The Forestry Forum

Health and Safety => Health and Safety => Topic started by: Ed_K on July 11, 2016, 07:34:39 PM

Title: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on July 11, 2016, 07:34:39 PM
 This has turned out to be a very bad yr. First I lost my youngest son to pain meds in Feb. tried to work thru it but it's been very hard.
2 months ago I fell off the skidder tearing a tri-cep, fell into ice chains broke a rib. Month ago kidney's started hurting, figured well here's #6 went to emergency rm yup #6 but on wrong side 5 on right. As they went thru tests found low blood cell cnt. more test, last week found out I have uncurable myloma, bone marrow cancer. Today they said it can be managed with treatments  8) . I start chemotherapy tomorrow.
I knew something was wrong when I couldn't start the saw's on the monday Rita took me to the er. 2 day's later couldn't even pick them up. Really made me mad >:( .
So I could use some prayer's, Thanks.
It's hard to just sit here and type.
I made a big mistake of looking it up on the internet, when you read 3-5 maybe 7 yrs it gets into your head and that's not good. Staff say I have a good chance of manage ing it for a lot longer  :) .
I can't imagine not being to log again.
Sorry for such a long thd.

Look up the International Myeloma Foundation. They have publications on Myeloma that will give you good information about the disease. Concise review is a over view of the different types of the disease.Understanding Fatigue will help you understand why your so tired all the time. Patient Handbook will explain what you have,tests you you really need and support care and where to find it.
There's more publication's but these three are what you will need after the doctor's tell you,you have Myeloma.

I found another publication from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that has very good info, it helps with understanding all aspects of Myeloma.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: AlexHart on July 11, 2016, 07:41:53 PM
My gosh...   

Prayers sent.   Your post makes me ashamed at some of the stuff I get upset and depressed about.   

Also...  not to try to be rah rah or Mr. false hope and with the full disclosure that I don't know anything much about doctoring I know a few people (including my dad currently who just drove my log truck for me 2 days ago) that have gone way, way, way past the supposed expiration date on cancer diagnosis.  Its also much lower stakes but a few years back I when I had back surgery I was told (in quite exact words) that I was screwed and my discs would never heal and that I was probably all done logging but they healed.   And I'm still chopping away. 

Hang in there.   
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: 4x4American on July 11, 2016, 07:42:35 PM
That is a good run of bad luck...sorry to hear, will pray for you.  Thought I'd mention it, there's some 6 or 10 questions you're supposed to ask your doctor before you do chemotherapy.  I just watched some documentary on how it doesn't work like 94% of the time, and the doctors just put you on it because they make alot of $ on it.  I would do some research.  My mother had cancer and she didn't do chemo and ended up beating it with the prescribed pills.  Chemo could be a big hassle just to make a doctor richer.  Do some research.  My 2 cents.  Will pray, hope you beat it.  I think a positive attitude goes a long way with it, don't let it get you down.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: red on July 11, 2016, 07:49:54 PM
Thoughts and Prayers sent . A good attitude can really help the body heal.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Jim_Rogers on July 11, 2016, 08:10:44 PM
Thoughts and prayers from the eastern side of MA for you Ed. hang in there and as said keep up good thoughts about kicking it's butt.

Jim Rogers
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: g_man on July 11, 2016, 08:15:38 PM
I am glad you told us - it must have been hard to do. Words mean so little but you have my prayers.

gg
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: BargeMonkey on July 11, 2016, 08:16:28 PM
 I'm sorry to hear your having trouble, and hope / pray for your recovery.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Oliver05262 on July 11, 2016, 08:26:31 PM
  Our prayers go out to you from SW Vermont. Ed, I have been a long time reader of your posts, and have come to respect your work and attitude toward life. Keep positive about the outlook, and don't forget you have the support of your family and the extended family here on the Forestry Forum. Make it known if any of us members can help you or your family in any way. May GOD's love reach down to you and bring you peace.
Oliver and Harriett Durand
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Jeff on July 11, 2016, 08:36:18 PM
Were here for you Ed,
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: samandothers on July 11, 2016, 08:41:32 PM
Please continue to talk and share.  Thoughts and prayers for you Ed.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: lopet on July 11, 2016, 08:50:03 PM
Wow, you have been through a lot this year.   All the best to you  Ed.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: WmFritz on July 11, 2016, 08:54:36 PM
I'm pulling for you Ed. Prayer's from my family coming your way.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: coxy on July 11, 2016, 09:04:13 PM
so sorry to hear  and yes we are hear for you
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: dgdrls on July 11, 2016, 09:04:55 PM
Very sorry to hear of such a trying year.
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

D
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: thecfarm on July 11, 2016, 09:23:24 PM
I like your posts and the way you cut wood. Sorry to hear of your problems. I sure don't have the words to help. But I know I will be thinking of you. You live your life the way you should and then get dealt a bad hand.   :(
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: buzywoodliff on July 11, 2016, 09:26:46 PM
Prayers being sent up from Michigan.

Stay strong and keep us posted
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: ohiowoodchuck on July 11, 2016, 09:28:48 PM
My prayers go out to you and your family.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: thatchipperguy on July 11, 2016, 09:40:19 PM
Praying for you!! My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer back in November...28 yrs old. She has not done chemo and is doing the dr Schulze incurable program. She is winning! Drs told her she would be dead 6 months ago If she didn't get chemo. God can answer prayer!
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: ellmoe on July 11, 2016, 09:50:54 PM
 Ed, so sorry for your tough times. I lost a son too, so I can understand what a kick in the gut that is. Now, dealing with everything else, well, that's just really rough. Prayers are flowing your way, hope your fortunes improve.
Mark
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Puffergas on July 11, 2016, 10:20:22 PM
Bad year indeed! To be honest I lack the right words if there are any. May the force be with you.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: treeslayer2003 on July 11, 2016, 10:27:17 PM
dam Ed, sorry to hear this. but don't give in man, you have no date on ya any where. we are all pullin for ya.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Plankton on July 11, 2016, 10:27:45 PM
Prayers have been said for you and your family from just over the hill here in charlemont.

Hoping for quick and full recovery!
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: redneck on July 11, 2016, 10:32:04 PM
prayers sent,  I hope things turn around for you
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: wesdor on July 11, 2016, 10:50:35 PM
Thoughts and prayers from Illinois.

My brother in law was diagnosed with multiple myeloma two years ago. After several months at the Mayo Clinic he is back to work and feeling great. In fact he was out mowing the lawn tonight. I can't promise how things will go for you, but have hope and get good medical attention.

You sure have had a string of bad luck.  Hope everything starts looking better soon.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: lynde37avery on July 11, 2016, 11:09:05 PM
prayers from the Lynde family.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: barbender on July 12, 2016, 01:20:21 AM
     I'll be praying for you, Ed.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: red on July 12, 2016, 04:37:43 AM
Your not asking for help. You were just letting us be part of dealing with this nasty disease . Life can change very quickly . I believe in miracles and I am praying for your good health . But if we need to pray for a miracle I will pray for that too .
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: MJD on July 12, 2016, 06:04:28 AM
Prayers sent from Wisconsin Ed, stay positive.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Seaman on July 12, 2016, 06:19:31 AM
Praying  for you Buddy.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: oldseabee on July 12, 2016, 06:22:46 AM
Sorry to hear what has happened, to you, I'm not much on praying, but I said one for you, cancer seems to look for the good guys among us that try to live right. I've been fighting it for about 4 years, now a month into a new chemo to try it out, I'm like you,  just get mad cause I can't do what I used to do, just get out of breath taking a shower. Also said a little prayer for your family, it's got to be hard on them too.
I have this forum to give me a little way to give back, my brain seems to be ok so far but with a tumor between my eyes who knows what the next day will bring, brain drain or loss of sight. Just keep fighting, and don't give up. Woods people are tough, and there are a bunch here pulling for you.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: LeeB on July 12, 2016, 06:47:44 AM
My thoughts are with you.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Stephen Alford on July 12, 2016, 07:01:35 AM
  Sorry to be reading this my friend , tough times but your the lad to get through this.  One step at a time, one day at a time. Thoughts and prayers going your way.  Stephen
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Czech_Made on July 12, 2016, 07:19:20 AM
Prayers sent.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Mooseknuckle on July 12, 2016, 07:36:12 AM
Hey Big Ed, thanks for having the courage to share these tough times with us all. Its experiences like this that make me really think hard when I start stewing about something that is really no big deal at all. Just when you think you have it tough there is always someone else that is going through something much more difficult. You my friend are that person.  I can tell you that what doesnt put you down will only make you stronger. Like someone said previously, stay positive, lots of positive self talk, visualization, some breathing techniques to keep you grounded, and of course goal setting..... to first sharpen that saw then when the time is right pick it up, rip that cord and do what you do best!!!  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family hold strong Ed, Hold STRONG!!
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: teakwood on July 12, 2016, 08:19:05 AM
Sorry to hear that. i wish you all the strength to overcome those issues! Hang in there, you will triumph!
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: scottj on July 12, 2016, 09:27:01 AM
Just read the message you posted Ed. You are sure I'm my prayers. I've always heard these valleys we go through are for a reason even though we may not understand them at the time. If we put our faith and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ these valleys we experience will not be accompanied alone but with the greatest super power known to man. This is really the first time I ever posted anything and not really sure I'm even doing right lol but when looking around I felt led to respond. Blessings to u bro.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Texas Ranger on July 12, 2016, 09:38:41 AM
Keep the faith, brother, prayers offered.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Gary_C on July 12, 2016, 10:05:56 AM
Stay positive Ed. My father lived with one of those blood cancers for many years and at 92 years old it wasn't what got him. We are pulling for you.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Ohio_Bill on July 12, 2016, 12:10:09 PM
I am praying God gives you Peace, Hope and Wellness.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: 78NHTFY on July 12, 2016, 04:01:33 PM
EdK--have always enjoyed your posts, but not this one!  That said, I don't pray much, but I have for you.  One day at a time, stay positive, eat right, and you will beat this thing....We're all with you!  All the best, Rob.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Autocar on July 12, 2016, 04:22:58 PM
Ed our prayers will be for you and your family, and I will put you on our prayer chain at church. Ive always enjoyed your post stay strong and in time your be back logging. And as you go thru this just remember you have a bunch of great guys praying and thinking of you.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Roxie on July 12, 2016, 05:01:06 PM
You're in my thoughts Ed.  So sorry you have to have this experience so close to the loss of your son.  Stay strong. 
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Hilltop366 on July 12, 2016, 05:40:50 PM
Tough row to hoe Ed, wishing you all the best and will be watching for better news in the future.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: mills on July 12, 2016, 05:56:49 PM
My prayer for you is that God bestows his strength and wisdom to help you through these ordeals.

Ed, I've really appreciated your common sense post through the years. Please log in when you can. We enjoy hearing from you.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Ed_K on July 12, 2016, 07:01:07 PM
 It's been a long day, I'd like to make comments but just can't. Thanks so much, it really does help.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: thecfarm on July 12, 2016, 07:09:16 PM
I was thinking of you as I went upon my duties for the day.  :)
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: millcreek40 on July 12, 2016, 08:27:01 PM
Prayers from upstate New York to you & your family. Rob
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: gww on July 12, 2016, 08:50:23 PM
The post so far that speaks to your situation that resinates with me the most is the one that basically says that I can't believe that I was worried about my problims, they seem small compared to yours.  There is no real way that I know to give comfort.  It makes me think of the serinity prayer that basically say accept the thing you can't change and change the ones you can. Life is a struggle and some are faced with more then others.  Wishing with all my might that I might think of a way to help and hoping that my post doesn't make things worse.  You have what you have to face and there is no getting out of it.  May you find a way to have some blessing threw in along with the pain.
I am praying that things go as well as possible and wishing you only the best.
gww
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Bruno of NH on July 12, 2016, 08:57:13 PM
Prayers for you and stay strong .
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Piston on July 12, 2016, 09:47:47 PM
Thinking of you and your family Ed. It's never good to read bad news but I do believe that sharing it can make you stronger.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: jwilly3879 on July 12, 2016, 10:15:59 PM
Prayers and best wishes for you. My wife was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer and the prognosis was 6 months to a year. It is now 10 years later and she is cancer free. Chemo worked for her. The best advice she got from my Dr. friend who also is suffering from cancer was to stay off the internet.

Hang in there.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Peter Drouin on July 13, 2016, 06:25:50 AM
I wish you the best.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: loggah on July 13, 2016, 07:05:25 AM
Ed, Stay strong everyone is pulling for you !!! Don
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: isawlogs on July 13, 2016, 12:38:48 PM
 I am not very good with words of comfort, but don't give up..... Never give up. My daughter beat leukemia 12 years ago, with all odds against her, anything can be beat if one can fight enough to be it! Keep your mind in positive thoughts!!    Never, ever, ever give in.... Never!    :snowball:

  Marcel.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: mf40diesel on July 13, 2016, 03:22:09 PM
Sending my thoughts to you as well.  As everyone else has said,  stay strong.  Best of luck to you and your family.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Magicman on July 13, 2016, 05:10:54 PM
Ed, My Prayers are with you during this difficult time in your life. 
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: 62oliver on July 13, 2016, 07:08:45 PM
You're in ours prayers Ed, I still laugh every time I think of when you said you baked your gearmatic winch bands in the oven when your wife was  at church, haha, so funny!!! Hang in there man!!
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: tantoy on July 13, 2016, 10:50:41 PM
thinking of you and all the truly positive answers you gave to me while working on my Garrett.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: thecfarm on July 14, 2016, 07:54:01 AM
Yes,good advice about staying off the internet.  :o  I had an MRI done for something. Found out I am missing a bone below my neck. Can shove a finger in there. Been like that for 40 years at that time. I forgot what it is called,can't spell it anyways. I looked it up on the internet and some claimed they had operated on it.  ::) And on and on it went. And I do mean on and on.I went back to the Doctor and told him all this and he looked at me and said,you made it this far without that bone,I kinda think you will make it longer.   :D  Dummy me.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: DanG on July 14, 2016, 03:06:04 PM
Prayers are up from here, Ed. I hate the nature of the news, but I'm glad you shared it with us.  There is nothing pleasant about the road you're traveling right now, but clinging to your faith and your sense of humor will help to smooth some of the bumps.  I know you will miss logging, but sharing your accumulated knowledge is a way to keep yourself in it and your mind off of your troubles.  Hang in there Brother, and keep us up to date. ;)
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Carson-saws on July 14, 2016, 11:31:46 PM
Wishing you all the VERY best Sir.  Stay strong and keep looking at that cup as half full. 
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: square1 on July 15, 2016, 05:37:52 AM
Quote from: Ed_K on July 11, 2016, 07:34:39 PM

So I could use some prayer's, Thanks.


You got them!
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: WDH on July 15, 2016, 08:03:54 AM
Ed,

Thank you for sharing this difficult news.  Like has been said, keep the faith and you can manage through this. 
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Chuck White on July 16, 2016, 08:41:54 AM
Thoughts and Prayers from us, Ed.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: timberlinetree on July 17, 2016, 07:06:36 AM
 Our hearts,thoughts and prays are with you and your wife! You both are some of the nicest people around! Need anything please let us know! Hang in their  and stay strong Ed k!
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Ed_K on July 18, 2016, 07:43:53 PM
 Well when they tell you your amune system is going to get hit hard, believe it. I started chemo last Tue. and by midnight thursday was admitted to the hosp. with 103. temp came home yesterday and still no energy. But I'm still on schedual so it's a shot tomorrow. And keep from getting sick, worst is I can't have friends stop by to talk for 3 months.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: samandothers on July 18, 2016, 07:58:54 PM
Sorry about the friends visits.  You'll need to let your fingers do your talking!
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Ron Scott on July 19, 2016, 04:38:42 PM
Prayers sent for a soon recovery.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Ed_K on July 19, 2016, 05:59:37 PM
 Today I also got medicine, (it's kind of like cambium juice) to start building up my bones. If they would talk in terms I can understand it wouldn't be so bad  ;D .
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: gww on July 19, 2016, 06:28:17 PM
Ed
QuoteIf they would talk in terms I can understand it wouldn't be so bad  .
Aint that the truth.
Good luck
gww
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: thecfarm on July 19, 2016, 09:25:07 PM
I read this thread each morning and each night.  :)
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Magicman on July 20, 2016, 09:03:00 AM
Thank you Ed for the update.  My Prayers will continue for you.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Ed_K on July 20, 2016, 12:01:05 PM
 Here's something I should have explained, I went to my regular doctor for pain so bad in my lower back that I couldn't bend over,and the last day in the woods I got so bad I couldn't start the saw. So doctor sends me over to the er they did a bunch of test, and one stood wayyy out.
The white blood cell count was real low. That's how the found the cancer. That test should be part of a yearly physical. Once on the meds my back hurts less than it did 2 yrs ago.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Autocar on July 20, 2016, 12:35:27 PM
I agree with you Ed some test should be done every year at your check up. I have to go evey six months to get my blood pressure pills. I would give anything almost to get away from all the pills a fellow takes as he gets older. I'll tell you a joke and I hope it will bring a smile to your face. One sunday morning this little church was packed with people. All of a sudden satan rips open the back doors and comes running and screaming into the church. Peoples running like a bunch of barn rats trying to get out of a barn fire. About five rows back this old man just sits there. Satan walks up to him and says DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM and the old man say YEP I KNOW and satan says why arn't you scared of me. And the old man says IVE BEEN MARRIED TO YOUR SISTER FOR FORTHY TWO YEARS. Have a great day and our prayers are with you daily.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: red on July 20, 2016, 02:55:07 PM
Stay strong and keep laughing .
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Kezar on July 20, 2016, 10:04:02 PM
I am not a regular poster, but i feel like it would be good to tell you too keep your hopes up, no matter what. Despite being diffrent kinds of cancer (stomach and lung), my grandfather was diagnosed a little under 20 years before he ultimately passed away. The first time it appeared he was given a few months to live (at most), the second a few weeks, and the third and final was a few days, to a few weeks. One can never be certain, and you should always keep up your hope (and faith), in-front of any situation.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Stephen Alford on July 21, 2016, 06:19:36 AM
   Ed when I went through it I parked my woods tractor at the back door, looked out the window at it every day.  Finally made it into the seat and eventually back to the woods.  The number they gave me was 18 months. I have always run detroits and my hearing is not so good. The issue is it has been slightly over 18 years... hope I did not hear him wrong.   :D    Hang in there buddy it gets better.   :)
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Ed_K on July 21, 2016, 09:39:52 AM
 Thanks everyone, liked the joke  :D . I will not give up believing I'll get to cut again. Rita was shocked driving in last night, I got the pole saw out and trimmed branches off the driveway so I can sit on the deck and see who drives by  ;D . 1/2 hr to walk down and back cutting small branches. They didn't tell me not to walk around, after loosing all my muscle's and strength in 95 from disk op, I'm not standing around this time. All the positives of time you all have spoken have really helped.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Roxie on July 21, 2016, 02:13:17 PM
So happy to hear you are staying positive!   8)
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: timberlinetree on July 22, 2016, 06:00:42 AM
And happy to hear your moving around and got the branches cleared. 8) 
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: thecfarm on July 22, 2016, 06:12:34 AM
Jump in your car and head for Chesterville,ME. Pole saw too!!!  ;D  I have limbs on the edge of the woods that are hanging down in the field. I own one side of the field,but the longer one is not mind. I just cut of what over hangs. Seems like the more I trim,the more I need to trim. The lower ones hold up the ones above it. They sure do reach for the sun light.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: timberlinetree on July 24, 2016, 06:53:23 AM
Hope your felling OK. If not running the equipment for awhile, moth balls,full tank of fuel,not shure what else to do for short term storage but might be something to think about. If you need help just let us know. Keep strong and you are in our prays.
Title: Re: my cancer jouney
Post by: Ed_K on July 24, 2016, 11:01:38 AM
 It doesn't take much to wear me out, kinda over did it again yesterday, now I'm extra sore and real tired. I'm thinking that 2 days after a shot, is when it gets to me. I have this week off from the shots then we start 2nd series Aug 2. It's a awful way to take a vac. I haven't had vacation's since I quite working in a machine shop in 99. Forestry expos were my vacations  ;D .
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: motohed on July 25, 2016, 06:53:22 PM
Will be praying Bro , I feel your pain .
Title: Re: my cancer jouney
Post by: Ed_K on July 28, 2016, 08:00:25 PM
I had a second consultation with the specialist today, he wants to add another month to the chemo treatments. He feels I'm responding good to it. It's supposed to work on reducing the pain, which I feel is starting to work. I can get around the yard pretty good picked some raspberries, reworked the band mill, (making the tunnel more open for bigger logs) that would have taken couple hrs but took me 3 days. Also started pulling deck screws one board a day, it is real easy to wear out, but I don't want to lose all the muscles I have left.
The doc has a few different treatments that he explained could be used later on and it didn't scare me as much as when they took out some of my bone marrow and a bone chip for a base line of the treatment, that hurt more than when the spring pole whacked my nose and gave me a black eye and almost made me pass out.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: thecfarm on July 28, 2016, 09:41:00 PM
It all sounds good.  :)
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: timberlinetree on July 29, 2016, 07:23:05 AM
Nice to hear your getting some stuff done and the pain is getting a little better. Those raspberries sound good. digin1
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: barbender on July 29, 2016, 08:46:20 AM
Ed, I'm glad to hear your able to get out and do a few things and admire your fortitude. I was just visiting with a dear friend and neighbor who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Inoperable, untreatable, no good news :( She said she doesn't even want to go in for her appointments anymore, all they do is bring her down. People keep telling her she has to face reality. She said she doesn't want to, and now this is the point I want to share that is true no matter the situation- we have the present. Today. None of us are promised any more than that. We get down when a Dr. is telling us what is going to happen in a month, or 6, or a year. Her husband was diagnosed with ALS almost 25 years ago, and given 3 years tops. He kind of got sick of waiting to die after about 5 years I think ;) Ed, I am praying for a speedy and full recovery for you, and that you will feel well enough to enjoy every day going forward. God bless you!
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: kensfarm on August 08, 2016, 12:05:55 AM
Quote from: Ed_K on July 28, 2016, 08:00:25 PM
that hurt more than when the spring pole whacked my nose and gave me a black eye and almost made me pass out.

Ouch.. my goal for 2016 was to not have to visit the ER.. got 5 staples in my head in January.. so wasn't off to very good start.  Prayers and a God Bless you.. hope you are feeling better. 
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: thecfarm on August 08, 2016, 07:03:59 AM
Ed,good to see you posting on some other threads.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Ed_K on August 08, 2016, 09:01:25 AM
 5 staples, ouch  :( . I'd rather have stitch's the staples hurt more when they pull them out.
I can't give up reading and posting on the logging and forestry topic, I really enjoy seeing what others are doing around the world.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: gww on August 08, 2016, 11:12:54 AM
I got burned on my lower legs and they skin grafted with staples.  I was still having staples surface a year later.  I bought a little wire cutter and would chop them in half and twist them out.  I find all pain sucks and am a big baby even with just the flue.  Mostly in all things we just have to muddle through as well as we can.  Ed, as always, I am wishing you the best.
gww
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Holmes on August 09, 2016, 11:13:12 PM
Sorry to hear about your difficult times. I wish you wellness .  I've found that a pole saw can be good medicine. Take your time and get the next 10,000 branches cut. That could take years or a weekend. :D Get well.  Dana
Title: Re: my cancer jouney
Post by: Ed_K on August 15, 2016, 08:11:03 AM
 Last week the lab (blood test) #s were too low to finish round 2 so this week is catch up. There's nothing I can do to change the #s. I asked if eating or drinking something would help, but it's all to do with the drugs they use to kill the bad cells. Drinking lots of water does wash the bad cells out tho.
So far the side effects aren't to bad, I'm surprised after hearing other peoples stories.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Chuck White on August 15, 2016, 05:30:49 PM
Glad to hear things are doing ok for you Ed.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Okrafarmer on August 15, 2016, 08:07:51 PM
Reading this all just now-- praying for you, Ed!
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: thecfarm on August 15, 2016, 08:23:52 PM
My Father went through that. He would have a treatment and I would be cutting wood. Than he would come and cut with me. Never know how it will affect you.
Title: Re: my cancer jouney
Post by: Ed_K on August 16, 2016, 08:04:22 AM
 I felt really good yesterday and now I can hardly move. Told Rita that if I could feel like yesterday,every day, I'd go back to cutting  :D . Kinda over did it  :o .
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: red on August 16, 2016, 08:19:29 AM
Maybe this afternoon you will feel better. Mornings can be tough. Your Job is to eat sleep and go fishing.
Title: Re: my cancer jouney
Post by: Ed_K on August 16, 2016, 08:01:12 PM
 Went to my appointment today and the #s they go by from blood tests were lower than last friday, so I missed another treatment  :( . Way this is going it'll be dec before I get this first go round done  >:( . Kinda depressing, I'm not good at waiting.
I keep asking if there's a way to get the #s up and get told nope,just have to wait and rest.
Here's a picture of different Multipotential hematopoletic blood cell's to give someone an idea of which blood cells are affected by luekemia + other's in the left column  and cells affected by multiple myloma in the right column. As we understand it.

