23 Months since diagnosis

[tom67inMA]

A long overdue blog post covering Vermont, feline diabetes, and of course, cancer! Physically I seem to be doing well but the ongoing treatments are taking an emotional toll.

tominmotion.blogspot.com/20...

[Lyubov]

Tom ~~ What a magnificent guy you are! In spite of your painful journey you still have compassion for your sick cat! You are an accomplished writer & I am grateful for your blogs! I'm not good at jokes & don't have one to share. But after reading your post today, my husband's PCa issues seem trivial on the one hand but scary in what may lie ahead for him in the not-too-distant future. You are a Warrior cancer survivor. Sending you wishes for strength and continued perseverance.

[westof]

Hmm... 24 months since my dx.

Yea, treatments can take their toll. However, given my experience, I just try to take in stride and hope for the best.

"Feline diabetes"? Just looked it up... Your cat?

We have a little 7 lb tabby with renal problems and ("my darling wife of 46 years") dotes on Tiger Lily more than she does on me.😢😂.

Best,

AJ

[Hidden in reply to westof]

Cats get all of the stuff we do . Only dogs get pc ..

[westof in reply to Hidden]

Hmm... Dogs do get PC? Consider me enlightened!🤔

[tom67inMA in reply to westof]

Our last dog had bone cancer. The dog before that had a tumor in or near his heart. No real warning other than the animals acting a bit "old" for a few months, then sudden onset of severe symptoms. Come to think of it, that a good description of my PC experience

[Hidden]

Thanks for sharing. It's good to hear people sharing about some of the issues that we have to deal with other than just the technical aspects of treating cancer. Of course I'm not saying those technical discussions aren't important, but there is so much going on dealing with this disease and I don't see much sharing about those aspects.

I can relate to the diabetic cat since one of our two was also diagnosed with diabetes. We had to pay a lot of money for diagnosis and blood sugar monitoring before we learned how to do it ourselves. Insulin isn't cheap either and now we have to buy an entire box at a time.

Have to be honest, I've become resentful at times that I am a stage 4 cancer patient who is a caregiver for a cat. The first time I thought about it, I just started laughing. But then, I'd rather be a caregiver than be in a position where I need someone taking care of me full time. So I shouldn't complain? My feeling is as long as I am able to do it, I will. But once my cancer and/or treatments becomes overwhelming, either my wife or someone else will be the cat's caregiver.

I'm glad you are still able to do some things you enjoy and can also travel.

Do you just have to continue doing chemotherapy or is there some number of cycles they are giving you?

[tom67inMA in reply to Hidden]

My wife is doing 99% of the cat care. I can relate to your feelings a bit. Our cat's diagnosis seemed to be the punchline of 2020, and of course it's not fair the cat gets sick while im fighting my battles, or that the cars have issues and need maintenance. I really wish the world could just be put on pause until I'm feeling better.

My infusions are immunotherapy. Technically they could be called chemotherapy, but they aren't directly toxic to all tissues like docetaxel or carboplatin. I need to ask the doctor if there's an end to it. My wife seems to recall hearing it will last for 2 years. I'd true, that still feels like forever.

[Hidden in reply to tom67inMA]

Ok, I thought you were still doing chemotherapy with Carboplatin. That's good that you are not still having to deal with that.

I am sharing the cat duties with my wife until I can't. It's fine for now and that's all I focus on anyway.

I think the 2 years is correct with immunotherapy, that's typically how long they do it as far as I know.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Agreed Gregg. The tech stuff gets old

[SPEEDYX]

Can relate I have a dog with Cushing's and Diabetes...the mornings are especially rough before work....fight on treatments are evolving!!!

[tango65]

Thanks for sharing.! Best of luck on your journey!

[Cheerr]

Thanks for the sharing Tom. Congrats on the near 2 year mark. Here’s wishing you many more

[Doseydoe]

Hi Tom, I enjoyed reading your post. We are similar in many ways as I use to have two acres in the mountains with a small cabin, wood fire and no TV. Happy Days. I managed 9 docetaxel infusions and went straight into radiation which finished last Friday. My PCa extended into my bladder as well which forced me to get a stent to save my left kidney. Better than an external bag. I hope you get your stent out soon as I know how uncomfortable they are. I pee blood everyday. Hang in there Tom, once the stent is out you'll be able to get fitter, cheers 😎DD.

[tom67inMA in reply to Doseydoe]

Yes, much better than an external bag. I had a catheter for 10 days and really don't miss it. Some days I'm barely aware of the stent. Today it feels like I'm getting stabbed when I move the wrong way.

[GoBucks in reply to tom67inMA]

Don't move that way! Thanks for the update. Love your writing.

