I have not been feeling like my old self for the past several months, had appointments to remove and replace the pace maker I had with the newest, latest greatest version with the de fib as part of this unit ... Got that done, was having problems breathing so based on a stress test result I was told an angiogram was probably a good idea ... They found an artery 90% + percent blocked so they placed 2 stents and added Plavix to my daily diet of medication coupled with the coumadin ( blood thinner) ... I felt a small lump on the left side of my throat, put that on the bottom of my list until I got all of the good stuff done with my heart ... I finally got around to attending to this lump and the Doctor was ( seemed to be ) very concerned and said it has to be removed ASAP ... Had the C/T scan the Doctor said it was a lymph node so off we go again to the operating room for this adventure ... I was told by the Doctor AFTER the surgery there was a tumor on the lymph node, he could net get all of it but they sent it to the lab and it came back malignant, two others samples did not ... I have had a C/T scan, pet scan and am currently seeing 2 Oncologist and a Specialized surgeon to try and eliminate this cancer in my neck on the left and right side ... I will know what treatments they come up with in a week so have to see where we go from there ... I was told several times how serious this is by all of the attending Doctors so I even believe it at this point in time ... For now everything appears to be stable but I told the Doctors I do not want to waste time with tests, lets please get something done ... I have got several calls from many friends all Praying for me and a quick recovery, I appreciate them and Thank you all from the bottom of my Heart ... See what happens as we go from here ... WPT ... (YAC) ...
So after phone calls up the butt for the past 3 days and today I get to go for my 3 rd second opinion so they can come up with a plan of attack ( Chemo and radiation) , they are saying I am not a good candidate for surgery because of surgical procedures ( 3) since April ... The ideal time between them is 6 months depending on which one you are talking to ... I have 2 surgeons, 2 Oncologists that are working on the plan, while I wait figuring lets do something kids ... They found Cancer in my neck (both sides ) , said they cannot find where it started but based on the test results figure it started in the right tonsil ... I am no Doctor but it seems to me logically it started in my neck or tonsil, no other source showed on the pet scan ... I will be very interested to see how this goes Friday once all of the tests are compiled and the Radiation Oncologist gives me the news ... It appears the Medical Profession is not what it used to be either, GOD help us ... Thank you everyone for the Prayers, based on the way it is going I figure I need all the help I can get ... WPT ... (YAC) ... The Doctor (Surgeon) who was to be the third, second opinion cancelled until 08/27/ 21, the others so far are still a go ... Ken, Some how going into a burning building was less stressful and confusing ... A few rescues were iffy at best ...
As I said before Bill you are a Fireman and you can beat this. You cheated death many a time, you can do it again
Well, finally got all of the test results compiled, 2 Oncologist, 2 surgeons (specialist) , 2 ENT's (ear, nose throat) , the cancer originated in the right tonsil spread to neck muscles (lymph nodes) on both sides ... The Doctor's (2 of them) said if I can get through the treatments this is very curable, said the treatments can be worse than the disease itself and will cause a lot of pain, unable to speak, have problems swallowing food (possible feeding tube ) , and very dry mouth which would increase the problems swallowing ... I asked if I would be able to play the Piano when we get done, Doctor said sure, no problem I said good because I can't play it now ... Have to get a Port placed for the Chemo but have to be off blood thinners for 5 days, assuming treatments should start after that (soon) .... I sure will be happy to get this behind me, hoping it don't beat me up to bad ... WPT ... (YAC) ... See yah, when I see yah ... Thank you everyone for your Prayers and well wishes, I owes you ...
Best wishes for a full recovery Bill. You have to get better, who else is going to hit the "like" button on my posts? I kinda got away from the praying when I finished 12 years of Catholic education but I can assure you every day I clock on to our site I will be saying a little something to the man upstairs telling him to take care of you. Hang Tough and get well