 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10257/multipotential_cancers.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1473596413)

Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Okrafarmer on August 16, 2016, 08:55:42 PM
Have they told you to stop eating sugary things? Just wondering.
Title: Re: my cancer jouney
Post by: Ed_K on August 19, 2016, 07:19:17 PM
 All most at the beginning they told me no sugary food.
Today i finally got back on track, I asked awhile ago if there was a way to get the #s up enough to be able to get back on track and they didn't have an answer. I spent the last two days napping and I think the sleeping and not trying to work some is what got the #s up enough.I'm now hoping that the real bad pain in my right shoulder and hip will go away.
I quit drinking 17 yrs ago and got hooked on candy bars, that is really bothering me now (miss my candy).
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Okrafarmer on August 19, 2016, 08:08:23 PM
Yeah, it's no fun giving up stuff you enjoy. Whether it be candy bars, or logging.  :-\
Title: Re: my cancer jouney
Post by: Ed_K on August 25, 2016, 07:48:38 PM
 Had my 3rd visit with the doctor / specialist today. He's happy with the results so far, said that this first round of chemo was a little harsh, but it had to go this way to keep my kidney's from failing. He was right about the harsh part, it was hard to take. I still have 1 more round to finish. But then I can go on some sort of pill that won't be as bad as the IV. I'll still have to do the IV for another drug (I call it cambium builder  :D) it give me a lot of energy. Things seem to be looking up, just wish I could go back logging.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Okrafarmer on August 25, 2016, 07:54:47 PM
Keep your chin up, boss-man! Sounds like progress!
8)
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: thecfarm on August 25, 2016, 08:21:11 PM
All in time. I suppose you have watched all the youtube logging videos??
Title: Re: my cancer jouney
Post by: Ed_K on August 26, 2016, 08:27:15 AM
 I don't watch many u-tube videos, I can't sit still for long  ;D . Whats really funny is, the nurse that does the IV s and shots keep asking me if I back to my normal routine  :D and the doctor tells me NO chain saws  :( . Guess she thinks everyone works at a desk  :o .
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Jeff on August 26, 2016, 12:13:27 PM
Did the Dr. give you a specific medical reason why you can't use a chainsaw if you are honestly feeling like you can?
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: doctorb on August 26, 2016, 09:58:33 PM
Sorry, I've been following this from too far away....

Many patients with multiple myeloma, and other blood related cancers,  have a tendency to be "clotters".  Meaning...they can form blood clots for no discernible reason.  Does your medical regimen include a blood thinner?  I can assure you that, if you are anti-coagulated, the "no chainsaw rule" is standard and sound advice. 

My continued good wishes to you.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Okrafarmer on August 26, 2016, 11:42:28 PM
Quote from: doctorb on August 26, 2016, 09:58:33 PM
....Many patients with multiple myeloma, and other blood related cancers,  have a tendency to be "clotters".  Meaning...they can form blood clots for no discernible reason.  Does your medical regimen include a blood thinner?  I can assure you that, if you are anti-coagulated, the "no chainsaw rule" is standard and sound advice....

I'm not a doctor, but YIKES!  :o --uh, what he ^ said.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: drobertson on August 27, 2016, 08:34:49 AM
Just getting to this, and am so sorry Ed for all of your struggles,  we will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Title: Re: my cancer jouney
Post by: Ed_K on August 27, 2016, 09:46:34 AM
 Hi Jeff, and DoctorB. The medical reason for no saw is all the pain meds I've had to take. I'm more scared of pain meds than than the cancer, 21 yrs ago when I had a back op I got hooked on pain killers. It was awful getting off them.
The doctor and nurses keep telling me to be careful of get cut, but when they stick a needle in it doesn't bleed a bit, so I don't know if I'm anti-coagulated.
I don't remember if there's a blood thinner in with all the different drugs I'm taking, Rita takes care of which ones and when cause I can't keep them straight, to much sawdust in my brain  ;D .
Thanks everyone for the prayers, I know their helping. While waiting one day we talked to two people who have some real serious blood related cancer can't remember the names but they ended with syndrome, so I'm calling mine ( mild myeloma ).
Title: Re: my cancer jouney
Post by: Ed_K on August 31, 2016, 06:22:30 PM
 I started session #3 yesterday, it been so long between 2 and 3 that I think all the chemo drugs were totally out my system and I started to feel better. Now #3 is kicking in and I'm starting to get tired real quick. It's depressing with the many ups and downs. I have to have blood test every time we go for a treatment,if the #s are down to low they say nope can't treat you today and home we go.
I don't know how Rita does it, all her friends at work are on happy pills, and she won't even talk to her doc about how she feels.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: gww on August 31, 2016, 08:36:37 PM
Ed
Not to down play your situation but it is a bunch of extra pressure on those around you.  It puts the truth to the old saying, "misery loves company"  I am sending out a prayer for those around you also. 

As far as ups and downs go, It is nice that every once in a while a few ups are thrown your way every so often.  The above statement is out of context to what you were writing about but it is a general term that usually has some truth to it.  I hope you get lots of ups.

I only ever type a reponce to your sutuation in an attempt to give some kind of comfort.  If comfort is not what my responces cause, then you have my heart felt apologies.  I am a crass type of guy and sometimes I get it wrong but never on purpose.

Wishing you and yours the best.
gww
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: Ed_K on September 01, 2016, 08:42:41 AM
 gww, your response is very well appreciative, I thank you for the prayers, Rita needs them more than me.
Title: Re: I'm not much for asking for help.
Post by: timberlinetree on September 05, 2016, 08:18:19 AM
Sorry to hear the up and downs are real tuff on both of you, but glad to hear #2 is behind you and your on #3. Glad Rita isn't on the  happy pills. There is good stuff going on and sometimes it's REALLY tuff to find,but it's there. Hang in there and be strong! I know your as tough as nails( or oak)! We are praying for both of ya!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 09, 2016, 09:25:57 AM
 Well #3 is going just the same as #2, half way and numbers are to low and had to skip the third belly shot. The chemo drugs make you hurt a lot but constipation pain is worse, I finally broke the problem, they changed the stool softner and I decided I liked prune juice  :D . But for 4 days it was REALLY bad.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Roxie on September 09, 2016, 09:47:48 AM
Bless your heart. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Gary_C on September 12, 2016, 10:50:23 PM
Ed, sure glad to see you are progressing.

I too know how bad that combination of drugs, constipation and poor diet can be. Sometimes it's the worst part of any treatment.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on September 13, 2016, 07:36:41 AM
Hang in there. I enjoyed that picture of the two hats.   ;D
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: WDH on September 13, 2016, 11:04:05 AM
Ed,

My thoughts are with you. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on September 13, 2016, 08:32:20 PM
Prayers still said for you.  Hang in and pull move on!  Hugs to Rita.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 14, 2016, 09:11:32 AM
 Thanks, to all. I don't like the pain meds but after missing the night time round and the awful pain all night I don't want to do that again. I can only explain how it feels as a burning sensation inside the muscle and cramps all bunched together. We have a meeting with the doctor tomorrow, I hope he explains how I'm doing with this procedure, I feel like they change the dosage or something. #3 session is a lot more of a problem, trying to stay energized. I need to keep moving but I'm so worn down I'd rather sleep.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 17, 2016, 09:22:03 AM
 Thursday I had the appointment with the doctor, he's happy with the results of the chemo so far but was concerned with the after effects of the iv medicine. So he's changing up the IV one and the belly shot one. The IV will now be a pill and the shot a different type. I get to have another week off from the meds, to clean out whats still in me. I complained about the burning and numbness and he prescribed a pill to take (3 a day) by pill 4 I was totally out of it. I'd wake up look around and pass right back out, at times I felt like I was having hallucinations, I'd think I was picking up papers in my lap and moving them around and there weren't any papers near me. I quit takin them pill right then, they scared me more than the pain I have. I also was told, I'd finish up the 6 series run I'm on now then I'll go to Mary Hitchcock up in Hanover N.H. were they will take the clean blood cells and grow more with them. Then they will do a high dose of chemo drugs and kill all the bad cell that are left in me, then put the good new cells back in. This procedure really scares me. I have hopes that after they do this I'll be able to get a shot once a month or so and take a pill once a day to manage the cancer and be able to work again  :) .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on September 17, 2016, 09:26:57 AM
Good to hear the Doc is good with progress.  Sorry to hear the struggle with pain and results of pain pills.  I can not imagine the apprehension associate with all this.   Praying for you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Chuck White on September 17, 2016, 10:02:42 AM
It's absolutely amazing, the things they can do nowadays!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Okrafarmer on September 18, 2016, 01:54:52 PM
Ouch, I'm right there with the frightening halucinations. Last year I was really, really, cotton-picking sick, and I didn't know why. I couldn't even keep water down, and my mind began to shut down as I lay there wallowing in sweat. then I started halucinating. (I wasn't on any meds or drugs of any kind). I would see all kinds of neon-glowing geometric shapes moving around in front of me, and I felt compelled to manipulate them into some sort of order, but I could only assert minimal control over them. All this with extreme nausea, thirst, throat burning with pain, and head pounding. Eventually I got taken to the doctor, who found out it was a bad sinus infection. Who knew. Antibiotics cleared it up.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on September 18, 2016, 06:51:59 PM
Meds can affect us all differently. Keep at it,there must be something for you out there.
I've seen my wife throw 3-4-5 hundred dollars worth of pills away. Paid for by insurance,but still a waste.   ::)  We told the Dr. just give her about 5 and see what happens.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: timberlinetree on September 19, 2016, 05:54:28 AM
Glad to hear your making progress. Praying for you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: red on September 27, 2016, 09:35:26 AM
I came across a YouTube video this morning . . Chemo this morning , Garth tonight . Enjoying the Dance . In Nov 2014 Garth Brooks stopped a concert after seeing this womans sign in the crowd . In Jan 2015 Garth followed up by saying the woman was Cancer Clean. . Stay strong ED . . Your in our Thoughts and Prayers
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: kensfarm on September 27, 2016, 09:23:45 PM
I would def. talk to the doctor about your pain meds.. they can try something at the lower  range like generic percocet.  Enough to help you w/ the pain and be functional.. not knock you out half the day.  Hope you feel better..  Ken
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 29, 2016, 10:21:41 AM
 Well I'm back awake, After almost 3 weeks we have found that this med that was supposed to deal with the painfull burning of the muscle tissue and numbness in my arms and legs, had a bad reaction to me which made me sleep all to time. It was all most as bad coming off them than the pain of not have taken them at all. At one point I got where I couldn't stand the smell of food that if I was straight would have loved to eat. then the anxiety got to be too much. On monday Rita took me to the er as I was having what I thought was that I couldn't breath. They did a bunch of test and found nothing so they sent me home. Yesterday we had a meeting with the Nurse Pract. and she said to try the anti nausea, when we got home we found the bottle also say it's for anxiety. What a difference by 3pm I was up, not feeling sick tired or like I couldn't breath. I guess the meds for anxiety are also called happy pills. Anyways I rather take them than something that makes me sleep 24-7.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on September 30, 2016, 08:29:01 AM
ed
happy good.
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Carson-saws on September 30, 2016, 09:07:22 AM
Ed...from my home to yours...prayers and best wishes to you and those around you.  Obviously you are a very strong person and those that support you love and care deeply for you.  Keep staying strong Sir and "keep that cup full"...
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 08, 2016, 07:26:55 AM
 I've started a second type of drug therapy other than having to have more I.V. injections it's working pretty good less pain and numbness. They are having a rough time getting the iv needles in, took two try's each day and I'm on a thur, fri, treatment. Both arms hurt a little from that but overall pain is down a lot.We talked about a port stile of injection for the iv's but I'm too active I think for this.
No one can tell us how long this treatment will go on for,but after this it'll go the the stem cell treatments.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: red on October 08, 2016, 09:46:47 AM
Thoughts and Prayers from miles away
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on October 08, 2016, 08:08:29 PM
I'm a thinking of ya.  :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 15, 2016, 09:22:03 AM
 On wed. we had a meeting with a doctor who's a specialist in Multiple Myeloma at Dartmouth Hitchcock in N.H. We went over my past history, what medicine's I have been on, which ones work and which ones didn't. Now that they have switched me to a new drug it seems to be working better, the first one I think was too strong and I couldn't keep my blood counts up enough to follow thru week to week. They also made me hurt a lot. So there are changes they can do to individualize for each person's system. The doctor will have us come back for another meeting in 6 to 8 weeks to explain what and how the stem cell transplant will be done and give us a tour of the facility. This procedure is where they use my own blood stem cells grow more and freeze them, then when I'm as low as can be in knocking down the bad blood cells and in remission they will use a very powerful chemo, before they go with the transplant and 2 weeks of isolation. After all this I will have to be tested periodically to keep the myeloma in check. Then there will be follow up treatments to keep it in remission. I finished cycle 1 day 4 of the new treatment and feel a little better so here's hoping this new treatment will work better than the first and I can finish cycle 1 have a week off and do cycle 2 and on.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Roxie on October 15, 2016, 01:11:10 PM
Sounds encouraging!   :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Gary_C on October 15, 2016, 01:23:02 PM
That's good news Ed.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: red on October 15, 2016, 04:45:17 PM
Excellent !
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Jeff on November 07, 2016, 01:53:09 PM
Any updates Ed?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on November 08, 2016, 10:58:53 AM
 I started cycle 2, days 1 and 2 last week, it's supposed to be a milder drug than the first one. I get one type of drug on Thur. and Fri. and they have a pill that I take along with the treatment, the pill goes for 21 days then I get a week off and start over this week will be cycle 2, days 8 and 9. This cycle seems to make me a lot shakier and tired so I'm taking a anxiety pill to calm that down. I've lost a lot of feeling in my fingers,so it's hard to pick things up. At the end of the month I go back to Dartmouth Hitchcock to talk to the cancer specialist. They will look over the test's and decide how much more of this drug I need to take or stop. If they decide to stop they will start taking good blood cells out and grow them. Then they will do a powerfull kemo that kills all the rest of the bad cells and put the new-good cells back. After that I don't know what's next.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: drobertson on November 08, 2016, 01:48:56 PM
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers ed, not much to say except hang in there!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: timberlinetree on November 12, 2016, 05:06:05 AM
Your in our thought and prays too.Hope you Get well soon!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on November 18, 2016, 04:31:57 PM
Yesterday I went to do week 3 of the new chemo and they informed us that the blood platelets are to low and said I'd have to wait till the platelets grow some more good ones. So now I have to wait till Dec 1st to get going again. This happened when I first started way back when they tried the heavier chemo back in Jul, at least I got thru 2 weeks before the the chemo got to be to much. The numbers for good platelets run from 150 to 460, the doctor ok's it as long as it's at least 50 this weeks blood test came back at 34. The chemo really can take a toll on the body. I need to rest more but have a hard time doing so, I rather be doing something to keep my mind off all that's happening to me.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on November 18, 2016, 08:56:42 PM
Thanks for the update. I was hoping for better news. I think of you as I go about my day. My Father had that dreaded C word too.  :( Not many familes can get by without it.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bandmill Bandit on November 25, 2016, 07:39:20 PM
So Sorry. My post was meant for the standing in need of prayer thread.

You are on our families prayer list, Ed! 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on November 25, 2016, 08:18:47 PM
Life will be hard for all some of the time.  My uncle just had a biopsy and will know more around wends.  He had been operated on and had chemo a few years ago and this is hard news.  Bandmill, my dad has early alzhiemers and is much younger then your mother.  You have a prayer from me. You still do also ed.

I never know what to say except to point out that muddling through is usually what is forced on people and knowing that even in the worst of times something will happen that will usually make you glad you at least got to see it or feel it or know it.  Those times might be spred out more then they should be for some and not given out to all equally but usually everybody that is breathing will still get a chance to experiance a blessing.  I am not trying to say this in a talk down manner from someone who is not in the know as I am not walking in your shoes but more as a core beliefe that I have and trying to get others to watch for such times.  I am not very tough and hope that I have the courage to remember this in my hour of need.  I am not telling you I will but do believe it in my soul now that some blessing will come that you will be glad you made it through the pain to see.

As always, I hope my post are never hurtfull in any way.
Wishing bandmill and Edd only the best.
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on November 26, 2016, 10:14:53 AM
 I pray for each of us also, night prayers some times are hard to finish as the night time pills catch up with me. But I do believe they help all of us.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 01, 2016, 09:50:56 AM
Yesterday we went to Dartmouth for a 2nd visit with the doctor who will be in charge of my stem cell transplant procedure. He went thru all the pros and cons of having this done, and kinda put me at ease with it. First thing they want to see is finishing this type of chemo treatment I'm doing now. I need to finish at least 4 sessions, I made it thru 2 and was supposed to start #3 today. When we got home last night there was a message that the blood test I did early yesterday morning showed a too low white blood cell and want to postpone another week. I've already had 2 1/2 weeks off and thought everything would be ok. We call this morning to ask why and they decided to try a blood test again this morning, so I'm hoping a day helped. It just seems that I get set back to much, I know it all to do with the body but it's hard to feel like this will go for ever. The specialist wants to harvest the stem cell as soon as possible, which I like. Once I get the chemo therapy over then the specialist will do the transplant of stem cells. It sounded scary of what and how this is done, but by the time we finished I was ok with it and want to get it done and over so I can be close to where I was before getting this cancer. I have decided to put in for social security and retire from full time logging, this depresses me but I'll still try to find a few small cordwood jobs to keep me busy. I'll also have the sawmill to make some lumber for projects and a small wood shop. The 10 acre maple orchard will get more attention also.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: catalina on December 01, 2016, 10:05:19 AM
Keep up the positive thoughts Ed. The body is a complex thing, all in time. Gene
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 01, 2016, 06:08:47 PM
 My blood test this morning turned out to only be .1% higher,but it was good enough that I could start my 3rd cycle. I know that they can only go as fast as my body can take, I can get impatient when things don't move along as fast as I think they should. At this point in my life I'm going to have to learn to slow down, which won't be easy as I've always been on the go.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on December 01, 2016, 06:12:23 PM
Get your SS benefits and sit back and enjoy life!!!
You worked your whole life. And than some.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on December 01, 2016, 07:29:51 PM
My prayers are still with you Ed it takes alot of strength to keep a positive attatude. Hang in there and stay strong.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 02, 2016, 08:13:00 AM
 Thanks cfarm and Autocar,
I did sign up for ss benefits as I worried that one income won't be enough, used a lot of the 401 as a, "repair iron account"  :) . I have a friend who has the same cancer diagnosis, he has been fighting it for 3 yrs now. So I worry as Rita's insurance premiums keep rising I won't be able to pay that and help with house money. My part was to pay the taxes,repairs and extra propane when we needed it. So hopefully ss will keep us ahead and building things in the work shop will be the extra for going out to eat or presents that we never did much cause I needed to get this job done and on to the next. The worst was never spending much time with my sons when they were young.
The young logger's and trucker's need to be reminded of this,it's not a good experience.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on December 02, 2016, 10:48:52 AM
Edd
Most parents have those same feelings about their kids.  If you have kids when you are younger, you sorta have no choice but to pursue your work pretty hard if you want to provide.  The good thing is that most children remember it differrent then you remember it and really love you for it and also form their work ethic from you.  I believe this is why god invented grand children.  By then you are a little more patient and not quite as wrapped up in to making it in the world.
Regretts can be a waste of time unless they help you improve something that is going on currently.
Good luck
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: BradMarks on December 08, 2016, 01:37:56 PM
gww:  well said and true
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Gary_C on December 08, 2016, 09:21:40 PM
Hang in there Ed. I'm still pulling and praying for you and I know you can pull thru this one.

Gary
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 09, 2016, 06:54:12 PM
 If I can get thru this cycle 3, it'll be the first time we made a whole cycle. Yesterday and today made cycle 3 day 3 and 4. A cycle is 6 days of treatment then a week off. Once I make 6 cycles the specialist thinks I'll be low enough on bad blood cell in the bone marrow to harvest the good stem cells. This part I'm not to worried about, but then they will put me in the hospital for 2 weeks and give me a massive dose of chemo drugs to kill off all the rest of the cells in the bone marrow, then they put the harvested cells back in and they will jump start new good blood cells to grow in the bone marrow, this is the part that really scares me. I thought I'd be stuck in a bed for the 2 weeks but they said no that I would be getting out of bed every day and walk around for a mile walk. This I liked as I have to be moving or I'd go nuts.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on December 11, 2016, 08:46:19 AM
Glad to hear you were able to start on the cycle and moving forward.  Prayers for you! 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 16, 2016, 09:12:45 AM
 Last Sunday I slipped on some ice and fell down pretty hard. Hurt my right hip and arm,got a small black and blue on the back of my arm. I've fell down harder at earlier time in my life and didn't think this time was that bad. Well I mentioned it yesterday and everyone at the oncology dept went nuts. They made me get x-rays and a full exam with the doctor and all. Wow what a time, I got scared they wouldn't give me the cycle 3 drugs for this week and I'd miss doing a full cycle again. I haven't made a full cycle yet but it was always for blood test coming back to low. After all the x-rays and scares they let me have the chemo and all and today I finish the treatment, A first for me  8) . They also told me that I need to tell them if something happens again, I have to let them know right after, seems that you can break bones real easy with any kind of bone marrow cancer, just by bumping into something or falling. I'm happy to finish cycle 3 today  8) .Maybe in Jan. they can start the harvest of good bone marrow cells,and then get me into remission. I hope once into remission that I gain strength and do some logging. My truck driver has been helping to get some r/o logs out on the job I was working when all this started. I sit on the tractor or skidder depending on how big the logs are and he cuts the logs out and runs the winch,and I drive them to the landing. We have 3 loads go out and 1 1/2 loads to go and the $ part of the job will be done and I'll clean up the cordwood next spring/summer when I have the energy.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: petefrom bearswamp on December 16, 2016, 07:05:30 PM
Thinking of you here Ed.
I am not a spiritual man but all the best in your battle.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 16, 2016, 07:23:03 PM
 Thanks to all who are still checking in and thinking/praying for me & Rita, we keep going by this and looking forward.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on December 16, 2016, 07:55:17 PM
I'm a thinking of ya through out my day.   :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on December 17, 2016, 12:30:57 AM
I will keep praying for you, Ed. You sound like one tough son of a gun to me ;)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on January 14, 2017, 05:39:27 PM
 I finished my 4th cycle yesterday  8) . But now I'm having trouble with where they put the injection needle in, I think it was loose and some of the chemo got out of the vein and thinned the skin around the injection site.When we took the bandage off the tape pulled some skin off and and it's been bleeding some ever since, After super and had to re-bandage it after shower. We wont know what's wrong till Tues cause weekends and holidays they just say go to the ER, and all they do is more blood test that have already been done on last Thur.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on January 14, 2017, 06:01:14 PM
Hang in there.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on January 14, 2017, 07:19:01 PM
Thinking of you Ed
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on January 15, 2017, 09:41:26 AM
 It stopped bleeding some time last night, so now I feel a little better that it may not be as bad as we thought. Thanks to everyone for keeping up with my Journey.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: drobertson on January 17, 2017, 06:45:07 PM
In our prayers Ed,  as mentioned, you are one tough son of a gun!  Thanks for the updates, lots of folks praying for you and the family,
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on January 19, 2017, 07:43:18 PM
Ed it amazes me the strength you show with what your going though. I pray for you and many other folks daily, hang in there. God Is Good All The Time.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on January 21, 2017, 05:28:14 PM
 We went to Hanover on Wed. for another meeting with the specialist, one of my questions was about the needle not sealing and the chemo getting out of the vein, he looked at my arm and said that the skin around the injection site would be hard but it wouldn't eat the skin away, so that made me feel better. There were two other understudies fellows that checked me out, going over how the stem cell harvest is done.and The Dr. seems to think that the numbers they go by are as low as they can get them, so they are wanting to get started on the harvest of the cells. Part of this is to do a bunch more test like ekgs, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, another bone marrow test and maybe another colonoscopy. They also do a dental exam.
So on Monday I went to the dentist for the check up, they found three teeth that needed fixing. On Friday they got me back in to fix them. A shot of novacaine and fixed two, on the third tooth I came out of the chair, it wasn't a cracked filling but a bad tooth down to the root. After 3 more shots of novacaine he gave up. All the doctor's had a get together and decided I needed it pulled out Can't have any infections during and after the stem cell transplant. Friday it comes out. I'm more nervous with this than getting chemo treatments.
A lesson here is once you have a cancer diagnosis, don't drop the dentist exams. Eight months of no cleaning can ruin some teeth quick.
I had more blood test at Hanover on Wed. When the results come back they will decide on more chemo cycles or wait for this infection to go away and start the blood cell harvest. Part of the harvest begins with a four hr chemo session, then I have to give myself a shot every day for a week. I don't know if I can actually give myself a shot. The four hr chemo will kill all the myloma cells and other bad cells floating around in my system, then the shots will bring out good cells from my bone marrow for harvest which will take anywhere from a day to three days. Once they get as many good cells as they can, they will give me a massive dose of chemo that will kill all the cells in my body and then they will put the good cells back in. I will be there for three to four weeks in a germ free environment to make sure everything is growing right.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on January 21, 2017, 07:47:18 PM
Holey cow sounds like a long journey ahead of you. Prayers your way every day. Just keep the smells of the woods and how the cold air of winter lifts you up thinking about the logging day ahead. Stay strong brother !
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on January 21, 2017, 08:18:22 PM
Praying for your healing and ability to over come! 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on January 21, 2017, 08:23:59 PM
Edd
My uncle doesn't have his teeth any more.  He said when he was going through chemo that the mouth sores were just horrible.  It takes a lot of time at the doctors to get through this stuff aparrently.  I am still wishing you the best and hoping that things come at you at a pace you can handle. 
I am hoping your family support group is holding up also.  Good people are faced with hard things and I hope they can keep their chin up and really don't know how to help them do that but am hoping that my good wishes might help in some way.
Good luck
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on January 21, 2017, 10:02:02 PM
Thanks for the report. I am here for you. I will haul out a few trees tomorrow for you. I will be thinking of you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on January 23, 2017, 03:09:28 PM
 Thanks to everyone, I just found out that they have changed the process, I'm having a hard time figuring out what they told me.Once Rita gets home and explains it I'll have another post.
As far as having a support, we have each other. Rita has her sister and nieces. I have a couple of neighbors that I can talk to.And writing of this journey on the Forestry Forum has helped me to understand whats going on in my life.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Roxie on January 23, 2017, 04:43:18 PM
I sincerely hope you get to look back on your thread about your journey twenty years from now. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on January 23, 2017, 07:31:27 PM
Ed sending you the best
It's a lot to take in at one time
Keep up you can beat this
Bruno
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: fishpharmer on January 23, 2017, 07:39:50 PM
Ed, you're in my thoughts and prayersas you go through this tough time. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on January 24, 2017, 10:06:28 AM
 I truly would like to see 20 yrs from now. All I can do is hope and pray.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Stephen Alford on January 25, 2017, 07:36:28 PM
  Hang in there my friend, you already have a lot of the tough miles behind you.  Don't slack off on the vitamin D   :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on January 26, 2017, 11:05:32 AM
 Stephen, they have me on caltrate 600-D3. The vitamin D3 is 200% of daily needs. It also has 600mg of calcium. I hope this will build up the bones, the long bones in my legs hurt constantly.
We got news yesterday that both doctors decided that the numbers that they go by are as low as they can get them. So now I start doing all the test they need done. They gave us an appointment for Feb 15 to go back to dartmouth to do the stem cell harvest. It looks like this part and then the second part where they kill off all the cells and then put the harvested cells back in will drag right thru sugaring season. I'd rather miss one season then alot of them. Tomorrow I go to have this infected tooth pulled. That scares me more than having chemo treatments. They keep telling me that I can't work any more, but I have been down to my logging job enough times to get all the good sawlogs cut. I had a friend of Rita's drop most of them,left 6 that I cut  ;D. My trucker came down each time to help skid the logs out and trucked 3 loads to the mill  8).Now I just have the cordwood and pallet log to cut sometime, I hope to get them late spring. I may be sick but I ain't giving up being in the woods  ;) .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thechknhwk on January 26, 2017, 10:48:21 PM
 smiley_beertoast here's to a big comeback for you.  I hope for the best for you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on January 27, 2017, 09:36:30 AM
ED, I continue to follow you journey and my prayers are with you for strength and healing grace.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on January 27, 2017, 12:48:26 PM
Ed, you've got some real tenacity and I pray that will get you over the hump with this. It's been my experience in my relatively short life that people that have that tenacity are the ones that come out the other side of stuff. The ones that are out there cleaning up their logging job when all conventional wisdom says you should be home in bed, that might be right but that same drive that doesn't make sense at times is what helps you push through difficulties. You have my prayers and my admiration ;)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on January 28, 2017, 07:52:26 PM
 Well I got the tooth pulled out yesterday,or I should say broken out. They numb you up real good, then go in there with what felt like vice-grips and squeezed the tooth into pieces. They picked all the pieces out then pulled the roots out. Said the roots were the biggest they ever seen. I saw one of them, and it looked like the size of a 10 penny nail head. When the novicane wore off it started to hurt and I bumped up the pain med I take that takes care of all the cancer pain. It barely worked, I also put ice on the side of my cheek to help the swelling. The worst is the infection makes my mouth taste and smell awful. I had to wait 24 hrs to use salt water to rinse it away.
Thanks to all for the good wishes and prayers.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on January 28, 2017, 08:26:50 PM
Edd
I was going to not have dental insurance when I retired and so over a two year period (cause of limits that the insurance would pay) I had my uppers pulled and then all my lowers the next year.  I remember going to the pharmacy with gauze in my mouth and them asking me a question and when they saw the effort I was making to answer, they said they understood and didn't ask me anything else. 

