tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63143124493138857502024-03-13T13:19:36.449-07:00Riding The Throat Cancer RoadA Blog I hope that I keep up that will put perspective on just what I have experienced and what you can expect, God forbid, you should get it.
This Blog reads backwards from the most current to the beginning.anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.comBlogger658125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-41022649244352898952020-04-09T12:57:00.001-07:002020-04-09T12:57:18.981-07:0004-09-2020<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It has been a while since I last posted anything, so I thought I'd get you up to speed. My throat has chilled out finally, no more bleeding. I do get choked easily and still have a small cough.<br />
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My last exam which was yesterday the lady said she wish her blood were that good, all but my sugar was a tad high bout I had eat graham cracker with peanut butter. She laughed and said that explains it.<br />
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The KeyTruda was suppose to be on Tuesday but Fed-x had a mishap with their plane and all their chemo got hot so they had to reorder.<br />
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I skipped the MRI on my brain Monday, Denise rescheduled it for May, and that is maybe. I saw no reason taking a chance of catching Corna virus, plus my head is still super sore from the Gamma Knife. 30 shots in the head and 4 screws screwed into your skull, and yes, you are awake and aware for the whole thing.<br />
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The treatment took it out of me yesterday, I didn't do much. Today I am sowing the last seeds I'm gonna plant. I'm not sure how many each species abut somewhere around 350 plants. I'm going to try it. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-10711653431168877852020-03-16T19:42:00.001-07:002020-03-16T19:42:45.806-07:0003-16-2020<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Had a call about 9pm tonight coming from MHH, said I would be checked before entering the building and visit the doctor after which was suppose to be a KeyTruda infusion, except there will be no infusion this day. This is the same girl that screwed up multiple times already on multiple people. I may just ask that they schedule a time to remove the port since I will not be needing it. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-66131667223097326212020-03-11T20:02:00.002-07:002020-03-11T20:02:34.095-07:00Dr Rathfoot stretches my throat and does Kenalog Injections<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well here it is 03-11-2020, and I had my throat worked on again, and it probably will not be the last. That said it is a small, very small price to pay to gain living 20 more years. UT did great from registering, in the prep area, surgical area, and recovery area, they were a team of nice ladies and gentlemen. It was most representative of my care when I had throat cancer, minus the radiation part. Then again, Dr. Rathfoot was the surgeon, a finer doctor you will never meet.<br />
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I begged Denise to take me shopping and finally, she did, which led to what she said it would, I became a tad overwhelmed. When that surgical numbing comes off and the steroids, one remembers they are limited and human, lol. Denise said he said something about most people are 50, I assume the diameter in cemeteries or perhaps, then again swelling percent closed or open. I asked twice and Denise was understandable worn out and a bit puffy. While my head was still attached, I remained silent. Perhaps I will ask her another day. I go back for a follow-up next week. I do know he stretched my throat and done several Kenalog Injections in my throat. He said he was worried about the chest radiation after the damage left behind in 2010 throat radiation but was relieved. That credit goes to my radiation doctor, Anderson and staff at Morristown Hamblen Hospital. <br />
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Tonight, my throat is closing off some, I guess I may have done too much and Denise went to bed 3 hours ago. My head is of two feelings, maybe three. The tip-top is still numb while the area where the shots were injected (just below the top), are extremely sore from the 30 shots of lidocaine it too to numb my head enough to drill those 4 screws into my skull. For a moment, maybe a phantom pain, I felt sore about where they used the Gama Knife. The day that happened I had a brief moment of vertigo. I was headed to feed the cows, I had timed it two days after the surgery. I sat on the cattle trailer until I regained most of my balance, about 15-20 minutes, then went on.<br />
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This timing session hasn't gone so well, I messed up planning. I had planned to lay around for a day like I did the brain surgery but I noticed while we came down the road they will be out, probably already are of hay. Tomorrow I have to pay the Insurances then come back and feed the cows. Then I think I will just couch potato it.<br />
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On a serious note: I have no idea why God brings me through this stuff, but so far He has. I am not better than others, probably worse in some ways. I was told I gave strength and hope to others struggling if they see strength in me or hope it is misplaced. God is the Hope for me, for everybody, and if they think I have a strength, that too belongs to God as He has carried me at times, most times though this all. I do not understand why I remain but I do remember that night January 31st, 2005. I remember what I saw, what I felt... and perhaps that is why I have unbreakable faith when I had doubt until that night. I also saw what I was before I was forgiven and that causes me to ask, if not me then who deserves this more than I.<br />
