“I can't remember seeing many people laughing in the BMT clinic and it's great that you can stay upbeat through this. Most people are probably in that unit for tune-ups, like getting magnesium infused. It can get low from taking immunosupressant drugs.”

“

”

“


LMAO!”

“LOL! Situation critical, but not serious.”

“breast, lung, kidney, pancreas, skin and more skin, ovary, uterus. I couldn't get it all done, I have to go back today.

Found this looking for something else

Planet Cancer: Not yo Mama's Web Site”

“Maybe we should apply for a grant to take TT cancer survivors backpacking. :D

http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.jvKZLbMRIsG/b.739125/k.B55D/Community_Program.htm”

“bm, Like the song said, "momma told me there'd be days like this there'll be days like this my momma said"....glad the tumor is on the run...keep the nurses laughing...they appreciate it....

When bemoaning my lack of memory I can now say, "chemo or years of abusive drug use, take your pick"....the later was a helluva lot more fun, however....”

“BM - what are you, 30ish? I just can't even imagine being able to handle what you're going through. I don't post on this thread because I feel like it's almost like a support group with people who are/have gone through this. I still read it at least weekly. You're in my prayers.”

“Backpacking Grant? love that idea! how about Death valley in the Fall?

Thanks MHH. I think I might use both reasons.

DH - I'm 38 and Cancer can Kiss my Ass! Thank you for the support. It is much appreciated.”

“I love the idea of a backpacking grant or a survivors fund raising hike or both.
last edited: 2/04/06 12:27:23 PM”

“I sent my wife the link to this thread, she was moved by all the great people who have posted. While people people like Matahari, Rich and Bear blow me away - I'm also moved and grateful for people like dayhiker, and those who've known and loved people with cancer.

My Mom had thyroid cancer at 29 and turned 75 last month. Knowing that amazes me. One amazing thing is that about two years ago they found little bits of the cancer had grown back enough to be worrisome (some near and some distant metastases) - so they went in last year to get it out. There must be something genetic in her side of the family that leaves us vulnerable to problems in the neck (weak tumor suppression there?).

Anyway her example let me know first hand that cancer doesn't have to ruin, let alone take, your life. Of course it also tells me that once you've gone a round with it, it can always come back - even 40+ years later.”

“Bear, those are cool pins. The only cancer pin I ever saw was in the BMT unit where a nurse had one on that said "Miracles Happen".

Ped, that's an amazing story about your mom and glad to hear she is doing well.

I read an article about green tea and how it might help prevent cancers of the mouth and aerodigestive tract so I'm trying it. I hope it helps and it does feel somewhat soothing to the tissues in the mouth.
last edited: 2/04/06 12:51:29 PM”

“You guys are doing GREAT! Keep it up!!! BM you are quite a card! Thanks for the updates.”

“Good news for the long term trends:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060209/ap_on_he_me/cancer_deaths”

“Thats great.

My Dr. moved to a Facility in Florida. I saw my new doc on Monday. I guess she had to tell me everything over again but I still think she did it in a poor way.

She really shook my confidence.

Sometimes doctors suck.”

“I am losing my mother to cancer. I have also had cancer. To those dealing with it...Good luck to you and yours!”

“Sorry Cotton. There never is an OK time to lose a parent. I'm glad she has you for support.

Bear: Some doctors really don't know how to communicate. Some of them work so hard on their careers that they never learn how to make good connections with other people, or how to be empathic. Some, on the other hand, are wonderful - but it sucks to rely on someone who is missing a huge dimension of what should happen between doctors and patients.”

“Aww that sucks, don't let her get you down, bearmagnet!”

“Especially Oncologists, no? My Fiance was furious with her and wants a new doc. I'll give her another chance. She is foreign and her Nurse Coordinator was not there. It seems SOP that the Nurse Coordinator is always there. perhaps to smooth things out?

My last doc was also foreign but had a gift with communication. Unfortunately, I didn't notice it until he was gone.”

“So sorry to hear that CS.

It's hard enough to deal with everything, but a sucky doctor too? I hope it was just an off day with her.

”

“LOL! Thanks y'all. Gotta go see my vampire now.”

“Hey, we're not all jerks! But I could have choked a nephrologist this AM.”

“I've never heard of a Kidney specialist before now. What the doc do to piss you off?”

“research "emergency". asked for something my lab does not have time to do for him, asked again, again, again, sent a tech to ask, asked again, through a hissy fit, whined and complained, asked again......

NO and HELL NO!

”

“Sorry to hear that news CS.

Bear, some doctors just don't know how to get a point across in the right way. Don't let her get to you and just keep everything rolling along. Maybe next time she'll be better.
last edited: 2/09/06 4:07:48 PM”

“LOL Pathman. Hate the type you want to beeyotch slap and say "which part of NO did you not understand".

Yer right Rich. It was just a shock, ya know? And I think She knew she screwed up. I mean, I got flustered. I could feel the heat in my face. My Fiance has never seen me so much as Blush before so I think she in turn reacted to my unusual discomfort when she got pissed.

Oh well. live and learn, eh? ;)”

“God dammit I'm so #&%!$ing pissed off! can I #&%!$ing vent? How long ago did I seek approval for a PET Scan? Who did I #&%!$ about, Medicaid?

Well, I just got a call that medicaid never got a "letterhead from my Dr. requesting a PET Scan. The Nurse coordinator or the secretary never #&%!$ing sent it out.