I feel for you man. 
Good luck
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on January 28, 2017, 08:59:02 PM
Ed, I had a tooth pulled once, same thing- it was a tooth I had root canal done on, and it had cracked. It got really infected, and the dentist said the novicaine would have a minimal effect because of the PH levels the infection causes in the vicinity. She wasn't kidding! That's the worst pain I've ever experienced, it took them well over an hour to get it out. Really big, bulging roots. They had to cut it in two, this little gal of a dentist was really having to work at this thing, she was sweating and everything! As an aside, I have a theory that women who have experienced childbirth get extreme amounts of satisfaction watching a big baby of a man hurting, I'm convinced the dentist and her assistant were giving each other mental high fives ;D They still mention that stupid tooth when I get to the dentist, and that had to be 8 years ago.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on January 29, 2017, 09:52:21 AM
 Where's the high five emicon, I really believe that  :( .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: kensfarm on February 09, 2017, 12:07:15 AM
Ed you guys are making my mouth hurt.. had 2 teeth that needed filling or pulling.. after half a dozen shots.. the last being a nerve block shot.  She said.. your going to have to see an oral surgeon.  Cost me $90.. my mouth was numb for the rest of the day.  I found that a lot of the pain is caused by gum swelling/inflammation.. they have a prescription oral rinse that reduces the gum swelling pretty fast.. it really helps.  You should just be able to call the dentist and get it prescribed.  God bless.. hope you get some pain relief.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 09, 2017, 08:20:33 AM
 I've been using a salt water rinse. But what ever is used,be careful not to rinse to hard. If you wash the clot out you end up with a dry socket which is what gives the real pain. I had to go back to the oral surgeon,and he put a piece of cord in the hole that is impregnated with clove extract. It stopped the pain in minutes,they leave it in for a few days to let the skin build a bridge across the opening.Friday will be 3 weeks and it just starting to heal up now.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 09, 2017, 08:42:38 AM
 I went in to the hospital yesterday for my bone marrow biopsy test. They numb the skin on the hip then use a probe to go into the hip and take out a piece of the bone. That hurt almost as much as the tooth extraction. The rest of the tests that I needed done, came out ok. One test I got to see my heart beating,that was pretty kool, the lady doing it said my heart was in really good shape  :) .One other test was for my lungs and breathing. They said I was equal to a 30 yr old. Has to be from being out in the woods all my life  ;D . So now we wait for word to start the blood cell extraction.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on February 10, 2017, 06:44:23 PM
Sounds like your going the right direction Ed, keeping you in our prayers
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 17, 2017, 09:57:35 AM
 On Feb. 15 we went up to Dartmouth to visit with the Dr. and three specialist's who explained where I'm at now. The myloma cells are down as low as they feel they can get them. So we are starting with the cell collection process. I had my heart and lungs checked out then Thur.the 23 I have to have a colonoscopy then Fri. the 24 we go start the cell harvest. It starts with a dose of chemo (stronger than what I've been doing) it is 6hr procedure where they give 2hrs of saline then 2hrs of the chemo and 2 more hrs of the saline . On Sat. I will start with 2 shots a day (I do myself) for 10 days. The injection of chemo with kill off more of the myloma cells and the injections will build more new cells, enough to over fill the bone marrow and flow out into my blood stream. Thats when I go back to Dartmouth and they take out the extra good cells,and freeze them.They said they need 5 million. When I get enough strength they will do the final chemo that kills all the cells left wait 3 days and inject the harvested cells back in and wait for them to replenish the cells in the bone marrow. During this last part I'll be in kind of an intensive care unit for 3 to 4 weeks depending how long it takes to get the marrow built up. March is going to be a long month.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Jeff on February 17, 2017, 10:20:39 AM
We will all be there with you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Weekend_Sawyer on February 17, 2017, 10:36:35 AM

Ed, I'm sending good thoughts your way.

Lets plan on meeting up at the Forestry Forum pig roast in 20 years.

Jon
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Roxie on February 17, 2017, 11:35:44 AM
I am wishing you strength.  It sure is a frightening and uncertain road ahead of you, but just think how incredible it will be to come out the other side.  This time next year, may it all be a bad memory.   smiley_heart

Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on February 17, 2017, 02:44:14 PM
Ed is it Dartmouth Medical Center in Hanover NH ?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 17, 2017, 03:44:41 PM
 Thanks, Jeff, Weekend_Sawyer and Roxie. Bruno of NH, yes that is where I've been going. I feel safe there as I had back surgery there 22 yrs ago after all the doctors down here where I live said I'd never walk again. Day after I crawled into Dartmouth I could walk, so I believe they work miracles there.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on February 17, 2017, 07:24:01 PM
Hey Edd
I will be happy for any miracle that they hand out to you.
Cheers
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on February 18, 2017, 05:42:43 AM
I hope all goes well for you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on February 18, 2017, 07:51:00 AM
Prayers and thoughts for and to you and your family!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on February 19, 2017, 09:58:31 PM
My continued prayers are with you Ed. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 21, 2017, 04:15:01 PM
 Thank you, to all.   Went to the oncology unit where I've been getting treatments for the last 8 months. The doctor explained this next procedure of collecting the cells. Getting the big dose of chemo. Then growing the new cells needed for the transplant. Then spending the time in the care ward at Dartmouth Hitchcock cancer center. It's a long haul but I know it's needed for me to beat this thing. So I signed the consent and said lets get on with it. Still scary tho.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Jim_Rogers on February 21, 2017, 05:41:25 PM
Just remember you have lots of FF members praying for you everyday. And we're all right there beside you, in spirit.
Take care and get well soon.

Jim Rogers
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 22, 2017, 07:07:31 AM
 Hi Jim, I'm glad to have everyone thinking and praying for me. I've been shopping for a tablet to take with me so I can keep up with everyone here on the Forestry Forum. I recently got hooked on the sawing and milling thread. I have the small ez Baker mill that I intend to use to make lumber for small projects. I've been reading there to find ways to make the mill run better, look at everyone's building projects and learn how to sharpen blade with a used dina saw grinder. So I'll be reading what ya'all are doing while I'm rebuilding cells to come home. And use the shop I've been working on, to keep busy if I can't go logging any more. Thanks to all on the Forestry Forum.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: petefrom bearswamp on February 22, 2017, 05:59:04 PM
Ed, Thoughts and prayers here for a SUCCESSFUL journey
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on February 22, 2017, 06:47:45 PM
Good luck Ed
They saved my life there on Christmas Day
You are in good hands :)
I live not far from DHMC .
Bruno
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Peter Drouin on February 22, 2017, 07:33:43 PM
Every day prayers for you and Bruno.
So Ed do you think logging is easier than chemo?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on February 22, 2017, 09:17:42 PM
Praying for you Ed. You're a tough old bird. I admire you for sharing your journey and your bravery.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: sawguy21 on February 22, 2017, 11:11:15 PM
Hang in there buddy. My wife is dealing with the dreaded C and there is no easy answer. It is not what we signed up for but this is the hand we have been dealt so we play it the best we can.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on February 24, 2017, 03:14:01 PM
God is good all the time, prayers every day your way Ed also Sawguy21 will add your wife on my list of prayers !
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: newoodguy78 on February 24, 2017, 05:03:12 PM
Stay strong and I send well wishes and prayers your way.
For what it's worth I have the IPad mini and have really grown to like it, it's also very easy to learn and use.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 25, 2017, 07:18:24 PM
 Thanks everyone, sawguy21, I have prayers for your wife and you also. We will fight this 8).
  Peter Drouin, Yes I think logging is easier than chemo. With logging you get tired at the end of the day (which is alway a great day)when you get up next morning your raring to go. With chemo your tried every morning and it's a chore to get out of bed, but you do.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Peter Drouin on February 26, 2017, 06:20:35 PM
I thought so Ed-K, Best of luck to ya.
Are you watching the race at Daytona 500?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 28, 2017, 06:32:14 PM
Peter, I have to admit I tried to watch the 500. I relied on my son Chris to explain what they were doing with the rules. With him gone it was hard. I had a big shot of chemo on Fri. Sat there for 6 hours. This killed enough cells to make my bone marrow start building new ones. Now Rita is giving me shots for 10 days to push the cells out into my blood so next Mon.they can take them out. On the 22nd I go back to Dartmouth where they will do the big chemo then put the saved cells back. Then it's a wait and see how good it worked.
I'm learning how to use this tablet so I can keep up with what y'all are up to.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Peter Drouin on March 01, 2017, 05:57:22 AM
Lets hope it goes well.
How fast have you driving a car or truck?
On a track at 200 miles an hour must be a blast.
I remember back in the 70s going down I93 at 100 passing beers between 2 cars, stupid I know. But what fun. I had a 1972 duster 340 with a 4 speed, Pass anything but a gas station. ;D
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on March 01, 2017, 06:04:20 AM
Hi Ed,I sure do hope things go well for you.
If a big fan of racing,or really watching TV,we just bought a 70 inch TV. :o   That brings EVERYTHING to life size. I don't watch much TV,but do watch movies. WOW!!! Now we need to invest in Bluray and a surround sound and will really have it made. This TV is just about as good as having a 3 point winch on the back of a tractor.  :D
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Roxie on March 01, 2017, 08:36:33 AM
Ed, if Cowboy Bob can learn to use an iphone, you can learn that tablet.   :D  I have confidence in you. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 01, 2017, 12:19:19 PM
 I had an awful hard time coming to grips with the desk top. Putters are not my strong suit. But I think I'd go nuts if I can't check in on the FF.
As far as going fast 72 ford mavric 302 4 speed at 135 racing a heavy chevy out of Portsmouth, N.H. Ya I got caught  :D . $300 and 6 months loss of lic. Can't do that now a days  ;D .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Peter Drouin on March 01, 2017, 12:35:25 PM
 8) :D :D :D That's fast.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: sawguy21 on March 01, 2017, 03:07:36 PM
 :D :D I was talking to a retired RCMP officer who had served in the local detachment. He asked me if I was one of those he used to run in on a Saturday night. I said no but I gave you plenty of opportunity. I liked speed too. ;)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 05, 2017, 10:16:12 AM
 Friday the 24th, we went to the oncology dept. here at home and got the chemo injection to start the cell harvest. Since then Rita has been giving me shots to make the good cells come out of the bone marrow.
Tomorrow we go the Dartmouth to start the harvest. They say if they can get 5 million cells first day it would be great, but it could take 2, or 3 days if they have a hard time with getting a place in each arm to do it. If it don't work they will put a catheter in my shoulder to get blood.
With this chemo injection, it's supposed to tell the bone marrow that something is attacking my system and make more cells to fight it.
Well they only mentioned that I would have pain in my back, joints and large bones. Wow  :o :( this pain is worse than when I ruptured my L4-L5 disk. We called them back yesterday morning to hear, it only last 24 hrs.  >:( . It started Fri.630pm and has finally slowed this morning.
I still have pain but I can at least sit and make it go away. Pain meds dulled it some but I don't know how it'll be riding up to Lebanon, N. H. to stay over night tonight. Thought it better than trying to drive up at 5 am to be there for 7:30 am. there's a half way house we can stay in.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Stephen Alford on March 06, 2017, 08:17:28 AM
   Ed there are folks reading this thread of your journey/struggle that will have to travel this same road, they just don't know it yet. How you have delt with it is nothing short of inspirational.  Good luck my friend.. GIVER   :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on March 06, 2017, 09:07:36 AM
stephen......
QuoteEd there are folks reading this thread of your journey/struggle that will have to travel this same road, they just don't know it yet. How you have delt with it is nothing short of inspirational.  Good luck my friend.. GIVER   
x2
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on March 06, 2017, 10:30:34 AM
Good luck Ed
Will be thinking of you
Bruno
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 08, 2017, 08:30:04 AM
 We made it up OK. Stayed at a place called Maynard house. It works with the hospital for people who need a place to stay while loved one's are hospitalized or waiting for admission to the hospital. They charge $25.00 per person per night.
We got admitted at 7:30 am  and by 9 had me all hooked up to the machine. They are very good with getting the needles in. The machine is like a clarifyer,it spins the blood and separate the cells good from bad. It also takes some platelets out too.
It needs 5 million cells to save for implant. They said it would take one to three day's to complete this. Rita Say's I'm fertilizer in the field ☺. They had enough cells in three hour's to freeze.So we were on our  way home by 3.
The chemotherapy iv plus the shots for ten days really  got to me ,  as I said in my last post, there was a lot of pain involved. The pain  was due to cells being pushed out of the bone marrow. I need to stress this as it is a good pain for once, it tells you it's working. All tho you think your having a heart attack. Your lower back and into your chest will scare you crazy. I found that I could sit in the recliner just so the pain  would subside some and you can sleep that way.
We have another meeting next Thursday for more explanations and sign a consent form for the transplant. Then go back on the 22nd to do it. This takes up to four weeks. The first two weeks are critical, as I won't have any immune  cells and it is real easy to get sick. So that's it for now.
Thanks to everyone for keeping up with my story.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ron Scott on March 08, 2017, 03:16:48 PM
A great story for sure! Great endurance on your part.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: WDH on March 08, 2017, 03:39:05 PM
Stay put and stay well.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on March 08, 2017, 06:18:12 PM
You keep posting and I'll keep reading.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on March 08, 2017, 10:36:53 PM
Hang in there Ed, you're an inspiration! Praying for you!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on March 09, 2017, 01:24:52 PM
And Thank You Ed for keeping us in your loop.  Mt prayers will continue for your full and complete recovery.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 17, 2017, 08:01:42 PM
 Yesterday we went back up at noon and spent the afternoon going over what they will be doing. Next Wednesday we start the day by putting in a catheter in my right side just below my neck, they will use this to put in the saline, large dose of chemo, blood transfusions and stem cells.
Two day's after the chemo they will put my stem cell's back in. Then we wait for the cell's to start growing.
They said that usually they send the patient home in 14 day's. 100 day's at home for recuperating. The first 4 week's I have to go back for checkups. The first week home I'll be the weakest. Then better each week afterwards.
This whole thing is unbelievable. I went to this hospital 22 year's ago, I couldn't walk from a blown disk, I got from tipping over backwards on a four wheeler dragging a log home for cordwood. They had  me up and walking two day's later, a miracle, I believe. Now I'm there again looking for another.
Oh, you do lose your hair 😂.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on March 17, 2017, 08:56:30 PM
Hey ed
Hair is over rated anyway.  Wishing you the best.
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Peter Drouin on March 18, 2017, 06:13:28 AM
 smiley_thumbsup
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on March 18, 2017, 06:26:04 AM
Spend time thinking about the things you will do when you get up and going again.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: plantman on March 18, 2017, 08:08:50 AM
I've heard remarkable things about immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is essentially stimulating your own immune system to fight the cancer so it's not going to make you feel worse. Sometimes doctors simply prescribe what they have to offer and don't bring up other therapies that are offered at hospitals outside of the area. President Jimmy Carter received immunotherapy and is doing well.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on March 19, 2017, 05:02:22 PM
You are tough
You will kick this
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: YellowHammer on March 19, 2017, 07:01:35 PM
Keep the faith, we are praying for you. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on March 20, 2017, 09:14:41 PM
Amen!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: red on March 22, 2017, 06:29:38 AM
Just another day . Thoughts and Prayers sent your way .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Roxie on March 22, 2017, 06:36:45 PM
Today you get your catheter.   Thinking of you. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on March 23, 2017, 10:05:28 PM
Ed, I know that you have begun the critical portion of your treatment and these next two weeks will be a vitally important step in your journey toward regaining your health.  My prayers will continue for healing grace for you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on March 24, 2017, 04:44:10 PM
Stay strong Ed sounds like your heading in the right direction, prayers your way my friend !
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: plantman on March 25, 2017, 02:32:24 PM
Hey Ed , while looking around the internet for methods to help my cousin with Lyme disease I came across this info on immune enhancing mushrooms found in northern forests . Apparently they grow on yellow birch in moist soils. I don't claim to have any experience with this but it might be something to look into.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q2dGq6tISc
https://oriveda.wordpress.com/what-you-should-know-before-buying-mushroom-supplements/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJSHJ6eKHLg
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: red on April 07, 2017, 05:36:43 PM
Has anyone heard from Ed ?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: fishpharmer on April 07, 2017, 10:50:37 PM
I'm praying for your return to health Ed!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Brucer on April 08, 2017, 09:33:16 PM
This bone marrow transplant business is pretty debilitating. Ed will be in very rough shape for another 2 to 4 weeks -- don't expect him to be in contact for a while.

Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: petefrom bearswamp on April 09, 2017, 07:52:01 AM
Hope Ed comes thru treatment OK
Prayers from here
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: WDH on April 09, 2017, 10:58:42 AM
Thinking about you Ed.  Hang in there.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on April 09, 2017, 04:00:30 PM
 Ye ha, I made it thru to the other side. Like  brucer and magic man said it is no walk in the park.
On the 22nd  they gave me the chemo that literally kills every cell in your body. On the 24th they put my cells that they harvested a while back back in. This day is my new birthday. I was doing good  till I got two days of bad drug reactions then a virus called RSV ,and a hospital acquired pneumonia . They treated them with an antiviral and antibiotics.
So now I'm home and building up my strength. And actually watching a NASCAR race for the first time in weeks.
Thanks to everyone for helping me thru this. Your words and prayers have really helped.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on April 09, 2017, 04:24:02 PM
Ed, thank you so much for keeping us up to date! Keep fighting, friend!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: sawguy21 on April 09, 2017, 04:50:57 PM
Good to see you back brother. 8)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Roxie on April 09, 2017, 05:29:56 PM
HEY!!  There you are!!  Welcome, welcome, welcome back!   8)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: YellowHammer on April 09, 2017, 05:32:53 PM
HAPPY EASTER! 
Wonderful news!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on April 09, 2017, 05:38:17 PM
Welcome Home Ed, and Thank You for the update.  My prayers will continue for Healing Grace.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on April 09, 2017, 06:54:27 PM
Good to hear from you!  Prayers continued!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on April 09, 2017, 08:23:05 PM
I missed the first stage of the race. I had to put a dishwasher in and than a ride to see the canadian geese,only saw 50. It was a good day. I hope you will have some of them too.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ron Scott on April 09, 2017, 08:36:30 PM
What a journey Ed, great stamina and progress.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: red on April 10, 2017, 07:33:19 AM
Just a few bumps in the road . Very glad to hear from you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Stephen Alford on April 10, 2017, 08:13:12 AM
   That is wonderful news Ed , home looks go on ya...  :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Jeff on April 10, 2017, 01:04:11 PM
Ed, I think what you don't realize that you are here as much for us as we are for you, probably more so. Your strength and courage are things that most of us can only hope to have if a time comes where it is called upon. You sir are our inspiration. :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: newoodguy78 on April 10, 2017, 01:26:14 PM
I don't think it can be said much better than the big guy just put it. Thanks for the update you have been and will remain in my thoughts. You are definitely an inspiration. Best wishes to you and your family sent your way. Stay strong.

Did you end up getting yourself set up with a tablet?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: JJ on April 10, 2017, 09:27:29 PM
Hi Ed,
To put it frankly, I have been avoiding this thread (from title) until now, and once I started to read I could not stop until I read all 14 pages of posts.
My experience has been quite different with my family.  I have no cancer history in my family, but on my mom's side everybody died quite sudden from heart disease, usually from sudden massive heart failure.
You however have a fighting chance, where my family, and likely me will die of the silent killer.
Given any choice at all, I would prefer to have a chance to fight against the dark; soldier on,  beat this cancer and live!

Most of all, love your family and the support they give.  I would have given anything to have kept my 4 uncles around for additional months or years.  Now my mum (the youngest now 67) is only one on her side still alive, and I worry a lot as she is now alone since her husband has also die from enlarged heart last year.

Never give up!

      JJ
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Brucer on April 13, 2017, 01:07:24 AM
Welcome back, Ed.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on April 13, 2017, 12:58:55 PM
 JJ, you can guard against heart problems. Just find questions you need answered and don't let the doctors walk away till your completely satisfied with their answers. If I had looked for problems as to why my hip hurt so much I could have asked for pertinent blood test that would have picked up on the problems.It may not have stopped the cancer but it would have gave me more warning to fight it.

Yes I did get a tablet but fat fingers make it hard to write on it. I've washed my hands so much it's hard to hold onto it.Other than that I like it.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thechknhwk on April 14, 2017, 03:14:09 PM
What blood test is that Ed?  Hope you are healing well.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on April 14, 2017, 09:17:52 PM
Thinking of you Ed
Glad your at home
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on April 21, 2017, 10:37:58 AM
 thechknhwk, If they had run blood test for White blood cells it would have come to light earlier. Also red blood cell test will find problems.