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</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-82327395848479267482020-03-03T07:19:00.001-08:002020-03-03T07:27:20.501-08:00No KeyTruda today, except nobody told me the schedule had changed. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I was supposed to have a KeyTruda infusion today, which is a form of chemo that is supposed to keep away cancer from coming back by arming your T Cells. That didn't happen. It has rained enough to cause flooding here in East Tennessee which is better than Nashville got it. So my wife takes off from work long enough to stay there with me and brings me home. So we take off, drive through flooded streets, get there and are told that it has been canceled until I do a CT scan on the 10th.<br />
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For all the great people working there, why I left UT, this Rachelle lady and her buddy are the broken cogs in the wheel. She left me in the system, scheduled the CT Scan and never told us about any of the changes. This is NOT her first time doing this stuff. She said she had left a message yet my cell phone didn't have any messages, the home phone didn't have a message, and the alternate phone number wasn't even in Tennessee! She must be either kin or sleeping with someone there to remain in her job because there are other patients that warned us of her and another girl she works with. To add to that she has the personality of a rock, feeling high and mighty and superior to everybody else.<br />
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Why a hospital would employ such inept people I have no idea. This reflects on the hospital and between that and not being able to keep an Oncologist are beginning to look bad. It has made me rethink things. Luckily for MHH, UT sucks with billing and Tenova is even worse. That said, my next surgery will be at UT.<br />
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-17015750456815036712020-02-28T13:30:00.003-08:002020-02-28T13:30:47.776-08:002-28-2020 New Surgery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We set a date today for another surgery, I knew this was coming and thank God they knock me out, lol. This one is to stretch my throat. It will be in a couple of weeks and I've had to have this done a few times due to radiation damage. In this, I'll be on a breathing machine and God willing I'll wake up with no extra holes.<br />
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The top of my head is still numb while I would like for the holes where the screws were installed to be numb too, but it doesn't seem to work that way. I have some nerve damage to the right side of my head, I can touch the hole and a shooting pain goes straight up my head. Hopefully, that will pass and if it doesn't it will still have been worth it. I timed everything right to where I stayed in the day of surgery and the next day, then come Thursday it was time to feed the cows, sheep, and donkeys. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-17138544866494646652020-02-27T19:50:00.001-08:002020-02-27T19:50:02.449-08:00Tumors Burnt Out<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well here it is 02-27-2020, and I have the Gamma Knife done 2 days ago. This time was different, the tumors were still there, except they had not grown any bigger and 1 tumor had vanished. The guys and gals at Thompson Cancer Survival Center done an excellent job.<br />
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My head is still extremely tender even today, the top completely numb still. The worse part of the Gamma Knife is the preparations for it, as soon as you go into the area with the Gamma Knife it is a totally different world. I took a CD of Mercy Me in, they played it and I heard it.<br />
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I have to go back for another MRI again but should something show up the will wait until 3 months later and do another MRI. They said they didn't want to put me through it. I'm guessing there were 30 shots to numb my skull enough to put 4 self-threading screws in.<br />
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I still have 1 more operation coming, just not sure when to stretch my throat again.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-41905790626163852872020-01-27T11:44:00.000-08:002020-01-27T11:44:01.213-08:00The 3rd MRI<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The date is 1-27-2020 and today was my 3rd MRI on the brain. We were hopeful that they would not see anything again, but that was just hopeful. I had 2 doctor appointments after the MRI to discuss the results, and they were now what we'd hoped for.<br />
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I have 3 tumors that showed up, 2 small and 1 large. The smaller ones they do not know what they are but the bigger one they said was cancer. They gave me the option of waiting 6 weeks to see if it is still there but if I did there was no guarantee it could be removed with the Gamma Knife, it may have grown too large. So we made the decision to go ahead with the surgery.<br />
