Week One
Week One - 28FEB05 to 04MAR05
Skip over the parts that might bore you – this is a comprehensive update.
NOTE: I’m doing my best to explain crazy med terms through this document – use this as an aid if you need to : http://tcrc.acor.org/dictionary.html .
Cancer
At this point, I am diagnosed with type 2, mixed germ cell and embryonal testicular cancer. I have been through surgery and am now in a primary chemotherapy program. My scans and blood enzyme levels show lymph node involvement and blood vessel involvement, meaning that the cancer is spreading through my body via these two paths. At this time we are not aware of any other existing tumors.
I’ve had ultrasounds and cat scans and every fluid you can imagine drawn from my body. I’ll have to repeat these tests and scans and samples for the rest of my life, although as time goes on with good results, I will be able to do them less frequently. You can read a little more about the long-term checks @ http://www.tc-cancer.com/atreatment.html .
Every man reading this should do a self exam the next time you get undressed. Find out how to do one @ http://www.tc-cancer.com/selfexam.html.
Every woman reading this should remind the important men in their lives to do the above.
If you find something, talk to your primary care physician if you must, but INSIST on an ultrasound no matter what – preferably from a Urologist ( that’s a reproductive-type doc ). An ultrasound will show very quickly and very clearly what a lump or abnormality is. Primary care physicians typically do not have the expertise to identify abnormalities of this kind, but a Urologist can spot it in 3 seconds.
I went to Dr. Bruce Stein of Atlanta Urology Associates at Crawford Long – and he actually did the surgery on me too. The procedure is called a complex left Orchiectomy – you can read more about it @ http://www.tc-cancer.com/orch.html . In just over 2 weeks I am almost fully recovered, even able to run and ride a bike just like a real boy.
Chemo
I’m currently in day 3 of chemo – the drugs should start to make me feel like complete ass by day 4, maybe 5. Here’s a list of the crazy drugs I’m on, along with some links to describe them:
Crazy Drug Name: Bleomycin, AKA Blenoxane
What it Does: Interferes with cancer cell growth
Why it's Scary: Also interferes with regular good cell growth. Super nasty side effects including pulmonary fibrosis, which can be prevented if caught early. Scars lung tissue for life – no more scuba diving or any compressed gasses. Stays in your system for 2+ years. Probrably will make you sterile, even if it doesn’t no kids for at least 2 years until it’s out of my system.
Reference: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202093.html
Crazy Drug Name: Cisplatin, AKA Platinol
What it Does: Interferes with cancer cell growth
Why it's Scary: Also interferes with regular good cell growth. Rarely causes color blindness ( which I already have ) and deafness which can be prevented if caught early. Also causes nasty digestive problems which can be remedied with other drugs. Oh yeah, and it is actually platinum, just like Stacy’s engagement ring.
Reference: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202143.html
Crazy Drug Name: Etoposide, AKA VP-16
What it Does: Interferes with cancer cell growth
Why it's Scary: They don’t know how it works, but it seems to work so evidentially that’s good enough for the FDA. Hair loss and general hardcore drug side effects apply.
Reference: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202234.html
I’m on some IV premeds also to help my body react to the shock of controlled toxic poisoning – aka, chemotherapy.
Aloxi, Anti-nausia
K20, Electrolytes
Mannitol, Hydration
In addition, I’m also on ( or have been on ) the following prescription drugs
Vicoden (not taking) , Surgery Pain
Levoquin (not taking) , Broad Antibiotic
Emend , Anti-nausia
Ativan , Anti-anxiety
Shaved Head
I’ve shaved my head a few times now at different lengths in preparation for hair loss. I figured I’d take the hair before the chemo did. I have to admit that I freaking love not having hair. I save time in the shower, I can wear hats, I can even sleep whenever I like and I KNOW that my hair looks the same.
On 01MAR, Ed Strennen shaved his head in a show of support. I actually think it was a mixed show of support and a hatred of paying for haircuts ( like me ), but either way – he looks 10… days younger. I might be biased, but I think it looks great, and think of all the time Ed will save by not having hair! It’s a win-win.