I'm home, but still space in and out a lot so I don't return comments as quick as I should.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Roxie on April 21, 2017, 01:35:11 PM
That's okay with us, Ed.   :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on April 21, 2017, 03:02:45 PM
Quote from roxie
Quote

That's okay with us, Ed.   




x2
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: newoodguy78 on April 21, 2017, 09:42:46 PM
X3 you have to take care of yourself first
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: trapper on April 21, 2017, 10:55:29 PM
dont say much but have been following your journey
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on April 22, 2017, 10:41:24 AM
Thanks everyone. I really like the Forestry Forum and need to follow where I can. If I answer here then read forestry and logging I'm lucky just to make it thru, I try checking out sawing and milling an general I'm pretty much done. Sawing and milling is impossible to keep up with  ;D .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: newoodguy78 on April 23, 2017, 09:27:09 PM
I'll second the thought that sawmill and milling is impossible to keep up with...that's one happening place for sure  :D
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on April 24, 2017, 07:52:06 AM
I check this thread to see how things are going with you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on April 24, 2017, 08:56:18 AM
 Thanks thecfarm.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on May 01, 2017, 06:55:44 PM
 I've had problems this last week. If I take a prescribed higher dose of pain meds, I can't stay awake. If I take a lower dose I hurt so bad I can't motivate. It's really bugging me,I can sit here and fall right to sleep in mid sentence,or hurt so much I can't sit still enough to read what your all up to. It took me 10 mins. just to write this.
I'm still having problems with eating too. If I don't take motion sick pills I can't eat without loosing it. I'm hoping the doctors at Hanover have answer's. We thought we had one more app. on wed. but now I don't know they didn't call back today.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on May 01, 2017, 07:58:06 PM
Still praying for you, Ed- for pain relief right now and for you to beat this altogether!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on May 01, 2017, 09:17:11 PM
Got to be a happy medium somewheres. Good luck finding it.  :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on May 01, 2017, 10:03:28 PM
My prayers continue to be for your Healing Grace Ed. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: sawguy21 on May 01, 2017, 11:19:33 PM
Hang in there Ed, the beast hasn't won the war.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thechknhwk on May 02, 2017, 08:06:09 PM
Considered any cannabis?  May help with pain and appetite.  Hope you feel better.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on May 03, 2017, 09:37:08 AM
 We've talked about it, but I would need the doctor to talk to us about it first.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on May 03, 2017, 05:55:00 PM
Thoughts and prayers for you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: petefrom bearswamp on May 03, 2017, 06:20:38 PM
Same from here
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: dgdrls on May 07, 2017, 09:18:31 PM
Hold fast Ed,   you're an inspiration,

very best to you

Dan
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on May 08, 2017, 10:04:18 AM
 Yesterday I felt good enough to get the snow plow off the tractor move the medium wood splitter so I can get a load of wood in and start working up next winter's wood.Today I woke to feeling a lot better. I just hope it stays with me.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on May 08, 2017, 10:37:32 AM
Praise God! I'm really happy to hear that, Ed! Don't over do it now.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: red on May 08, 2017, 03:27:34 PM
What makes you think your not getting any more snow ?  Just kidding ,  it all sounds great .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on May 08, 2017, 07:04:13 PM
Hope you are on a good roll!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on May 08, 2017, 09:14:41 PM
There!!! That's more like it. I bet that felt good.  ;D
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on May 09, 2017, 07:38:04 AM
 Back in the late 70s early 80s we got enough snow to pollinate the blue berries, best crops we had them yrs  ;) .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on May 28, 2017, 07:21:09 PM
Sounding good Ed prayers your way.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on June 04, 2017, 09:44:02 AM
 Just an update, they changed my daily pain meds so that I take one kind during the day and the regular med at night. The day time med doesn't make me drowsy so I can function and get some work done. I figure I need to work to build my muscles back up. Every day seems to help me get better. I have learned to listen to the body, if I overdue it the next day is spent recuperating. Which is not fun. It's still one day at a time.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: red on June 04, 2017, 10:32:05 AM
Sounds Great it's a journey not a race .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on June 04, 2017, 01:24:32 PM
Thanks for the update, Ed! Keep doing what you're doing, hang in there.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Peter Drouin on June 09, 2017, 10:01:41 PM
 smiley_thumbsup smiley_thumbsup
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on June 09, 2017, 10:26:21 PM
Sounds like progress!  More you can do in the daytime the happier you'll be and that's a large part of the reason for being here I think. 

I'm a 2x (2 different type) cancer survivor.  A good attitude means you are living longer! 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on June 10, 2017, 05:24:28 AM
Keep at it.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on July 24, 2017, 03:28:51 PM
 Had a talk with my oncology doctor last Thurs. He's telling us the white blood cell count numbers are getting better. I asked when the pains going away and all I get is "it takes a long time" I can't stand that answer. It's now been 4 months since I had the blood cell transplant and I am getting around a lot better,but I lack the energy to work more than a few hours and that is getting to me. I loved my work in the woods and need to get back to it.
Next visit he'll decide on starting a medication to strengthen my bones. It's supposed to add bone tissue to the holes in the bones from the Myloma eating away at them. And another med that will keep the Myloma in check, they can't cure me of the cancer but can keep it in check.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: slider on July 24, 2017, 04:25:04 PM
Ed  don't get down to this side of the forum much but i am thinking of you and wish you well.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on July 24, 2017, 05:47:20 PM
Thank you for the update Ed.  My prayers continue for your health and strength.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on July 24, 2017, 09:12:54 PM
Time,time and more time.  ::)  No answers,but many questions. I am thinking of you through out my day. I will even cut a tree for ya.  ;D
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on July 25, 2017, 10:09:40 AM
 Thanks for the well wishes, it does help.
Cfarm, hope that tree can get on a load and markets are up.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on July 25, 2017, 04:45:15 PM
Sounds good Ed stay strong brother !
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: red on July 26, 2017, 05:45:17 AM
Just like we had some real Hot days this summer , and on the Hot days you need to think of the Cold Cold days . So you need to remember some of your tough days and work towards the Good Days in your future.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on July 26, 2017, 05:48:05 AM
That's funny Ed.
I just play with firewood on my land now.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on July 26, 2017, 09:35:11 AM
 That stick of wood will help keep you warm this winter  ;D .
Red, on those hot days didn't bother much. My arms and legs feel cold when it's hot. It's kind of weird to feel that way  :D .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: red on July 26, 2017, 09:42:47 AM
When I took blood thinners I was always cold. Now I no longer take them and I have to watch being overheated . Maybe you need plans to be a snow bird ?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on July 26, 2017, 07:16:13 PM
Ed thinking of you
I'm on a heavy dose of blood thinners I'm cold even when it's hot.
I don't care for them much
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on August 18, 2017, 02:11:59 PM
 Had another visit with the doctor yesterday. After complaining about hurting so much and being told to quit running chainsaws and logging, he told us that I'm at the plateau stage were the myeloma hasn't gone away but isn't making any new cells. So next week they will start me on a maintenance stage where I will get an IV of a drug that will help stabilize bone loss. And I'll take a pill once a day for 21 days to keep the myeloma in check. After 28 days they will do a blood test,if all is ok they'll increase the dosage start again. After a few of these with blood test they wiil be able to tell which dosage is best and I'll take that pill I guess for as long as I live.
Rita got some publications from the International Myeloma Foundation that explains the disease. In one ( Concise Review of the disease and treatment Options) it give a better than 80 percent chance of holding this Myeloma in check. I pray it right.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: red on August 18, 2017, 02:54:14 PM
Sounds good , keep looking forward to the Good Days . Many thoughts and prayers sent your way .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on August 18, 2017, 03:22:29 PM
Ed, my prayers continue for a favorable outcome regarding your cancer.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on August 18, 2017, 07:29:10 PM
Sounds good Ed I am so happy for you ,prayers your way
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on August 18, 2017, 08:50:29 PM
80%!!! I like the sounds of that.  8)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on August 18, 2017, 09:32:37 PM
Me too! Hang in there, Ed!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on August 28, 2017, 09:51:21 PM
Prayers continue for your strength and improvement!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on August 30, 2017, 01:30:34 PM
Yesterday afternoon I got the call to start the 21 day meds. They were going to postpone it as my blood platelets were to low, the doctor looked at the blood tests and decided it will be ok to start  8) . The IV drug that I will take every 3 months will start on the 5th of Sept. this builds up the bone and hopefully fills in the holes where the myeloma damaged them. So here I go  ;) .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on August 30, 2017, 02:15:45 PM
Ed
8)
If you are jumping for joy, then so am I.
Cheers
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on August 30, 2017, 02:59:20 PM
Thank You Ed for the update.  My prayers will continue for your successful treatment and recovery.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on August 30, 2017, 06:57:21 PM
Prayers your way Ed !
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on August 30, 2017, 09:18:15 PM
Thanks for the update, Ed!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 24, 2017, 12:41:50 PM
 Last Wednesday's Doctor appointment informed us that the bone pain is something I wiil have the rest of my life. And that the best thing to deal with it is to use the pain meds. I really believed that I would go into a complete remission and the bone pain would go away. Guess we didn't ask the right question's. We met with a Nurse practitioner who we will meet with every other time we go in for a council. In the meeting I was given a pamphlet from the Leukemia & lymphoma Society (I put the name on page one here also in case someone needs the info.) that really explains the phases of my disease. And what questions to ask a doctor. (I wish we were given this information in the beginning).
So now I'm on maintenance drugs one to strengthen my bones (myeloma dissolves the calcium in the bones). And a light chemo drug that will try to eliminate the last of the myeloma cells.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Stephen Alford on September 24, 2017, 01:49:12 PM
Sure has been a rugged 14 month journey but you are a long way from were you started... good on ya my friend   :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: sawguy21 on September 24, 2017, 01:55:14 PM
I am really glad to hear from you Ed, it has been a bumpy road. Keep up the good fight my friend, all the best to you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on September 24, 2017, 01:56:00 PM
Even a small step is a step ahead.   8)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on September 24, 2017, 02:11:26 PM
Hope through mess and time pain will be manageable. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on September 25, 2017, 05:12:24 AM
Keep up the good fight you will kick it
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 25, 2017, 09:21:09 AM
 Thanks everyone, they are small steps but I see them going forward  :) .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on September 25, 2017, 02:19:36 PM
You better be going forward!!!   ;D Questions,questions,questions. At times like that,who knows which ones to ask.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 29, 2017, 02:24:38 PM
 Last Tuesday I started a second 21 day treatment of the light chemo drug. In the last 2 weeks I've really started feeling great. I actually worked on the logging job on days it didn't rain and worked 5-6 hrs a day and didn't wear myself out totally. So I thought if I felt this good maybe I could cut down on the pain meds, NOT, wow the pain came on with a vengeance. won't try that again. 8th of Nov we go to visit with the doctor's that did the cell transplant for a review. Hoping they tell me I'm in remission. Then I only need worry that it could come back.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on October 29, 2017, 02:56:05 PM
Ed I pray for good news when you see him !
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: plantman on October 29, 2017, 05:49:02 PM
A friend of mine is a podiatrist who has a chiropractor friend who had colon cancer. Rather than going for surgery and chemo he went to Germany to a clinic called , Klinik Marinus Am Stein. At this clinic they gave him a hyperthermic treatment which is apparently some sort of sauna designed to raise his body temperature ( like having a fever ) and this is supposed to kill the cancer. He claims total success. They also gave him vitamin infusion treatments.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on November 07, 2017, 12:11:13 PM
 Maybe I baked it out of me on Sunday. Went to the ER with a 102.6 Doctor on call thinks I have a bacterial infection. Was scared I wouldn't be able to go to Dartmouth Hitchcock tomorrow. But they called back this morning and said I could come.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on November 09, 2017, 07:20:07 PM
Yesterday we went. We're at where we're at. I still have it,it's not going to be cured but it's not making new cells anymore. So all we can do now is take the maintenance drugs and hope and pray it doesn't start growing again.
Today we went to my home oncology Doctor for the follow up on the sunday night trip to the ER. They can't find anything that is causing the roller coaster ride with the temps. All test came back negative. Just now I felt a little hot took my temp it's up to 101.3 but the doctor said it just needs to run it's course. Don't worry till it 105   :o :( . they have me on a anti bacterial med for 7 days.
So that where I'm and all I can ask. I'm going to pray for 20 yrs  ;D  8) .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Jeff on November 09, 2017, 07:45:13 PM
So will we Ed. You can count on it.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on November 09, 2017, 08:20:08 PM
My Prayers will continue for you Ed.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Chuck White on November 09, 2017, 08:21:56 PM
Thinking about you, Ed!

Keep up on your maintenance meds!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on November 09, 2017, 08:55:31 PM
Ed,I am here.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on November 10, 2017, 01:40:43 PM
Prayers your way my friend . Twenty years that's what we will pray for.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on November 11, 2017, 09:42:36 PM
I'm thinking about you Ed and you will get prayers for as long as it takes
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 22, 2017, 11:37:44 AM
 I had another visit with our main oncology doctor yesterday. I finally heard some words I've waiting on for quite awhile.
"The myeloma cells are in REMISSION." I went in on the 18th for a full blood test where they check a lot of different things. One of the tests checks for myeloma cells in the blood stream. They couldn't find any. That doesn't mean they're all gone, myeloma is non curable. But not finding any is a good thing. Now I will be on a medicine that should keep the myeloma in check for hopefully many yrs. The schedule will be 21 days on 7 days off. The worst part is 21 pills cost $3k. I hope Rita's insurance keeps me till her retirement and medicare after that. I couldn't cut enough timber to pay that much.
Thank you all for reading this long post. I hope it will help someone else in need of the information. Long story short, ASK questions,don't let anyone keep you in the dark.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Hilltop366 on December 22, 2017, 11:45:05 AM
 smiley_thumbsup :christmas:
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: sawguy21 on December 22, 2017, 11:51:13 AM
What a great Christmas present. 8) All the best Ed, we are all pulling for you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on December 22, 2017, 11:53:56 AM
ed
8)
Cheers
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Peter Drouin on December 22, 2017, 01:08:22 PM
Good for you. 8)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Jeff on December 22, 2017, 03:45:51 PM
Thank you God for watching over our Friend!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Chuck White on December 22, 2017, 04:18:05 PM
Great news, Ed!   8)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on December 22, 2017, 04:32:08 PM
What a great Christmas present Ed !
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on December 22, 2017, 07:39:03 PM
Bingo!!!!  :)  That made my day!!!!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: submarinesailor on December 22, 2017, 09:04:49 PM
Good for you Ed!!!!!!!!
Bruce
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: YellowHammer on December 22, 2017, 10:59:52 PM
Ed! Hallelujah!  Merry Christmas!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: chet on December 23, 2017, 07:40:13 AM
Great news Ed, you and Rita have a Merry Christmas, and many more New Years.  :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Roxie on December 23, 2017, 08:01:36 AM
What a relief after this year and a half journey!  Happy New Year, indeed!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Dakota on December 23, 2017, 11:22:49 AM
Great news Ed.  That's got to be a relief.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on December 23, 2017, 03:33:54 PM
Merry Christmas Ed.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 23, 2017, 04:21:28 PM
 Thanks to everyone. This is indeed a Great Christmas present.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on December 23, 2017, 08:08:05 PM
Great news Ed
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on December 24, 2017, 01:24:28 PM
Great news! :christmas:
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Stephen Alford on December 25, 2017, 02:40:23 PM
  Your lantern is bright my friend..you will help show others the way.  God bless   :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on December 25, 2017, 02:50:02 PM
Merry Christmas, and God bless, Ed!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ron Scott on December 26, 2017, 08:26:03 PM
Great News!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 04, 2018, 09:16:16 AM
 An addition of thing's to keep an eye on. On Thurs. I was admitted to the hospital for 2 days from colitis. As we understand it, it's an intestinal infection. When your white blood cell count goes below recommended levels you have a greater chance of getting an infection. So washing hands is one of the best ways to keep infections down. Also check with a dietitian as food has a great impact.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on March 11, 2018, 10:57:57 AM
There is alot to it. :(   
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: SwampDonkey on March 11, 2018, 03:05:04 PM
Cut back on the cheese. ;D

Hope all is well Ed. :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 11, 2018, 08:00:15 PM
 It's been a week now and I'm hovering between feeling ok and feeling sick to my stomach. And that feeling can go back and forth all day long. Been off the chemo meds for 3 weeks now and I think this has something to do with this latest problem. Thur. I can start the chemo meds again but only for 14 days on 14 days off to see if this changes things. Dr. said he didn't think my body can handle 21 on 7 off. Did 2 turns twice and both times the white blood cells suffered for it. Guess we'll see ;D .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 24, 2018, 08:07:46 AM
 Today is my 1st birthday 8) a year ago today they returned my stem cells back into my body. They harvested them a month before. On the 22nd of march 2017 they gave me a real high dose of chemo therapy,to kill the cells then waited 2 days for the chemo to work. With the stem cell transplant on the 24th it was to put good cells back in and keep the Multiple Myloma to a minimum that way they can keep it under control. Long winded definition of being 1 yr old ;D .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on March 24, 2018, 08:57:30 AM
Happy Birthday!🎉🎂 

Are ya gonna tear into a cake barehanded?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on March 24, 2018, 01:12:48 PM
Happy Birthday!!!!!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Roxie on March 24, 2018, 06:26:35 PM
A birthday is good news, but this one is awesome!  :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: redneckman on March 24, 2018, 10:20:51 PM
Ed, 
My heart goes out to you and your family.  I personally have never battled cancer, but like so many others, I have lost close family members to it.  Both my dad and my grandad passed away from lung cancer.  I think about that a lot.

With that said, I am praying for you brother.  I do not know if you are a religous person or not, but I know God heals.  He has a plan for you and He told us that He would never challenge us with something that we could not overcome with His help.  I have gone through many peaks and valleys in my life.  When I have been on a peak, it would not be long till I was in a valley.  I have wondered about why that is.  Then, God revealed to me one day why; when someone is on a peak, there is no room to kneel.  When all is great in my world, I have a way of slipping away a little from God.  Then, something will come along that makes my head spin.  Plus, they seem to get harder everytime.   I beleive God puts us in the valleys to test our faith in Him.  Like I said, I have been through many valleys before.  Sometimes, I became very mad at God, and it took time to work through that.  But, everytime my relationship with Him became stronger.  God Bless you, and keep us informed.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 26, 2018, 07:46:32 AM
 Thanks all for the happy birthdays 8) .
 redneckman; I have gotten many prayers from the membership here,and I believe that the prayers have really helped. Personal messages have also helped,  as it reminds me that god will be with me through my journey 8).
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on April 01, 2019, 08:31:56 AM
 A little past birthday #2. At this time I'm probably 60% of my old self during each 2 week med cycle and 75% when I'm off the meds not including the pain meds. At this time the hardest part of this disease is managing the pain. There are times when a person can get to thinking about all that has happened and it will bring them down.
I found a forum call "Smart Patients" thru the International Multiple Myeloma Foundation where there are groups,depending on what kind of cancer a person has that can help with questions,feelings and comradarie.
I have found that there are times where a person will want to talk to someone that has the same things going on. It helps to talk to loved ones and friends but a person going thru the same thing can answer questions that even doctors can't.
Hope this can help anyone going thru life with cancer.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on April 01, 2019, 08:56:40 AM
It's good that you updated this post. Keep at it!!!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Greyman on April 01, 2019, 09:44:19 PM
Just seeing this - thanks for sharing your story.  I haven't had to deal with this in my family, but I'm sure at some point in most of our lives we will.  Cancer SUCKS.
I've always wondered what the pain is like - is it from your bones themselves?  From the cancer itself or from chemo?  Sharp or dull pain?  Sorry if that's an awkward question.
Also, if you don't mind sharing, I've read that 3/4 of all bankruptcies in the US are due to health care costs.  How is insurance handling things and any financial advice for people who are diagnosed with cancer (or aren't)?  I hate to think that what I've worked for all my life, thinking that it would give me a comfortable retirement and eventually give my kids a safety net when I passed, would be wiped out.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on April 02, 2019, 10:59:29 AM
 Greyman, good question. I had bone pain before I knew that I had multiple Myeloma.I just figured it was back pain from  an old operation. Some cancers will be different. This cancer gets into your bone marrow and literally eats bone/calcium. I truly believe that the 5 kidney stones I battled was from the cancer,as the calcium is dissolved in the bone and hardened in my kidneys. The doctor's just shrugged their shoulders when I put this question to them. The chemo made my arms and legs numb an tingly and the pain for a long time was awful.
 Rita has good insurance at what used to be yankee candle,now owned by Newell brands.We have a high deductible but it is not enough to bankrupt us.We don't know what it will be like when she retires in a couple yrs. We're already looking into what kind of Ins we'll need then, depends on what social sec. will pay and what is affordable.
 Look for a organization that deals with the pacific cancer or diagnoses.There are some places that offer some financial help. A social worker in the practice should have that information too.
 Ask questions and more questions.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 08, 2019, 08:38:22 AM
Another update. I've been in what the doctor's said is remission for a while now. In August I got more of a rash than usual (blotches on my arms an itching on my head) the rash started to go around my mid section looked like poison ivy but no leakage just bumps and real bad itching. We finally went to a dermatologist who did a biopsy and it came back as a build up of the chemo medicine in my system. My oncology Dr. called and told me to stop the medication, till I go to a scheduled appointment end of Sept. I'm real worried that I'll go out of remission. We'll see on the 24th, here's hoping as I am almost feeling like I could go back to doing some small lot logging  smiley_thumbsup_grin.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Jeff on September 08, 2019, 08:44:33 AM
Praying for you Ed.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on September 08, 2019, 10:08:17 AM
I can't wait to see you cutting some wood again, Ed!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on September 08, 2019, 10:17:45 AM
I hope all will go well for you.  :)  Sounds like you are doing well.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on September 08, 2019, 02:32:02 PM
My Prayers and Well Wishes are with you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on September 08, 2019, 05:25:11 PM
Prayers for you and hope the appointment goes well.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on September 09, 2019, 08:18:40 PM
Edd
It would be a blow to go out of remission.  I am betting that does not happen in that time period.  Medicine is a funny thing and sometimes needs adjustments.  I know it is not the same but my old man has heart disease and has been improved with medicine adjustments even though the old prescriptions were good for some time before the adjustments.  I am rooting for you.  I hope this message helps more then hurts.
Good luck
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 27, 2019, 09:26:34 AM
 Thank you all for reading/answering. I waited till today to answer as I had a appointment yesterday with my oncologist. My blood number's that are watched for refractory purpose's are staying level and only went up a few number's during the 4 weeks I didn't take any chemo medicine. My Dr. decided I should return to taking the chemo + now an extra steroid med to control the itching an rash. This will be ongoing to keep the myeloma at bay. I go to a forum called "smart patients" where we talk about our cancer's, there's a sub section for each type. In talking with other patients who have multiple myeloma they have been on this drug combo for yrs.and doing well. That's good new's for me as back in 2016 I thought I only had 3to5 yrs. to live. Now I look at yrs. and tens of yrs. I could go an live fairly well.
 Thank's everyone for keeping us in your thought's and prayer's.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on September 27, 2019, 11:21:37 AM
Thank You my friend for the update.  It sometime seems that life is a moving target and thankfully you are in the best of care.  My Prayer is that you can continue to maintain your stability and remission.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on September 27, 2019, 01:52:07 PM
Good news!! and than some!!!!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on September 27, 2019, 04:27:20 PM
Well, wish you did not need to continue the combo.  However the prognosis sounds good, glad to hear!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Hilltop366 on September 27, 2019, 06:15:45 PM
 smiley_thumbsup
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on September 27, 2019, 07:30:28 PM
Great news Ed
I hope to see you at many more Northern Projects
I'm already planing next springs
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: yukon cornelius on October 10, 2019, 12:41:37 PM
Praying for you Ed! 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on January 06, 2020, 11:32:19 AM
 Taking all this different medicine has it's draw backs. I broke a filling in a tooth that has a root canal and went to the dentist to get it fixed. My regular dentist wouldn't work on it and send me to an oral surgeon. While I was there he found a bone spur on my jaw. Turns out that because I was taking a Bisphosphonate called Zometa that helps strengthen the bones a side effect is that you can get what is called Osteonecrosis of the jaw. The surgeon wouldn't pull the tooth because of this saying it will make the disease worse. He did grind down the spur and now I'm in the process of getting the skin which is very thin healed up. Then a different dentist will fix the tooth with some kind of cap over the shortened piece of tooth that's left.
 You have to learn what the side effects of the different medicine's are. Just taking the zometa made the joints all over hurt each time I had the infusions with a 30 min iv plus feeling nauseous. Ive been on this for 2 1/2 yrs. thinking everything is going great only to be set back by this ONJ problem. Just another fight.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on January 06, 2020, 08:25:20 PM
Edd
Sorry for the set backs, keep up the fight.  Wishing you the best.
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Pine Ridge on January 12, 2020, 01:18:44 PM
Ed k hope you are doing well, hoping for the best for you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on January 12, 2020, 03:03:15 PM
Ed,
Sorry to hear this.
Every time I go to the Dr's they want me on another med.
But there is always a side effect.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on January 13, 2020, 07:55:20 AM
 Yes there's always side effects. I have booklets of all the different meds that I have to take from the International Myeloma Foundation (800) 452-2873. You wouldn't believe all the side effects :o.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: kantuckid on January 14, 2020, 02:04:10 PM
My wife, a fair skinned sunbather in her younger days, had a notch of cancerous melanoma tissue cut out of the side of her nose some years back. We both do annual visits for cancer checks. My doc tells me I either wear a hat more or it's the knife as she freezes off the bad spots of pre-cancer. This entire forum is full of folks who have spent many days outside in exposure and this threads a blatant reminder of how that cookie can crumble.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on January 15, 2020, 07:55:42 AM
 I've always worn a ball cap or hard hat for most of my life. The Dr. tells me to wear a cowboy hat for better coverage. I can tell you freezing is better than the knife :(.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: kantuckid on January 15, 2020, 09:23:56 AM
I now wear a straw hat often. I tried a floppy military hat but not enough brim. Hats and headphones don't mix well so I use my motorcycle ear plugs with hats.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 06, 2020, 11:10:00 AM
 In the last few weeks my chemo medicine stop working well enough to keep my IgG Kappa numbers in check. Also I was informed by the Dr. that was treating me that he no longer will be treating my type of cancer, and referred me to a real Multiple Myeloma specialist. I had an appointment with this new Dr. as a get to know you meeting. Now I'm waiting to have a pet scan and when the numbers come in we'll have another meeting to decide what the new medicine's will be to knock the cancer back down to some what normal numbers. I would like to get to where I can work some without getting tired after 3-4 hrs of working.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: TimGA on September 06, 2020, 10:00:24 PM
Mr. Ed,
   Hope new Doc works out well, pray your endurance will get better. I have been following your journey,
just wanted to say you are a great inspiration.  
                                     Tim
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on September 07, 2020, 01:24:43 AM
Ed i never saw this thread before.  It pains me deeply to read of losing your boy.. By far my greatest fear.  Ive asked the Lord to move this mountain for you and bring peace and healing in Jesus' name.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on September 07, 2020, 06:15:35 AM
I hope things will get better for you!!
I will be thinking of you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on September 07, 2020, 09:06:55 AM
Sorry you  must go through the change in Doc and medicine.  I hope thinks get on a better heading soon and your stamina improves.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 07, 2020, 09:22:42 AM
 Hi all, thanks for checking in and the prayer's. Hope y'all have a great day. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: DbltreeBelgians on September 07, 2020, 03:49:55 PM
Thoughts and prayers for you Ed.

