Emergency spinal surgery 3 days from starting the car t trial at Dana Farber.

[Faith1111]

So my brother Bob was 3 days from a Car T trial when the pain became excruciating under his ribs and chest. The pain started three weeks previously but would come and go so he was taking OxyContin to get get a bit of relief. Unfortunately, over a period of two days his walking started to get bizzare It was as if he was losing control of his legs.

His wife called the doctor and the doctor told Chris to get him to the hospital at once. Well it’s a 2 1/2 hour drive. Bob says it was the worst of his life. By the time he got there they had to take him in a stretcher because he lost the ability to walk. He went into emergency surgery and fortunately got an incredible surgeon. He told Bob that he would have been completely paralyzed had he waited even 24 hours longer.

The day after surgery the doc doing rounds noticed some concerning things and it turned out Bob had developed a blood clot in his legs which moved to his lung. Back into surgery to put in a mesh screen.

So after a week at Brigham and Womens in Boston and then another week at a rehab facility he is now home and learning to walk again.

He continues on blood thinners, gabapentin and some pain meds. The surgeon was not able to remove the entire met as he carved out a chunk of his spine and replaced it with a rod and pins.

So, back to Boston on Monday for an MRI . He may need SBRT to the remaining met. We are praying they can do SBRT because the radiologist said the rod and pins complicate things as they create a shadow on the scan. Plus the surgery is so fresh

Up to this point Bob had felt good and was still active. He got a good eight months out of Keytruda and was looking forward to the car t trial.

My concern is he has been off treatments since his last infusion of Keytruda on November 17. The last scan showed his Mets stable except for this massive one on his spine.

Bob sure is a fighter. He has gone through a lot lately and is working hard to regain his walking. He is receiving therapy at home.

So, sorry for the long post but I just wanted to give an update. Faith

[Ramp7]

Prayers reaching out to Bob.

[Faith1111 in reply to Ramp7]

Thank you so much

[Javelin18]

Amazing fortitude. I pray they can irradiate the other met.

One showed up on my 3rd lumbar vertebra last week, which is pressing on the nerve root that feeds my upper leg. Doing oxydodone for the first time, with radiation next week.

Whenever I get to caught in my own problems, I come here and see the overwhelming courage of others. Blessings to him and you.

[Faith1111 in reply to Javelin18]

Yes, I feel the same way as you. I have learned so much from others here. I pray that your radiation is able to get rid of that met. I am happy that you are getting treatment early enough to prevent what my brother went through. I will keep you in my prayers

[HopingForTheBest1]

Really sorry to hear what Bob has been going through. As always your posts, no matter what the length, are very helpful. Glad to hear he continues to fight as best he can.

[Faith1111]

Nal God works in ways we often overlook because it’s not what we expect. On That fateful Friday morning before I opened my eyes I prayed that Bob would have a very good day. I prayed that it would just be a great day for him. His wife had gone to work very tearful and her boss told her she should go home and be with her husband who was in some serious pain at that point. Chris left work and went home and that is when she took one look at Bob and said I’m calling the doctor immediately. It was because she was sent home that Bob received emergency surgery. Had he not gotten there that day or had she not come home from work until after five he probably would never walk again. So while I prayed for a good day for Bob it wasn’t what I was thinking but it was a miraculous day looking back. I guess we all have to find the light sometimes in a dark journey. We have been blessed with the best doctors and nurses that have been placed in our path. So although these are difficult times, I thank God for walking beside us.

[Yadifan in reply to Faith1111]

Thank you for your update. There are a lot of us following your journey. Hoping that you get encouraging news on Monday. What a heartbreaking chain of events but how nice to read of you finding "light in the dark journey". Sometimes we need to dig deep to find it but it's always there. God bless Bob and you and your family. Hoping for good news.

[Faith1111]

Thank you for your kind words. I know you are having your own battle right now and that your trial has failed. I pray that you make the right decision whether it be chemo or BAT. Bob went through chemo very early on in his treatment. He received Docetaxel and truly had very few side effects. Prayers for you as you go forward

[NotAlwaysSunshine]

Thank you for the update, Faith. I have been thinking about your brother. Sending you all prayers and hope that Bob has a better day!

[Faith1111 in reply to NotAlwaysSunshine]

Thank you so much.

[Curehunter]

Sorry to hear about your brother, hope he is recovering. I had a similar experience just before Christmas and ended up with double spinal compression. Still in hospital after 7 weeks. Will need to learn to stand and walk again myself. No treatment until I am well enough, but likely to be chemotherapy next.

[j-o-h-n]

May Bob start walking fast enough to catch up to all the women who are after him. Give him my regards. BTW using a nice cane is sort of sexy......

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 01/29/2022 5:00 PM EST