I can't get a hold of anyone. If it wasn't so late on a #&%!$ing Friday I would head down to G'Town and rip some #&%!$ing skulls out!

Now I have to wait until Monday. I don't want to wait. I don't want to be cool and collective. Dammi #&%!$heads!

Thanks”

“Bear, sorry to hear of that happening and it is frustrating. I learned the hard way to follow up on everything and never assume anything gets done just because someone says it will. Sad to say, but you must check up on everything yourself to make sure. So many things happened to me over the years with foul ups, lies or just people not doing their job, but trust me, managing this stuff is part of the cancer nightmare and you'll learn as you go.”

“Hey BM, hope you have a great night tomorrow. Put the worries of today to the side for a while and just enjoy yourself. You're showing great spirit through all this.”

“I'd love to be there, and if it starts snowing before my flight gets out then I could well be.”

“RichB - it's rediculous. We called the PET lab several times, talked to the Nurse Coordinator & the onco secretary several times each week. The PET lab communicates directly with the insurer. We were assured that it was a hold up with medicaid and we just needed to keep calling the PET lab to see if it went through.

So here I sit, a little drunk, happy to let it go. Thanks for the encouragement and the photos.

Y2 - screw your flight! Marko and I will be waiting for you!

Peace!

Luckily, our PET contact keeps detailed logs of everything (including all conversations) and discovered the secretary never sent the letter to medicaid.

She was pissed and I was pissed. I called the secretary and left an extremly long colorfull message. I was in rare form, ala Christmas Story.

I mean, the doc wanted a PET after my 3rd cycle to see if treatment should be altered. I won't get it until I'm done with my 4th. The secretary is basicaly #&%!$ing with my life, you know?

Anyway she called back but I ignored it. Dani, the diplomat, needed to take over. The PET Lab scheduled the scan and got medicaid to approve it with the promise of a Dr. letter.

I don't know what else we could have done. the sec #&%!$ed up and assured everyone the letter was sent.

might have to talk to her superior about this.”

“Great news! So glad it worked out! Wow good thing your PET contact keeps good records and good thing it was approved so soon after her/his foul up was found. Thank God for Dani too huh? Hope you're going to treat her right on VALENTINE'S DAY!!!”

“



Report to: http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/3136,-1,20.php
last edited: 2/11/06 1:30:34 AM”

“I'm drunk so I might as well speak it. My new Dr. was shocked I didn't have a follow up PET scan after 2 cycles of treatment...

tech talk - I am under ABVD Chemo Protocol. 4 drugs delivered by IV every two weeks. Two treatments is considered "One Cycle" of Chemo.

"If the PET scan is not negative then we have to consider other treatments"

That is a quote. Burning in my memory.

"Negative"? I believe that means "remission". Odds are I will not be in remission. Not with Stage IV HL. "Other" treatment must mean radiation. Possibly along with ABVD.

This, has me on edge. Anxious. Contemplating death. My other Dr. would not have been so blunt. He had me relaxed and confident.

I hate Dr. Doom.

Chemo has been a "moderate" annoyance for a week, tops, after treatment. I'm thinking radiation is not going to be as nice.

#&%!$ Cancer.”

“dang bro, thats tough stuff. hang in there.

and i agree, #&%!$ cancer.”

“Hang in there Bear.”

“hugs....and lots of them......thinking and praying for ya....”

“Cancer sucks. One day at a time, bearmagnet. You don't know yet that you will need rediation. If you do, it is your way to fight back against the cancer, not an evil in itself. You want to use every resource you have in this fight.
last edited: 2/13/06 6:49:44 AM”

“Thats hard news to swallow Bear. It's clear if my parathyroid cancer comes back that radiation would be part of the option. I was not happy looking that in the face. Still, people do live through it and find a clear road ahead. I'm hoping you won't go that route, but if you do - I'm hoping it does the job.”

“Thanks y'all. Maybe I was being unrealistic in thinking Chemo was all I'll need? I mean, the #&%!$ was everywhere. Oh well.

My PET isn't scheduled until March 6th. Since I couldn't get scheduled right after Cycle 3, my Old Dr. wanted it scheduled after Cycle 4.

Now, can anyone tell me why hair is growing back on the bald spots of my legs? I mean, I think I'm losing hair everywhere, but it seems like the legs are the only ones "fighting Back".

LOL!”

“Bear, try not to get ahead of yourself. Since you didn't have the PET scan yet there's no sense in getting yourself upset without knowing results first.

If you do need radiation what you experience will depend on where you get radiated, the duration and dosage. Some areas of the body get minimal side effects. The good news is that radiation does work to destroy cancer cells and if you need it, it's just one more tool they might need to use. Hopefully, you won't need it, but if you do I wouldn't worry about it at this point because you may get nothing more than just inconvenienced for 6 weeks if you even get radiation at all.”

“you're absolutly right Rich. thank you.”

“Hi. I'm drunk. :)

I go for chemo tomorrow and then I have my PET scan on Monday. If my Cancer is gone, I'm done. If not, radiation.

If it's gone the next TT Carcamping trip I'm on I will bring soooooooooo much alkeehol.

;)

Poor Dani. Waking me up in 5 hours will not be fun.

:)”

“Good luck beardude. We're hoping your done with the chemohell!”

“Thanks Roam!

As I've said before: #&%!$ CANCER!”

“Good luck BM...hugs and best wishes!!!!!!”

“Got my fingers crossed for you Bearmagnet! (there's lots of people up here puting in a word with The Man for you)”