At this point I had to stop him and describe myself to him . I made it clear I am a Man I wanted him to treat my cancer aggressively I don't whine but if I was hurting I would let them know. There would be no feeding tube unless I was below 180 lb. and agreed. As for a port everyone I had talked to said it was better than an arm IV so schedule it. I also made it clear I was a straight talker and wanted him to return the favor NO CANDY COATING and ALL OPTIONS ON TABLE. He said few patient fit what I described and asked for. Seems he has a lot of patient he has to coddle and baby.
I start my chemo on Monday morning then I have radiation that afternoon. It looks like I will get 42 doses of radiation and 13 chemo treatments . One day next week I will also get the chemo port in my chest. I will be dealing with these treatments till at least May 15 th.
thanks for update. God bless you and preserve you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb.
DeleteSounds like you have the right attitude to beat this! Keep us up to date.
ReplyDeleteI will Mike thanks.
DeleteYou are a fighter, Gary. Keep up the fight, and best of luck with this challenge. You have many support people...
ReplyDeleteThanks, It is a fight I will win.
DeleteI'm still praying for ya man. I gotta say though, I like your attitude. Same as mine.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Phil. I have a fear of doctors piece mealing what my options are. Correct decisions require facts. Good or bad.
DeleteBest of luck with your treatments Gary! Out of curiosity, are you going to Cullman or Birmingham? You'll be in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteBirmingham UAB
DeleteThey are some of the best doctors/programs in the world at UAB. My grandmother was treated for her cancer at UAB and those folks were fantastic. My granny developed cancer of the throat at 83. She was faced with a radical larynx removal or radiation and chemo. or do nothing and possibly live one to two years. She was in good health and said she wanted to live. She chose the radiation and chemo. She did the port and feeding tube too. She made the right decision and died at ninety-two and cancer free. There was once she developed pneumonia during the treatments and we thought it was the end, but she pulled through. regained her strength, and resumed her treatments. She was the "salt of the Earth". She had dipped snuff all her life starting at the age of six. She smoked 3-4 packs of filterless cigarettes a day 1940's-70's then cut back to one pack a day. She read her Bible daily and drank a half a pint of whiskey every night from 1982-2010. She died at home of a sound mind and a full set of 32 teeth. She didn't retire from her job with the USPS until age 76. After that she took in more alterations (sewing jobs she had done as side work all of her life) up until the week she died. It sounds as if you have the same resolve and will to live as she. Godspeed and good luck Gary.
DeleteSounds like granny was a REAL rounder . Glad she had a fun full life. She was given the same options I have been I pray I am as lucky as she was. I got flue and pneumonia shots 2 weeks ago because of the risk.
DeleteI had a friend that was two years younger than me (I think he was 48 at the time he was diagnosed) who had the same type cancer. Before he started his treatments, his doctor sent him to a dentist to have every tooth in his head as a precautionary measure.
DeleteThey keep bringing that up with me but I had mine pulled 9 years ago.
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