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There are 3 doctors that must have an opening in order to run the machine, so a date has not been set yet. It will mean wearing that brace the screws into your skull. They numb you pretty good but you can feel the pressure and hear the bones in your skull being drilled into, it is scary. The real pain sets in afterward, for many days. I will update this again when it is done. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-56940159377279769262020-01-14T21:47:00.004-08:002020-01-14T21:59:29.937-08:00UT & Billing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, back to the drawing board I guess. I got a letter from a Collecting Agency Saturday on the now 542 dollar charge. I will call Humana first to see what they think and how I should proceed. They called about a month ago and said I had not paid one of the Co-Pays and I needed to pay them 40.00. I asked if that would settle the account, and they said it would.<br />
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I asked if they took a check over the phone, most places will, but they said they don't. I ran an Online Farm & Pet Store for years and I did. They said they needed a Credit Card or Debit Card. I had this bad feeling about giving them anything they could charge more than once, or what they wanted to charge. I paid them just to get them off my back, but I mailed a check to them after they sent me a bill. A month later this thing comes and it says they will be charging 10% interest, which is illegal, so now I am questioning just how reputable these doctors are and who they deal with, and work under. I know them charging more than Medicare pays is wrong, especially since they double-billed some things, coded other things wrong, and attempt to charge what they wanted to instead of what the agreed plan.<br />
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This also brings into question not only their reputation and ethics at University Pathologists but UT as well. One has to wonder, does UT not know these guys are damaging their credibility? They already lost them a patient with their sloppy work. I never thought I'd say this, but I am so glad that I chose Morristown Hamblen Hospital and the Covenant Health System. We have had no billing issues there and great service. Even the name says they will try to make you survive cancer. UT is just the Cancer Center while Covenant has named theirs Thompson Survival Cancer Center. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-42845148429545825802019-12-31T16:16:00.003-08:002019-12-31T16:16:58.749-08:0012-31-2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last post for this year.<br />
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I had another infusion of KeyTruda today. The next one is in three weeks and I will meet the new doctor...again. She will be the third Chemo doctor since I've been going there. I am considering that one will be my last one, the bone pain it causes is intense at times. It is different than joint pain, a different ache.<br />
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So this next year, God willing, I want a garden. It has been two years since I have had one and we are getting low on the food we put back. Greenbeans are longer than that, it has been about 2011 or 2012 the last time we grew them and we are getting low on them. Plus I want to know I still can and I know there is a way, I just have to find it.<br />
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This could also be the last year we raise cattle. Our catch and load system isn't cutting it, beef prices are too low (except in the stores), and I'm not sure how long I can do it. The last calves we sold went for .80 to 1.20 per lb, in the store they are 4.50 to 8.00 per lb, and ours really are grass-fed.<br />
Middlemen and grocery stores are the ones making money while Farmers get starved out.<br />
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I am shocked at just how much lung use I have lost and apparently dead lung tissue stays dead. I will have to relearn to use what I have left, but I can do it.<br />
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Happy New Year </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-58918339024947032932019-12-06T06:46:00.001-08:002019-12-06T06:46:10.872-08:0012-05-2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It has been a while since my last post, not much has changed. I'm still doing KeyTruda every 3 weeks, so that ain't bad. It takes about 45 minutes for the actual infusion but about 2 hours due to having blood drawn and tested. My only side effects so far appear to be intense bone pain. It isn't the type of pain like Rheumatoid Arthritis, which I do have, but a deep bone itself pain away from the joints. The other one is it appears to be aggravating this Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but that could also be the weather. (I'm hoping).<br />
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I still rely on O2 even though the cancer is gone due to the damage it left behind, scar tissue. Now it is funny but I never knew once the tissue happens it does not heal and regenerate, that part stays dead. I knew this with the heart but I didn't know it did the same with the lungs. So I will always be short-winded and due to that, I will always need my emergency inhaler and O2 nearby. I have learned to take it with me on the Tractor when I feed. If I exert myself I can tell it, but let me explain.<br />
