Posted: 9/19/2023 1:16:36 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Bo_Knows][Edited]
|
Update: 09/28 I was admitted to the hospital. After a couple of days and many tests, the doctors believe the cancer is causing the vomiting. Looking at the PET scan, the cancer is spread in a way similar to birdshot would be if I would have been shot in the stomach. They cannot remove it because there are so many small tumors spread out. I will be taking chemo to hopefully shrink the tumors and keep the cancer at bay. One of the biggest obstacles to overcome in order to get chemo is to get some nutrients in me. They have been feeding me through my IV and today they put a feeding tube in. The tube was placed in a way that I will not vomit up the food that goes down it. In fact, they crushed a pill and mixed it with water then gave it to me via my new tube. I feel so much better tonight after getting some nutrition. I had hit 110lbs on Monday morning, but my doctors were able to stop the decline and it seems I have gained a pound. God is good and he is still in charge and on the throne. Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers. It means so much to me. Bo Update: 09/19/23 I’m going to fight. If I go down it will be while kicking and screaming and covered in someone else’s blood. Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts. Also for the offers to talk if needed. . I’ve been fighting esophagus cancer for 3 years. It’s been a long 3 years and I’ve been in remission, then had it come back, then remission again. I have been having some issues the last couple months including a hospital stay for a collapsed lung. I had a PET scan Friday and was able to confirm today at the oncologist office, what i thought I saw on the scan report Saturday. My cancer is back. It has metastasized into my liver, stomach, bowels and general abdominal area. The Doctor also gave me 2 choices today 1. No Treatment and let it run is course. His “best guess” is I may get 3-6 months. 2. Another round of chemotherapy. If the chemo works, maybe 9 months to a year. I understand he doesn’t know how long and these are just best guesses, but it gives me an idea of what I’m looking forward to. My knee jerk reaction is to fight. I can not imagine going down without a fight. I’m going to sleep on it and pray about the next few days, but I will probably fight. I’m 53 yrs old and have a 21 yr old boy who is doing really good. He is in an apprenticeship program and on track to become an electrician. I also have a 14 yr old daughter who really needs her dad to be around for a while longer. She is a good kid, but she needs a dad. I’m divorced but get along pretty well with my ex who only lives a few blocks away. My ex is a good mom and person and will probably end up helping me when I get down even more. She is doing it for her kids. Today I weigh 114lbs. I am 6’ and weighed 200lbs when I was diagnosed. I can barely eat now and 80% I do get down comes back up within 30 minutes. I’m not sure my body will live through another round of chemo. This is probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made and I’m going to have to make it on my own. If you’re feeling it, I could sure use some prayers and especially prayers to help me make a good choice. I am in moderate to severe pain due to the cancer. I’m also vomiting a lot and have no appetite. The Doctor has had me on THC pills for the nausea and appetite and Percocet for the pain. I am also in a round of steroids so I have to dance with the Ambien walrus just about every night or else I would get any sleep. Today he put me on morphine. All that just to say and explain that the medication is probably causing me to post more than I used to. I might also say some things I wouldn’t normally say. I apologize if I get a little goofy with my posts in the next few months. I have always enjoyed this place and have spent probably way more time on it then I should have. I don’t have any “friends” here to speak of and most of you probably won’t notice me when I’m gone, but thank you guys for the entertainment and information. This is not a “I’m giving up” thread. I’m sure I will continue to fight as I have fought before, it’s just been a long day with some pretty high ups and downs and I needed to write it down. Thanks for listening and reading this far. Cancer sucks Trust me… Bo Knows cancer 
|
Part time instructor, full time student
Joined:
Jul 2003
Posts:
12661
EE: 100% (2)
AL, USA
|
My prayers are with you. Your head is already in the right place because you are thinking about your children and how to make the most of the time with them. My dad died suddenly with no warning when I was 21 and even a few hours would have made a big difference to me. |
|
Originally Posted By TheOldRepublic: That's rough. Fuck cancer. Prayers sent for you and your family Any idea what may have caused your cancer? It's ok if you don't wish to talk about it. Smoking and not controlling my acid reflux. The cancer started at the base of my esophagus near the stomach. Acid reflux probably caused it more than the smoking did. Still I wish I had never smoked. |
|
I will pray for you. I am fighting cancer too. I have a case of colangiocarcinoma, also known as bile duct cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. I understand the loss of appetite, weight, and the toll it plays on your mind. I promised to fight it to all of my loved ones and friends.You can fight it. If you fight it and win again, great. If you fight it and go down, be comforted in the fact that there will be people who knew you fought it and did not raise the white flag. May God be on your side. May you FIGHT ON and be victorious. |
|
Prayers for you, my friend. Tough choice between the two, but your mention of your daughter tells me you already know your path. |
RIP Tamurand a damn fine Rhodesian Ridgeback 02-09-14
RIP Kaya, an equally fine Yellow Lab 06-08-2015
RIP Millie the Destroyer, AKA ShitTrumpet, WCCorgi 12-21-2015
NORCAL CALLSIGN: YODEL
Happy to be in ALASKA!
RIP Kaya, an equally fine Yellow Lab 06-08-2015
RIP Millie the Destroyer, AKA ShitTrumpet, WCCorgi 12-21-2015
NORCAL CALLSIGN: YODEL
Happy to be in ALASKA!
|
I'm sorry good buddy. I've got a sister in law that has sarcoma, automatic stage 4. She's done two rounds of chemotherapy. I've seen and heard how bad it is, she really felt like skipping it and just let it ride the second time around, but she got back in there and fought. I pray all the best for you and the family. |
|
When I read threads like this one I usually pray, "Lord, use these circumstances to get this person to be concerned about his soul and not just his body, and to be concerned about his sin against you and consider what you did so that he might receive forgiveness of sins and everlasting life." But I don't have to pray that prayer for you because "Bo knows Jesus!" Sorry you have to go through this brother, but I know you know Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you. He might cure you, or he might take you home. I think you will be a winner either way. |
|
I'm sorry to hear that If palliative care (it isn't hospice) is an option consider it during treatment. Sometimes managing symptoms and help with appetite can help treatment last longer, not always, but there is rarely a downside |
601 601 601 601 601 601 601 601 601 601 601 601
Joined:
Aug 2003
Posts:
91740
EE: 100% (42)
WA, USA
|
Thank you for sharing your situation. I am truly sorry that you and your family are going through this. I pray for you and your family. As a father with children your age I feel a personal connection with your situation. Be strong and love those kids. Extra prayers for you sir. |
|
I won't tell you what to do because I'm not in your shoes. Many people will say they know what they would do, but nobody ever really knows, until they are faced with the situation. It's kind of like what Mike Tyson says: "Everybody has a plan, until they get punched in the face". But I will tell you this: I am also 53 years old. I also have a 14 year old daughter. My father died suddenly when I was 14. I knew then and I know even more now at 53 and with a 14 year old daughter of my own that I needed every second more that I could have had with him. Every....single...second. And my daughter needs me and needs every second more that I can give her. And it's almost a certainty that your daughter needs the same. Whatever you decide, may God give you peace, and bless you and your family. |