Brent
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Walnut Beast on September 07, 2020, 04:41:40 PM
Hang in there Ed
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on September 07, 2020, 10:04:29 PM
Ed,
You are one tough customer.
The new Dr will figure out a new plan.
Prayers sent.
Bruno
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Weekend_Sawyer on September 08, 2020, 06:30:16 AM
Change can be good Ed.
I'm hoping well be hearing from you for a long time to come.

Jon
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on September 08, 2020, 01:10:53 PM
good to see you hanging in there ed i go for 11th round of chemo tomorrow getting hard to do the things i like but being bullheaded i went up the ladder put a line in a big cedar got it over with a comealong and my quad got 3 logs got to be happy for every day no matter how bad we feel
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on September 12, 2020, 07:42:56 AM
ed something happened to the e mail so i will answer here now i know how bad chemo can make you feel i admire how you keep going mine is from my service in vietnam 5 years ago prostrate the first of this year lung spine and brain their going to try and keep me around with chemo every 3 weeks
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on September 12, 2020, 07:46:09 AM
Thanks for your sacrifice bricklayer.  The Belben's all appreciate it.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 12, 2020, 09:29:20 AM
 Thanks Bricklayer51, I wonder if the meyloma was from agent orange as I did work on the side of the runway that the spray planes used. We built the rubber bands that stop the jets ( can't think of the correct name) same as you see on aircraft carriers. I think the dirt may have had excess drips from the planes. Any way I had fun doing it.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on October 02, 2020, 06:56:31 PM
Thank you both for your service Sir's
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 10, 2020, 08:08:20 AM
Oct 2020, update I did the pet scan and there's bright dots everywhere the Myeloma is back with a vengeance. The new Dr. has decided to go with a 3 drug combo to try an kill the cancer cells.It will consist of a drug Daratumumab with Dexamethazone added to the iv at the beginning. There's a pill that goes with it Pomalyst which I will take for 21 days on 7 off. In the beginning the treatment will be once a week for 8 weeks, then twice a week for 16 weeks, there after once a month.
I had the first infusion on Oct 6, and 5 mins in got a reaction that started to swell my throat up.Couple of counter drugs were injected into the iv line,an 35 mins later we're going again. Because I failed this first infusion I have to do the second one the same way. After this if I pass I will ask for a different way of treatment where they inject the iv drugs into my stomach over a 5 min period. The reason for this is the iv way takes up to 8 hrs for the first few times then at least 4 hrs for the rest, where the shot and wait time is an hr at most. I don't want to be there any longer than I need to be ;).
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on October 10, 2020, 09:04:29 AM
Sorry to hear this news.  I hope the ease of the treatments improve and you respond well to them.  You continue to be in my prayers.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: WDH on October 11, 2020, 07:08:56 AM
Pulling for you, Ed. I know the treatment is rough, but you can do it. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on October 11, 2020, 07:24:04 AM
Vengeance is not a word I like to hear coming from you.  :(  
I will be thinking of you. 
Good luck with the treatments.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on October 11, 2020, 07:30:46 AM
Ed, I wish you the very best during this latest journey and fight against Myeloma.  My Prayers are with you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Weekend_Sawyer on October 12, 2020, 07:27:12 AM
Ed,

 I'm pulling for you, don't hesitate to reach out anytime.

Jon
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Chuck White on October 12, 2020, 09:03:23 AM
We're all pulling for you Ed!

I've been arguing/fighting with the V.A. over the last 3-4 years and finally convinced them that even though I served in Thailand, I did receive my Viet Nam Service medal.

I had been reading that it is the general consensus that anyone who served in the Viet Nam theater of operations has been deemed to have been exposed to Agent Orange.

Two years ago the V.A. sent me a message for an appointment with a neutral doctor, they did practically everything at that appointment and determined that I had Ishimick Heart disease and limited range of motion in both shoulders and both knees and both hips, all caused by exposure to Agent Orange!

That raised my disability rating to 70%, now my left hip and knee are nearing replacement condition!

So, my suggestion to any Viet Nam Veteran is to stay in tight contact with the Veterans Administration!

All of this is the reason why I'm slowly getting away from sawmilling!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 12, 2020, 10:04:05 AM
 Thanks everyone, @Chuck White (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=7517) I always figured if we were good enough to haul 5k gallons water 3 time a day to 7200 refugee's we should have been included in the nam effort. I was in the dirt a lot at Utapao, one time I even shut down the whole flight line when I dug up their power cord 4160 v ;D.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Chuck White on October 12, 2020, 03:00:43 PM
I was an Aircraft Mechanic at Nakhon Phanom (NKP) from Apr '69-'70, working on the A-26 planes which flew bombing missions over the Ho Chi Minh trail!
If you haven't been bugging the VA, I suggest you do so, it made a big difference in my finances, tax exempt!

Wishing you well, my friend.
Chuck
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on October 12, 2020, 10:31:25 PM
Chin up ed, keep fightin.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Walnut Beast on October 13, 2020, 04:20:43 AM
Hang in there Ed 👍
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 15, 2020, 09:15:59 AM
 I went thru my 2nd treatment last Tue with no problems. So the rest will go much faster, laying on a bed or sitting up 8 hrs is a long day. After Nov 1st I'm going to try a different way of getting the treatment where they will give me a shot into my belly over 3 to 5 mins and watch for reactions for a half hour and I'm out the door. It's shorter time and also safer.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on October 15, 2020, 09:57:00 AM
Shorter and safer both sound good!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on October 18, 2020, 01:05:31 AM
Ed sorry to hear this you are a tough man.
You can do this.
Will keep you in my prayers Sir
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on October 18, 2020, 09:50:33 AM
Ed hope all the new proceders go well for you i go down to va in saginaw tuesday to try a get some very painful mouth sores fixed have not been able to eat or drink for going on six weeks
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: gww on October 18, 2020, 10:09:58 AM
Ed
Still hoping for the best for you and those around you.
Cheers
gww
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 19, 2020, 06:57:01 AM
 Bricklayer51, That scares me, I signed up with the VA.and from friends who have to work with them it seems they really don't want to do much to help keep us healthy. I've been using dry mouthmouth wash at night to keep the sores away but we have a product Orajel that I haven't used yet that Rita found at Big Y. I also suck on hard peppermint candies during the day. 6 weeks  :o that's awful  :(, I hope the VA. helps.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on October 19, 2020, 07:26:08 AM
The Va in white river jct. VT is very good they helped my Dad alot.
One of the best ones if you can go there
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on October 19, 2020, 07:48:02 AM
It was better than nothing but my experience was always pretty bad compared to private HC.  One issue is that the specialists are regional, if you want to see a different one because the nearest just wont listen to you, youre gonna be driving awful far. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 21, 2020, 09:28:51 AM
 My x-chopper and his brother use va chopper goes to White River has has good luck and his brother goes to one way down to the bottom of Conn. has had good service both for cancer. But both are a long drive from us. Nothing in between for major service.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Texas Ranger on October 21, 2020, 12:02:11 PM
The turn over rate for docs here in my part of Texas is tremendous, you never know if the follow up will be with the same doc or not.  O even if there will be one.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 23, 2020, 09:43:51 AM
 In Greenfield, Ma. the va has a clinic where you go for small stuff like shots and yearly physicals and it's the same I'm told, where you never know who you will see.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on October 25, 2020, 08:38:30 PM
The one in leeds is probably the best. Springfield butchered me the most. They couldnt even stitch half decent.  Like blob of flesh with thread in it.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 28, 2020, 03:18:40 PM
 Went for my 4th treatment yesterday 10/27/20. when I got there was told I can't do it as my white blood cell were down to zero and many of the others were low also. the new treatment is taking a toll on me and making me short of breath and very tired. I did have a meeting with my new nurse practitioner, she schedualed a ct scan for today to check for blood clots. If anyone getting cancer treatments starts feeling like this don't wait thinking it will go away. The Dr. was also concerned saying next time call. Got to go I'll add more in a little bit. If anyone reading this, if you get short of breath for no reason get it checked out. I just got back from the hospital getting a ct scan and they were quite concerned. I have blood clots in the bottoms of both lungs so I'm on eliquis for awhile now. And yesterday I was out cutting cordwood chunks :o.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Walnut Beast on October 28, 2020, 03:28:16 PM
Ed your in our prayers and glad you got some spirit due to the circumstances 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on October 28, 2020, 05:56:10 PM
Rest up Ed.  The woodpile is content to wait for you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 29, 2020, 07:34:37 AM
 Thanks guys, this really sucks cause I can't just sit around, work to me is play.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on October 29, 2020, 08:14:42 AM
I am thinking of you!!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on October 29, 2020, 08:26:01 AM
I hear ya.  I get crabby when i dont feel like theres any progress.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Sedgehammer on October 30, 2020, 09:59:45 AM
Quote from: Ed_K on October 29, 2020, 07:34:37 AM
Thanks guys, this really sucks cause I can't just sit around, work to me is play.
I hear ya. sitting around drives one crazy that is use to like working at something. Kick it's butt though!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Okrafarmer on October 31, 2020, 10:34:03 AM
Ed, I just caught up with the last 4 years on here. I'm sorry to hear your struggle continues and has gotten worse again.

My wife had a major health problem, not cancer, but it was found eventually to be related to her father's exposure to Agent Orange. The Navy claims he was never exposed to it, but as you have pointed out, it may have been far more pervasive than people think. Debbie's holistic doctor was finally able to pinpoint this, as well as a long-term retention of polio from her polio vaccine as a child, locked inside her spinal fluid. Debbie was in a wheelchair for over five years, increasingly losing her mobility. Finally she was spasmodically losing the use of her hands. All the docs told her they coudn't help her, and didn't even know what the problem was. Until she came to the holistic doctor, who found the problems instantly, and gave her the holistic medicine to treat them. In just eight days, she was totally cured and got rid of the wheelchair. That was last summer. She has been totally healed. I tell you all this to say there is hope, and not always in the places you expect to find it. The med docs can often times get it done, so I'm not knocking them. Just saying no one person fully understands the human body well enough to always be the one to get you fixed up.

Also, there's a massive God element here. Never underestimate His power.

Anyway, hang in there, I'm praying for you today since I saw this again. 

Jim
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on November 01, 2020, 06:47:14 AM
 @Okrafarmer (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=12845), it was my dermatologist who came up with the question of agent orange. If you see tanker planes dumping water on fires out west it's easy to see how a plane could drip after coming back to land and dripping on the ground that I worked in. I trying to get into va medical to help pay some of the cost of treatments if that works I'm going to bring up the a o to see what they say :(.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Okrafarmer on November 01, 2020, 08:41:34 AM
Ed a lot of people have been rebuffed in the past when they bring up the AO at the VA, but there have been some changes there recently. I hope the shakeup in the organization might bring some better results.

Debbie's dad has still not been properly diagnosed at the VA or by any other medical doctor.

He and Debbie's mom are supposed to be flying here from France Friday (they're missionaries) if their flight hasn't been cancelled due to the new covid lockdown in that country. We hope to get him in to see Debbie's holistic doctor to see what can be done for him. 25 years of no answers is not fun. He's not had cancer, just a very debilitating neurological disorder that has caused him to slowly lose control of his motor functions. He is constantly in pain, and on a whole bunch of meds, etc.  They were able to eliminate some of his meds recently, which is good. At any given time, he almost always has two or three random muscles cramping. As one releases, another begins. He has preached the Gospel over there for 38 years. It's hard for him to leave the ministry, but they are trying to retire.

Anyway, I'll pray for you again this morning, and I hope the Lord provides a new breakthrough for you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on November 02, 2020, 09:54:55 AM
Ed i been in the va system a long time its been good they found my first cancer back then you had to travel for treatment i had to go 3 and half hours one way with this new round thanks to pres trump im able to do treaments in town at local cc center the va has a list of cancers caused by ao you should have a county va rep to help with paperwork they are great use them wish you luck dont give up iam still having big problems but hopeful.randy
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on November 06, 2020, 08:40:48 AM
 Finally getting my breathing back but still get tired out by noon. It's unbelievable how quickly you can lose muscle and strength by not working/playing everyday.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Old saw fixer on November 06, 2020, 08:52:10 AM
You got that right, Ed! 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on November 06, 2020, 09:52:33 AM
Make the best of it ed.  God lets satan test us, as it is written in the book of job.  Remember to keep a grateful heart throughout.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on November 06, 2020, 01:24:47 PM
Ed good to hear you can get out and do something i just tried cutting up a blowdown got dizzy and had to quit it sucks when you get weak from not being able to eat right i do have an appointment at a oral surgeon the 11
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on November 06, 2020, 05:57:17 PM
 Bricklayer51, I hope they can figure out whats wrong and get you on the mend. I haven't felt hungry since the first heavy chemo drug they gave me in 2016. I don't know how you do it not being able to eat, I feel awful for you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Tacotodd on November 12, 2020, 02:08:38 PM
Ed, I see that you still seem to not be disconnected from us, at least not with all of your recent replies and posting. You ARE feeling OK if you have the strength to to do that. Maybe not top notch, but it’s better than becoming fertilizer! After all (selfish me), I like seeing you around!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on November 13, 2020, 06:58:11 AM
 @ Tacotodd, Thanks for that post ment alot to me.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on November 13, 2020, 07:01:45 AM
@tacotodd Thanks that ment a lot to me.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 03, 2021, 08:44:24 AM
 Well things are looking better for the new med's my multiple myeloma Dr. prescribed. After three months of trying different levels of of each drug ( Pomalyst and Daratumumab ) my number's that are watched to judge the effectiveness of, are right and keep me from having side effects.
 Now that we have that straightened out both Rita and I found out we both got a case of skin cancer. When the dermatologist looked at the spots, decided we needed to have them taken care of right away.


(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10257/IMG_0659.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1612358008)
 

 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10257/IMG_0658.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1612358067)
 

 We never thought about such things happening to us, tho I always wore a ballcap when not using hardhats. Rita was out chasing cows the better part of her life and never thought of hats. But here we are wondering "what's next".
 The only thing I can say is "you younger people need to protect yourselves". I didn't think the spots were anything to worry about, but the Dr. said "oh yes skin cancer isn't something to just shove to the side". And ballcaps don't protect good enough.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on February 03, 2021, 09:18:42 AM
Good news on the myeloma.  Sorry to hear about y'alls skin issues but echo you comments on need to protect yourself.  The use of hats and sun screen should be encouraged. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on February 03, 2021, 01:40:38 PM
a neighbor of mine down here who is from the cape had the same nose job done a few years ago.  i had 3 chunks lobbed off by the VA in the 2000s and surely am due for a whole pile more of them. 

i keep telling my kids to enjoy being young but they're in a race to grow up just like we all were.  getting old sucks. hang in there ed and rita
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Old saw fixer on February 03, 2021, 07:52:14 PM
     I had a place on my nose surgically removed several years ago.  I go to my Dermatologist tomorrow for my semi-annual screening.  Usually some precancerous spots on my arms or face get frozen, cut off, or smeared with "cancer cream" for two weeks.
     I wear a long sleeve SPF shirt now when I am in the sun along with a wide brimmed hat.  It does help with the deer flies some.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on February 04, 2021, 09:09:33 PM
Ed and wife. I am thinking of you both!!!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on February 05, 2021, 08:28:06 AM
Ed sending you and Rita my best for you melanoma operations.
You are a tough combination. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 05, 2021, 09:40:54 AM
 Rita is tough we both covered our faces with the covid masks (they fit just right to protect the stitches) and went out an cut a road thru a hemlock patch to access some w/pine we're cutting. She's learning quick how to cut trees so I can grab with the grapple and pull out of the way. Pict's coming in what your cutting thd.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on February 09, 2021, 04:01:55 PM
well thats a heck of a lot more fun than sitting around sick from chemo i'll bet.  good for the soul to be out in the woods. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Old saw fixer on February 10, 2021, 11:34:22 AM
     Good to hear that you are back in the woods, Ed.  Work is good for the soul, and keeps your mind busy.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 11, 2021, 07:17:12 AM
 If it would quit these 3" and 5" of snow and warm up a little I could work some. Had a treatment and a talk with my Dr. yesterday, I can't walk 100' thru 5'' of snow with out getting totally winded. Dr. thinks I might have some water around my heart causing it. Now more test to come :(. Rita's going to have to break trail and do more of the limbing today. We'll try to remember the camera ;D.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on February 13, 2021, 10:17:47 PM
Go easy on her!   ;D
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on February 27, 2021, 07:23:44 AM
How you doing with the treatment Ed?  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 27, 2021, 10:44:28 AM
 Treatments are going ok, but the rest of the day and day after I'm real tired and can't do much but sleep. They have me on eloquis for getting blood clots in my lungs and a water pill because I get out of breath from water build up around my heart / lungs. Long as I take the meds at the right times I can go pretty good. Getting ready to start sugaring season and I'm off the 14 day chemo pills so I'm hoping I have a little extra energy to get tapped and boiling, after that Rita can boil if I can't.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on February 27, 2021, 10:56:44 AM
Quote from: Ed_K on February 27, 2021, 10:44:28 AM
Treatments are going ok, but the rest of the day and day after I'm real tired and can't do much but sleep. They have me on eloquis for getting blood clots in my lungs and a water pill because I get out of breath from water build up around my heart / lungs. Long as I take the meds at the right times I can go pretty good. Getting ready to start sugaring season and I'm off the 14 day chemo pills so I'm hoping I have a little extra energy to get tapped and boiling, after that Rita can boil if I can't.
Good deal then overall.  Glad they are treating the water buildup issue.  Best of luck on the sugaring season, wish I had some maple.  
Keep on the chemo schedule, it does get tiring but just keep the faith and stay on the schedule. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 28, 2021, 09:30:39 AM
Quote from: nativewolf on February 27, 2021, 10:56:44 AM
Quote from: Ed_K on February 27, 2021, 10:44:28 AM
Treatments are going ok, but the rest of the day and day after I'm real tired and can't do much but sleep. They have me on eloquis for getting blood clots in my lungs and a water pill because I get out of breath from water build up around my heart / lungs. Long as I take the meds at the right times I can go pretty good. Getting ready to start sugaring season and I'm off the 14 day chemo pills so I'm hoping I have a little extra energy to get tapped and boiling, after that Rita can boil if I can't.
Good deal then overall.  Glad they are treating the water buildup issue.  Best of luck on the sugaring season, wish I had some maple.  
Keep on the chemo schedule, it does get tiring but just keep the faith and stay on the schedule.
Thanks for asking, N.W. I hope no one reading my journey has to go thru this.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on February 28, 2021, 01:40:14 PM
I've been on that road myself so stay strong.  For me it was some simple surgery and chemo.  Frankly, it wasn't worth the juice and animal cookies :D.  Speaking of which colonoscopy in AM and I'm fasting today, prep tonight and in early AM.  That also isn't worth the juice and animal cookies (but beats surgery and worse).  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on February 28, 2021, 06:24:32 PM
Sounds good Ed.
Hope the sugaring will treat ya good. I saw some buckets out today, first ones. Some are coming into the store for supplies.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 01, 2021, 06:54:13 AM
 The worst was we drove all the way to Allstead N.H. and forgot the connections we needed the most. Chemo brain is a real bummer.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Tacotodd on March 01, 2021, 07:43:56 AM
 :-\ :embarassed:
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on March 01, 2021, 08:12:02 AM
happy sugaring ed. i hope you're able to make the best of it with the mrs.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on March 01, 2021, 08:34:06 AM
Hope you are able to get some good sap runs!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 02, 2021, 09:06:42 AM
 Yesterday we went to Webb supply that sells maple supplies from CDL, I don't know what the letters mean but their a little more expensive than Leader Co. They didn't have the parts cause they didn't sell enough to make it worth while, the Vt. store did so I ordered what I wanted. Anyway by lunch I started feeling bad ( like missing pain meds does to you) I got real anxiety feelings and couldn't hardly walk around I was so tired. It scares me as I know that I didn't miss any of the meds (everything is laid out in hour intervals) and trying to figure out what to do without calling the Dr. I'm so scared that if I talk to him he'll put me in the hospital to do test ( done that before) and I'll end up getting the covid 19. I finally tried one of the anxiety pills, that droped the feeling down some,but couldn't stay awake. This morning I feel better but the shaking I get is still a little bothersome. It may be that the new chemo is still a little strong for my body, Dr, had dropped it some back in Dec.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Old saw fixer on March 02, 2021, 09:42:14 AM
     Hang tight, Ed_K.  Let the Doc know what's going on.  We're pulling for you!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on March 08, 2021, 05:46:27 AM
Just now reading of last weeks anxiety attack and sorry to hear of it.  Did you make any progress on getting the maples tapped?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 09, 2021, 09:03:04 AM
 We're tapping now, but Rita is doing most of it. I walking around fixing line that need repairs. Thanks, Mike.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on April 03, 2021, 08:37:26 AM
 Last week I had an in person meeting with my cancer Dr. to talk about the shaking and high anxiety. He doesn't have any answers as to why I'm having these feelings but he has other patients with the same thing that he will tell them to try a prescription for anxiety. The lasix 20mg I've been taking has worked some but I was still getting winded when walking a fair amount up hill. So the Dr. doubled the dose to 40 mg. and after 9 days I'm feeling less winded. Rita read a report on Web MD about heart disease and shortness of breath and asked him if that could be of concern so he has me scheduled for an electrocardiogram. I hope that this turns out to be just to much water in my body, as I don't want to have him lower the chemo dose and then have it not work. The light chains numbers are what I watch ( 0 being no cancer) and I was up into the 600s when the first type of chemo stopped working and right now it back down to 172.38. The lowest I've been was 128. Some day it would be nice to see that 0 and get back into logging.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Roxie on April 03, 2021, 12:02:04 PM
Yes Ed, that would be wonderful. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Texas Ranger on April 03, 2021, 01:40:45 PM
Keep the faith, brother.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on April 04, 2021, 06:07:47 AM
Well driving around springfield would give any country folk anxiety!  