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I start to feel like I'm smothering, then my heart starts racing due to not enough oxygen. It does feel just like a heart attack and Denise tells me it could cause a heart attack, especially since mine is damaged from 2 previous heart attacks. The first one being the one that did the most damage. Aside from exertion, certain things can also shut my breathing down like straw or hay, especially wet. Dr. Rathfoot said my throat was about 1/4 the size opening of a normal throat. He said that if I walked in the ER and he saw me, not knowing my history, he would panic. That is from the radiation damage that occurred due to throat cancer treatments. The bottom part of one lung is pretty much shot, it was the one the tumor had cut off. I'm sitting here typing this out with O2 and after I finish I will do a breathing treatment.<br />
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Having said all that, I do suggest doing conventional therapy. If I had gone with natural treatments I don't think I would be here today. I believe there has to be a better way but for now, there isn't, or at least nothing we know of. One has a choice of conventional or natural treatments, and there are those who have done natural and were cured, but they are few and far between. The best we can do is to make sure we find a good doctor and hospital with good people working there. Even with this, one has to realize that God is in control and has faith, not to be healed but there is a better place waiting. He may heal you and may not, but it is in our favor which it will be. I have no idea why he has been with me through 4 cancers and 2 heart attacks and I still stand while mom died from 2 cancers, perhaps what she was sent to do she accomplished. I know she is happy and I will see her again one day and that it was for her good, not a punishment but a reward. I had someone on FaceBook say I was an inspiration and strength to withstand what I have so far in 59 years. I thanked her for the kind words but said if I am strong it isn't my strength but God's she sees, as I can do nothing on my own, but He that I serve that strengthens me. One day He will say enough and I will be gone, and that is OK too. Meanwhile, I stand not of my own strength but of Him that created me. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-55141899111682773862019-11-22T18:58:00.000-08:002019-11-22T18:58:07.360-08:0011-22-2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I had an appointment with Dr. Rathfoot Tuesday. He scoped me then read the Pet Scan report and explained what congested means. Basically, that is the part of the lung tissue that is scared and unusable, and apparently, I have quite a lot of it. The scar tissue in my throat from throat cancer treatments has left my airway about 1/3 -1/4 the diameter of a normal throat. That is where my shortness of breath comes from. That was in the morning. A quick Costco and Sams trip then we headed home to unload and begin part 2 of the day, the Keytruda infusion.<br />
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I had planned on putting this up Wednesday, I was worn out Tuesday, but I made the mistake of getting a sausage/egg/cheese biscuit at Wygles. That didn't turn out so well as I caught food poisoning and spent the day wondering which end to put on or around the toilet. Thank God it was a small one.<br />
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That put me to yesterday trying to get some stuff done I didn't get done the day before. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-47951586586014536242019-11-11T19:19:00.004-08:002019-11-11T19:19:43.172-08:0011-11-2019 Pet Scan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today I had a Pet Scan done. The last infusion Dr. Ghandi said there was a lot of scar tissue, but the tumors were gone. I withheld this info as he was looking at an X-Ray that Dr. Anderson was looking at and Dr. Anderson didn't say that. So I was left to wonder if Dr. Ghandi was just being positive.<br />
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The Pet Scan done today showed no disease, anywhere but did show a lot of scar tissue left behind. I am truly once again blessed. I go sometime next year for what I hope to be the final MRI of the brain. So far I've had 3 MRIs and none have shown the 2 tumors that 5 doctors saw. They say the medicine is better these days.<b> I say God still works miracles and is still in charge</b>. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-51647816080829599422019-11-03T21:29:00.000-08:002019-11-03T21:29:00.516-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Been sick the last few days. Tonight through was my first throw-up. Extreme Migraines and back and Bone Pain. As it stands now I'll probably have to get my Pain Pills refilled eventually. It has been cold and damp lately.<br />
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The wooly worms are dark this year signally a bad winter, and so it appears to be coming in like a lion.<br />
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I bought a Quadrunner from Mark. He said he was going to sell it since he will probably never be able to ride it again. I fear I may be the same. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-61140533210635632812019-10-31T11:41:00.002-07:002019-10-31T11:41:18.765-07:0010-31=2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, Tuesday I had another Keytruda infusion. I was down pretty much on and off Wednesday and partially today. It seems I have picked up an intestinal bug and another day (3 now) of Migraines, which I think is coming from my sinuses.<br />
