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Back from the dead

Started by Mike Cl, May 28, 2022, 09:45:28 PM

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Mike Cl

Bone marrow biopsy yesterday.  Not as I expected; but I did not really know what to expect.  I felt the needle used to deliver the numbing agent.  After that I felt only pressure, no pain.  She took two samples; one of the material within the bone and a bone sample.  It took about 40 min. total and I got to have a good pain pill prior to the biopsy and one after.  I was impressed with her skills.  Glad that is over, but it will still take 2 weeks for the results.  I really, really, would like to get on with whatever treatment I need.
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?<br />Then he is not omnipotent,<br />Is he able but not willing?<br />Then whence cometh evil?<br />Is he neither able or willing?<br />Then why call him god?

Dark Lightning

Good to know that it won't hurt so much, I'd heard that they can be quite painful. I'll be getting one eventually, but we're in "wait and see" mode, for now.

Mike Cl

Quote from: Dark Lightning on October 14, 2022, 12:25:10 PMGood to know that it won't hurt so much, I'd heard that they can be quite painful. I'll be getting one eventually, but we're in "wait and see" mode, for now.
I don't know if this is the exception rather than the rule, but little to no pain.  The location may matter--she took mine from my lower back, sort of where the 'dimple' appears on so many lower backs; nowhere near the spine.  I hope whatever your condition is, it does not get worse.
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?<br />Then he is not omnipotent,<br />Is he able but not willing?<br />Then whence cometh evil?<br />Is he neither able or willing?<br />Then why call him god?

Dark Lightning

Quote from: Mike Cl on October 14, 2022, 04:30:59 PMI don't know if this is the exception rather than the rule, but little to no pain.  The location may matter--she took mine from my lower back, sort of where the 'dimple' appears on so many lower backs; nowhere near the spine.  I hope whatever your condition is, it does not get worse.

There are about 1 in 4 odds that it will result in cancer inside my bones, which is inoperable, and I would not submit myself to the other option, which is killing it with x-rays. That can't possibly be good for the rest of my body. So far so good, but the immediate result is that I have anemia because the red blood cell production cells in the marrow are crowded out by the other, bad cells...which will eventually start dissolving my bones from the inside. Seems like some sick horror film plot. :/ The only saving grace is that it grows extremely slowly. I suspect it was brought on by all the nasty chemicals I handled in the Navy and for years after that, working as a mechanic. Some of the chemicals I handled are known carcinogens, but not necessarily determined to be that at the time.

Mike Cl

Quote from: Dark Lightning on October 14, 2022, 04:54:53 PMThere are about 1 in 4 odds that it will result in cancer inside my bones, which is inoperable, and I would not submit myself to the other option, which is killing it with x-rays. That can't possibly be good for the rest of my body. So far so good, but the immediate result is that I have anemia because the red blood cell production cells in the marrow are crowded out by the other, bad cells...which will eventually start dissolving my bones from the inside. Seems like some sick horror film plot. :/ The only saving grace is that it grows extremely slowly. I suspect it was brought on by all the nasty chemicals I handled in the Navy and for years after that, working as a mechanic. Some of the chemicals I handled are known carcinogens, but not necessarily determined to be that at the time.
I am so sorry to hear that!!!  Let's hope that that never comes to pass.  I'm 77 and I still don't know exactly what my condition is nor how to make it better, or if I can even make it better.  The Dr. seems to think it is treatable, but she also indicated she will not know until after these new tests are complete.  I have been more aware of making every day I have be as productive/enjoyable as possible.  I won't go down without a fight, but I also realize that I've lived past most of my relatives and I have enjoyed what I have lived.  I really do hope you are always on the side of the 25% for the rest of your life!  Good luck!!!!
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?<br />Then he is not omnipotent,<br />Is he able but not willing?<br />Then whence cometh evil?<br />Is he neither able or willing?<br />Then why call him god?