Prayin for your zeros Ed. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on April 04, 2021, 07:09:33 AM
 Thanks all, I'm happy with the way thing are going right now 8).
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on April 05, 2021, 12:22:45 AM
I praying for you Sir
You will make it to 000
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Tacotodd on April 05, 2021, 01:20:11 AM
Just the same as Bruno said X2!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on May 20, 2021, 06:28:44 AM
 Yesterday I went for my 2nd Monthly chemo shot in the belly and also had a consult with my MM Dr. in the conversation he said that they have enough info on the covid shots to go ahead and get one. Now I have to decide if I want one (I never get flu shots an never had the flu) and which one to get. Rita is pushing for the pfizer shot.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on May 20, 2021, 06:40:30 AM
I never had the flu either, But with my bad lungs the Dr is always pushing the flu shot. which I take. 
Never had covid either, but I had the shot. 
I am very luck. I really don't get a cold. Known Brenda for 25 years, only seen me down twice, once with an ear infection and something went on about a year ago.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on May 22, 2021, 11:34:43 AM
 smiley_thumbsup
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on May 23, 2021, 06:24:49 AM
 I had to get one of my pain meds yesterday and they said they had extra Phizer shots available. My Dr. said it would be ok now to get the covid shot as not many cancer people had bad reactions, so I went ahead and got the shot. It's early morning but so far I haven't had any reactions. We will see  ;D .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on May 23, 2021, 09:26:55 PM
I wish you well. 
I know you are on meds and have that DanG cancer, but I had no reaction to The Shot at all. I hope the same for you too.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on May 24, 2021, 07:29:58 AM
 So far a very little sore arm. Problem with this shot is that I'm having problems with shaking and I tried a one of the muscle relaxers that my primary Dr. gave me for when I have muscle spasms in my rt shoulder, so I tried that yesterday and it put me into too deep of relaxation and slept all day and last night. I feel better this morning but can't tell if I had any reactions to the shot from Sat  ;D >:(.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on May 25, 2021, 11:49:54 PM
I could really go for a sleep like that now and then!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on June 15, 2021, 07:21:22 AM
 I got the 2nd covid shot yesterday morning and so far no reactions to it. A little sore in the arm, I don't think the shaking that I had during the first shot had anything to do with the shot. It was more likely the darzlex belly shot of chemo that started the shaking, it went away a few days later as the darzalex left my system.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 05, 2021, 09:34:54 AM
  Well as far as covid 19 go I got a antibody test done last week and this morning I got an e-mail stating that I have 0 antibodies in my system. I'm guessing that the anti viral meds I take for the cancer must of killed the shots. Wondering if it worth getting the follow up 3rd shot.
 I've been having problems with p n for the last month and the Doctors sent me for a urology look up the blatter and prostate (if you think a colonoscopy is bad try this). Everything was ok so now I'm getting more pills added to what all I've been taking, I'm up to 16 pills one being a chemo med then once a month I get a shot in my belly with another chemo drug. All this to keep me alive an people complain about a covid shot.
 Anyways my light chains that tell how much cancer is in me must be down a lot cause I've been feeling good and want to try doing a small logging job for my forester that use to keep me in work for 20 yrs.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: HemlockKing on September 05, 2021, 02:42:07 PM
Stay healthy, stay well. Looking forward to a couple pictures of that small logging job  ;D(in the what are you cutting thread of course). Good to hear you're feeling better lately
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on September 06, 2021, 12:14:03 PM
Keep making the hypochondriacs look stupid Ed.  Glad you are still here kickin ash. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on September 09, 2021, 07:44:06 AM
I'm glad your feeling better Sir
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 09, 2021, 08:48:35 AM
 Thanks guys. Had problems with ordering some meds tuesday here's hoping I don't lose the people at the cancer cntr pithed off two rn's and maybe my Dr. but when they don't do their job someone got to hold them to account  >:( ;D.

 Still having problems with med shipments now the va is involved and it's even worse, but I'll get them straightened out.

 On another note with this covid 19 virus I have had 3 shots so far the 3rd being a booster, no problems with sore arms or anything else. But with this virus I stay pretty close to home only going out to cancer ctr. and maybe parts store if Rita can't do it.

 I'm one a new treatment which seems to be working, we'll see. altho I'm feeling pretty good right now.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on December 15, 2021, 07:27:15 PM
howve you been holdin up ed?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 17, 2021, 10:02:58 AM
 Things have changed a little, Tue. I'm going for an MRI as I've got a problem with my back. I can't turn my head to the sides and 5,6 days ago my shoulders started hurting bad. I talked to the nurse at the cancer hospital about it and she got concerned that I might have a vertebra collapsing. I've been telling them my head was falling off, but they just don't listen  ;D. The pain is like a 12 on the 1-10 scale 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on December 17, 2021, 10:27:09 AM
I know the feeling.  I was born with a fushion right there in c1/c2 and it hurts a lot.  Hopefully its just a vertebrae out of place on you.  When mine is out i cant look to the right so i twist lie frankenstein.

The muscle pain is from lactic acid in the muscles that are tensioned full time to shore up the spine's shortcoming and stabilize the structure.  It gets a sort of memory that wont relax.  

Try putting 2 tennis balls tied in a sock.  Lay that at the top stair and lay on the upper level floor. Put your neck on the tennis balls with your spine in between so your head can flop back down toward the first step. With each deep exhale your head should tip a little further down.  Takes about 2 minutes to get the full value.  Golf balls will work faster but hurt more.  I made my neck thingy out of wood.  its a good pain. but youve gotta endure the first 30 seconds or so before you feel the tension start to melt. 

Anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers will help if you can take them. Cervical traction and manipulation by a good D.O. are also huge relief if the scans show its just vertebrae out of place.   I can pop my own now once relaxed enough but it wont usually work until the muscle tension is addressed.  The pop feels wonderful and then usually a few more days of muscle tension set in after.  

A foam roll is another thing i cant do without. Hope you find relief soon buddy.  Pain sucks.

Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 21, 2021, 03:38:47 PM
 I could use a prayer bout now, just found out I have a tumor on the back of my neck pushing on the siatic nerve. Rita's taking me to the er now. hope I can get back to y'all in a little bit.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on December 21, 2021, 04:22:31 PM
well now i really wish it was just a vertebrae ed.  

make sure you get back soon buddy, we will be rootin for ya 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: HemlockKing on December 21, 2021, 04:36:16 PM
Praying for it to be of little problem Ed. Hang in there fella
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ron Scott on December 21, 2021, 06:25:53 PM
Prayers sent! Hoping for successful treatment soon.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: beenthere on December 21, 2021, 06:45:49 PM
In my prayers, and also pray that you don't find the ER plugged with non-vax positives. That is apparently happening...
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on December 21, 2021, 06:52:51 PM
I'm a thinking of you.    ;D
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on December 21, 2021, 08:09:20 PM
Ed, My Prayer is for Comfort and Healing Grace.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Walnut Beast on December 21, 2021, 10:28:33 PM
Prayers for you Ed. Hang in there buddy! 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: hacknchop on December 21, 2021, 11:24:38 PM
Your in our thoughts Ed keep fighting.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Jeff on December 22, 2021, 07:15:45 AM
Praying for you Ed
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on December 22, 2021, 08:33:42 AM
Prayers for you Ed. You are one tough dude!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on December 22, 2021, 10:32:29 AM
Prayers for healing and good news.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: newoodguy78 on December 22, 2021, 10:37:59 AM
Ed you've proved plenty of times you're tougher than woodpecker lips, wishing you the best and prayers sent. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Peter Drouin on December 22, 2021, 12:17:08 PM
I wish you well.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on December 22, 2021, 12:34:23 PM
Cmon ed.  Keep fightin
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 24, 2021, 06:51:13 AM
 I kinda lucked out tumor is 3/8 long an 1/8 high on my 2nd thorax (close to neck) and a small crack on the 1st neck bone just above the tumor. I have to go thru 5 radiation treatments with the first one done. They shoot the beam up thru the table from 3 different angles to hit the tumor to hopefully shrink it away from the nerve that runs all the functions from the neck down. If it pinched it off I would of been paralized all the way down.

THANKS everyone for the thoughts and prayers.

I thought I was done. The worse part of this is they left me hanging for 26 hrs laying in a hospital bed before coming and telling us what they found in 2 MRIs and a c-t scan. Rita is still ripped about this. I'm off again this morning for #2 weekend off and #3 on Monday then off till the next Monday. Spacing out to watch what happens and how the treatment affects my swallowing.

Thanks again.

 New news where I missed the dimensions of the tumor. It was 17mm x 47mm. But after 5 rounds of radiation it's been made smaller and the cancer inside should be all killed. Least that was what they told Rita an I.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: HemlockKing on December 24, 2021, 07:03:04 AM
I'm so happy to hear it's not looking it's going to be a major problem, keep us updated! 

Merry Christmas 🎄 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on December 24, 2021, 09:12:56 AM
Good news is good!!!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on December 24, 2021, 09:17:38 AM
Your absence had me a little worried ed.  You guys hang in there. Was it the VA in leeds?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: WDH on December 24, 2021, 09:26:30 AM
Hang tight, Ed.  You will get through this.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: newoodguy78 on December 24, 2021, 09:48:18 AM
Good to hear from you Ed, wishing you and Rita a merry Christmas. Hang in there man. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on December 24, 2021, 11:45:05 AM
hang in there ed im still here not much left of me but i aint given up have a merry christmas  randy
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on December 24, 2021, 03:29:25 PM
Ed, Merry Christmas to you and Rita, you are an inspiration! 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 25, 2021, 09:33:07 AM
 Hi and Merry Christmas, to Mike, because I'm already going to Bay State Cancer center they just ok'd staying there.
 Yesterday I had a 2nd rad treatment and found out that I will go back 3 more times Mon, Tues and Wed, this should shrink the tumor down to where it will dissipate and my system will get rid of it. So they say.
 After new years they'll do another MRI and C-T scan to see how good the 5 did. They did say I could have to do more. Hopefully not.

 Thanks y'all.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: WDH on December 25, 2021, 10:53:06 AM
Good news, Sir.  Stay the course.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on December 25, 2021, 02:08:58 PM
I was born there.. In a building i think has been torn down, called wesson womens hospital at the time.  Wife worked at mercy
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 29, 2021, 06:09:04 PM
 Finished my 5th run  8) , and the pain is almost all gone. I can't believe that some x-ray or what ever can take a +10 down to a 2 or 3 in 2 shots  :o . Rita an I had a meeting with a Dr. in the rad dept yesterday where He explained how it went, saying that the tumor has done what they expected and was real happy with the results  ;) well me too. After todays an RN came and talked to us and more or less said that we're all done no more will be needed but if I have any pain anywhere to call my cancer doctor immediately, as my myeloma can grow these things anywhere on me  :o Oh, the Hospital food hasn't improved any  ;D chicken still doesn't taste like chickin.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: HemlockKing on December 29, 2021, 06:15:59 PM
Godspeed Ed. 

Hospital food sucks. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: PoginyHill on December 29, 2021, 07:05:31 PM
Quote from: mike_belben on December 25, 2021, 02:08:58 PM
I was born there.. In a building i think has been torn down, called wesson womens hospital at the time.  Wife worked at mercy
My oldest daughter was born there. Torn down, huh?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: WDH on December 29, 2021, 08:13:00 PM
Sp pleased to hear this news, Ed.  Carry on, Sir. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on December 29, 2021, 09:56:56 PM
Quote from: PoginyHill on December 29, 2021, 07:05:31 PM
Quote from: mike_belben on December 25, 2021, 02:08:58 PM
I was born there.. In a building i think has been torn down, called wesson womens hospital at the time.  Wife worked at mercy
My oldest daughter was born there. Torn down, huh?
i havent been by there in 6 or 8 years but there was major construction when i still lived in the area.  ed could tell ya better than i can.  
so how ya feeling ed, pain improve any now that theyre shrunk it?  is that what you meant by +10 to 2?   i hope so. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 30, 2021, 11:23:39 AM
 Yes about the pain, this morning no pain so we started dropping back on the small pain pills an using tylonal to see how far I can get. The hospital is like a 1/2 mi. long and 1/3 mi. wide, it's the biggest one I've ever been to.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: sawguy21 on December 30, 2021, 11:35:22 AM
I'm glad to see you still fighting the demon. 8) I think hospital food is universally bad so no one wants to stay any longer than necessary. I lost 15lb in five weeks at a military facility and didn't have any to spare, sure wish I could do that now.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 31, 2021, 08:22:21 AM
 When they started with this radiation treatment they put me back on dexamethazone, it's a anti-inflation of some sort. Well I knew it has a side effect on making your mouth run and run, which is ok IF you have something to say. It also will turn you mean. I have known about the side effect since I started taking cancer drugs, was real care full with the way I felt and if I got cranky I stop talking to Rita. I got into her because we were to go to the town offices for n95 masks and she was on fb. Then the worst we got there and one of the selectmen was there, another Vet. We've been having trouble with new people moving into town and now they're trying to make it better even tho they moved here because it IS a great little town to live in. Well I lit into him about him and about the other selectman who let this new lady, that just got elected start changing thing. Now I've got to get a hold of him a explain my feelings. Oh well ::).
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on January 02, 2022, 01:04:43 AM
Its good that you recognise it and will make ammends.

My wife has been on countless meds since ive known her and its come with an endless supply of mood swings to endure from her.  Same with the bulk of ADHD meds we trialed for the boy the past few years.  Hed surely be expelled without them!  

Theyre mostly amphetamines so the kid goes from wonderful to super mean every day as he comes down.  That was a trying period.  Switching to atomoxetine has been much much better.

I dont need any help from pharma to be a meanie unfortunately.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on January 07, 2022, 12:24:46 AM
Ed 
You are one tough man.
I'm glad to call you my friend.
So happy they got the tumor .
The mood swings on meds is a hard thing . I have always been a happy guy , I have to watch myself now.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 06, 2022, 11:48:01 AM
 After having the radiation treatments and not having the pain in my shoulders, when I backed off on some of the pain meds I've found that there's more pain down lower on my spine lowest ribs on the right side. We went to an appointment with the nurse practitioner told her about the pains and tomorrow I go for another pet/sc. She's concerned that the multipule Myelome can grow these tumors just about anywhere. I need to get to where I can motivate and get some w/pine cut before the freeze goes away.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on February 06, 2022, 11:24:02 PM
will be prayin for ya ed. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on February 07, 2022, 09:11:13 AM
My prayer is for healing grace and comfort.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on February 10, 2022, 06:58:27 AM
Prayers sent my friend 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 11, 2022, 07:44:06 AM
 Thanks for the prayers. I got a call yesterday morning, from the doctor the did the radiation treatments and she was concerned about the pet/scan and said she was going to call my cancer doctor and see what his recommendations would be. He on maternity leave. Anyway later in the afternoon I got a call from the appointment lady and wanted to make an appointment for next Tue. I hope they don't find anything bad.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: hacknchop on February 11, 2022, 11:41:15 PM
You are in our thoughts we are pulling for you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on February 12, 2022, 05:27:18 AM
I am hoping and thinking of you too.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: wisconsitom on February 12, 2022, 09:14:04 AM
Wishing you the best, Ed.  

Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on February 12, 2022, 09:27:47 AM
Same.  Hang in there buddy.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Walnut Beast on February 12, 2022, 09:53:49 AM
Prayers sent your way Ed. Stay positive 👍
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: newoodguy78 on February 12, 2022, 05:38:21 PM
Pulling for you Ed
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: HemlockKing on February 12, 2022, 06:12:34 PM
It would make me very happy to see you post in the "what youre currently cutting" thread. Hope you're feeling well enough to do that soon. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 14, 2022, 09:21:32 AM
 Thanks for the well wishes an prayers. I got a 9am appointment tomorrow morning with the radiation Doctor to find out what she is seeing on the pet/scan, I have some pretty good pain on the right side last rib down that's new. Could have been there all along but didn't realize it till I backed off on more of the pain meds, I'm down to one at 4am and one at 5pm. Before the neck radiation I was doing them 4,8am 12,5 an 8pm and most days it was double the strength.
 HemlockKing, I'll be setting up the cut then Rita will finish the cutting while I pull on the tree a little with the skidder. She's getting pretty good at chopping.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on February 15, 2022, 06:22:14 AM
Hang tough my friend 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on February 15, 2022, 06:48:56 AM
We are thinking of you today here in Virginia.  I'm in a bit of the same boat, they are going to want to go to full  surgery this summer.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Howdy on February 21, 2022, 01:32:51 PM
Ed,
Thank you for allowing us to walk along with you on this journey.  Seeing the daily challenges and how you learned to overcome by being strong and able to accept help when needed shows us we too have the ability to choose our own reactions or mindset when facing life.  

Now as I face a similar road, I can understand this too is something within my power to deal with.  Again, thank you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 25, 2022, 11:51:20 AM
 Thanks Jim, I'm hanging in there, this time it's taking a toll on my body tho.

 Wyatt, when they found the first tumor ( they call them lesions ) they spent 2 1/2 days deciding whether to operate or radiate while we spent the time in the hospital. I was scared about getting operated on so was glad when they decided to do radiation first.

 Thanks Howdy, this is why I started this thread. I thought it might help someone in the future.

 I had the office visit on the 15th and we found out that I have 3 more tumors one on the last rib left side in the back, one on the bottom right side rib in the front and another up where the first one on my neck was only closer to my shoulder. On the 22nd we went in for them to do the radiation on the ribs, when they finished they asked how I was doing and I was still ok laying on the table on my back so I told them to do the neck one. The whole time was 40 mins, but I don't think I could have done an hr. Anyway I felt fine to rest of the day, on the 24th we went to to V.A. to get my glasses fitted and on the way home I started feeling sick, I have special pills to get rid of the feeling so I took the #1 type waited an hr and went an took #2 pill and that took care of the sick feeling. There's 3 different types of them, after that if I'm still sick Rita takes me to the ER. only had to do that twice before over 6 yrs. The 25th I felt ok but this morning when I woke up from a nap ( radiation makes me wicked tired ) I've started getting the sick feeling #1 pill and feeling better. We got 6" of snow this morning so I hope to feel ok after lunch to go plow the yrd, ( Rita won't drive big blue to plow ). All have a great day.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on February 25, 2022, 03:55:26 PM
ed, thanks for your service. i appreciate all the pain you have endured and continue to suffer so i could be born in a free-ish country and have a good childhood like im trying to secure for my kids today.  god bless you buddy.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on February 26, 2022, 07:08:03 AM
Ed, glad you could tough it out at the hospital.  Radiation is trying, the new chemo  are better than they used to be. For me it would be to take a section of colon out, that one section is dangerous but I am forewarned as I know I ha e a genetic issue so I get colon cancer, not if but when. They can stay ahead of thing.

Hope you felt well enough to get the plowing done on big blue.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 26, 2022, 09:52:18 AM
 I have a colonoscopy in Apr. kinda worried after these tumors popping up. I got the driveway plowed but not the parking areas try to do it today. I often thought of painting the skidder Landini blue  ;D .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on February 28, 2022, 10:40:17 AM
good to see your hanging in there ed i go in a little while to see my cancer doc find out what my c-scan shows hope its still shrinking tomorrow will be two years he has kept me alive with chemo
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 03, 2022, 04:28:42 AM
 Went to the Doctor Appointment yesterday, the tumors are doing ok and shrinking. I have a raised lump on my left jaw almost to the very back of the jaw, Had the Dr. look at it and he said we'd watch it and if it gets bigger or starts to hurt to call for a look see. When we finished talking about the tumors he gave me the bad news, the chemo I be on for just over a yr, has quit working, so he's going to try (Ninlaro) it's in pill form and I only take it one a week for three weeks then off one week and start over. I will still be taking the ( Darzalex) shot once a month. I think these are a little stronger will see. his decision was because my red & white blood cells and neutrophil's were low. Too low to even get my monthly dara shot. So if anyone when getting a blood test check the red & white cells at least, The primary Doctor's won't do these test unless you ask. If you have anything to do with chemicals get a test at least once a yr.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Walnut Beast on March 03, 2022, 04:37:21 AM
Hang in there Ed! I hope the pill will give you some help! 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on March 03, 2022, 04:51:32 AM
im real sorry to hear that ed. will continue to keep you in my prayers. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on March 05, 2022, 05:45:09 AM
Ed, I hope the pill will work for you!!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on March 05, 2022, 09:14:53 AM
Ed hope everything works out for you to answer your question i have lung and spine cancer the brain they took care of with what they call gamma knife it seems all to be ao related
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on March 15, 2022, 07:22:40 AM
Glad to hear re the tumors.  Good luck with the new meds.  Enjoy sugar season.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on March 16, 2022, 04:54:40 PM
Good luck with the new meds Sir
I will be keeping you in my thoughts 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: YellowHammer on March 17, 2022, 12:44:42 AM
Ed, 
I read these posts, and I don't comment much, but you are an inspiration. Keep on fighting it!  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 18, 2022, 08:39:10 AM
 After 2 weeks physical changes are dynamic. The radiation took away the pain in my shoulders and ribs. I still get a darzalex shot once a month and now I'm taking a chemo drug called ninlaro, it's a pill form that I take on day 1,day 8,and day 15, then I skip a week an start over. The difference is unbelievable, I have a lot more energy and not as tired as I was for months before this change.
 Rita tap maples while I fix broken lines and fittings, we got a good run on the 11th. We started boiling on the 14th as the sap slowed down. I filtered the syrup we got and caned 5 gals in qts yesterday. Now we wait for another run. Going to be 70° today so I don't think it'll run till the temp drops below 28°. Today is cut w/pine  :laugh: .
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Walnut Beast on March 18, 2022, 08:44:54 AM
Glad to hear your feeling better and wow five gallons of syrup 👍👍
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: wisconsitom on March 18, 2022, 09:07:34 AM
All good stuff to hear, Ed.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on March 20, 2022, 09:06:27 AM
Well there!!!!!!
That is some very good news.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on March 24, 2022, 09:31:24 AM
Ed this is sweet news (that's the best joke I could think of).  Good to hear the radiation had a positive impact.  I'm doing my prep today for my screening tomorrow and am just catching up on your progress.  Hope you've had some more good sap runs.  Enjoy!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: SwampDonkey on March 24, 2022, 12:00:32 PM
Glad you are gaining some ground Ed. Eat lots of buckwheat pancakes with that syrup. ;)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 28, 2022, 08:19:33 AM
 Hi N W I hope everything went ok. My son came up for a visit and brought my G D and her husband, and also my G S and his girlfriend on the 22nd and on the 23rd his youngest daughter came by train from N.Y. city so all of them could see and learn how to make maple syrup. So I missed a lot of what's been going on on the FF.
 I hope everything went ok with the screening.
 Thanks S D, and everyone for the kind words, we're hoping this new treatment works for a very long time.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Gary_C on March 28, 2022, 01:33:42 PM
You are an inspiration to all of us that are following your journey. Keep up the good reports.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on April 18, 2022, 02:02:44 PM
 This new drug Ninlaro is different  :o. I'm half way thru the 2nd monthly dose and it's nothing like the first >:(. Last month it was all git-up an go  8). This month day 8 and second ninlaro pill and total loss of energy and bone pain on day 10 an 11 that's been a real hindrance, today day 12 back to feeling good. I'm wondering now if it's going to be like this every time I take a ninlaro pill. Won't care if I loose a couple days if the stuff works and my light chains go down to normal  ;).
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on April 18, 2022, 06:26:40 PM
Ed, thank you for the kind thoughts.  The screening went fine, not really cancer but they've been unable to remove polyps from one section during the colonoscopies so I will have surgery to remove a small section (about 4") this summer as mills slow.   As things go it is nothing.  A real tragedy has struck our family and it certainly sets things in perspective.  i'd trade cancer but I'm not able to chat about it yet, some day..not yet. 

Your work and perseverance is a pleasure to watch, keep up the good fight!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on May 20, 2022, 07:21:13 AM
 Last week when I was finishing up cutting the w/pine in the yard my neck where the tumor was (right on the t2 vertebra) I started hurting really bad. Even when I wore my camo cowboy hat to keep the sun off my ears it started to hurt. I called my MM doctor and told him about the pain and he sent me for an MRI on the 16th of May. He called on the 18th to let me know that the tumor is just about gone and I'm probably just feeling the bones moving back into place after the tumor pushed them out. We started cutting an splitting cordwood for the house on Wed after the Dr. said I'd be ok and during that work out I bumped the rib on the right side (another place where I had radiation for a tumor) and that started hurting, so into the house and onto the heating pad with a nice nap and the next day the pain was down to a 3/10.
 So with things heal up good, now I just need to get myself built up again so we can get some sawmilling done too.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Hilltop366 on May 20, 2022, 09:44:46 AM
You'er one tough feller Ed, cheers from across the bay. smiley_beertoast
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on May 20, 2022, 10:15:43 AM
Ed you are so tough
I'm glad your getting out and doing some things 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on May 20, 2022, 04:14:11 PM
I've got to echo these guys, Ed- you are one tough sumb*#*ch!!😊 Really, it is inspiring to see you keep pushing through, up and over the next challenge. You can bet when I get to some real tough physical challenges in life, I'll be telling myself, "now what would Ed do here? Lay around feeling sorry for himself, or get back up and get something done?" 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: B.C.C. Lapp on May 20, 2022, 04:22:02 PM
Somebody once said  "You cant keep a good man down."   I think they must know Ed.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on May 20, 2022, 05:01:05 PM
 Thanks guy's but I'm not that tough. I still get up at 5 am and have couple maybe 3 cups of coffee and watch the news people and catch them making mistakes, have a bowl of cereal, in between all of that I try to catch up on what your all doing here on the F.F. about 9 am I head out the door to do something. We did some cordwood till 12 had lunch and headed out to the V.A. hospital to get my 2nd booster shot and just got back.
 There's times if I push to hard I get winded and have to sit for 5 mins, then we come in for lunch and  after lunch I have to take a nap sometimes 1 1/2 to 2 hrs just so I can get a couple hrs more of work.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on May 20, 2022, 05:08:31 PM
I'm sure you don't feel tough when you're getting your butt kicked every day Ed. Knocked down, but not out is what I see.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on May 24, 2022, 09:46:54 AM
good to see your getting around im in about the same shape have to sit down after a few minutes of work been cutting up my pile of oak last two days heading to the cancer center today for the results of my c-scan hope no new cancer    va next week for yearly checkup  hang tough ed
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on May 25, 2022, 09:15:41 AM
 Bricklayer51, I'm surprised that with what you said that the VA only gives you a yearly app. When I joined the VA and asked for help as we were kinda running out of money the Primary Dr. has me come in every 4 months.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on May 25, 2022, 02:00:59 PM
Ed i did my labs this morn for my yearly physical from va they do have me come in to go over my cancer statis two or three times a year   igot good news yesterday no new cancer dont have to go back to cancer center for 4 mo  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on May 28, 2022, 02:09:42 PM
Kool,  8) It's good to hear when someone gets a great report.

