I do not usually share much of my personal life here on IST but from time to time I feel it necessary to do so to explain some odd behavior of mine.
Most time some of the personal is just that and I do not want to share….but times change and times require a little more information.
This ordeal started in July and the visit with my doctor for my semi-annual check-up….everything was okay until they found a small amount of blood in my urine.
This prompted me to go see a urologist for a more detailed exam…..after the poking and prodding and the much loved finger wave….I was told that there was a mass on my prostrate and was given an appointment for a biopsy.
The biopsy took about 30 minutes and your body is in a humiliating position.
That went well and of course I had to sit around on pins and needles waiting for a call that the results were in.
After a week I was called to let me know the findings were in and could I return for a consultation.
I sat on pins and needles waiting for the doctor and he finally showed and said that the biopsy came back positive and that he wanted to send me in for a PET scan.
Another week of anticipation is just what I needed.
My next visit was to show me what the PET scan had located….sure enough there was a tumor and of course my stomach got tied in knots as he told me what was going to be done.
He said that we could treat it with meds and see if that will shrink it. That made me feel better and a huge sigh of relief but as you would expect there was another shoe to drop (there is always another shoe)
The PET scan had also found what looked like something on my lung and was referred to a lung specialist.
Another gut punch.
Another damn week waiting for my call from the doctor after the referral.
Finally the call came and off I went with even more anticipation and dread.
She studied the scan and finally said that the mass was not from the one on my prostrate but it still needed a biopsy to determine what course of action to take.
Of course I was devastated and was in a state of total pissed off for I am so over all this hospital time.
Waiting for another week of stewing and the call came and off I went for a 9 hour trip to out patient surgery.
Before the biopsy I had to go for a CT scan and then into the OR and put down for the hour and half procedure.
When I came around I was told that the following Monday I had an appointment to consult the doctor on what was found and what is to be done.
So five days of anticipation and you can imagine the horrible scenarios running through my brain….and waiting does not help one little bit.
Monday finally came and off I go for the news that I probably do not want to hear. I anticipate another gut punch.
I was correct in my assumption…..I have lung cancer. The semi good news is surgery is not call for especially because of my age.
So now I await a decision of which cancer doctor and radiologist I will see about treatment
More waiting….just what I do not need right now.
I got a call and was told I have an appointment with the oncologist on Friday.
The consultation went well the cancer doctor said that the tumor was small enough that radiation would be better than a slice and dice.
Now I have a date with the radiologist for 19 November to see the course of action to follow.
I am sure that the radiation treatments may kick my butt so hopefully my readers will bear with me.
And that has been my mind f*ck since July….at least now I know what I have to deal with in the coming weeks and months.
Sorry to dump this on my readers but I thought you guys might like to know what has been going on with me….hopefully it will help explain some of my erratic behavior lately.
Enough crappy news!
May you guys enjoy your Sunday and as always….Be Well and Be Safe….
Peace Out
I’ve been through this. The wait for results caused me to add another provider for depression/anxiety (talk therapy and two more new pills). One pill is pink and the other sky blue. The mychart email report does cut wait time somewhat. Was light smoker for 60 years, but no trace lung cancer, just prostate cancer matasticized out of prostate but apparently still not well defined enough to determine a location site for rad or med treatment. Been 14 years for me since original diagnosis and on and off treatment. My former urologist, just before he retired, listened to my chest and guaranteed I would not die of the cancer. Isn’t that great ? But his brief exam must have indicated heart problem, eh ? Upon that he did not suggest , mention or discuss another word. Be thankful you are able to get doctors and exams and reports but be aware that new exciting treatment developments are reported very frequently and much less on horrible side effects too. I have moved on with life. Best advice is to eat nutritiuosly and eliminate processed food as much as possible. I had a stroke August 10 but have bounced back remarkably well. Issues that remain are left pinky finger drifts over to caps lock key when commenting (always had that) and appear to be spelling errors on my comments but I insist they are typos. I write well and use perfect grandma. My grandma has always been impressive and seldom any error on using correct grandma. I even taught basic English grandma as part of my history teaching. I think I’m at 95% brain function post stroke. However, many people dispute this offering that I’ve never had more than 10% function for 75 years.
I am sorry for your health problems…..I will move on just not knowing made it a problem for me…..chuq
My dear friend … remember I’m a retired doc. I understand fully what all of this means. I feel with you. Know that I’m here if you need anything!! Hugs … H!! <3 …
I truly appreciate your concern and your help….I cherish our friendship. hugz chuq
Back at ya!!! 🫶🏽
😎
This news hit me hard old friend. I had suspected something serious was going on, but not this level of seriousness. There is really not much more to say, other than you know I am always here, only an email away. petejohnson50@yahoo.com
Best wishes as always, Pete.
Thanx Pete….I am accepting this and will be better soon….I appreciate your concern. chuq
As I often lament these days, it’s a bitch growing old. I know you live down near Biloxi.. but didn’t you tell me you are ex-military? If so, you under VA care?
In any event… sorry, old buddy. But… if the tenacity of your writing reflects your real life character I would think you will manage your struggle with ample success. One day at a time, chuq.. and right about now family matters. In the meantime… something pisses you off let us know. 🙂
No I do not have Va…..Thanx for your kind words….I will soldier on and make the best of the situation. chuq
Sorry to hear the news. Sounds like their is some cause for optimism. Tumors are small and treatable. Hope the treatment goes well ands successful.
is successful.
Thank you Ernest I appreciate you words of support. chuq
I am not interested at all in what you call your “Erratic” behavior. I am interested in your “Condition.” I want you to know that you have been in my thoughts and prayers constantly but not those prayers will be more focused on finding the appropriate treatment– and I am praying for a treatment that will lead to either remission or a total healing. In any event, I am here for you if ever you need to talk. If you feel like talking sometime, just private message me on my g-mail which you already have and I will send additional information via a gmail as soon as I get through typing this. I know the news sounds devastating but there is always hope and I encourage you to fight, fight, fight. I know you are a fighter. Just know that you will never be alone no matter what may come your way.
So Very Respectfully Submitted,
Your Friend,
John Liming
Thanx John for your words of comfort…..I have always been a fighter I know no other way. chuq
SO sorry to read this…I can’t imagine the mental stress you have endured for the past months, along with of course the physical trauma…I hope that the recommended course of action does what it is intended to do and there is as little discomfort as possible…
I thank you for your kind thoughts and I will persevere……chuq
Hang in there my friend. We’re all praying for you.
Thank You I appreciate your thoughts. chuq