Skip over the parts that might bore you – this is a comprehensive update.
NOTE: I’m doing my best to explain crazy med terms through this document – use this as an aid if you need to : http://tcrc.acor.org/dictionary.html .
Cancer
At this point, I am diagnosed with type 2, mixed germ cell and embryonal testicular cancer. I have been through surgery and am now in a primary chemotherapy program. My scans and blood enzyme levels show lymph node involvement and blood vessel involvement, meaning that the cancer is spreading through my body via these two paths. At this time we are not aware of any other existing tumors.
I’ve had ultrasounds and cat scans and every fluid you can imagine drawn from my body. I’ll have to repeat these tests and scans and samples for the rest of my life, although as time goes on with good results, I will be able to do them less frequently. You can read a little more about the long-term checks @ http://www.tc-cancer.com/atreatment.html .
Every man reading this should do a self exam the next time you get undressed. Find out how to do one @ http://www.tc-cancer.com/selfexam.html.
Every woman reading this should remind the important men in their lives to do the above.
If you find something, talk to your primary care physician if you must, but INSIST on an ultrasound no matter what – preferably from a Urologist ( that’s a reproductive-type doc ). An ultrasound will show very quickly and very clearly what a lump or abnormality is. Primary care physicians typically do not have the expertise to identify abnormalities of this kind, but a Urologist can spot it in 3 seconds.
I went to Dr. Bruce Stein of Atlanta Urology Associates at Crawford Long – and he actually did the surgery on me too. The procedure is called a complex left Orchiectomy – you can read more about it @ http://www.tc-cancer.com/orch.html . In just over 2 weeks I am almost fully recovered, even able to run and ride a bike just like a real boy.
Chemo
I’m currently in day 3 of chemo – the drugs should start to make me feel like complete ass by day 4, maybe 5. Here’s a list of the crazy drugs I’m on, along with some links to describe them:
Crazy Drug Name: Bleomycin, AKA Blenoxane
What it Does: Interferes with cancer cell growth
Why it's Scary: Also interferes with regular good cell growth. Super nasty side effects including pulmonary fibrosis, which can be prevented if caught early. Scars lung tissue for life – no more scuba diving or any compressed gasses. Stays in your system for 2+ years. Probrably will make you sterile, even if it doesn’t no kids for at least 2 years until it’s out of my system.
Reference: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202093.html
Crazy Drug Name: Cisplatin, AKA Platinol
What it Does: Interferes with cancer cell growth
Why it's Scary: Also interferes with regular good cell growth. Rarely causes color blindness ( which I already have ) and deafness which can be prevented if caught early. Also causes nasty digestive problems which can be remedied with other drugs. Oh yeah, and it is actually platinum, just like Stacy’s engagement ring.
Reference: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202143.html
Crazy Drug Name: Etoposide, AKA VP-16
What it Does: Interferes with cancer cell growth
Why it's Scary: They don’t know how it works, but it seems to work so evidentially that’s good enough for the FDA. Hair loss and general hardcore drug side effects apply.
Reference: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202234.html
I’m on some IV premeds also to help my body react to the shock of controlled toxic poisoning – aka, chemotherapy.
Aloxi, Anti-nausia
K20, Electrolytes
Mannitol, Hydration
In addition, I’m also on ( or have been on ) the following prescription drugs
Vicoden (not taking) , Surgery Pain
Levoquin (not taking) , Broad Antibiotic
Emend , Anti-nausia
Ativan , Anti-anxiety
Shaved Head
I’ve shaved my head a few times now at different lengths in preparation for hair loss. I figured I’d take the hair before the chemo did. I have to admit that I freaking love not having hair. I save time in the shower, I can wear hats, I can even sleep whenever I like and I KNOW that my hair looks the same.
On 01MAR, Ed Strennen shaved his head in a show of support. I actually think it was a mixed show of support and a hatred of paying for haircuts ( like me ), but either way – he looks 10… days younger. I might be biased, but I think it looks great, and think of all the time Ed will save by not having hair! It’s a win-win.
posted by Bill McDaniel at 9:16 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home