 I go to a site called (Smart Patients ) where people with all kinds of cancer talk to other people with the same type. I learned a lot about my cancer at this site.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on July 04, 2022, 04:50:05 PM
 An update, I'm now on a 4th different type of meds for the cancer. The 3rd try only lasted about 5 months I think they had me on Pomalyst and Dexemethasone then added Darzalex. So now we are trying the Dara and Ninlaro and dex. It's keeping the meyloma at bay but not bringing the numbers down. The worst side effect is not being able to stay awake. I get the dara as a shot in my belly at the cancer center then the next morning 4 am (empty belly) I have to take the Ninlaro, I wrote this back awhile ago but writing again cause of the tiredness. For the next 4 days I sleep night and day. Makes me feel worthless, but the light chain numbers have to come down. One other thing to watch for is red an white blood cells and platelets, if these go down talk to the Dr. may need an infusion. Y'all have a great day.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: wisconsitom on July 04, 2022, 05:01:18 PM
Hang in there bud.  We're all with ya on this, as best we can be.

I live in "cancer alley" here in the "paper valley" area of Wisconsin.  Everyone's got someone affected in one way or another.  My wife is a two-time cancer survivor.

But regardless, wishing you the very best possible outcome Ed.  Appreciate the updates.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Walnut Beast on July 04, 2022, 05:30:06 PM
Hang in there Ed 👍
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: beenthere on July 04, 2022, 06:51:25 PM
Pray that all goes well and improves very soon. Rough road you are on, for sure. Hang tight. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Jeff on July 04, 2022, 07:18:45 PM
Thank yo< for keeping us updated Ed. Tammy and I appreciate it and are praying for you
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Old Greenhorn on July 04, 2022, 08:11:07 PM
Hang in Ed. That 'worthless' feeling is pretty rough and I think I know the feeling. Try to remember that you have put in a lot of worth in the previous years and God willing, you will again. This is just a tough spot in the road where it is your turn to get a break. Hang in there, everybody here is pulling for you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doctorb on July 04, 2022, 09:38:39 PM
Ed. Can't say that I know exactly what you're going through, because, without it being you, no one does.  Hang in there and fight, fight, fight.  You are in my thoughts.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on July 05, 2022, 07:53:02 AM
 Thanks to everyone.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on July 05, 2022, 12:23:29 PM
Ed, I am thinking of you. 
I've been on the crouch watching the world go by for a week, one more week to go, at least, than I will see what the Dr has to say.
Hang in there, sleep as you need it, all the projects will still be there when you are able to get to them.
Good luck to you!!!! 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on July 05, 2022, 12:35:33 PM
hang in there Ed i was supposed to be dead two and a half years ago there was a few times i wished i was with the chemo and all but i kept thinking one more day see what happens i have a super cancer doc and his team i dont get around well but i try keep your head up things will work out dont forget to thank the big guy up stairs
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on July 06, 2022, 04:23:22 AM
Thinking of you everyday Ed
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on July 23, 2022, 04:53:19 PM
Ed I am thinking of you.  Hope you are well.  Just had my colon snipped but only5". Had been working so much we didn't have time to write or post much.  

Hope you have some more good days out in woods this summer!  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on July 24, 2022, 07:35:46 AM
Ed wish you well in your adapting to the new medicine.

nativewolf, hope your surgery went well, and you are improving!  I had a good friend that had similar and now jokes he has a semicolon.  He has had not further issues for years now. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on July 24, 2022, 10:52:44 AM
 @ thecfarm, it's been a month now how are you doing? The Dr. let you go back to work? I'm liking the new meds and pretty much figured out that each time I take the ninlaro (4 am on Thursday) I'm going to sleep from Friday night to Monday Morning. But that's ok the weekends are for resting right.Sunday and I was up at 4:30 am checked my e-mail and right back to sleep till just an hour ago, here reading the FF and can't keep my eyes open. Have a great day.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on July 24, 2022, 10:58:04 AM
I go tomorrow back to the Doc. I went 2 weeks ago and was still in some discomfort.
I feel much much better now. I should be able to go back to work. I would suspect 25-pound limit.
I was still having trouble walking 2 weeks ago. My job requires me to be on my feet and A LOT of walking. I feel I can do that now. 
Looking forward to getting that chainsaw in my hands. But know that is still a while aways.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on July 24, 2022, 11:14:44 AM
 @ Bricklayer51, Do you go to Lansing or Detroit for your treatments? Mayo by chance, I've heard they are a great place.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on July 24, 2022, 11:19:22 AM
thecfarm, bet it would be nice to go back to work if you have air conditioning. It's been Dang hot here for 4 days.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on July 24, 2022, 11:22:59 AM
NW, did you go back cutting that black gold did you? Anyway, how are you feeling did they use one of those little probes to do the op?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on July 24, 2022, 12:18:21 PM
Quote from: samandothers on July 24, 2022, 07:35:46 AM
Ed wish you well in your adapting to the new medicine.

nativewolf, hope your surgery went well, and you are improving!  I had a good friend that had similar and now jokes he has a semicolon.  He has had not further issues for years now.
Semicolon is a good one!  Should be good to go for a while.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on July 24, 2022, 12:21:10 PM
Quote from: Ed_K on July 24, 2022, 11:22:59 AM
NW, did you go back cutting that black gold did you? Anyway, how are you feeling did they use one of those little probes to do the op?
They did use a robot, frankly it is amazing.  Almost no pain, nothing anybody working in the woods would call pain.  No heavy lifting for 6 weeks or a hernia will blow out and then it is tough to repair.  
We are just cutting yellow poplar while we figure out the bear but will be talking to two landowners about some large walnut jobs for October.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on July 24, 2022, 12:22:35 PM
Are you getting out ?  Sorry to hear it is hot up there.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on July 24, 2022, 12:43:30 PM
Ed, no air at work, it's broke. Unit is more than 40 years old. Been repaired a few times.
Suppose to be replaced sometime before winter. It's air and heat combined. 
Have not been at work for a month, so maybe it's done?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on July 24, 2022, 04:12:11 PM
Thecfarm I hope it was done.  Summers are not so bad there but if I recall that ends next Friday for you then you have a couple weeks of fall, then winter for 10 months. Hate for you to have no heat😃
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on July 24, 2022, 09:34:10 PM
Oh we still have a good 3 weeks of warm weather. 
Then the 10 months of winter will come.  ;D  
That helps keeps the population down. 
But one year when I was cutting wood with my Father, '94-'97 Sept was a hot one. In the 80's every day. My Father kept telling me, "It can't last, it can't last".  I can still hear him say that. It lasted the whole month of Sept.  :o
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on July 27, 2022, 09:48:21 AM
hey Ed good to see you are active and well i go to the hospital in alpena mi  they have a cancer center there its community care through va other wise i would have to go to ann arbor 4 hours away going for a c-scan in two weeks 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on July 31, 2022, 10:38:39 AM
Starting over again, I had quite a lot wrote and lost it twice now.

 Last week on the 28 we went to a neurosurgeon. I've been having a lot of pain going down both legs and got the VA to ok to get an MRI. We got the appointment and went and had a talk with him. I knew I had problems with L4 and L5 as I had the disk operated on back in 1995. Well this time it's not the disk that's the problem, the way the Dr. explained it, it is the bone above and below that are moving closer to my nerves, giving me the pain. The only way to fix this is to operate, which he won't do because of my multipule myeloma.

 This really bums me out, I have the tumor in my neck that this Dr. said is still there, plus this back thing. I more or less am stuck with the tumor maybe growing back and shutting off the nerves there and not be able to move anything below my head. And or my back nerve goes bad and I don't walk. The Dr. litterly said to just keep going with a cane or walker when it gets bad or maybe the cancer gets way better which then he could operate.

 This is where I just throw it over my shoulder and say ok I'll worry about it later. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on July 31, 2022, 11:17:48 AM
Thanks for the update.

My Prayer is that you can keep on "keeping on" Ed.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Stephen Alford on July 31, 2022, 11:29:13 AM
   Hey Ed sorry the news is not better.  The part were the Dr. said ...just keep going... thats what matters.  You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doctorb on July 31, 2022, 12:44:36 PM
Ed-

Sounds like you have lumbar spinal stenosis.  Sorry that you didn't hear a fix from your doc.  I might ask him, "how bad does this have to get before I become an operative candidate in your eyes."

On the other hand, some patients get better with more non-invasive procedures.  Injections may or may not help.  I have heard of one procedure called the MILD procedure, which is done by pain docs and not spine surgeons.  I have no idea whether you are a candidate for such a procedure, and its effectiveness is debated, but it is something that might be considered give your other issues.  I am totally in the dark about this technique and whether it applies to you, but if your stenosis becomes further debilitating, and you are not a candidate for a decompression via surgery, it might be worth investigating.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on July 31, 2022, 06:06:40 PM
I hope it does get any worse for you.  :(
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on August 01, 2022, 08:19:13 AM
 Thanks MM, Stephen and Cfarm.

 @doctorb (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=10176), the neurosurgeon said that I need the operation now but won't do it because of the multiple myeloma. He explained it as a,hallway where the floor and ceiling are pushing on the nerve and that he would grind the two of them away from the nerve. He even had to tell us about his grinder that runs at 72k rpms.

 I tried steroids and they only worked for two weeks. Basicly I have to wait till I can't stand the pain or can't walk. Or I get to where the cancer light chains ( KAPA ) get to normal " I'm at 194 and normal is 3.30-19.40". I have another meeting with my MM specialist in Sept. I'll be asking about any and everything that I can try. Thanks for the mild procedure idea, that would help with my pain I'd hope.

 I hope I can get on a car-t cell trial, I've heard most people who get on one, end up almost cured.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: YellowHammer on August 01, 2022, 08:27:52 AM
That is rough.  

I hear all about these minimally invasive back surgeries, a tiny incision, and done.  Are there other surgeons who may waive some of the conventional issues and try to help?  I really hope you find a solution.

Hang in there!  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: kantuckid on August 01, 2022, 09:35:16 AM
Quote from: doctorb on July 31, 2022, 12:44:36 PM
Ed-

Sounds like you have lumbar spinal stenosis.  Sorry that you didn't hear a fix from your doc.  I might ask him, "how bad does this have to get before I become an operative candidate in your eyes."

On the other hand, some patients get better with more non-invasive procedures.  Injections may or may not help.  I have heard of one procedure called the MILD procedure, which is done by pain docs and not spine surgeons.  I have no idea whether you are a candidate for such a procedure, and its effectiveness is debated, but it is something that might be considered give your other issues.  I am totally in the dark about this technique and whether it applies to you, but if your stenosis becomes further debilitating, and you are not a candidate for a decompression via surgery, it might be worth investigating.
Not to take away from Ed's situation at all, but myself and many others have lumbar spinal stenosis. And I did ask more than one back doc the question you provided. My answers have all been that I'm a lucky guy and far too active to be a candidate for fusion. That was in spite of my mentioning others I know who had various back fixes that helped them a lot. 
With back issues it's tough to get past the pain pill idiots having soured the water to be repaired, or so it seems. Same for the tort crap. 
That most recent back doc shares a suite with my hip & knee doc who asked me how my visit came out with his neighbor. I played nice and said I didn't appreciate him telling me by talking down to me that he didn't have the same replacement fixes as my Hip doc. I suppose he meant well but most of us have never heard of a back replacement, and I avoided saying just that, even after I'd talked of a surgery that is common.
As you can see, this touches a sore spot for me, literally speaking :D In fact it's what keeps me awake at night when my NSAID wears off.
Ed, keep your chin up! A guy can only worry about so much stuff at one time?  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 01, 2022, 10:56:25 AM
 Along with back pain I now have a hernia above my belly button, haven't gotten an explaination yet but hope it's maybe just an inflamation of the navel. Anyway everything is waiting on Dr. appointments.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on September 02, 2022, 12:19:40 PM
Ed
Still praying for you Sir
Pain can be a tough thing day after day
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 06, 2022, 01:25:50 PM
 Got a letter from the Dr. that ordered the ct-scan, it said that I have a hernia above my navel. But suprise suprise I also have Gallstones too  :o :( >:( . I know what's involved with kidney stones, but what do you do with gallstones?
 I've gone past 3 times and your out, I don't know how much more I can take.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: YellowHammer on September 06, 2022, 01:41:45 PM
My daughter had them.  A little incision maybe a half inch across, then they pull out the gall bladder, and done.  They use to try medicines to shrink them but my daughters doc says that can really cause problems if one of the stones hangs on the way out. So they skip that part and pull the whole gall bladder out with minimal cutting.  My daughter was back at work the next day and wasn't even very sore that she mentioned.      
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on September 07, 2022, 09:04:03 AM
My wife had them.
Don't want to hear her story.  :o
When I went down to see here in the hospital, there was always a different woman in her semi-private room. 
Really nothing to it.
Just have to watch those hamburgers you eat. 
Can come out pretty quick now.
But saying that wife is fine with it.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doctorb on September 08, 2022, 09:10:29 AM
Before we put you through a gall bladder surgery, let's ask a couple of questions.  Were the gall stones just an incidental finding on CT scan?  In other words, have you been having abdominal issues potentially related to gall bladder issues which prompted the CT scan?  Lots of people have gall stones and don't know it.  We don't usually rush in to remove them unless they are symptomatic.  Has your doc told you need them removed?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on September 08, 2022, 02:07:40 PM
you may not need a surgery for either.  go ask you doc.  it becomes needed if a stone gets stuck causing obstruction, or bowel get stuck in the hernia.  It is not usually subtle.   :(
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 09, 2022, 10:13:20 AM
 I think the gall stones were an after thought. I haven't had any pain from them or the hernia. I just got scared when I went to get up one morning and there was this huge bump on my belly. It has gotten smaller. I recieved a report on the hernia and stones, but I have to wait for Rita to find it and she's working at the fair church booth. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 09, 2022, 02:49:52 PM
 Well i'm going to write what the paper say's " A small umbilical hernia is present containing fat and no associated bowel. Measurements are 12 x 7 x 8 mm with a 7x8 mm neck no other hernias present are present in the anterior abdominal wall or elsewhere."

 I don't see how those numbers being so small can make a bulge that looked like 4" across and 8" long when I raised up to sitting position in bed.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on September 09, 2022, 08:44:01 PM
If you push on it, and it feels like a soggy water balloon nearly deflated, then it is just fluid communicating with the peritoneal fluid in the abdomen.  you can bear down and make it blow up like a balloon.  If bowel gets through the hole that is small, it begins to fill with gas and fluid, and no longer fits back through the hole.  like bending your finger as tight as possible and sticking the knuckle though a hole and when you pull back it is too big like a rivet or Chinese handcuffs.  i had one today.  the hole was the size of my finger tip, the bulge with bowel was tennis ball size so would not fit back through.  i held pressure after meds, and decompress the gas and fluid back through then the bowel went back in.  we tip the head down called reverse Trendelenburg.  As she recovered, she thought it was coming back through but it was just fluid.  hers was periumbilical.  if we cannot push it back in, then you get surgery to prevent dead bowel from ischemia as the blood vessel get crimped too.  it had caused a small bowel obstruction and that was relieved after the reduction.  this is why it is important not to wait too long.  we are not worried about fat, just the bowel for the most part.  cheers.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 10, 2022, 12:58:40 PM
 Thank you Doc Henderson very much  :) . You gave us more information than both my VA Dr. and Cancer Dr. who's advice was " don't worry we'll talk about it at your next appt. >:( ".
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on September 10, 2022, 06:05:40 PM
Ed the one that is 8 inches long and fusiform like a football is usually called a ventral hernia, and almost never needs fixed.  it is weak or lack of muscle along the midline.  it only bulges when you are sitting up.  do your crunches.  It is what makes the centerline for those of us with a  pack 6.  I have a keg.   :D :D :D
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: kantuckid on September 11, 2022, 10:19:21 AM
Ed, as a side note to your lumbar pain issue:
 I tried 3 times during multiple (well over a dozen total) sciatic episodes to gain relief from a spinal injection called an epidural injection. I have spinal stenosis like you.
 Mine were all done by an anesthesiologist who does them sort of on the side to his regular hospital work at various locations having the gizmo (computed topography or another "scope" name I forget) which gives him a live picture of the needles insertion into your lumbar as he works. People line up for them all day when he's there. 
I tried a similar shot previous to a hip replacement during a shoulder surgery and the scope was already available for that orthopedic doc to see the hip shot placement spot. 
They all did zero for me and I'll never bother to try it again.
 One potential aspect in my (lack of) results is the timing, as sciatica lasts for ~ 8 weeks and this doc is so popular that it takes so much of the regular run of the problem, that your on the way to being OK by shot day.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: kantuckid on September 11, 2022, 10:23:01 AM
Story topper: I used to knew a guy (adult Veteran student of mine) who had what I'll call a double keg. He'd been gut shot in Vietnam and had too little abdominal muscles to hold his guts in thus he looked like a world champ beer gut guy.   
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on September 11, 2022, 11:57:19 AM
My experience with epidurals, (not mine, but family and patients) is they work about half the time if done for the right diagnosis, about the same as back surgery.  often with diffuse disease, it relieves pain at that site, and you become aware of pain at another.  it is also practitioner dependent.  some are better than others.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 11, 2022, 03:39:58 PM
 I guess if I got relief from the L4-L5 area I'd find pain in another place.

 " Bones are very osteoporotic with large areas of bone loss throughout the skeleton with the most prominent area of bone loss focally located in the left ischium (4.5 cm long) extending to the left acetabulum which may predispose to fracture failure. Multiple compression fractures throughout the visible dorsal and the lumbar spine are present. Degenerated discs are seen throughout the lumbosacral spine as well."

Reading this I think all this pain will be nothing if my back bone falls apart. I have a appointment with my Myeloma Dr. tomorrow, we asked for more time to discuss all the things I'm worried about an his nurse called to say that it will be impossible as he has little time and can only talk about the cancer numbers.But he would call us later after work. I can't b___h about that.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 13, 2022, 05:02:03 PM
 The specialist Dr. said that because the collapse isn't from the Myeloma,Kyphoplasty wouldn't help. The way he explained is that the 'hallway' that the sciatic nerve goes through is closing on the nerve, and that is what is causing the pain. He said he could 'fix" it, but how wasn't part of the discussion.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 03, 2022, 06:07:56 PM
 It's been almost a month since I posted the above complaints. Can't believe it, but I have had problems and more problems. I found out that the back bone specialist could fix the nerve problem in L4-L5 and also L3-L4 (didn't know about L3-L4) where the vertebrate's are squeezing my sciatic nerve, but he won't fix it because of the cancer. On Sept. 9th we were splitting more house fire wood and late that night I found out I was in pain from my neck to the shoulder and half way down my back an front. I had an appointment to get my I.D. badge changed (so it has air force on it instead of army) So we decided to go to sick call and ask about the neck pain.
While there the nurse took my vitals and the machine showed my heart rate at 241. Well someone called 911 and next thing I know I'm going down the road in an ambulance with Rita following us. Got to the hospital and after 3 hrs they decided it was a mistake. We got that straightened out and got away from that sick place.

 The next 2 weeks we spent going to the V.A. for x-rays an MRI's, they couldn't figure out what the pain was, I finally asked if it could be a pinched nerve (well ya, that would make the pain). Well anyway the cancer side of me is doing ok at this point, I just hope my light chain #s keep going down. Aug # was 173 and Sept was 157 these numbers may be wrong I can't find the paperwork their on, but they're close. (note) always check white blood cells hemaglobin and light chains.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bert on October 03, 2022, 07:34:11 PM
Sometimes you have to wonder what is hospital fundraising and what is real. The trip for the heart rate that wasn't necessary would have me seeing red. Praying for you Ed. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on October 04, 2022, 07:25:30 AM
Keep the faith Ed
I think about you daily 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 06, 2022, 04:08:34 PM
 I stopped at the local V.A. close to home just to see if they have a sick call unit, well they asked what was wrong I said same thing that I went to the main V.A. for sick call. Desk clerk says sit down and a nurse will be right out. She brings me to a room and decides to do my vitals, the Dang pulse thing reads 210, I said that ain't right, so she goes and gets a machine an sticks these stickers all over me to find out the heart rate is at 120. Goes an gets my doc. He comes in an checks my pulse with his hand and says he got 104. He decides to have the hospital put a 24 hr monitor on me and lets me go, with a warning not to lift anything with my rt arm and not to do ant thing stressful. What a day I should have just gone to the dump an straight back home.

HAGD
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on October 07, 2022, 06:28:50 AM
That 24 hour monitor should tell them what is going on.
Brenda just had to wear one.
Goes right to the office.
Kinda like those game cameras.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Autocar on October 07, 2022, 06:08:24 PM
Prayers your way Ed can't imagine what your going though. Hang in there to cut some timber.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: kantuckid on October 08, 2022, 08:28:31 AM
When I switched to a new, far more pro-active cardiologist, he had me log my BP at various times daily until my next visit a month later. That pattern told him more than any singular visit can do. Mine mostly never varies, other than during heavy exercise or when I encounter a hot young nurse doing my vitals :D. Seriously, when I come off the highway having driven from E KY to the city for a doc visit, my BP is up maybe 20-30 points for ~ 15 minutes upon arrival. 
He also has done a echo each 6 months of the first year, changed my statin, and now I'm on annual visits. 
Ed, I hope you get to a less worrisome place with this medical stuff. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 13, 2022, 09:09:48 AM
 I'm sitting here this morning with a heart monitor that's stuck to my chest. The nice nurse put it on yesterday and said wear it for 5 day then peel it off and put it in the box it came in and throw it into the mail :o. It will go to a lab in Illinois. They read it's little computer and than send the read out and what they think is wrong to the V.A. cardiologist. I guess after that I will find out what's wrong and also who this Dr. is that I've never seen.
Last night Rita was looking at my thyroid med and it reads 88 mg  :o :-\ it's supposed to read .88 mg, so now I'm waiting for my primary Dr. to call me. We wonder if this could be what's wrong with my heart rate, with our home bp machine it sometimes read 143  ::) , at the V.A. last week they got a 210 reading and we told them the machine was wrong  ;D. Guess they didn't like our answer cause they sent me for a ride in the ambulance to the hospital  >:( :( :o.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on October 13, 2022, 10:55:37 AM
is it an M or U before the G?  0.088 mg (milligram) is the same as 88ug  (microgram).  I doubt  a pharmacist would give you 88 mg of thyroxin.  higher doses are used to suppress thyroid cancer, but not that high that I know of.  you would be shaky and loosing weight and unable to sleep on that dose.  a standard dose for many/most patients is 0.1 mg or 100 ug.  the same thing.  you gotta love the metric system.  you can call your pharmacist to find out for sure.  it is also 0.0001 grams or 0.0000001Kg.  there could be an s after indicating pleural  i.e. mgs (milligrams).
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 16, 2022, 09:43:22 AM
 Morning Doc. I just went and looked an it says 88 mcg. Thanks for posting this. Now I feel better an Rita will when I tell her after church.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on October 16, 2022, 10:47:23 AM
well, it is hell getting old Ed!   :)   Glad to help.  Doc.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 03, 2022, 01:58:44 PM
 Well I'm trying something new. Acupuncture, the pain that comes with some of the meds is unbelievable, and my MM Doctor said the only thing to do is try upping the pain pills by 15mgs.

 I've been to 5 sessions so far and it's changed my how I feel and how I'm living. The pain is much much less, I feel like I'm 50. Only if the rain would quit I could get some things done around here.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on December 03, 2022, 09:42:59 PM
I'll have to try that, if it makes me feel younger.
Glad you are doing better!!!!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Walnut Beast on December 03, 2022, 10:34:01 PM
Quote from: Ed_K on December 03, 2022, 01:58:44 PM
Well I'm trying something new. Acupuncture, the pain that comes with some of the meds is unbelievable, and my MM Doctor said the only thing to do is try upping the pain pills by 15mgs.

