cause I'm normally a morning person, and now that's my worst time of the day. I do walk a little each day, but other than that, I've done pretty much nothing.
I go to Seattle this Tuesday to see Dr Nghiem at the Cancer Care Center. Jodi and Heather are taking me up. Joyce has an apppointment with her oncologist the same day, and we couldn't get either changed.
Hopefully he has a good next step take. I'll bring this up to date then on Wednesday.
Thanks always for your thoughts and prayers.
Jim
I've just been feeling "not so good" since I got home from the hospital. I'm taking oxocodone, itch medicine, and nausea medicine to feel somewhat like living. My jaudice is a lot better. I still itch, but my color has reallly cleared up. It's funny cause I'm normally a morning person, and now that's my worst time of the day. I do walk a little each day, but other than that, I've done pretty much nothing.
I go to Seattle this Tuesday to see Dr Nghiem at the Cancer Care Center. Jodi and Heather are taking me up. Joyce has an apppointment with her oncologist the same day, and we couldn't get either changed.
Hopefully he has a good next step take. I'll bring this up to date then on Wednesday.
Thanks always for your thoughts and prayers.
Jim
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