in july I had an episode where I could not walk at all unless I crabbed along supporting myself with two hands against the wall and even then i was in conciderable pain. The dr. Put me on steroids and strong pain killers. Didn't help.
sure enough had a fall, broke my femur ....metal rod and four screws.
five monthe later it still had not healed. Heaps of exrays and scans of every type and then a biopsy. Not good news at all.
Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma Diagnosed in December. A medical team is established of three specialist Drs. And a cancer nurse with weekly meetings arranged. i am impressed by the care, the unlimired time they give to me and not the least their qualifications. I think maybe because of its rareity extra Drs. Are sitting in. Best approach they aggree is the removal of my leg, hip And half my pelvis because unfortunately this rare cancer does not respond to any cancer treatment except surgery. Unfortunately it spread to other organs rapidly. Unfortunately there's not enough meat left after removal for any type of pirate peg. The surgery need to be immediate.
past occupation has seem me endure some pretty odd chemicals, gases and generally wild circumstances so my guess that is somewhere in that is it's cause but it's not really known how it originates.
i have decided removing a quarter of my body is not going to happen. I am a strongly independent single man and it's hard to imagine life with A body like that. Drs. Say one maybe two years then.
Starting chemo on the 22rd. it's not to treat the cancer because it is known it won't work against what I have instead it's to slow its spread of it to other organs and hopefully extend my life.
That's pretty drastic news Ralph and I'm not sure I'd be as brave as you are in accepting it but I'd like to think I would do as you and reject the surgical option.
We're all entering the age bracket where any one of us can at any time get a tap on the shoulder not that that is any comfort to you.
I hope the chemo does some good.
By the way, how did you come by being called 'chicken strangler'.....gotta be a good story there!!
Thanks Denis. I am a bit curious about what others would do given my circumstances. Run a finger up the inside of your leg to just below a kidney and that's what they wanted to remove. it could save my life and remove the cancer but even them if you look at the survival rates X time after surgery is it worth the trouble?
Funny enough the Nic is also about survival. It's about living off the land with just a bit of rope and a knife. Don't talk about it much but some understand.
WOW Ralph - like you I would not want to lose a third of my body - would rather try and look for some alternative medical assistance, maybe after the chemo, which in itself is a nasty "cure". I see you are still a reasonably young man, keep your spirits up, research, ask questions, learn truly what you are up against.
Best of luck to you - keep us informed of your progress, you have friends on here who do care.
__________________
jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
I truly don't know what to say Ralph. Can't say Get Well Soon. Can't say Hope it all goes well. No I wouldn't want a large mass of my body removed, no way. I would try some alternative treatments. Not sure in your case if that would help. Some I'm trying at the moment is Tumeric. And Dandelion Root Tea which I add honey and coconut milk to. In the future if I need to I will be looking into Medicinal Cannabis Oil. I'm so sorry I don't have any answers for you but know that I will be be thinking of you and following your progress.
-- Edited by Happywanderer on Saturday 13th of January 2018 07:29:56 PM
Thanks Denis. I am a bit curious about what others would do given my circumstances. Run a finger up the inside of your leg to just below a kidney and that's what they wanted to remove. it could save my life and remove the cancer but even them if you look at the survival rates X time after surgery is it worth the trouble?
Funny enough the Nic is also about survival. It's about living off the land with just a bit of rope and a knife. Don't talk about it much but some understand.
Ralph
chicken strangler.
In that case Ralph no way could you go the surgical way - that's sacrifice not survival.
Hey Denis. Some spoken words worth thinking about in your post, " that's sacrifice not survival "
i had a fall today luckily I was with company here at home. It hurts like crazy right now and I can't really walk. I think this is a good indication of exactly what my future holds. I'm going to have a fall. I'm not going to be able to move as so to enable me to seek help. I'll be stuffed.
Thanks every one for your good wishes. Keep an eye out in the for sale section here some bargains to be had.
Being a solo gives rise to some special challenges Heath wise right now. I appreciate everyone's support here. It helps me to be able To talk about things so i will continue to do so.
Thanks Leo, Santa. Two falls this week. The first was just embarrassing but the second was not. I could not get up off the ground, it took me some time To do so. When i eventually did there was no damage. The problem is spasmodic unpredictable pain. A sudden hit of it sees me looking for some thing to grab hold of, nothing there then I collapse To the ground.
I have done away with my walking stick because I found it was of no help in getting me up off the ground so now I am using a walker. shopping for food is differcult as is bathing and keeping up with every day chores. By biggest worry is breaking another bone after a fall with no one to help me recover.
