I are Uvah of Borg

that's what it feels like

from WinCustomize Forums

An update on me. Just got back from seeing my cancer doc. Mine is stage 3b adenocarcinoma. Non small cell lung cancer and I'm going to be treated systemically (I think that's what it's called) with Keytruda. My doctor says the markers needed are there, which is a good thing. However being that it is stage 3 it won't go away forever and I'll have to deal with it as is. I'm going to be getting a port installed (good choice of words?) beneath my right shoulder simply because it'll be easier than sticking a needle in my arm every time they need a sample or to inject medication. Hence my reference to Borg because I feel like one. My doctor also wants a CT scan to have a look inside mine head. Why I dunno because I told him there ain't much there, if anything, to see but he insisted. Fortunately my adopted daughter Jessie has taken control over the whole shebang because I doubt I'd be able to follow half of what all those doctors I've seen had to say. Tell you that girl is worth her weight in gold. She is so meticulous and keeps track of every little detail. So this is where I'm at. It remains to be seen how long it all lasts. But I are positive and don't intend to stress it, that will only make things worse. So first a pacemaker then a port. What could come next? Peanut gallery comments welcome.

548,629 views 61 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Just do what you must Ross, and get as healthy as possible. :-)

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Prayers your way, Ross.

 

Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Sending prayers your way Ross, just follow docs orders, and it sounds like you're in good hands with your adopted daughter! :grin:  

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Glad your daughter is taking care of you, Ross.  Who can remember all the doctors say!  Always good to have another family member or friend with you.  In my prayers. 

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Do what the doctor says to to do. Sounds like you have a good doctor. Sounds like you have a wonderful daughter. May God Bless You. 

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

From the peanut gallery:

You are Uvah of Borg.... next you'll be needing a prosthesis to replace your bargain basement bladder.

Seriously, here's hoping all goes well with your treatment and that it meets with success.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Borg update:

Currently visiting the maintenance department at Borg Central (Chester County Hosp.) for a recurrence of the COPD restricting my breathing. Normally its handled easily at home but not this time. It had nothing to do with the pneumonia that got me here in the first place but with the emphysema associated with the COPD. I've already begun with the Keytruda treatments, having had my first last Thursday. My port was put in a week before the previous Monday. Tomorrow is the fourth and I'm scheduled for a follow up to the first treatment with blood work which will be done here. Next treatment is in two weeks. But what it all boiled down to was my not being able to sleep at night due to the congestion brought on by the COPD and what came with it. Before being taken to my room on Sunday night I had to undergo another CAT scan. That was a scary experience as lying flat on my back did not allow me to breathe at all and I had a panic attack. Yesterday morning an ultrasound was done and a small blood clot was found in the lower part of my left leg. I'm told it was not unexpected as the tumor likely brought that on, so no worries there as I'm being given a blood thinner to deal with it. So this is where I'm at presently. More later as I'm getting another breathing treatment now. 

+1 Loading…
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Today:

Another CAT scan. Compared with the one I got on Sunday was worse. The doctors believe the tumor is somehow affecting how my heart is working, that there may be a clot lurking somewhere. Not sure yet though. Going for a third bronchoscopy because some airways are blocked in both lungs and they want a clearer view of what's going on down there. Long term outlook......bleak. If I don't get aggressive with all this they say my only alternative would be a hospice and I ain't going that way. I fully intend to take to the next level and then some because ain't nothing gonna kick my ass that quick. Hell no!  

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Nah, I wouldn't want to go into a hospice, either.  Get the necessary treatment and hopefully it knocks your issues on the head so you can remain liviving independently. :)  

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 9

remain liviving

I are gonna do mine best to continue liviving. Thanks Mark. :thumbsup:  5*  5*  

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Get better Ross! That's an order! :-)

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Aye sir. :thumbsup:  

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

:(

How old are you, Ross?

