This is likely to be the last blog wherein I share information about my medical condition. I have a lot of other small writing projects nearing completion so come back often for a look-see.
We met on Tuesday with our family physician, Joy Falkenburg and talked about “end of life” issues. She asked if we had had this conversation and we said no. She told us that the cancer tumor, toward the end, stimulates the production of pleural effusions (fluid in the lungs). And that it may be necessary to drain that fluid (thoracentesis) on a regular basis. Her goal is to make us as comfortable as possible with this aspect of my disease. I have to say that we both think Dr. Joy is an angel, we both love her so much.
My mother told me that her second husband, Bob Heintz, who died of lung cancer, was getting thoracentesis every other month before he died. My first thoracentesis was early this year, so I have a way to go.
A couple of weeks ago I had a thoracentesis. They identified about 2 liters of fluid but I stopped the procedure after 1,100 ml due to pain. The doctor called the pain pleurisy, it is considered normal as the lungs expand into the space previously occupied by fluid and lasts only a few hours ( the pain is excruciating). They gave me opioids for the pain. (I took 2 and put the rest away.)
I am not in any pain, there is some irritation in my chest, there is a lot of coughing and my stomach is upset most of the time, on occasion, I throw up for no reason and with no notice. For the most part, lung cancer really sucks! Dr. Falkenburg prescribed a skin patch that is used for motion sickness that she thinks will reduce some of the stomach upset.
I told Dr. Joy that my on again and off again stomach made it difficult to plan anything in advance and she said, buy the tickets, take a chance, you may feel better that day and might enjoy yourself. Good advice.
The cat scan at the beginning of November showed a nonsignificant change in my tumor. It was remarkable, to me anyway, that the tumor changes shape, sometimes it is longer, it is kind of cylindrical shaped, sometimes it is bigger in diameter and then other times it looks more like a bean. I have been on Keytruda since January. But important to remember, chemotherapy agents for lung cancer, generally, don't work longer than a year or so.
I had another thoracentesis this past Thursday to remove the remaining fluid from my left lung, they removed 900 ml, for a total of 2 liters (2 quarts and a bit) in a month. I took the oxycodone before the procedure and that really helped me deal with the pleurisy pain. I was sore the rest of the day and breathing better. Dr. Falkenburg said in response to my question about why they don't drain the right side is due to the location of the tumor.
We met with Chamberlain McColley Funeral Home on Wednesday and made all the arrangements for my funeral. I was concerned about what Carol would do if I died on our trip and wanted to have everything sorted out before we left. I am going to be cremated in my judogi with a black belt and a purple heart jo that was made for me by Alan Duppler, one of my judo students. I will take the judogi and jo on the trip, if I die away from Custer, I would be cremated there and shipped back to Custer. I am going to be interred in the National Cemetary with Military Honors in Sturgis. Carol will have a wake in Custer for our friends here and then later in Fargo for friends and relatives there.
The biggest problem for me is breathing. Even with oxygen, it is difficult to move across the room without huffing and puffing and that is at a shuffling, half-mile pace.
I am thinking I have maybe 2 to 3 months remaining, Carol is thinking that it may be more like 6 months. I have beat the odds before, so she may be right.
I am keeping busy. I read a book a week. I have been writing about my experiences with judo and have correspondence going on with several judo experts. And there is a fair amount of time just looking out the window, watching the trees dance in the breeze, deer grazing the grass and birds visiting the bird feeder, while drinking a cup of coffee. Life is good!
Again, I want to thank all of you who have kept us in their thoughts and prayers. You are all such wonderful friends.
Love,
Van