I am not sure if I should keep posting like this. Wondering what purpose it serves for me or anyone.
Thanks Leo, Santa. Two falls this week. The first was just embarrassing but the second was not. I could not get up off the ground, it took me some time To do so. When i eventually did there was no damage. The problem is spasmodic unpredictable pain. A sudden hit of it sees me looking for some thing to grab hold of, nothing there then I collapse To the ground.
I have done away with my walking stick because I found it was of no help in getting me up off the ground so now I am using a walker. shopping for food is differcult as is bathing and keeping up with every day chores. By biggest worry is breaking another bone after a fall with no one to help me recover.
I am not sure if I should keep posting like this. Wondering what purpose it serves for me or anyone.
Ralph
chicken strangler
Keep posting Ralph.
It helps to put your thoughts and feelings into words as well as being able to talk to people.
Do you have any form of medical alert system, your GP may be able to help set something up.
Ralph, there seems to be no doubt that you are in need of some assistance - call everybody's friendly help at the Sally's salvos.org.au/need-help/ They are always there when you need them and no need to be a "God Botherer" for them. I've known some of their Padre's that have gone the extra mile when called upon.
Best wishes and Prayers,
Possum.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
Thanks Leo, Santa. Two falls this week. The first was just embarrassing but the second was not. I could not get up off the ground, it took me some time To do so. When i eventually did there was no damage. The problem is spasmodic unpredictable pain. A sudden hit of it sees me looking for some thing to grab hold of, nothing there then I collapse To the ground.
I have done away with my walking stick because I found it was of no help in getting me up off the ground so now I am using a walker. shopping for food is differcult as is bathing and keeping up with every day chores. By biggest worry is breaking another bone after a fall with no one to help me recover.
I am not sure if I should keep posting like this. Wondering what purpose it serves for me or anyone.
Ralph
chicken strangler
G'day Ralph - Your sure should be posting this - we try and support our members (even if only electronically) on here, I think we do pretty well - so lean on us a bit, talk to us - we care that you need to share.
__________________
jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
Please keep posting Ralph. There are those amongst us who would like to be there for support, ideas or even physical help if in your area.
We all feel your pain and anguish in this situation and wish you the best.
Well today was big Monday, decisions had to be made. consulted with my bone Team consulted with my cancer team. I have asked for and it was granted the highest level chemo possible and that it continue until I can take no more. So next week starting tuesday I have a four day stay in hospital then a break for tree weeks then another four day stay continuing untill I have had enough and can take no more. The chemo team say five rotations probably.
I have decided also i will go ahead with the quarter amputation after the chemo is done . Leg, hip and some pelvis to go! Quarter of me! My driver is simple and you probably won't understand but it works like this. I have no family but some loyal friends, I love my independence. I have a pet parrot. Yep hehehe a Parrot ! last week I was forced to try and decide what I should do with him should I die or head that way. Sell him, give him away etc. well he's an Eclectus somewhat rare and most certainly differcult to feed and look after. Some say in the top ten smartest animals on earth. He's unbelievable. Well I can't sell him, I can't give him away, I see it as my duty since I domesticated him to begin with that I care for him. So here I go! Yet another fight!
Might be a week or two before I report again. But I shall.
Good luck Ralph. Will be thinking of you as you go through your chemo treatment. Certainly a lot tougher than mine just over a year ago. I had a full day every two weeks.
Stay strong and follow your oncologist's instructions.
I can only re-iterate what every-one else has said Ralph. Just remember we'll all be with you in Spirit, helping to pull you through. We can NOT leave the Parrot an orphan. .
Second day of chemo and not feeling to bad. yet. No flowers for me from visitors but I have received a half bottle of Jonny red, a fall bottle of st Agnes brandy, a bottle of coke and three bags of chips. No nuts yet But theres still time.
Hehehe. Just seen the ward doctor and I asked him if it's possible to up the strength of treatment mainly because I fell great right now when possibly I shouldn't and I want to have the very best chance of Survival. Some pain now lots of gain later maybe.
Four days treatment right? Two days gone already.Hidden Spirits and mixers available now right? If I have a leaving chemo and hospital party on the last day what can they do??
Like your sense of humor Ralph. Enjoy the food and drinks. Real flowers are a "no no" for chemo patients anyway, not allowed in the room. I am following your posts and wish you all the
best. Cheers, Gaylene.