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm 66 going on 102 it feels like at times. Today though I feel like a bit younger, a third bronchoscopy was canceled because one doctor doesn't believe it to be necessary at this time. Had an EKG yesterday and partial results, partial being relative, there has been no intrusion into my heart from the tumor and my heart is working as it should. That made my day. I've been taken off the antibiotics as no infection has been found. Doctor visits at least three times a day and I'm up on just about everything going on. Was seen yesterday by an occupational therapist who checked my coordination and said flat out, "You don't need me", with a smile. Next will be a physical therapist, breathing tests and whatnot. So I think I'm gonna be here for a while still. One good thing...three hots and a cot. Lol 

*and a few good lookin' nurses* }:)   

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Uvah, reply 14
*and a few good lookin' nurses* }:)  

Yay! :rofl:  

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Am praying for you.  And they told us these were the golden years.

Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top

Uvah, I hope you have more good times. 

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

More good times?  For mine, he's has more than enough good times!

He needs to get down to some serious work....

Thar be skins in tha wantin'  Aaaarghhhhh!  ;P  

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top


I'm going to be getting a port installed

any port in a storm...   ;)

sounds like you're weathering the storm well... lots of good people taking good care of you...

hope the waters are a little calmer for you soon...

(the only thing missing in this post is the pirate speak... ;P and I'll leave that to Capt Starkers... )   

 

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Jeez, I had no Idea Ross :O Get better soon !

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks folks. Today is back home day. Things are looking up, I'm responding favorably to treatments. Steroids are being cut back, breathing treatments as well. The port is a bit of a inconvenience but I've gotten used to it. I've had, wonder of wonders, a few nights when I slept all the way through. Still up at the crack of dawn but not before dawn itself. Since I've been under doctors care I've gained a little over fifteen pounds. When I entered the hospital I was down to 115.6 lbs, down from my usual 145-150. Now I'm up to 132 and still going. One thing is I've got more energy than I know what to do with. Because of the meds they have me on. But to have that level of energy before I've even had my first cup of coffee is unusual. 

Now all ye lubbers....got off yer duffs an' git crackin'. Times a'wastin' :P  

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Good to hear you are getting better Ross. I have a few health issues and will be 69 this year, but my issues are nothing like yours.

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Home now and pigging out on pizza. Surrounded by my cats the moment I walked in the door. Jessie is out collecting my meds, more meds...yuck...organizing the myriad doctor appointments I have coming up. Gonna be busy for a bit.

Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Glad you're home Ross! :-)

Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top

And this time, stay at home.... no more hospital sentences.  Orright!!!! :grin:  

Like everyone else, I'm glad that you're back at home in your own surroundings.  Hospitals are good to be in when you're feeling sick, but not so good when you're feeling much better.

I was up at the hospital on Sunday night with extreme chest pain, vertigo and vomitting - had kept absolutely nothing down for over two days - and was severely dehydrated.  I told the triage nurse that I needed to lay down somewhere as I kept passing up whilst sitting up, that it was causing dry- reaching due to pressure on my stomach.  She told me that I could lay on the waiting room seats and offered me a pillow.  Wow, a pillow?  Those seats are the most uncomfortable to sit on, much less lay down on, yet despite telling her that I have chronic back issues and hip pain, she insisted that was all there was available.  I tried laying on the seats but it was nigh impossible to get even remotely comfortable... no width to lay flat.

Anyway, to cut an even longer story short, the woman who saw the triage nurse before me was told it would be a 6 to 8 hour wait before a bed and doctor became available.  That meant the wait for me would have been around 9 to 11 hours, going on the premise of an hour per patient.  I arrived there by ambulance around 1.00am, which would have meant I was trying to lay on those damned seats until 10.00am to 12.00am.  There was no way I could manage that.  After over a couple hour of trying I told the triage nurse that I'd be better off at home.  An ECG showed my heart to be fine, so there was no reason for me to stay after a maxalon shot had help to ease the nausea and vertigo.

I came home and am feeling better now, though.  Well no worse than usual.  However, it is a sad indictment on the Ipswich Hospital.   Other major hospitals in SE Queensland have endeadvoured to cut their ER wait times down to around two hours, less in some cases, even during peak periods, yet the hospital here still has ridiculous waiting times of 6 to 8 hours or more.