BBFCM Cancer treatment UPDATE......:

65stanger

big blue fuzzy closet monster
Founding Member
As many know by now, I have been under going treatments for a recurrence of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a very aggressive form of cancer involving the white cells in my blood. I have had a few request re: updates on what is going on, and how I am doing. So to make that easier I am posting here a copy of my weekly e-mail update that I send to friends and family. I e-mailed this update last night............

btw....it is also why you may have seen a lot of my replies involve ":puke:"

BBFCM said:
Fritz-O-Gram #52 1 September 2004

O.K. Folks, this is gonna be a long one............

The good news, as I reported last time, is that the last PET scan showed a "significant reduction" in metabolic activity of the lymphoma mass. Sorry, I cannot be more specific, but PET scans only show "hot" spots, but trust me when I say this is GOOD!

I went into the Brook on Thursday Aug. 26th for my latest treatment, Rituxan followed by Round 3 (three days) of chemo, and came home feeling even pukier than the first two rounds. I keep reminding myself, "I will feel better........eventually"

Here's where it gets lengthy.......I had a discussion with my oncologist regarding where we are going from here. He is of the opinion (and I really do trust his opinions!!!) that my lymphoma is either in remission, or rapidly heading there. It was then that he outlined two possible treatment options.

Option One: (Not his preferred): Would be continued treatment with Rituxan on a bi-monthly basis for several months, followed by monthly treatments, etc., etc. The KEY reason this is NOT the preferred option at this point is this.....Rituxan is a relatively new therapy and they simply do not have the clinical data to support it in the long term. (i.e.:cure)

Option Two: (Preferred) Is an autologeous stem cell transplant. Meaning that they will harvest my stem cells...(oh goody.....we're in the right season for a harvest!) and while these stem cells are prepped I will receive HIGH DOSE chemo (geez, and I thought I was pukey before!) to completely eliminate my immune system. Then, once my body has been purged (in more ways then one) I would receive my own stem cells back, much like receiving a blood transfusion. To this end, I have an appointment today with the Transplant Specialist at the Brook.
Now everyone is asking, "But Fritz, what about the allogeneic stem cells harvested from your brother?" We will be holding those in reserve in case the autologeous doesn't take, or should the lymphoma be stupid enough to pick yet another fight with me a year or two down the line.

Here's the rub friends, and here's where I will need your help and your prayers:
For the stem cell transplant I will be in the hospital (in an isolation room) for three weeks, after which I will recuperate at home for approximately three months. I will need help from my locals (i.e.: co-workers at San Simeon, my FD family, and friends at ELIH, etc....) with everything from grocery shopping, laundry, meals, visiting, etc., etc.......You've been asking "How Can I Help?" Well here is your chance. I will also need help organizing it all. And please, please, please, don't forget me while I am in the hospital....Just because I will be in isolation doesn't mean you cannot visit!

It also means that I will be going back on Disability very shortly (along with medical leave from the FD).......The real kicker here being that our Brilliant Bureaucrats at the Social Security Administration ( <--------oxymoron) managed to overpay me by seven months last time, so I probably won't see dime one from the SSA until I am back at work for another six months! As it is now I've been stretching that overpayment and am praying to GOD it lasts until I can return to work......hopefully in January. I also hope to be well enough to attend our Annual Ladies Night / Installation Banquet for the East Marion FD in January.

There you have it. Again, I thank each and everyone for their support, I could NOT do it without you!
My Love and Prayers to all.
Fritz
 
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Thanks for the update, Fritz..... work has kept me up to my a$$ in alligators (boss is out of town for two weeks and, in addition to my usual "roving troubleshooter" job, I'm stuck at his desk again :bang: ) ; so I haven't had time to check my Qwest.com email for your F-O-G's.

I'm gonna PM you my gmail account address (spam-proof and available at home); hoping you can get it in your address book before you go in.


Good luck, ol' buddy.
 
StangDreamin' said:
Thanks for the update, Fritz..... work has kept me up to my a$$ in alligators (boss is out of town for two weeks and, in addition to my usual "roving troubleshooter" job, I'm stuck at his desk again :bang: ) ; so I haven't had time to check my Qwest.com email for your F-O-G's.

