I was searching my Google Drive account and ran across an entry I had written about Situational Ethics and Value Philosophy. I reread it and was impressed with what I had written. I thought at the time it was in Google Drive because I hadn't imported it to my Blogger account. I eventually migrated to this account and realized I had posted the opinion piece. I was so impressed with myself and my desire to write I decided to Begin Again.
I turned 77 two days ago. It was a low-key event. We were surrounded by ice. The one thing I do not like when living in Oregon is the occasional freezing rain event. I realized I was a rain worshipper as I was praying and wishing and hoping for rain to melt the ice and therefore free me from my ice prison. The rain started yesterday and today there is no evidence of its having previously existed. It is still raining leaving standing water in one of my driveways where I park my pickup. That particular low spot is destined to by filled in by a load of 3/4-minus gravel.
I left off blogging back in 08-2020 when I received the results of my T-cell reprogramming. My reprogramed T-cells had no effect on my stomach tumor. Eventually I had the stomach tumor biopsied. It is a GastroIntestinal Stromal Tumor. The key word is stromal. It means slow growing, non-aggressive. I was prescribed a pill to combat its growth. I handled the side effects of the drug well with the exception of the pills effect on my phosphorus levels. I began taking phosphorus supplements. No other side effects presented.
Early in 2023 after a quarterly CT scan I was informed a second GIST(hard 'g' please, as in Gastro) had formed on my large intestine. The pill prescription was doubled to one in the morning and one in the evening. Thus began a side effect, chronic diarrhea. Another aspect of doubling the pill intake was increasing the phosphorus to 3 pills 4 times a day. Getting the 3 pills 4 times per day down was quite a challenge. I use my smart phone to help me remember to take them. Meanwhile, not long after the second GIST diagnosis, my PSA numbers shot up. I was referred to my Urologist for follow up. First step was a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, prostate cancer.
The prostate biopsy was an interesting event in my life. It was originally scheduled for late spring. I staggered (8 AM appointment) in to my Urologist's office and learned I hadn't done the preliminary stuff I was informed I needed to do. I vaguely recalled reading the information, but I don't think I was ready to hear the news, results of the biopsy, yet.
I knew from reading cancer is genetic. My father indirectly shared with me he had his prostate removed. I learned this in his Urologist's office from his Urologist. Those of you reading this may relate to our parents' reluctance to share serious medical stuff or anything deemed worth keeping a secret, and not talking about IT. Thus I wasn't surprised I may have prostate cancer, but in truth, I wasn't ready to hear I had another cancer. Thus my staggering, unprepared, entrance into my Urologist's office.
A second biopsy was scheduled. I did all the preliminary stuff and the biopsy was performed. I found it uncomfortable but not painful. It was after the lidocaine wore off it became VERY painful. Prior to this experience I had gone through 4 biopsies. My experience with the three previous left me with the memory biopsies were not a big deal. This one was a big deal. The pain subsided by evening so no long lasting effect. And yes I do indeed have prostate cancer. I was assigned an Oncologist specializing in prostate cancer. During our initial consult the oncologist scheduled an MRI to determine if the cancer had spread to the bones. The MRI revealed there was a likelihood the cancer was present in the hip area bones, two spots. The treatment is a shot once every 4 months. The shot slows down the production of testosterone and therefore the cancers urge to grow. One of the side effects of the shot is a lack of energy. I have a lack of energy. Just look at the dirty dishes stacked up in the kitchen.
I had another CT scan during the summer and learned from my primary Oncologist a mass showed up on my right exterior pericardial wall. I needed another biopsy.
A rather bizarre like affair followed in scheduling the biopsy. It needed to be done in Portland at one of the Kaiser hospitals. There came a point when I wondered why I hadn't heard from a scheduler regarding my biopsy. I checked my phone messages. Nothing there from a hospital. Eventually I found a number to call and schedule. The person I talked with said they couldn't schedule it at the time. I recall I needed to consult with the surgeon first. Thus began this series of phone calls where the hospital folks kept saying they had left messages and I responded there were no messages on my phone from them. I was encouraged to call back to speak with the surgeon and I did after a scheduled time to catch the surgeon in his office. He would call me. The time passed. No message. I called back and his assistant said he was in his office. She checked with him and he was on the phone. I was encouraged to wait. I did. We spoke and then the biopsy was scheduled. My point in sharing the preceding is the following realization. Some time later I was checking messages and decided I needed to clear a whole bunch of messages I didn't need anymore. Clearing those messages revealed down at the bottom of the few remaining messages was a heading 'blocked messages.' I investigated and found all the messages purported to have been left by not only the Kaiser people, but my Wildfire Recovery contact person. So to the reader if you have an iPhone remember this passage and scroll to the bottom of the main message menu to find blocked messages. I had blocked the numbers because I saw no message in the main menu so thought it was spam, junk calls. I now check both lists.
The biopsy went well. I had to stay overnight as it was in the heart area where the samples were collected. Because of the overnight I was able to drive there and back. I experienced discomfort around the primary incision site for several weeks. The biopsy confirmed the return of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. I have three different cancers undergoing treatment. The treatment for the Lymphoma is 2 days back to back every 21 days. I spend about 4 hours at Kaiser Skyline Infusion Center the first day then come back for a 15 minute session the next day. The only noticeable side effect is a greasy sensation in the mouth effecting food and water. It is just off putting. Kind of dampens the appetite, but not too much. I am currently beginning cycle 4 of the 21 day cycle.
All the preceding should bring you, the reader, up to date. I have 3 cancers, but there is a caveat. December 6, I had 4 cancers. December 7, 3 cancers. December 6, I underwent a MOHS surgery to remove two basal cells from my scalp. One on top of my head and really wasn't aware of and a second, a black, ugly scab slightly above my left ear. I was awake during the whole removal of the two. MOHS is outpatient surgery and its primary difference from other cancer surgeries is there is a lab on site so the surgeon can receive feedback whether their initial effort got all of the malignant cells. If they didn't then the patient returns to the table to have more tissue removed. In my case the one above the ear needed some follow up. It was a full day as the Kaiser MOHS site is in Portland. I was late arriving due to traffic, but the staff were very understanding. My son, Jaxom, came with me to drive us home. I have some pictures of my head showing the bandaging afterward.
Thanks for reading, until next time may peace be with you.
