Category Archives: Cancer

3/16/2018 Oncologist Update

18 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by in Cancer, Family, Leukemia, Photography

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Oncologist Update: Because of some miscommunications with the insurance company, go figure, I have not been approved to be on my new medicine yet. I may end up walking the paperwork to the department myself if they keep losing it. Anyway, it’s been six weeks or more since I’ve had any CML meds and we, more so me than the doctor it seems, are starting to get a little concerned that my numbers might get a little high. If the insurance company approves the meds, it could take up to three weeks before my meds arrive. Nothing to do but wait. But, as luck would have it, the representative for the new drug was there in his office. He gave my doctor a card for a free 30 day supply which should arrive by Tuesday of next week. This should give my insurance company time to process my approval for this drug.

Bloodwork. It’s been six weeks since my last lab. My last one wasn’t good at all. Every one of my numbers was either very high or very low. Yesterday’s numbers were normal for the most part. This was in large part the effect of the drug I was on. The side effects just made my daily life impossible to deal with.

New Drug: Bosulif is the name of the new drug. Right now I’ve been on two of the most common and there are only a few left that is approved by the FDA. Thanks to Karen Davis-Hudson she eased my mind about some of the side effects that were mentioned in the insert. However, Karen, I think you mentioned that 1/10 developed fluid retention, my doctor said 4/10. Not that much of a difference. The other side effects I think I can handle.

The Good News: The doctor and I both agree that the fluid in my lungs is gone and we’re going to have a positive attitude that it will not return and that this medicine will be the last one I have to be on because this one will work. I can breathe, my color is back and most importantly, I feel good. So much so, that if the weather holds, I’m going to try to get my bicycle out one day this weekend.

This is all due to all the prayers that have been lifted up for me and my family. Thank you so much.

Another One Got Their Wings

11 Sunday Mar 2018

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Today I got the news that a co-worker passed away.  We were kind of expecting it but still, nonetheless.  He’s had kidney problems most of his adult life and has had two transplants.  This wasn’t what he died of though.  He had a stroke during Christmas and never really got over it.  He’s had several mini strokes since then.  He left his daughter of 21 years.

This was the third one in about a month.  My 80-year-old aunt died from complications from diabetes, my bothers mother in law died from bone cancer and now my co-worker.  I hope this will be the last one for a while.

Memories of a Winter Day

06 Tuesday Mar 2018

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Taken just before Christmas on my way home from work.  So afraid of another “Snowmageddon” which left over 1,000 people stranded at work for three days, our company decided to let us go home early.  We don’t get much snow down here in the deep south but when we do it shuts down the entire city/state.

A dash cam captured my trip from work to the first traffic light.  I edited it and added music to try to make it more interesting.

Hope you enjoy.

Retirement

06 Tuesday Mar 2018

Posted by in Cancer, Uncategorized, Weight Loss

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Only 163 more days. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, although dim, I can still see it. Some days, like today, it seems that it will never get here. I’m not exactly sure what I’ll be doing once I retire but I’m sure it won’t be dealing with some of the crap that I have to deal with now on a daily basis. I know that I’ll have to find something to do otherwise I’ll get as big as the side of the barn. I have several hobbies that will keep me from sitting on the couch and there’s always yard work to do. Maybe I’ll find a job that I can drive people around a couple days a week. Who knows?

Update 3/4/2018

04 Sunday Mar 2018

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I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted an update and I do apologize for that. With my health such a roller coaster and my job is as crazy as it is well, I just haven’t taken the time to write.

First of all, let me say that I’m feeling better today than I have in years.  Seriously, with all the crap my body has been going through, it’s about time.  But, I have a feeling that it’s about to change for the worse again.

We found out that the meds for my CML was causing all the fluid to build up around my heart and lungs; more so the lungs.  In short, the oncologist took me off my meds and my pulmonologist took 1.5 liters of fluid off my left lung.  He left fluid in my right lung due to him not wanting the infection to set in on either or both the lungs.  A heavy dose of Lasix and now my right lung is clear of fluid.  In two weeks I see my oncologist and a new med will be prescribed and one of the main side effects is fluid retention.  Oh well, it was good while it lasted.

At this writing, I will be retiring on August 15th of this year.  After 32 years I’ve finally had enough, well, I’ve had enough long ago but I can officially retire when I turn 55 so I’m turning in my notice.  I’ve got a lot of hobbies so I know I will stay busy.

I’m working on a Youtube video about the tornado that went through our city back in 2011 and I’m doing some test shots with my drone.  Let me know what you think of it.  In the video that I’m working on, I will hopefully show some areas of our city that still shows some damage that the tornado left.  I will also show areas of major improvements that wouldn’t have happened if the tornado hadn’t visited our city.

There’s a lot more going on but I’ll post about it later.  I hope you enjoy the video.

 

Tim

Good News/Bad News

04 Sunday Jun 2017

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Bad news first.  My Leukemia is back.  Got a call from my oncologist on Friday and he told me that my numbers were back up.  I’m to increase my dosage and go see him in six weeks for more blood work.  Nothing else to do until then so there’s no since in crying over spilt milk.