Dark Lightning

It's going to be a long slow slide, thanks! I joked with my doctor about what's going to kill me first. She got a little tense, but I explained that I had no death wish, just an acceptance that it eventually happen, anyway. I also have a calcified aorta they tell me. That was discovered during a nuclear stress test. Also failing kidneys that don't require medication, yet. Oh, and yay(?) I got my CPAP machine today! This is the shit that hits when one gets old. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Mike Cl

Quote from: Dark Lightning on October 14, 2022, 06:58:16 PMIt's going to be a long slow slide, thanks! I joked with my doctor about what's going to kill me first. She got a little tense, but I explained that I had no death wish, just an acceptance that it eventually happen, anyway. I also have a calcified aorta they tell me. That was discovered during a nuclear stress test. Also failing kidneys that don't require medication, yet. Oh, and yay(?) I got my CPAP machine today! This is the shit that hits when one gets old. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Yeah, I hear you there.  Growing old is not for the weak--as my mom often said. :)) She was so right.  I used a cpap for over 10 years and quickly grew to love it.  Not sure why a new Dr. took me off, but I still miss it.  One can only hope all that stuff takes it slow sweet time!
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?<br />Then he is not omnipotent,<br />Is he able but not willing?<br />Then whence cometh evil?<br />Is he neither able or willing?<br />Then why call him god?

Dark Lightning

Quote from: Mike Cl on October 14, 2022, 08:05:19 PMYeah, I hear you there.  Growing old is not for the weak--as my mom often said. :)) She was so right.  I used a cpap for over 10 years and quickly grew to love it.  Not sure why a new Dr. took me off, but I still miss it.  One can only hope all that stuff takes it slow sweet time!

Eh, once born, you're bound to die. Based on my family history, I had NO expectation of living this long. Many bonus years, so far. If anyone is concerned about the possibility of my imminent demise, don't be. Life is what it is. There have been a couple of times where, if I hadn't made it (ruptured appendix, '74, perforated bowel because of scar tissue resulting from that appendix issue, '96), I'd've been dead before this forum was even a gleam in the internet's eye.

Please don't anyone pity/feel sorry for me. I'm 70 years old, and life is what it is. My only hope is that if I do kick off, that you all would be notified, as opposed to wondering (as if anyone did, lol) wtf happened to me. I DID wonder what was going on with Unbeliever, for example, but I've been known to take a break from forums for some extended periods. I'M NOT DEAD, YET! lol I haven't mentioned this anywhere else on the internet, because of how people might react. Please treat me like you would normally treat a poster that you didn't have this information about. Nothing about me is different from before. Well, fuck, now I wish I had not made the original post. Please don't treat me liked a kicked dog.

Mike Cl

Quote from: Dark Lightning on October 14, 2022, 10:50:42 PMEh, once born, you're bound to die. Based on my family history, I had NO expectation of living this long. Many bonus years, so far. If anyone is concerned about the possibility of my imminent demise, don't be. Life is what it is. There have been a couple of times where, if I hadn't made it (ruptured appendix, '74, perforated bowel because of scar tissue resulting from that appendix issue, '96), I'd've been dead before this forum was even a gleam in the internet's eye.

Please don't anyone pity/feel sorry for me. I'm 70 years old, and life is what it is. My only hope is that if I do kick off, that you all would be notified, as opposed to wondering (as if anyone did, lol) wtf happened to me. I DID wonder what was going on with Unbeliever, for example, but I've been known to take a break from forums for some extended periods. I'M NOT DEAD, YET! lol I haven't mentioned this anywhere else on the internet, because of how people might react. Please treat me like you would normally treat a poster that you didn't have this information about. Nothing about me is different from before. Well, fuck, now I wish I had not made the original post. Please don't treat me liked a kicked dog.
Like a kicked dog??  No way!  Unless I'm doing the kicking.  :)))  I'm like you, I haven't shared this anywhere else on the net.  I posted my issues here because maybe somebody else has had experience with getting a biopsy.  I do not/did not pity you, or anybody else on this forum.  I do feel sympathy/empathy for many, but this is not pity.  I am like you in that I am not afraid of dying or slowly falling apart--that is life and the life I've lived so far has been pretty good.  I will die sometime--not rushing to do that, but when it comes, I'm good with that.  I see you think the same.  And I think most of the regular posters here feel the same as well. 
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?<br />Then he is not omnipotent,<br />Is he able but not willing?<br />Then whence cometh evil?<br />Is he neither able or willing?<br />Then why call him god?

