Category: Surviving Three Cancers

MRI’s Update

Did you know that having two back to back MRI’s is almost considered a medical marathon?  The technicians were so proud of me that upon my next visit I’m sure to see my picture front and center on the MRI Wall Of Fame commemorating that historical event.

My Oncologist called to tell me the determinations from the MRI’s.  They showed a new compression at vertebrae L3 (about a 20% loss, I’m another ¼” shorter) and severe arthritis.

**SARCASM WARNING**
The symptoms often reported with compression of vertebrae L3 include
restful sleep, reduced appetite, and weight loss.
**END SARCASM WARNING **

Following up with my family doctor was recommended if I want to consider back injections, physical therapy, and/or cement.  This back pain that also goes down my legs has haunted me to some degree for years.  

Today I am feeling a little better than two weeks ago.  Who would have thought one would ever measure progress by the speed and agility with which you put on your underwear or socks?

It Grows On You

My life continues to overflow with God’s blessings through family, friends, and sometimes just out of the blue.  In May, Diane and I drove across the country to Michigan and met our only granddaughter.

She’s a precious cutie, and much of the time seems to have something important she wants to say, but doesn’t yet know how to effectively articulate. It will be fascinating when she does. We saw friends and relatives on the way there and back. I wish we could have stayed longer for each visit.

Our son and daughter-in-law took us on a wonderful Lake Superior cruise to a place called Pictured Rocks. Amazing mineral colors can be seen oozing out of the sandstone cliffs there.  

To see more Pictured Rock pictures, click here.

I’ve been looking forward to summer, and June is suddenly circling the drain.

I started playing Volleyball again. I used to have a team, maybe you’ve heard of us, “Ricky Normal and the Jazz Head Cowboys”? That was actually the name of my band in a dream, but since the odds of me leading a music group while conscious are pretty slim, I decided to use the name for my Volleyball team.

The league I play in now doesn’t have organized teams, in fact, it’s not even a league. It’s just a group of local people age 55 or older (frequently) hitting the ball over the net and having a good time .

It is fun, but I’ve been plagued by a random, sporadic shortening of the arms and an intermittent disconnect between the eyes and brain. That’s bad enough when you’re just trying to make contact with the ball, but it’s especially embarrassing when you do hit the ball and then go for the high five your team-mate offered up – and you swish the air completely missing that slap!

My second 3 month appointment and tests weren’t due for two more weeks, but I’ve been revisited by some previous back and leg pain symptoms. Knowing that Multiple Myeloma attacks the bone, I decided to get in to see the Oncologist sooner.

The test results that came back right away don’t indicate cancer activity, but because of what has previously happened in my back (click here for the December 14, 2011 post), and because of the returning symptoms with no known cause, MRI’s and an x-ray have been scheduled.

Cliff Hanger?

My last low dose chemo shot was New Years Eve 2015. My Oncologist said to come back in three months for testing. Three months have passed. I went for tests on April 4th and anxiously waited for the results.

I saw my Urologist that same day, my five year and final appointment with him. His office called later to say my PSA (Prostate cancer indicator) was undetectable. I love that word.

My three month test results for Multiple Myeloma, although reported mostly in Medical Greek, were finally posted to a web site I access.

This message was included with the report: “The serum protein electrophoresis exhibits a possible monoclonal immunoglobulin band in the gamma region. Serum immunofixation (IFE) for further identification of this band has been reflex ordered.”

And this: “A reflex test is a laboratory test performed (and charged for) subsequent to an initially ordered and resulted test. Reflex testing occurs when an initial test result meets pre-determined criteria (e.g., positive or outside normal parameters), and the primary test result is inconclusive without the reflex or follow-up test. It is performed automatically without the intervention of the ordering physician.”

That alone does not mean bad news, but it seems a step in that direction. My Oncologist said she would call me if ever there was anything we need to discuss. So far, no call.

In the meantime, there’s much to do as I remain among the living.  I finally connected the computer to the stereo, I continue organizing photos, and I actually think I spotted retirement way out there on the horizon.

This is my second, new Radio Control car, a Losi 22T with one of my favorite racing bodies from the old days.  For now, this is an indoor turf track only car .
It’s fun to run it with friends at the indoor RC Plus track in Salem, Oregon.
My two year old grandson, Kellen, is learning to drive RC cars with an old RC10T.  He’s got tight circles pretty well figured out, and is very familiar with the transmitter’s on/off switch (it’s so fascinating!).
I recently had another great visit with my brother, Loren, in Brookings, Oregon.
My winter project on the Chevy this year was replacing the rear main seal.  Check that off the list!
I’m not sure how this will play out, but my scalp has become consumed with “Revenge Of Chemo Hair.”
My grandson, Kellen, “taking time to smell the flowers.”

No Shots – No Change

After a few missed shots, I thought I felt a kind of thawing out sensation in the neuropathy in my feet, but no symptoms or side effects have really changed.

I’m still sorting and organizing files in my picture archives.  Lately my push is assigning dates to my pre-digital camera pictures. 

Those picture files report the date they were scanned as being the date they were taken, which is far from accurate.  I can fairly guesstimate dates for pictures with my kids in them, but without them, it’s tough.

Many years ago, Diane and I stepped out in faith and started a small business.  If you are or have ever been self employed, you know what I mean about stepping out in faith. 

In the startup supplies we purchased for our in-home office was our first, large, 23 inch x 18 inch wall calendar.  It was great for scheduling and recording my jobs and other work related items. 

I also began adding personal notes like birthday reminders and event dates.  Before long, the wall calendar became a sort of “Express Lane diary for five items or less.”  My favorite entries are from after our kids came along.  There are a lot of “first did” and “first said” notations. 

On December 17, 1980, my 2 ½ year old son said he will shoot and kill the neighbors.  Where did he get that? 

In November, three years later, the same son asked if your spirit was like a bubble with God in it.  Where did he get that? 

Kids are funny.  Overall the calendars tell a story of busy people quite involved with family and friends.

I have hundreds of pictures that need accurate dates.  I have about 372 monthly calendar pages from 1976 to 2007 that record most of the events represented by pictures needing dates.  All I have to do is match them up! 

The Blessings continue.