[tom67inMA in reply to GoBucks]

Problem is "moving the wrong way" included hitting the brake pedal when driving. I switched seats with the wife after that one.

[Lyubov in reply to Doseydoe]

Hey, Doeseydoe -- my hubby has external urine bag now for almost 6 weeks following 2 ER visits for blockages & in effort to raise up to large diameter catheter so he can return to self-cathing once a day. It will be another 2-1/2 weeks until the catheter & bag are removed. In the meantime off & on bleeding continues. I can't imagine where it's coming from.

[Hidden in reply to Lyubov]

Good luck to him getting out of those.🙏

[Doseydoe in reply to Lyubov]

The blood maybe caused from the tubes rubbing internally. It will be a good day when the bag is removed. Hang in there 👍😎DD.

[Hidden in reply to Doseydoe]

Hey Dosey! That cabin sounds good to me ! As one that had both stents and bags I hope you get better . Hope is treatments are nblock your urology for good!✌️

[Doseydoe in reply to Hidden]

Hey Wimpster, it was a good ten years working on the property. My bride and I would work all day, on the tractor slashing, brush cutting, planting trees, fixing fences, plumbing etc. Then light the bon fire and make a camp oven dinner. A few beers and a glass of wine. Watch the stars and dream of the future. Work took us to another town and while we kept it going for another 4 years, we eventually sold it a couple of years ago and bought a caravan. That's part if our future now. We find a nice beach or mountain stream and stay for a few day them move on, bliss. I will finish up with work in December and will go on longer trips. The Radio finished last Friday and the side effects will hopefully subside in the coming weeks. I'm due for stent change in October, hopefully the stent will just be removed, fingers crossed🤞 Hope you and yours are doing OK brother, cheers👍😎

[tom67inMA in reply to Doseydoe]

I have a urology appointment in October to discuss my stent. The competitive side of me wants to make this into a "lose the stent" race.

[Doseydoe in reply to tom67inMA]

I won't mind coming second so long as the stent gets removed on the 22nd of October. My RO says it's a 50 /50 but it depends on how much effect the additional 3 chemo sessions and the VMAT had on the size of tumors and, what the Urologist thinks when he gets inside with his MK 1 eyeball 👀. On your marks,........ 😁👍

[timotur]

Tom, you've handled the curveball of NEPC quite well in the last year. Your running has probably helped a lot, if nothing else, elevating your mood from the feel-good effect of circulating endorphins and endocannabinoids in the bloodstream. Wishing you good luck through this treatment. -- Tim

[Muffin2019]

Pets are so comforting especially when they cuddle, i have a 15 year old cat with diabetes that requires 2 shots a day, he needs me and I need him.

[Hidden]

EMOTIONS? That’s half of the pc battle.

[tom67inMA in reply to Hidden]

And yet somehow I avoided the worst emotions for the first 20 or so months. I'm pretty sure a year ago I sounded like "cancer is the greatest thing to happen to me" at times.

You posted recently about some new tool you had that you use for about an hour, and then you were spent for the day. I'm in a very similar place right now, and it does take some getting used to.

[Hidden in reply to tom67inMA]

No stamina or endurance. I was never a endurance athlete. Just a guy with pretty good health. I’m m 59 . yet I feel 80 mostly. I’m not complaining . I’m happy to be alive .. we all get ground down to the bottom of the barrel. It’s about lessened expectations ..for me.. being happy in an altered state . Kind of like “Abbey Normal” in young Frankenstein! 😳

[j-o-h-n]

Good Blog as usual....you fighting cancer, stent pain, dizzy and tired, cat has diabetes, chopping wood in vermont, but worse grievance, no t.v.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 09/21/2020 10:45 PM DST

[tom67inMA in reply to j-o-h-n]

Didn't Homer Simpson once say something to the effect of TV giving so much and asking so little? What I didn't mention is the good cellular reception so Netflix, YouTube, etc. are still available to me.

[Hidden in reply to tom67inMA]

Check out “ My self reliance” video on you tube. Guy builds by hand cabin and lives off grid for years. Amazing ! He never speaks , just gets up everyday with his fog and status’s building shit ! 👏🏼👏🏼

[tom67inMA in reply to Hidden]

I'll have to check that out.

[Hidden in reply to tom67inMA]

He can build anything with only hand tools. 🛠

[j-o-h-n]

Hey he wrote the SilliIliad and the Ocean cruise, so whatever Homer says it's good by me.... Good reception? and I was feeling sorry for you..........geezamacripe.... and I wasted good sorrow time.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Tuesday 09/22/2020 1:48 PM DST

[Hidden in reply to j-o-h-n]

Doh!😂