Dark Lightning

Kind of hijacked your thread, sorry. I'm a long way from dying, but I've seen when people admit to something like this, other people avoid them due to the discomfort. I guess "kicked dog" is the wrong metaphor. And thanks for the kind words!

Mike Cl

Quote from: Dark Lightning on October 16, 2022, 09:33:01 AMKind of hijacked your thread, sorry. I'm a long way from dying, but I've seen when people admit to something like this, other people avoid them due to the discomfort. I guess "kicked dog" is the wrong metaphor. And thanks for the kind words!
Can't hijack this thread.  And I like the way you think.  I've also noticed people avoiding those they think of as being 'wounded'.  I don't see you that way--nor do I see myself that way, either.  There is only one certainty in life and that is everything dies, even us.  I have been dying for 77 years and I will continue the process.  I will die, I just don't know how or when, but I'm still very much interested in the journey.  My current condition is new to me; and part of me finds these new symptoms and system failures as interesting.  The other part wants to try and fix it as best can be done.  So, I'm still interested in sticking around for awhile.  I have no intention treating you any different than any other poster on this board.   
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?<br />Then he is not omnipotent,<br />Is he able but not willing?<br />Then whence cometh evil?<br />Is he neither able or willing?<br />Then why call him god?

Unbeliever

I have a friend (the one true friend I've ever had) who is 82 y.o. and still running track and field events all over the country. He mostly runs hurdles and high jumps, but other stuff as well. I, on the other hand, can barely walk to Safeway due to having smoked for nearly 50 years. But now that I haven't smoked in a year and a half I'm hoping to get better. This getting old crap does, indeed, suck!
God Not Found
"There is a sucker born-again every minute." - C. Spellman

Dark Lightning

My youngest brother (11 years my junior) is a cancer survivor. Chemo, surgery and radiation have left him in pretty bad shape. He was told he had 8 to 10 years of low quality life left, 6 years ago. He can walk about a mile and then will be wiped out through the next day. He can't work anymore, and it took the SS Administration many months to come up with a determination for full benefits. Once that process started, the state cut that disability benefit, so he got nothing for months. He'd be on the street right now if I hadn't moved everything out of the dining area and built a partition. He'll be here until year's end, when he's accumulated enough funds to move to his own place.

Mike Cl

Saw Dr. yesterday and it is official; I have myelodysplasia syndrome (mds) (myelo=marrow; dysplasia= misshapen)--that means my bone marrow produces red blood cells that are teardrop shaped and are too big, plus they die in half the time they are supposed to.  Good news is no leukemia or cancer.  And I have the simplest type, called single-linage mds because only the one type of cell is affected.  There is no known specific cause; age is one factor in that most people with mds are over 60.  Treatment will be 4 shots of procrit, one shot a week.  After that another blood test to see what, if any, improvement has been made.  If so, I guess more procrit.  Each individual has a unique treatment plan so there will be some trial and error going on.  It is a life long condition, so I hope I have this syndrome for many, many more years!!   
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?<br />Then he is not omnipotent,<br />Is he able but not willing?<br />Then whence cometh evil?<br />Is he neither able or willing?<br />Then why call him god?

Cassia

I hope the treatments works well....and I am very glad the other tests are negative! Future walks in gardens await!