2009
|
2009 did not follow the plan that I had created for myself when I retired in February 2008. On January 25/09 I found out that I had
esophageal cancer and on January 29/09 I found out that the location of the
tumour is such that surgery was not a viable consideration. Although treatment was possible, it would fall into the palliative category. The best I could hope for is to maintain a relatively good quality of life. Statistics show that with this particular type of cancer (there are approx 200 different types) chances of survival beyond 5 years is less than 20%. I said then and I say again now that being as stubborn as I am, with help from my family and friends, going to raise that percentage.
Throughout the year I've had numerous C A T scans, a full body M R I and several other tests to determine the extent to which the disease had spread. I'm told that this type of cancer is one of the more aggressive types. A treatment plan was devised during the February / March time frame which consisted of: surgery to install a stent at the location of the
tumour which is aimed at helping me to swallow solid food thereby bypassing the
tumours obstruction (I'd already lost 60lbs by not being able to eat anything); a gastro-intestinal tube was surgically inserted into my stomach so that by using a pump mounted on an IV stand I could have liquid nutrients pumped directly into my stomach to keep me going; 15 days of daily radiation therapy aimed at shrinking the main
tumour; and finally 9 weeks of 24 x 7 chemo therapy aimed at stopping or at least slowing the spread of the disease to more lymph nodes.
Serious treatments started March 23rd with the radiation which entailed going to the hospital daily for 3 weeks. During the radiation treatments I was still unable to eat anything solid (no appetite and everything I did try had a metallic taste) however I was
"on the pump" for about 18 – 20 hours a day getting the nutrition I needed. Upon completion of radiation I was told I had to wait about 8 weeks (because things were still
"cooking") for results before any further plan could be initiated. Turns out that a CAT scan showed that the radiation did what it was supposed to do so on July 27/09 I had more day surgery to have a
"Port-a-Cath" installed in my chest (just under the collar bone). This allows a catheter to be installed thereby eliminating the need for new
"punctures" every time new chemo was to be administered or blood test was required. This has proven to be a godsend with the number of needles etc I've had. The next day chemo started which involved the preparation of a chemical cocktail in a bottle (the size of a baby food bottle) which then had a catheter inserted the other end of which went into the
"Port-a Cath" and directly into the blood stream just above my heart, so that it could be distributed through the body quickly. The bottle then went into a
"fanny pack" which I had to wear every day (24x7) for the next 9 weeks. A new bottle of chemicals was provided every 7 days. Several blood tests etc. were also done weekly throughout the 9 week period.
Many times through this period I wondered if I would make it to the end and many times I didn't care if I did or not. Had it not been for the support and encouragement I had from Kim and Krysta, my family and many true friends I'm sure I would have given up and
"pulled the plug". During times like this you surely find out who your true friends are and who the pretenders are. I am truly blessed with the number of true friends that I have. I've heavily
"leaned on" them during '09 (I won't name you – you know who you are) and I will be eternally
grateful for their unending support and help. Those of you that know me, know how hard it’s been for me to ask for help. I've always been stubborn enough to try to solve problems on my own. I've had to learn that I can't deal with this by myself. In any case On January 7th /10 a visit to my oncologist and palliative care doctor confirmed that the chemo had done what it was supposed to do. There has been no spread of the disease and the lymph nodes that were previously infected have improved considerably. I now wait for another 8 weeks (to March 4/10) for another follow up visit to the oncologist to review how I feel and to schedule another C A T scan.
That's my story for the year that was. For sure I've left out a lot of stuff especially related to my desire / ability to eat solid food; get various specific IV's (both at home and in the hospital); deal with various aches and pains, dizziness and falling episodes etc.; take various drugs to control what for most people are normal bodily functions. These are details that you don't really need to know, however if you want more you can read through the more detailed status and progress reports that I wrote throughout the year. Of course I have good days and bad days, good weeks and not so good weeks, like an alcoholic, all I can do is take things one day at a time. I enjoy the good days and ask for your understanding when I say I'm having a bad day and therefore can not carry out planned activities.
I hope this web site has proven to be useful for keeping you folks up to date with my progress. I know it’s been good for me to keep it going to date and I will continue to do so during 2010. Updates probably won't be as frequent, but I'll do the best I can as new events occur.
Once again, I offer my most heartfelt thanks for all of your support and positive energy sent my way. I can't adequately express how much it means to me and how large a help it's been. To those of you that I
"lean on regularly", what can I say, my gratitude is undying.
|
Status Updated - May 20