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Dr. Gandhi talked with me and says he believes the X-Ray done a while back show scar tissue and not tumors. Strange. I have a Pet Scan on the 11th which should tell the tale. I really feel my breathing is diminished. He also wants me to see Dr. Zic at Vanderbilt to make sure the KeyTruda isn't making my C TCL worse. I used to go to Zic, but he is a far drive, so I went to a doctor in Knoxville. He has insisted and Denise also agrees, so Nashville here we come. It will be sometime after yje 11th. <br />
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I went to Dr Demonia today (spelling ?) and he said my foot showed bone growth and that 3-4 weeks more of the boot should be used. He said I would not have to do a follow-up since it is healing and where it broke nothing but time can heal it. 3 Doctors this week and all bearing good news. I'll take that. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-36276357621649988762019-10-28T19:32:00.001-07:002019-10-28T19:32:36.965-07:0010-28-2019 Another MRI<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We went this morning to Thompson Cancer Survival Center to have another MRI, they are still looking for the 2 tumors that disappeared. After the MRI I had a follow-up with Dr. Norman who had already viewed the MRI along with Dr. Clark.<br />
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There was a very small shadow, possibly a ghost image from movement or some blood vessels knotted up, either way, both said they were not concerned with it. So I will have another MRI in 3 months. <br />
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I go tomorrow for another infusion of Keytruda. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-90153308694809566352019-10-22T23:55:00.001-07:002019-10-22T23:55:15.403-07:0010-23-2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Back up and down again from this joint and muscle pain. I took 2 Loratabs yesterday during the day, started out yesterday morning with one and again in the middle of the day. Tonight I took 2 then eventually took 1/2 another one and got a few hours sleep only to wake up in intense pain. Again I couldn't go to sleep and took another one. I've been using Livingwell Rub On Relief cream along with APC Cream in addition to the pain pills. Hopefully, in an hour or less, I can go back to sleep. This is turning out to be harder than the Chemo was.<br />
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On a positive note, my blood work was good. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-45281433981691814122019-10-18T13:34:00.000-07:002019-10-18T13:34:06.544-07:0010-18-2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This bone pain is unrelenting in its pain. I've had to use Loratabs every day. My foot seems like it is healing one day, then back to scratch the next, but that pain is overrun from the bone pain. The Tractor wouldn't start yesterday so I jumped it off. I should have noticed the ark when I adjusted the jumper but I didn't. I went to take off the battery today and the positive terminal just snapped so I went and found a similar one at O' Reilly's Auto Parts. (I usually don't trade there).<br />
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I was going to do all of this yesterday and got into a Yellow Jackets next, stung my arm 7-8 times and the back of my head more than that. I moved quicker than I knew I could, lol. I am fatigued, today a little worse than most days. I think I'm done for the day. I went to Food City Midnight Madness sale and bought some stuff, went back after talking with Denise to get her drinks (RC). Used the lawnmower and trailer and took enough feed to refill the barrels at the chickens, usually 6 bags of feed. I fed the cows and donkeys and sheep yesterday, I'm still not allowed to feed the chickens yet. I just not at 4:30 took a pain pill. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-15524121526969244392019-10-15T19:22:00.001-07:002019-10-15T19:22:12.894-07:0010-15-2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I had a visit from a Nurse Practitioner Humana pays for. She is nice and it is OK to have someone else look in from time to time. I'm not sure exactly what else she does. This week and next are good, no doctor appointments. I got to tell her like I have the others that my foot was broke, she had, like the others, said it wasn't broke.<br />
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I worked on 2 pens outside today, putting old tin roofs on them. This was day 2 of it and I worked until I was in major pain, so I stopped, but only after those 2 were done. I lack 1 big pen next. Tomorrow it looks like rain, thank the Lord. That will give me time to heal, the Keytruda is taking a toll on my body.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-27834098409773837192019-10-08T19:01:00.002-07:002019-10-08T19:01:46.390-07:0010-08-2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I bragged too soon, it has all gone to Hell today. First was Denise calling me on her lunch hour and reminding me I had an appointment to have another Krytruda infusion today. I had worked on a couple of pens at the chickens and had managed to get muddy as a hog in slop. Enter bath 2 for the day. I checked my home phone and cell phone both, nothing. No missed calls. Then, later on, yesterday I see I have a new message on my voicemail. I listened then got curious and saw another number, it was the hospital computer telling my answering machine of my appointment. So I call and I do have an appointment.<br />
