To my wonderful family and family of friends at CVOHARLEY
Just an update to keep you in the loop.
This past Friday my new furnuce was installed. What a difference it has made. My home is warm in just a couple moments and it stays within a few degrees until I change the thermostat. I don't mind NOT hauling the wood and NOT stocking the old wood stove already.
The pain from the surgery is already less than the pain I experienced before the operation. That is of course if I don't reach in a way that I shouldn't or roll in bed the wrong way. For right now, I'm not supposed to lift anything over the weight of a gallon of milk. I didn't think that could be right until I tried, Yup, a gallon of milk is a good cut off point. But bending over to pick up a coin has changed a bit for me too. I don't really care about 2 bits anymore, at lest for now. lol
I have no way to shut off my car or truck airbag so I can't drive for a few weeks and I really don't like riding in the back seat but for now that's the weay it goes. It sure beats the outcome of an airbag deployment. My Doc said it would be a disaster, I think he might know what he's talking about.
My son Shaun came today to bring me to the Dr's appointment and will bring me to another one tomorrow. Shaun drives, Sue rides in the front passenger seat and I ride in the back all by myself. I now understand why kids always ask, "are we there yet?" The back seat just makes it seem a much lomger ride.
Today, my Oncologist, Sue and I went over more of the available pathology report. I recieved the confirmation that some things has changed, some for the better, some not. Here's some of the good news. First, it was good that the Surgent didn't just close me back up after looking inside. Next, I'm also thankful that he was able to get as much of the cancer that he did. Some areas that went better than first hoped for was the removal of as much of the largest tumor around my aorta and vena cava veins. Another area that went well was around my trachea. So it seems I may continue to bored folks to death with my piles of useless information. LOL I have a friend that fondly referers to me as Clff, as in Cliff from the show Cheers. The worse I have had with talking is some horseness when I an approching or am tired. Now, tired seems to come early and heavy and a nap seems to be just what the Dr ordered, No really, he ordered that. lol
The cancer in my right lung, he thinks he got it all, the cancer in the back of my chest and along the chest wall, he got most of it. The cancer in my left lung will wait for radiation as will the rest of the residual cancer. There is some cancer that he refered to as floaters, kindof the stuff that got away while the cutting was going on. I'm told that's where the chemotheapy comes in. I knew going into this that the operation wouldn't get it all, but I am glad for the amount that was removed.
Now for one piece of bad news. The Thymoma Cancer of the Thymus wasn't what it turned out to be. What was found is still cancer of the thymus, however, the type I have is Thymic Carcinoma. It turns out to be much more agressive, faster spreading, has a very high recurrent rate, more difficult to destroy and has a much lower survival rate. All things the same the rates would drop from the first hopeful 60% over 5 years with Thymoma to 13 % over 5 years with Thymic Carcinoma. But, I'm still in this for the long haul and if I continue to heal at my current pace I should be able to start radiation within a couple to 3 weeks from now. About a week earlier than first hoped for. It's felt that Chemo couldn't start for another couple weeks after the radiation starts.
It is looking better after today for me to recieve the radiation at Dartmouth Medical Center. That's what Sue and I have been waiting for, it has yet to be confirmed, but, as I said, it's looking better today that it did even last Friday. Last Friday id when Boston VA hospital called and said that the Vermont VA didn't know what they were talking about.
Thank you for all your continued thoughts and prayers
All the Doc.s have told me I look to be doing much better than they thought I would at this point. I believe it's because of all of you thanks again
sincerely yours
Dad, Sam, chappy
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Topic: I might be down, but I'm not out! (Read 249471 times)