Now for the good news.  I’ve started doing the low carb diet.  I’m limiting my carbs to 35 to 40 per day.  I started last Saturday and I’ve lost close to ten pounds this week.  I know most of it is water weight but hell, then pounds is ten pounds.  Another plus is that my sugar has been a lot better as well.  It dropped about 30 points this week.

I went hiking yesterday with the wife.  I won’t go into too much detail here because I want to do a review of this waterfall on another post.  It wasn’t but a two mile hike but the steep hill made it much more of an exercise event for me.  We had to stop several times comeing back for me to catch my breath.  I can’t wait until I get back in shape again.

On another note; my weight loss journey started when my weight got to 345lbs.  My ultimate goal is around 225lbs.  Until recently I thought I’d never reach that goal.  I can now see a light at the end of the tunnel.  It’s very dim mind you but it’s there. Today’s weighin was 268lbs. It won’t be long until I reach my mini goal of 265lbs.  It’s taken me five years to get down to where I’m at.  Will it take me another five years to reach my ultimate goal? I hope not.

A Little Slow

05 Friday May 2017

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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The weather here in the deep south has been less than perfect for bike riding for me.  The last two days it’s been a rainy, dreary day.  Today the temperature hardly rose above the mid 50’s mark.  Tomorrow is forcasted to be warmer but not until mid afternoon.  My plan is to either get a twenty mile in on Saturday or wait until Sunday when I should have more time.

My last ride broke the 100 mile mark.  That’s pretty good considering that only six months ago I was considering selling my bike because of my health.  I’m looking forward to much healther days along with miles and miles of riding.

Happy Trails

Birmingham Corperate Challenge

29 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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I had an opportunity to ride in the 10k bicycle ride in the Brimingham Coporate Challenge. I’ve been able to get some riding done in preporation for this ride.  Just last week I was able to get over thirteen miles in so that really helped.  Our company came in 2nd in the bicyle strole and 2nd overall of all the companies that participated.

All is going pretty well I guess but I had a little scare the other day.  After my longest ride I noticed while taking a shower I was spitting blood.  I washed out my mouth several times and what came out was dark red.  I called one of my cardiologist the next morning and I spend the rest of the day tracking down all my other doctors as well.  I think that the final diagnosis was that I had some sinus issues and my heavy breathing causing my mouth to get dry aggravated it.

Back in the Saddle Again!

23 Sunday Apr 2017

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything but my absence hasn’t been anything bad.  My health has steady improved so much so that I’ve tried to start riding my bike again.  I was a bit concerned when I got started because I actually thought that something was still wrong with my breathing.  I talked with cardiologist about  this and he just informed me that I was out of shape.  After all, it’s been nearly two years since I’ve been on my bike.

When I first started back I was in for a huge disappointment.  I heard about a bike ride that is held on every Sunday.  It ranges from 8 to 10 miles.  Remember those 20 mile rides I used to do every day?  Lol.  Not any more.  After about three miles I knew I was in serious trouble.  So many hills and I couldn’t remember how to clip in my peddles.  In fact, before the ride even began I fell flat on my face trying to clip in.  We stopped so many times waiting on the slower people that I think that’s what actually wore me out trying to clip in to those damn peddles.  I realized then that I needed to ride around the house for a bit and get reacquainted with my bike.  Shorted ride 1.34 miles, Longest ride thus far 13.48 miles.  I’m averaging about 10 mph.

There is a ride in June called the Hot Hundred.  You got it, it’s a 100 mile ride with smaller rides available.  The shortest is a 29 mile ride that I used to ride in.  I have my hopes of riding it this year.  After my 13 mile ride I have my doubts.  I still may get to ride it, after all it’s in June.  It’s something that I’m working toward.  If I don’t this year, there’s always next.

 

Update 2/19/17

19 Sunday Feb 2017

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Depression, Family, Leukemia, Twins

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My health has steadily improved over the past several months with the exception of a sciatic nerve pain issue in my right hip.  I’ve been dealing with it since right before Christmas.  It has gotten better but I did end up getting a pain block this past Friday.  Not sure if it worked or not.

A couple of nights before Christmas, one of my daughters and I had a fallen  out.  Because of my health there were some changes made with my job.  One of which was a huge pay cut.  This daughter of mine loves to go out and shop when ever she’s home.  I’ve tried talking to her about my job status but it still didn’t matter.  I cut lose on her, which I now regret.  I left the house upset, jumped into my truck and didn’t make it far before I parked into a parking lot and lost it.  I guess it had been building up for a long time and I just couldn’t hold it in any longer.  I’m doing better now I guess.  I haven’t had an episode like that since but I do miss my girls tremendously when they’re away at school.

Got plans to start riding my bicycle next week.  Found a couple of small groups that don’t go too far and are easy rides.  I think I’ll do better riding with someone else verses riding by myself at least till my health really improves.

That’s it for now.