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Now comes the strange part. I did bloodwork prior to my appointment, which is typical. Then usually I see the doctor except now you don't get to see him unless you requested to see him. Then I was told I'd see his associate... unless my bloodwork comes back good, then I'd go to the chemo part. I told her I have some prescriptions they need filling. She said I would meet with the secretary and could tell her. Strike 2. Two people working back there, neither of them seemed impressive. Still, Rachel assured me she would call me this evening with my follow-up date and call in my prescriptions. She said it had been a hectic day, which she seems to have plenty of. Well, the call never came, nor did she call in the prescriptions. In part I blame her, she does not seem to manage her time well. In part, I blame Dr Ghandi (took Dr Flanders place). Keytruda has plenty of side effects, especially with someone who has a T Cell Lymphoma. So why would the prescribing doctor not want to check? They say he is old school, maybe that is why MHH was considered a dog clinic just a few short years ago. I have gone from impressed heavily with MHH to... Not So Much.<br />
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This stuff has caused pain in my joints and bones. I have R.A. already so I know about joint pain, this goes that pain times two. Right now I am debating two things. 1- Changing doctors and hospitals. 2- Continuing the Keytruda. I will know a lot more tomorrow when I give Rachel a call. I'm not expecting much. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-79859176074818600512019-10-01T13:46:00.000-07:002019-10-01T13:46:47.853-07:0010-01-2019 Foot Doctor Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I finally got in to see the Podiatrist today, Dr. Demoiny, a very nice guy. The staff and nurses were nice too. He took 3 X-Ray of my foot from different angles. I did this fall on August 8th and just now got in to see him, had another appointment but the referring doctor forgot to tell me he had arranged this appointment. I got a call and had no clue who or what he was or what it was about. I had seen Dr. Yaird and he said nothing could be done, end of the story. Dr. Flanders, however, did set up an appointment but his staff did not call to tell me. Humana sent a P.A. to interview me and she said it was not important and that story ended too.<br />
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Once I found out who he was and what he was seeing me for I rescheduled the appointment, but October was his soonest he could see me. So today we found out why it is still swollen. He said they couldn't do surgery due to where they broke at, but that I needed to wear a special shoe or boot like thing to keep it immobile. He asked if it hurt and I said yes, I can feel my heartbeat in the big toe most days, especially if I walk a lot. I can't do anything for the swelling due to the blood thinners I'm on. I told him for the pain I take a pain pill, but only at night, I don't want to drive with that crap in my system so daytime is off. I have a thing on my IPhone that counts your steps called step up and over the last 7 days I've averaged 2.6 miles each day, some days more and some days less.<br />
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Lately, too I've been thinking about having cows. I can no longer work them, Mark is in the same boat. Both of us have always had cattle or grew up with parents who had cattle. No more than they are bringing it may be time to say enough. Mark doesn't eat his cows but we do, so we will keep a few. My lungs may also have stopped me from raising chickens and Guineas.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-19301198109885797822019-09-29T21:36:00.001-07:002019-09-29T21:44:46.761-07:0009-30-2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have stayed in the last few days. The air is bad, really bad and the temperatures are breaking records. I'm not sure if it is lung cancer or the COPD, but I have to limit my time outdoors in this stuff.<br />
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I go in October to see about my foot. It is still painful and swollen. Then later on another MRI brain scan. Then next month I see a new doctor on my CTCL (T-Cell Lymphoma), and they will tell if the ImmunoTherapy is doing more damage. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas are not curable whereas Lymphomas can be if caught early.<br />
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I tried weaning off the O2 like this new doctor wants me to and it damn near killed me 2 weekends ago. I am still healing from that move. If I could find out where Dr Flanders went and it was close I would switch.<br />
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Friday night I was asked to speak at a Gala for Dr. Rama. I had notes Denise and I prepared. There were 200 plus people there. We ate before and that takes O2. It was hot in there and even hotter on the stage and with a dress coat on. I walked on stage and couldn't breathe so I asked if I could remove my coat, which they said yes. This helped me breathe. I looked down and went off the paper for the hello part, then I just spoke from the heart and what was on my mind. I had people laughing, which is always a good thing. I gave Dr. Rama a lot of praise, well deserved praise. I told everybody that Denise was probably saying oh no when I started ad-libbing the speech.<br />
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Dr. Rama got up and for the first time told the story of how I died on the operating table and about my Near Death Experience. He told about the 2 heart attacks I have had that have resulted in each time to 2 stents for a total of 4 now. <br />