I'm gonna PM you my gmail account address (spam-proof and available at home); hoping you can get it in your address book before you go in.

Good luck, ol' buddy.
I wasn't aware there were alligators in Yuma......Are they the kind people refer to as "Gila Monsters"?:scratch:
mustang70 said:
Hey Fritz, somehow you got knocked off my msn list. Could you give me your id so I can put you back on it? Then I can bug you when you get home.
I don't use MSN messenger any more, but if you'd (or anyone else for that matter) would like, if you e-mail me your e-mail address I would be more than happy to add you to my "Fritz-O-Gram" list.
2nd Mustang said:
Keep the faith and don't forget us too! BTW, leave the nurses alone so they can help you!
:lol: Two things wrong with that! 1) I am a nurse.... :( and B) (Ever hear the expression, "The heart is willing, but the flesh is weak"?) Most times I feel soooooo crappy 'bout all I can do is look and dream.......:nonono: I won't even get into what the chemo has done to the plumbing.................:(
jikelly said:
Best of Luck Fritz.
Thank You! :hail2:

The weekend before I went in for the third round of chemo, my brother and sister-in-law came to visit from NH.......Anna turned to me at one point and said she was gonna call "OverHaulin'" and get the Mustang done.....I smiled and told her that when I go in for the stem cells would be the perfect time, I would arrange to have the basement unlocked so Chip etal. could get the parts and "I'll give you a list of what I would like done to her!" :D
 
65stanger said:
I wasn't aware there were alligators in Yuma......Are they the kind people refer to as "Gila Monsters"?:scratch:
I don't use MSN messenger any more, but if you'd (or anyone else for that matter) would like, if you e-mail me your e-mail address I would be more than happy to add you to my "Fritz-O-Gram" list.
:lol: Two things wrong with that! 1) I am a nurse.... :( and B) (Ever hear the expression, "The heart is willing, but the flesh is weak"?) Most times I feel soooooo crappy 'bout all I can do is look and dream.......:nonono: I won't even get into what the chemo has done to the plumbing.................:(
Thank You! :hail2:

The weekend before I went in for the third round of chemo, my brother and sister-in-law came to visit from NH.......Anna turned to me at one point and said she was gonna call "OverHaulin'" and get the Mustang done.....I smiled and told her that when I go in for the stem cells would be the perfect time, I would arrange to have the basement unlocked so Chip etal. could get the parts and "I'll give you a list of what I would like done to her!" :D

Fritz- add me to the F-O-G also, BTW email me the list of things you'd like done ;)
 
oboebrian said:
Fritz- add me to the F-O-G also, BTW email me the list of things you'd like done ;)
I need your e-mail address............

Plans for "sally": Review the CD I sent you to give you an idea where I want to start/upgrade from......
finish undercarraige repairs (mostly front frame from shock towers forward)
new front suspension (have 99% of parts) to V8 specs w/ 1" shelby drop
granada front disc conversion
install export brace and monte carlo bar (in basement)
sub-frame connectors (i really like the TCP two-kit style...need)
swap out 7.5 rear for 8" with 3.50 or 3.55 gearing
all new brakes/lines/etc......install appropriate dual chamber MC (currently have '67 MC w/ = sized chambers....need one w/ larger front for front disc/rear drum.........)
'65 styled steel wheels....ARGENT (widest tyres possible!!!)
complete body work and paint.....replace L rear qtr, R lwr qtr, doors, pass. rocker panel etc., etc...."R" style front valance (need), dual exhuast rear valance (need), rechrome or paint bumpers to match, shelby (cougar?) style sequential rear taillights, '65 shelby side and hood scoops, buff/repair rest of chrome incl. GT Fog lights, paint original IVY GREEN, w/ possibly (?) GT350 style stripping "ghosted" in gold.
Interior/Electrical new under dash harness (need) for dash w/ guages (have guages...need to be rebuilt) wood trim accent to guages (need new bezel), wood grain glove box door (I have wood knobs/shifter handle/steering wheel), custom wood package tray w/ cutouts for speakers, repair? replace driver's seat....?new buckets....seat belts (3pt or 5pt...depending on front seats) new carpet (ivy gold?) (needed), door "pony" style interior panels (need), int color scheme=Palomino w/ wood gr. accents...
CD player (hidden changer?) TO FIT EXISTING DASH OPENING w/ speakers in rear deck, rally-pac
Drive-train I-6 built up w/ Clifffords perf. package (aussie head/2v carb, etc., etc....), 200 ci, possibly bored/(?)stroked to 250, ceramic coated headers into dual exhuast, either rebuild C4 tran (? powder coat casing?) or an AOD swap............