I've been to 5 sessions so far and it's changed my how I feel and how I'm living. The pain is much much less, I feel like I'm 50. Only if the rain would quit I could get some things done around here.
That's awesome! People think that kind of stuff doesn't work but you know it does!! That's what counts. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 26, 2022, 06:37:26 PM
I've been to 8 acupuncture session and when Rita puts out my pill for tonight and tomorrow she's dropping the Hydromorphone and Tramadol pain pills I take. This is to see if it's the acupuncture or the pain pills that have really made a difference.  Now if we could make the temp come up a few °s.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on December 26, 2022, 10:58:22 PM
Quote from: Ed_K on December 26, 2022, 06:37:26 PM
I've been to 8 acupuncture session and when Rita puts out my pill for tonight and tomorrow she's dropping the Hydromorphone and Tramadol pain pills I take. This is to see if it's the acupuncture or the pain pills that have really made a difference.  Now if we could make the temp come up a few °s.
I wish you the best of luck with your treatments!  I bet you don't miss the pills!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on December 29, 2022, 06:10:05 AM
Keep us posted on how it works
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on December 29, 2022, 12:51:56 PM
hey Ed good to hear some positive in your camp   had to go to er early dec found some new cancer left lung so had a ct scan saw my doc tuesday got it in both lungs maybe back in brain and stuff in spine maybe moving  go for a pet scan tuesday see doc on thursday to find out we are going to do   geez that and the neuropathy and now my thyroid is on the va ao list ill let you know how it turns out  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on December 30, 2022, 06:48:14 AM
 Geez, sorry to hear this. It's always the same thing, as soon as you get things going the right way something comes up to go the wrong way.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on January 28, 2023, 10:46:36 AM
Hey Ed hope this finds you well   i saw in a vfw or dav magazine that melanoma is on the list for comp  not sure if for vnv or the younger guys you should check with your vso   after all my pet and mris scans cancer has come back everywhere  ill be headed to midland mi mon morn for gamma knife back home tuesday wed radiation  5 times for neck and spine  the back into chemo for lung  the doc said if the moon stars and everthing lines up i got mabe a year 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on January 28, 2023, 01:13:47 PM
My Heart and Prayers are with you guys as you make this journey. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on January 28, 2023, 05:08:05 PM
Thanks Lynn that means a great deal
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: samandothers on January 28, 2023, 09:37:45 PM
Bricklayer51, 
Sorry to hear of what you are having to go through.  Sounds like you are pushing through and doing what you can do.  Prayers for strength and healing for you guys. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on January 29, 2023, 12:42:52 PM
thanks its been al;most 3 years so ive been lucky seems like most vnv with these ao cancers make 3 to 5 years so im blessed
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on January 29, 2023, 01:03:04 PM
bricklayer, I wish I had info that could help.  just know that despite the treatment that you and many came home to, you are considered a hero by us and we thank you for your service.  At least you made it home and have lived long enough to hopefully feel respected for the job you were asked to do by this country.  Godspeed!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on February 01, 2023, 10:15:59 AM
thanks for the kind words Doc it was a long 2 days glad to be home they zapped 5 tumors  they start on my spine tomorrow here proud to be a part of ff god family country this is Eds thing so im out of here until i find more info that may help
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 05, 2023, 07:57:57 AM
 Gees Bricklayer51, I just got back to read your post, I'm praying for you. I know what the radiation treatment is like. I had two tumors on my neck and spine they blasted a yr ago and you can still see the suntan marks.

 I hope they alighned the rays so you can eat. Let me know how your doing.

 My acupuncture seems to be working,we dropped the oxycontin back from 45 to 30 last monday and so far I haven't had an increase in pain.
 We finally got an appointment with a real cardio Dr. She had a cardiogram done right when we got into the exam room. I have been complaining about pressure on my heart and no air when I bend over, I lose all my energy at the same time. She looked over the paper work that came back after I wore the heart monitor for 3 days and said there's nothing wrong other than some thickening of the heart walls, but not enough to do anything. All the Doctor's are puzzled about my heart rate, it runs around 120-130 all the time when I walk around or work doing cordwood. It was 242 one day when I walked from the building I get my pill at to the building that you go to for sick call. I went there to find out why my shoulder hurt so much. They called the ambulance on me and sent me to the main hospital that I go to. By the time we got there my pulse was down to 112 and the NP wanted to know why I was there, ha ha on the VA doc's. It's 92 right now while I sit here typing.

 Every one have a great day. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Walnut Beast on February 05, 2023, 08:19:55 AM
Prayers for both of you guys!! 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on February 06, 2023, 08:59:23 AM
Ed good to hear from you  dont forget to check with your vso about the melanoma   getting ready to go to town for radiation on my neck and spine next three days  then back in chemo  all we can do is tough it out until we cant  good talking with ya 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 07, 2023, 04:35:47 PM
 Bricklayer51, Back in 2021 we put in for Agent Orange, melanoma and audio. They knew I have multipul myeloma cause I was getting some of my meds from the va. I got a notice in June of 22 that said they where giving me 100 % disability. Told them I've been sick since 2016.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on February 08, 2023, 09:44:58 AM
That is good to hear im getting ready to go to town for number 5 and last treatment getting hard to swallow  and bad heartburn probably find out when i go back to chemo 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on June 17, 2023, 12:34:32 PM
 Well i'm finally awake enough to post some goings on. Awhile back I had to switch chemo treatments to a drug called Ninlaro I can't remember when I changed over from the pomalyst It's been over a year ago, anyway the ninlaro has a side effect of making me tired. After a yr or more it's now making me so tired that after taking the medicine three day's later I can't stay awake, for three or four day i'm out of it sleep all day all night.

 With all that's going on with appointments for this and that and Rita having to take care of her older brother, he's 85 and can't take care of his self, has problems with water, swelled up legs and her trying to get help for him, he's back in the hospital again. And she's trying to get him into a nursing home so she can settle back to taking care of me. I had a talk with my VA eye doctor about my left eye having drooping eye syndrome and he gave me a referral to an eye specialist who said he could fix it.

 Here's a scare picture.

 
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10257/IMG_0867.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1687019408)
 
 Tired again, I'll try to get back here sooner for more information.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Jim_Rogers on June 17, 2023, 01:12:34 PM
Get well soon.

Jim Rogers
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on June 17, 2023, 01:29:15 PM
That may be a "scare" picture but I see both you and Rita as heroes for keeping on keeping on.....together.    
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on June 17, 2023, 02:10:39 PM
Ed I wish you well.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Walnut Beast on June 17, 2023, 02:12:54 PM
You might be tired Ed but everybody here is pulling and praying for you! 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on June 18, 2023, 01:25:41 AM
Ed, I've probably said it before but I'll say it again, you are one tough son of a gun! Keep hanging in there!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on June 27, 2023, 07:45:45 AM
Ed hang in there Sir 
You are a tough man 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on July 06, 2023, 12:24:37 PM
Ed good to hear from you sorry about whats going on with you.  i to want to sleep all the time but i force myself to get up and move even if i dont do anything
. the wife put a bar stool by the splitter so i could split some ash for bags to sell out front.  got the wheelchair from VA couple weeks ago go tomorrow for mri for brain and c scan for lung and spine find out next week whats going on   get better Ed praying for ya
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on August 04, 2023, 09:55:18 AM
 Wow that doesn't sound to good. I hope you got good news from the mri and c-scan.

 Well you can see I haven't been able to get on here for a month. We're still working on cleaning up sugaring equipment and getting sugar wood in. I don't do much but stand around, Rita splits the pine wood and I pull it off the tray and into the bucket. I got Rita to even drive the big tractor to move the wood to the sugar wood shed.

 I had an appointment with my Myeloma Doc. last Wednesday he's worried about the light chains going up. That means I'm getting worse and we decided on a number that if it gets to there, he'll change my chemo meds again. After that he'll set me up with a team of Doctor's in Boston to try a trial treatment, I'll explain that when time get closer. Hopefully it'll a yr away.

 Ya'll have a great day.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on August 04, 2023, 11:28:56 AM
You guys have my total respect and admiration.  Keeping on keeping on until you can't and then keeping on some more.   
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on August 04, 2023, 12:16:48 PM
Keep kicking Ed.  A quick cautionary rant for other posters:   my second oldest brother ticks me off by not having his genetic tests done (all 4 of us are 50/50 to have a genetic flaw guaranteeing a few cancers and a good shot at a few more).  He claimed to have had it and was negative but he didnt get it.  Doubly triple stupid by not getting a colonoscopy (he is nearly 60).  Started feeling weak, no energy, faint.  Gets to doc they do bloodwork and call him Sat morning and tell him to go to ER to get hemoglobin.  My nimnut of a brother had colon cancer.  Beyond disgusted with him.  Something that should have been cured at a polyp during a colonoscopy now costs society 2 weeks in hospital and lots of follow-up and ate up his savings account.  

Lesson:  Us older folks need a colonoscopy.  If you family has a history of colon cancer at a young age ask your gastro about getting tested for Lynch Syndrome.  Literally a swab and you'll know.  

I had the test, found I was positive, getting the colonoscopy every year, had a robotic laparoscopic surgery last July and it was the least painful surgery I have had out of 6.  Early detection...don't ignore things.  

Anyway, sorry to rant in your thread Ed and I look forward to your posts and updates.  I am glad to hear your doc has access to a team in Boston because that's a top notch city for cutting edge treatments.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: barbender on August 04, 2023, 04:45:00 PM
Good word, NW.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on August 06, 2023, 10:12:01 AM
 Hey NW don't be sorry I need things like you presented in this thread. I know how you feel I have a son who'll be 51 on the 24th and he won't go to a doctor. Even when he gets a bad cut super glue it and keep working, stupid he is.
 Now is the time NW to be compassionate  towards your brother, help him as much as you can, he knows better now.

 Ya'll have a great day.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on August 06, 2023, 10:16:43 AM
The big words aren't meant to be loud, I just couldn't figure out why it was so big to start and changed it then Rita had to fix it for me.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on August 06, 2023, 10:20:05 AM
Do not worry, the bigger letters help us older guys.  big letters are loud like talking loud for the ones who cannot hear.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on August 06, 2023, 11:32:25 AM
 The V.A. gave me hearing aids cause they said I was deaf, I wear them when I go there  ;D :D.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: customsawyer on August 06, 2023, 07:38:20 PM
Say what?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on August 07, 2023, 08:17:56 AM
I see what you are saying! :)
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on August 20, 2023, 10:04:04 AM
Ed the new hearing aids i got cant hear better thought i give you and Lynn Davis an update after ct scan found new cancer outside my lungs pet scan found a little more new chemo 2 weeks in a row again next monday then a another ct to see if its stopped its been tough. im thinking my time is about up but we are going out in a few to split some ash take care god bless   Randy.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on August 20, 2023, 10:25:30 AM
Bricklayer I think splitting a few ash is a good way to spend some time.  My best friends father, really a second father to me, spent his last days turning wooden bowls which was his passion.  I have a few, quite precious to me now.  

Ed, I suppose all the time is the time to be compassionate to all.  Thanks for the reminder.  Hope you are well and keep us updated on what's happening.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on August 20, 2023, 06:52:06 PM
Randy (bricklayer) I hope things go well, hang tough!  Doc.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on August 20, 2023, 07:18:13 PM
Thank You Randy for the update even though it was not the "good news" that we wanted to hear.  Take care and stay strong as you keep on keeping on.  My Prayers are with you. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on August 22, 2023, 09:07:53 AM
Thanks everyone i cant believe i feel as well as i do cut a little oak yesterday gonna split some more ash today
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Peter Drouin on August 24, 2023, 08:35:54 PM
Quote from: Bricklayer51 on August 22, 2023, 09:07:53 AM
Thanks everyone i cant believe i feel as well as i do cut a little oak yesterday gonna split some more ash today



splitwood_smiley smiley_beertoast smiley_thumbsup smiley_thumbsup
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on August 26, 2023, 11:26:45 AM
 It's weird couple weeks ago I told Rita that I turned 70 but feel like I'm 40. Last Wednesday I got my darzelex chemo shot in the belly and in 3 hrs it hit me worse than ever before. Since then all I can do ,is limp around watching Rita do things or sleep.

Randy, I hope the chemo stopped it. Have your Doctor's talked any of using radiation on the spots? The ones on my ribs and neck the radiation worked great except for my throat where it felt like I had sunburned it.
 Take care and enjoy the wood splitting.

 Y'all have a great day.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Russ on September 02, 2023, 09:41:36 PM
I haven't been following Forestry forum . I was browsing around and saw your post, So sorry glad your beating it down , we're all better for knowing you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on September 24, 2023, 11:15:31 AM
This being tired and feeling wore out is geting old. Last Wednesday was another shot of darzalex and start of a ninlaro pill for the next three weeks and like the last few month's I'm sleepy,tired and no energy.

 Randy how are you getting along?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Walnut Beast on September 24, 2023, 01:45:17 PM
Ed when I read this and think about my challenges and problems it's nothing compared to what you're going through! You're in my prayers and thinking about you. Hang in there!!!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bruno of NH on October 10, 2023, 05:09:45 PM
Quote from: Walnut Beast on September 24, 2023, 01:45:17 PM
Ed when I read this and think about my challenges and problems it's nothing compared to what you're going through! You're in my prayers and thinking about you. Hang in there!!!
I second that 
Ed you are a tough man and good sole
I been cutting and splitting firewood after my Sawmilling is over for the day.
I have to sit on a bench to buck the logs up . It stinks and I start feeling sorry for myself then I think of you guys pushing through. It makes me think better . There are much harder things in life folks go through. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on October 14, 2023, 09:16:35 AM
I've been so tired the last month and a half that if I get thru my e-mail I'm lucky. Jim be happy that you can sit and do fire wood, I just sit on the end of the log pile and watch Rita split the wood. I use the fowarder trailer to pick a log off the pile and hold it cross ways to trailer about hip height and cut 16" chunks off with my small husky 346. If I get 2 logs done I'm lucky. If their two heavy for Rita to pick up I use the picker to load them on the spliter for her.

 My main cancer Doctor mentioned that I may have to try another type of medicine if my light chain numbers go up much more. It bothers me to have to switch chemo's, but there's quite a few left before I run out of options. I'd like to try the T-cell therapy but after doing the stem cell therapy at the begining and all most checking out from the brain swelling I'm very concerned about that again.

 Oh well, y'all have a great day.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on October 14, 2023, 09:27:36 AM
Continue to stay facing forward Sir.  I greatly admire your tenacity.  thumbs-up
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on October 14, 2023, 01:09:47 PM
I am following this tread. 
I am thinking of you!!!!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: nativewolf on October 14, 2023, 03:01:57 PM
Ed I hear you and sympathize.  Been there.  Keep fighting, just being able to cut anything at all is wonderful.  Follow docs advice.  Best wishes to you and Rita from Virginia!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on November 09, 2023, 12:50:35 PM
 Had a pretty rough go here, I go covid 2 Saturday's ago we went to a maple conference and I guess when I used the handle to pour some coffee I got it. I was only feeling like I had a small cold. we both tested last Saturday and I was positive and Rita was negative. the VA sent me to the e r and after a bunch of bull they let me out of there with paxlovid pills. I only had 3 day of had coughs. This Morning we tested again and I'm negative and Rita is positive.

 Can she give it back to me since I'm negative?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ianab on November 09, 2023, 01:07:30 PM
You should be OK for "x" months after recovering. Your immunity gradually wears off over time so you can catch the virus again in the future, but right now you should be fine.  One of Lil's workmates has had it 3 times now, but maybe 6 months between infections, and not serious as most people now have partial immunity. 

Still concerning if you have other health issues though.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on November 09, 2023, 04:59:03 PM
 Thanks Ianab, I'm scared that might have to stay away from Rita, we live on hugs and kisses.

 On another note my light chains have started to rise, they've gone up close to 200 points. The very last one droped from 323.58 to 284.2. But my platelets have dropped to 27 from 40 my Specialist Doctor has said to stop my chemotherapy and blood thinner. If it doesn't get up to 50 He will start thinking about changing meds.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on November 09, 2023, 05:51:13 PM
you should be good for this one, but caution when the next version rolls around.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on November 18, 2023, 09:42:51 AM
 Covid sucks. From around the 30th Oct to 9th Nov I had symptoms no worse than a little cold. On the 10th I tested negative, on the 13th we tested again and it was back positive. On the 14th it hit me with a vengeance I mean like I have the flu, today the 18th I'm starting to feel better. I found out that if you use the Paxlovid like 3 time you can get long covid from it, also it can give a false negative.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on November 18, 2023, 11:37:46 AM
I am so sorry to read that you are having to deal with this awful Covid stuff..... again.  It seems that we are victims of the medical drama of knowing/not knowing what is the correct thing to do. 

Hopefully you will soon kick it so you can keep on keeping on. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ianab on November 18, 2023, 04:05:40 PM
I think the problem with Paxlovid is that although it suppresses the virus, sometimes that's before your immune system builds itself up. When you test negative and stop the course the virus may still be there, just not active enough to be detected. But you don't yet have the full immune response to it, and get that "rebound" sort of case. Having your immune system beaten up by the cancer treatment drugs doesn't help either. 


Overall it's still useful in keeping patients out of hospital, but it's not a magic cure. It just decreases your odds of getting really (hospital level) sick. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Bricklayer51 on February 23, 2024, 12:32:14 PM
>ed hope this finds you well i been gone awhile with many problems but been wanting to check on you see how you are doing god bless
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 25, 2024, 05:59:58 AM
 Hi Bricklayer51, I also have had a lot of problems. Last time I came to the FF I added some word but when I posted it wouldn't go. I don't know if this will go, I tried to reset the cookies but not sure if I did that right. So I'll send this and see if it goes.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 25, 2024, 06:31:45 AM
 Well it looks like it went. So here an up date, last month my chemo stopped working and my light chains went way up. The Dr said to stop the Ninlaro and he has started me on Cyclophosphamide 10 capsule's once a week and every week no week's off. I'm still taking the Dexomethosone not spelled right and the darzelex shot once a month. The first week of the new script I got so tired I couldn't stay awake, but since then I haven't had any side effects that I can feel or notice. It'll be two weeks before I get another blood test so I'm not sure how this new drug is affecting me. The shortness of breath is still with me along with only getting about 4 hrs of work before I'm done for the day. We're working on getting the syrup show on the road. We put a new main line in to replace one that was 15 yrs old. I'm at the thinking that we may have missed the season from how the weather has changed, I told Rita that we'll have to start tapping in the end of January next yr.
 Well time for another cup of coffee and watch u-tube videos of Old Jar Head working on the homestead 
 Ya'll have a great day!

 Ed K
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on February 25, 2024, 08:26:54 AM
It is good to read an update from you and Bricklayer51.  My Prayers and Concerns continue to be with both of you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on February 25, 2024, 08:37:54 AM
Looks like the sap will start to flow here this week. All week above freezing temps. But I have no idea.
thanks for the update. I will be thinking of you.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: mike_belben on February 25, 2024, 09:32:20 AM
Hang in there ed
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Jeff on February 25, 2024, 09:42:26 AM
I recently edited several posts out of this topic, because I, and others come to it for inspiration and information on our friend, not someone elses non medical medical manifestos. You know who you are. Go to college, get a degree, until then, shut up.

Sorry for the interruptions Ed.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: newoodguy78 on February 25, 2024, 08:02:42 PM
Ed I've been wondering about you lately thank you for the update. Glad to hear you're out sugaring. Certainly been an odd start to the season,hope you have a great season.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 26, 2024, 07:40:31 AM
 Thanks to Magic Man, thecfarm ,mike and newoodguy78 for the thoughts. Randy send me a PM I'd like to talk about your ct scan.
Well you won't believe this, yesterday I was out helping Rita adding tap lines ( drops )to the main line and broke the rib that had the radiation when I bent over to cross under the main line. I guess the tumor ate the bone some.  Because I can take deep breaths there's nothing to do but put a lidocaine patch on and go to bed. This morning it feels ok but don't touch my right side. Lidocaine again today and go help Rita again, this time I'm just going to hand her tools or put lines into the hot water so she can push them onto the fitting's.

 Hey, y'all have a great day today!!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on February 26, 2024, 08:43:15 AM
Ed you are tougher than most!  Doc.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: chet on February 26, 2024, 09:15:36 AM
Keep on truckin' Ed. 50's and sunshine :sunny: , enjoy the beautiful day.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: newoodguy78 on February 26, 2024, 10:40:15 AM
Ed in another post there's mention of the saying "tougher than woodpecker lips" that certainly applies to you and Rita for what you're dealing with. Please don't take that with disrespect it's anything but. You two are a genuine inspiration.
Sun's shining where I am today with any luck you guys are enjoying the rays as well.
How many taps you putting in this season?
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Peter Drouin on February 27, 2024, 06:12:49 AM
Best of luck to you two. ffsmiley
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on February 27, 2024, 09:15:32 AM
newoodguy78, as far as woodpecker lips, when Rita and I were putting in more drop lines and taps we ran into a pileated woodpecker on a downed log having lunch. That's one big bird! It was really nice yesterday and it was 50*, I can't stand wearing gloves and froze my fingers, if I didn't have neuropathy in the fingertips and toes it wouldn't happen. Speaking of neuropathy I tried gabapentin once and it made me fall a sleep so deep that Rita thought I passed and sat with me watching breathe till I woke up, she dumped the script she was so mad. Now I'm taking pregabalin, it seems to work pretty well.
 Thanks all for posting.

 Y'all have a great day.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on February 27, 2024, 09:05:26 PM
gabapentin?
We call that the wonder drug for my wife. She has A LOT of problems with meds. This has been the only thing that has helped her. She got in a bad wreck and they used if for better blood flow to the brain. Ater a time her knees and legs started to feel better, much better in fact.
Just never know what will help or make things worse.
You sure are doing good working outside.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: SwampDonkey on February 28, 2024, 03:32:51 AM
I know it's tough some days. Keep moving Ed and keep thinking positive vibes.  ffsmiley
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on February 28, 2024, 09:06:14 AM
meds work differently for each individual.  Gabapentin is tough cause it takes weeks to titrate up.  so you keep going looking for effect, and then get to a level that you have side effects, and if no benefit, quit, or push through side effects to get to benefit.  that is why they call it practicing medicine.  when you get it mostly figured, it is time to retire.   :usa:
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Jeff on February 28, 2024, 10:01:05 AM
Gabapenten was the drug they gave me for shoulder nerve pain. It messed my mind up horribly around 2005 or so, it took a couple months to find out why I was having a horrible time.  Currently, the dr. Is reccomending it again for my spine issues. I told them to get lost. Never ever again. BUT,  I have issues with every medicine. You want to know what potential side effects are of something? Give it to Jeff! 

No more. I take aleve or motrin when things get bad, but even those two things have unwanted effects.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doctorb on February 28, 2024, 06:00:42 PM
The variabilities of a medication's effects and side effects correlate well with the specificity of the drugs actions and indications.  As seen on this thread, gabapentin has been prescribed for different symptoms.  It is sometimes difficult to determine when this drug is indicated and when it should be expected to provide little improvement.  It is often given as a "let's see if this helps because we ain't got much else to give you" medication.  As stated in the shoulder dislocation thread, it takes time to titrate the dose, and the higher the dose the more likely a patient may experience side effects.  Patients seek help, and are willing to try medications that may help them, with the risk of suffering adverse reactions.  Doctors feel like they need to do something, and they feel pressure to actively add a therapy to try and make patients better.  From my point of view, gabapentin rarely definitively solved a problem or symptom, but it did make some patients tolerate their pain better.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: thecfarm on February 29, 2024, 05:34:27 AM
Jeff, that's how my wife is with side effects most times. 
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on February 29, 2024, 08:46:00 AM
The placebo effect is real.  people who believe a medication will work, are more likely to have a positive result.  If you are anti-medication or have bad experiences, you are more likely to have a poor experience.  that is why medication studies have a control group.  the new med has to have better results than the so-called sugar pills.  
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on February 29, 2024, 09:58:19 AM
As I found out on here in another topic, I totally missed the mark about Gabapentin.  I was taking it episodically and thanks to our two Doctors, there was no surprise that it was not giving me any relief regarding the shooting pain in my foot.  I doubt that I will take it anymore because I do not want to become dependent on any medication until I simply can not do without it.  For now, I will just suck it up and keep on keeping on.

My apology to Ed_K for this slight detour from this topic's intent.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on February 29, 2024, 11:29:24 AM
as we all know if an engine does not have spark, you can rebuild the carbonator as many times as you like, and it still will not run.  proper dx. is the key, and it is not always easy.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on February 29, 2024, 11:43:33 AM
And if you put the proper fingers on the proper keys, it will type what you intend rather than what you typed.   ffsmiley   :thumbsup:

Just more "dx" for the "carbonator".  ffcheesy   ffcheesy
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on February 29, 2024, 11:53:41 AM
I said proper dx. is important, proper spellin not so much.  I thought that is how you said it in MS.   ffcheesy ffcheesy ffcheesy
my great uncle Bill said he needed to get his Cadillac worked on (by an eye doctor) and had problems with his rotator cups in his shoulder.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Magicman on February 29, 2024, 12:09:08 PM
You don't even want me to tell how stuff is pronounced in MS, plus Jeff would   smiley_thumbsdown   smiley_thumbsdown

All in fun my friend....all in fun.  ffsmiley
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: doc henderson on February 29, 2024, 04:41:50 PM
taken as such, and right back at ya.  I am not trying to say I spelled carburetor that way on purpose but after you pointed it out, I kinda liked it that way better.  ffcool


In fact, I think I misspelled it and chose the wrong suggestion by the computer!
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 01, 2024, 06:55:38 AM
I use the computer a lot for spelling. I thought it was always right, Doc now your scaring me ffcheesy .
 MM you don't need to apologize for for the off thread, I started it when I read about gabapentin on the shoulder thread.
 I have been on pregabalin for a while now and it has some weird side effects, but it's working. The side effects 1 it makes me happy and 2 it has this weird thing if I sit quite I get hallucinations where my brain see thing's and my hand's try to do them. It's like stuff you try when your young and just joined the service   ffcheesy ffcheesy :wacky.
 The Doctor's have a name for this, stage 1 Cytokine Release Syndrome or ( CRS )  ffcheesy ffcheesy ,I know what ya'all are thinkin.
 But it's working, my thumb is waking up and my feet have more feeling now and the shocking pain down my right leg is a lot less painfull.

 Y'all have a great day ffcool.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 18, 2024, 05:31:07 AM
 Thing's are looking up, between pregabalin and acupuncture the foot and hand pain is tolerable so much so that my L4-L5 missing disk is paining me more. The surgeon that looked at it awhile ago won't operate on the disk, till my light chains are down to normal or almost normal.

 Y'all have a great day  ffcool.
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: chet on March 18, 2024, 05:48:40 AM
Ed you Rita have a great day too!   ffcool
Title: Re: My cancer journey
Post by: Ed_K on March 18, 2024, 04:00:08 PM
 Thanks, Chet.