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I'm going to guess my weight now at about 238-240 lbs, time for a diet. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-79419690876801963252019-09-23T06:59:00.004-07:002019-09-23T06:59:56.949-07:0009-23-2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I went on the hill to feed 2 rolls of hay and counted the cows and we are missing 4 cows or calves. I haven't been up there enough to point out which they were which I'm ashamed to say. I found 2 places in the fence that was down, repaired one until I can get back up there and fix properly, the other I can't., As I rode along most of the fence I bush hogged the field.<br />
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A massive pine tree looks to have been struck by lightning about 10 foot up and came down and crushed the fence. I parked the Tractor at the top of the hill, it would not clear the trees to drive down it and walked down to take a closer look. I went down the hill ok, looked at what needs to be done, then walked back up. I was a tad winded but not bad. I had left the door open on the Tractor which let the cold air out. I got in the Tractor and became winded, my heart started racing as my body wanted more oxygen and my lungs just couldn't do it. I started driving and the Tractor rides rough, really bad rough and it kept getting worse. When it gets like this it feels like a heart attack, smothering and extreme pain in the chest.<br />
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I called Denise and asked her to bring my Oxygen and she flew up the hill from the house which caught William's eye. He called me twice but I didn't answer, didn't have the breath to talk, I done well to call Denise. She got there fast but I was already getting better as the cold a/c blew in my face. Moral of the story, take my O2 with me, even on the Tractor. I came back home and laid down, it left me drainer and with a massive headache. This morning I am still healing from yesterday. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-84538737179534807242019-09-21T21:47:00.001-07:002019-09-21T21:52:32.556-07:00Sept 22nd, 2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This was a week of doctors. It started off with the MRI and follow-ups from the 2 neurologists at Thompson Survival Cancer Center, then I met the new doctor that took Dr. Flanders's place, then Humana sent a Nurses Physician, then a follow-up with Dr. Anderson. I voiced my disappointment with Dr. Flanders being gone. So Friday I chilled out, bought some stuff for Saturday.<br />
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Saturday me and Denise changed the Kitchen sink and Faucet out. I am ashamed to admit it but I had forgotten how to do that, the last one I remember installing was in 1982 when we built this house. Youtube was again my friend, lol.<br />
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I found out this week that Dr. Buskell retired, so there is another doctor gone. Dr. Gandi wants me to see Dr. Zic at Vanderbilt to make sure this KeyTruda isn't going to kick my T Cell Lymphoma into overdrive. Seems I can't win for losing some times. Hopefully, it won't and this will destroy the rest of the tumors. I guess I owe a big thank you to Monsanto for Round-Up. (Sarcasm) <br />
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I truly do hate to delete posts about holistic doctors from the comments because there are a lot of things that can be fixed with holistic medicine, that is not why I delete them. With certain diseases, yes, there has to be a better way and probably is, but we're not going to get it. Nobody despises the FDA more than I do, but going tribal usually ends up in death. I watched a friend, Russell Means who tried it and by the time he added conventional meds, it was too late. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-82138795971412197192019-09-17T13:10:00.002-07:002019-09-17T13:12:56.716-07:00MRI again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Had another MRI done yesterday and the big tumor is still missing but the small one is has returned. I also had an appointment with the Neurologist and the Doctor of the Gamma Knife. They want to do another one the 28th to see if the small one is a glitch and possibly a bunch of blood veins. They said that they both felt like the big one wasn't cancer as previously thought but a Stroke I had. At this time a stroke sounds better than brain cancer.<br />
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My Oncologist (Dr Flanders) has either quit or resigned. There was another doctor, they said he use to be the main Oncologist before Flanders. He wants me to see Zic at Vanderbilt to make sure the KeyTruda isn't reacting with my Non-Hodgkin's T Cell Lymphoma and making it worse. So if I get this straight the drug that can kill the lung cancer can kill me by activating the T-Cells and strengthening them. At some point, this has to be weird. Who knew using Round-Up would cause that. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6314312449313885750.post-49533211608825140602019-09-11T15:05:00.001-07:002019-09-12T05:09:47.640-07:0009-11-2019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I worked in the Kitchen today on the sink, put 2 drawers in the blanks under the sink. I've wanted to do that for years and found a kit. It had a diagram to measure by that was close. Then I emptied the water tank and filled it with water so they will have fresh water in this drought. Fed Dora and the Llama some Pears too. <br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Be it good or bad, no moment lasts forever.</div>anthony7http://www.blogger.com/profile/03225244119423792911noreply@blogger.com0