Does that cover it?:scratch: Think Chip Foose can handle it?:scratch: Instead of 7 days, they can use the full 21 days I'll be in the hospital!!!:D:D:D

That would be an AWESOME Get Well present!!!:nice::nice::nice:


BTW- I'll be sure to act appropriately surprised at the "OverHaulin'"!
 
Please add me to the Fritz-O-Gram list as well.

Miss Avatar Chick will remain in her nurse outfit until you're in the clear. Then maybe she'll even don a skimpy bikini for you (something to look forward to :p).

-Chelle
 
t_chelle16 said:
Please add me to the Fritz-O-Gram list as well.

Miss Avatar Chick will remain in her nurse outfit until you're in the clear. Then maybe she'll even don a skimpy bikini for you (something to look forward to :p).

-Chelle


Now THAT would be something to look forward to. Make it a yeller polkadot one.
 
t_chelle16 said:
Please add me to the Fritz-O-Gram list as well.

Miss Avatar Chick will remain in her nurse outfit until you're in the clear. Then maybe she'll even don a skimpy bikini for you (something to look forward to :p).

-Chelle
Geez...talk about pressure.......if I don't get better quick StangDreamin' will KILL me!!! :rlaugh:
 
Best of luck, Stanger. My Mom had the stem cell harvest thing done 4 years ago for her Leukemia treatment. So far, so good, but we still have our fingers crossed.

Hope it goes as well for you. We will all keep our fingers crossed.
 
Dang Fritz, I visit the forum less and didn't know you were fighting it again. My wife and I will keep you in our prayers (as will the monkeys ;) ). I will e-mail you my personal e-mail address to add to the fritz-o-gram list. I know I'm way ovr here on the correct coast, but if there is any thing I can do don't hesitate to contact me. Kick it's ass for good this time :banana:

Dwain (gp001)
 
DarkBuddha said:
As always, I'm in awe of your sense of courage and enduring positive attitude. I wish you the best of luck with your treatment and the speediest of recoveries. Keep up the good fight! :nice:
I wish I could take credit for it. Truth beknown, I draw my strength from my family, friends and neighbors. It has been the support of those around me that has kept me going from the very first way back in '99. My faith has also been very important too, and I am a firm believer in the power of prayer.

It's an amazing thing, back when I first started with Fritz-O-Grams (June '00), it was to keep family and immediate friends informed, and to take that burden (or numerous phone calls) from my siblings. Within months there were several hundred "subscribers", most or whom I never knew, from all over. In addition, I have many people of many, many faiths praying for me!

My thanks to EVERYONE! :hail2::hail2::hail2:
 
Hey Cowboy!

I'm glad I'm on your F.O.G. list, as well as having the enjoyment of a Factory Five visit with you. Get better so I can strap your A** in COBRASK8 when it's on the road for a hellacious ride!


(see, aren't you glad I made you post it, rather than me?)
 
chepsk8 said:
Hey Cowboy!

I'm glad I'm on your F.O.G. list, as well as having the enjoyment of a Factory Five visit with you. Get better so I can strap your A** in COBRASK8 when it's on the road for a hellacious ride!


(see, aren't you glad I made you post it, rather than me?)
Ya, ya, ya, but you know ol' humble me....I don't like calling attention to myself. :rolleyes:

Now go read Oboe's and my previous posts re: OverHaulin, and you and Oboe get on the phone with Chip and start setting it up! It could very well be a unique episode!:D;)



**EDIT** I cannot wait for a ride in COBRASK8, I'd also love to see her out here for the Annual Boy Scout Car Show (which btw, is tomorrow!) parked right next to "sally", w/us in our lawn chairs sipping cold refreshments as the assembled masses :drool:!!!