Yesterday I saw Dr. George. My blood was drawn and I was given the go ahead for chemo. But I told her of my inclination to take some time off from chemo and my reasoning. She suggested I contact hospice. Well, that was not her immediate response but the topic did come up. I’m opting out of that for now too.
Dr. George was actually very supportive of my idea. I gave her every opportunity to talk me back into chemo but even the Chemo Kaiser doesn’t have enough faith in this regimen to insist on it. She even raised another argument in favor of taking time off; the risk/reward consideration. There’s the risk of doing damage to the kidneys or further compromising my immune system with little expectation of reward.
Dr. George has helped me implement my plan with gusto. Tomorrow I will see a kidney specialist to assess the current condition of my kidneys. Hopefully we’ll find out they can tolerate some more abuse. I’ll also see a gastroenterologist to get advise about the ascites. We will consider a semi-permanent catheter so I can drain the fluid out myself on a daily basis. Some people have suggested this to me previously but I’ve resisted because I’m afraid it will be restrictive. I probably don’t have a choice now. I still have to schedule the MUGA test to see if my heart can take more Herceptin.
So my hope is to prepare my body for a full attack on the disease in a few weeks. If things don’t work out, by that time I may be ready to talk to hospice.
Carry on.
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You are amazing! I've never known anyone to take matters into their own hands the way you have. Mostly we just say "fix me, doc", and hope they have the right answers. Carry on!
ReplyDeleteJ. Keime
Praying for good news for you (as always). You are such an inspiration to everyone. A great warrior fighting the terrible beast...
ReplyDeleteHugs and Prayers from OHIO
~Bridget
My heart dropped when I read the word hospice. May you have peace with your decisions Jerry. I know you're choosing the best ones possible.
ReplyDeleteI've read a lot of info with people having amazing results from all natural cures. I never could get Johnny to try a damn one of them, so I can't say from personal experience, but It can't hurt to try. If I ever get cancer I'm going the holistic approach. If it doesn't work, then I'll just get to see John sooner.
ReplyDeleteLove you,
T. Hawker
I have been following your story since my dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in August of last year. I want to thank you for bringing a little bit of peace and perspective into the world with every post you write. Thank you for sharing your journey. Ps. My dad had photodynamic therapy and is having periodic endoscopys to make sure the cancer doesn't present again.
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