Register | Sign In


Understanding through Discussion


EvC Forum active members: 63 (9161 total)
4 online now:
Newest Member: popoi
Post Volume: Total: 915,578 Year: 2,835/9,624 Month: 680/1,588 Week: 86/229 Day: 58/28 Hour: 0/4


Thread  Details

Email This Thread
Newer Topic | Older Topic
  
Author Topic:   Cancer Survivors
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1395 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 1 of 325 (374249)
01-03-2007 10:30 PM


My name is Paul Smith
I'm 59
I have Follicular Lymphoma
and I'm a survivor
Here's an update for my 'icon' self:
Links:
Welcome lymphomation.org - BlueHost.com
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/.../TypesofNHL/Follicular
http://pleiad.umdnj.edu/hemepath/follicular/follicular.html
What Is The Diagnosis and Staging of Follicular Lymphoma?
Follicular Lymphoma | Lymphoma Survival Online Community
lymph -noun
1. Anatomy, Physiology. a clear yellowish, slightly alkaline, coagulable fluid, containing white blood cells in a liquid resembling blood plasma, that is derived from the tissues of the body and conveyed to the bloodstream by the lymphatic vessels.
I was first diagnosed in September 2005, and underwent chemo-therapy for 4 months, 6 sessions every 3 weeks. This reduced the lymphoma to baseline levels and I was declared in remission.
It also left me with little energy and strength, and it took me another 3 months or so after treatment was finished to regain enough strength and energy to get back on my bicycle and train for the annual ride with a friend (who does a mile for every year on his birthday). He's a young whipper-snapper, so we did his 57 miles in august, and I felt that I was well on the way to recovery.
In november the lymphoma came back from remission, more aggressive than before, and I am now in chemo-therapy again. I've had the second course in this session. The drugs are different and more aggressive as well -- these cancer cells survived the last session, so the same drugs will not help anymore - that's evolution for you.
I did not lose my hair last time, but I am losing it this time (but it's only temporary ned). Chemo-therapy tends to attack all the fast growing cells in the body, so in addition to the cancer cell growth it can affect hair growth and the growth of new brain connections ...
One of the other effects of chemo-therapy is called "chemo-brain" and it affects short term memory and the ability to operate at your full mental capacity. Going in the first time I was not aware of how much this affected me. I noticed the loss in memory from continually forgetting little things, like shopping lists, and the ability issue from doing sudoku puzzles, but I wasn't really aware of the depths of this loss until later coming back out and regaining most if not all (I think) of those abilities in the months following the end of treatment.
I expect this to happen again this time, so I expect my input here to dip in quantity and quality for a while. It is not intentional, and I don't believe it will be permanent.
I've talked to other survivors and they have similar stories. I expect there are a number of people here who also have similar experiences and may want or need to talk about them. I am interested in those stories.
Because lymphoma is diffuse throughout the body radiation cannot be used without risk of damage to several organs. Chemo-therapy cannot eliminate it either, so this means that this cancer as yet has no complete cure, just treatment to hold it at bay. Research is focusing on stem cell and bone marrow transplants coupled with extreme chemo-therapy designed to kill as much of the cancer as possible - along with all the white blood cells and bone stem cells that produce new white blood cells, then injecting the new stem cells to make new lymph, hopefully without the cancer. This is the best hope for cure of this kind of cancer.
Of course fetal stem cells would offer even more chance of cure without rejection problems, but we are now 6 years further from this research -- due to narrow-minded religious dogma derived policy based on ignorance that declares unused and unwanted fetal cells more important than existing human life. So while I may have had some frustration at fundamentalists before over this issue, it has become a little personal now. I don't want to discuss the issue of stem cell research here, I just note this so that those who do have an objection to stem cell research can understand that my anger may be invoked at it. Nor will I apologize for or excuse my opinion on this matter -- it is how I feel.
If you want to help, you can sign up to World Community Grid and let your computer work on solving cancer among other problems confronting human life on this planet.
See HIV Cancer Diabetes MDA and more - Solve on your computer for details:
quote:
More info (if you need it) at:
../projects_showcase/viewResearch.do
To join go to
World Community Grid
After you join as a member, join our team by selecting "join a team" and then go to {T section page 3} to pick "Team EvC" to join ("Team" is part of the team name, so we are the Team EvC Team).
To download the BOINC agent go to
World Community Grid
I recommend the BOINC agent over the standard UD agent, as that one can cause jerky mouse action unless throttled down, and the throttle mechanism is not that good.
This too has become personal for me, but it is for ALL cancer victims (as well as Muscular Dystrophy and AIDS\HIV victims), not just for me: it can be for someone you know personally.
In closing I would like to say
  • I would like to discuss other stories of survival.
  • I do NOT want to discuss the pros and cons of stem cell research here.
  • Some people will feel they need to pray for me - personally I don't believe in the "power" of prayer (being a Deist), but go ahead if that is what you feel you need to do - all I ask is that you also let your machine do some "buddhist prayer wheel" type work by signing up at worldcommunitygrid.org and running the program with the unused portion of your computer.
  • I expect to survive this round, and come out riding 59 miles in august this year ... and getting my hair back.
Thank you for your support.
Edited by RAZD, : none needed
Edited by RAZD, : .
Edited by RAZD, : glitch in translation

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
Rebel American Zen Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


• • • Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click) • • •

Replies to this message:
 Message 4 by U can call me Cookie, posted 01-05-2007 1:31 AM RAZD has seen this message but not replied
 Message 5 by anglagard, posted 01-05-2007 1:49 AM RAZD has seen this message but not replied
 Message 6 by jar, posted 01-05-2007 12:11 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied
 Message 7 by cavediver, posted 01-05-2007 1:20 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied
 Message 8 by Hyroglyphx, posted 01-05-2007 1:28 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied
 Message 10 by scoff, posted 01-05-2007 2:09 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied
 Message 17 by DorfMan, posted 01-08-2007 10:56 AM RAZD has replied
 Message 19 by nator, posted 01-08-2007 2:32 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied
 Message 21 by Omnivorous, posted 01-08-2007 10:33 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied
 Message 22 by duf31, posted 01-09-2007 6:52 AM RAZD has seen this message but not replied
 Message 24 by RAZD, posted 01-28-2007 7:31 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied
 Message 256 by RAZD, posted 04-18-2012 8:33 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied
 Message 271 by Asgara, posted 07-30-2012 6:41 PM RAZD has replied

  
AdminPhat
Inactive Member


Message 2 of 325 (374297)
01-04-2007 1:07 AM


Inspired trials and tribulations
Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.
Is this you, RAZD? If so, I congratulate you on your attitude! You are an inspiration. (Phat used to ride bikes until recently...but is inspired by your story to ride again!)
Edited by AdminPhat, :

Replies to this message:
 Message 3 by RAZD, posted 01-04-2007 7:18 AM AdminPhat has seen this message but not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1395 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 3 of 325 (374327)
01-04-2007 7:18 AM
Reply to: Message 2 by AdminPhat
01-04-2007 1:07 AM


Re: Inspired trials and tribulations
Yes this is me. Thanks for promoting the topic.
Edited by RAZD, : .

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by AdminPhat, posted 01-04-2007 1:07 AM AdminPhat has seen this message but not replied

  
U can call me Cookie
Member (Idle past 4943 days)
Posts: 228
From: jo'burg, RSA
Joined: 11-15-2005


Message 4 of 325 (374632)
01-05-2007 1:31 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by RAZD
01-03-2007 10:30 PM


I salute you, RAZD.
One, for having fought through this before, and having the strength of will to fight again.
And also, for getting up onto the EVC platform and giving voice to it.
I wish you all the best in this fight. I'm sure i can safely say, that we all look forward to your recovery.
Edited by U can call me Cookie, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by RAZD, posted 01-03-2007 10:30 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

  
anglagard
Member (Idle past 826 days)
Posts: 2339
From: Socorro, New Mexico USA
Joined: 03-18-2006


Message 5 of 325 (374635)
01-05-2007 1:49 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by RAZD
01-03-2007 10:30 PM


I pray for your recovery. You are my primary source of scientific information here.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by RAZD, posted 01-03-2007 10:30 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 384 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 6 of 325 (374694)
01-05-2007 12:11 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by RAZD
01-03-2007 10:30 PM


Prayers continuing for you sir.
I am part of a large family. I am the oldest and my brother John was born almost 4 years to the day after me. It seems that my parents experience coitus interruptus in the form of a World War.
John grew up and joined the Navy. He applied and was accepted for submarine duty and reported to training in Florida. On his first assent he busted an ear drum and so was washed out of submarines. He transfered to sub tenders wanting to still be involved with that service, and was assigned to a tender out of Charleston, SC. Unfortunately, or fortunately, it was spread out over several acres of the Charleston Naval Shipyard for refurb.
During his time in Charleston he went to college and graduated in nursing. He served the rest of his tour of duty as a nurse both here and in Guam.
After the service he went into pediatric nursing and very rapidly rose to become head nurse in pediatrics. He was one of those folk really pushing to change the way pediatrics was practiced, to change the environment to one that would lessen fear, increase encouragement and hasten recovery for the kids.
When John was only in his early thirties he began to experience problems. His fine motor skills decreased and he began having troubles standing for long periods. At first there were many diagnoses and it was several years before MD became the accepted one.
By that time John was walking with canes, spending more time in a wheel chair and limited in his mobility. He could no longer work as a charge nurse but his mind was still as useful as ever. He became a teacher, being sent from school to school, hospital to hospital, lecture and class. He helped teach a whole new approach to pediatric care to a growing body of Doctors and Nurses.
Eventually MD and the treatments began affecting both his short term memory and his speaking. He had to give up even the teaching and lecturing.
In the last year, new drug treatments have allowed John to regain both his short term memory as well as most of his speaking ability, but the muscular damage is real and it will progress.
My brother WILL die of MD.
There is hope for others though. The World Community Grid is helping to contribute to fighting Cancer, MD, and a whole host of the remaining diseases that plague mankind.
It is something that we can do. It costs nothing to contribute, and all of the work you contribute goes to expanding mankind's knowledge and towards fighting diseases such as HIV, Cancer, MD, diabetes.
Please, consider helping.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by RAZD, posted 01-03-2007 10:30 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

  
cavediver
Member (Idle past 3633 days)
Posts: 4129
From: UK
Joined: 06-16-2005


Message 7 of 325 (374720)
01-05-2007 1:20 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by RAZD
01-03-2007 10:30 PM


Hey RAZD, pleasure to meet the face and name behind the avatar (though truth be told, I have a hard time telling avatar from photo )
I've been thinking about connecting my new powerhouse to the grid for a while, but I do run some rather power-hungry apps 24/7. However, enough excuses, count me in. Nothing like a bit of personal background to brush away the apathy... thanks.
Oh, and given your complete and utter stubbornness, unreasonableness and pig-headedness, I know where my money lies and its not with the cancer

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by RAZD, posted 01-03-2007 10:30 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

  
Hyroglyphx
Inactive Member


Message 8 of 325 (374723)
01-05-2007 1:28 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by RAZD
01-03-2007 10:30 PM


Some people will feel they need to pray for me - personally I don't believe in the "power" of prayer (being a Deist), but go ahead if that is what you feel you need to do - all I ask is that you also let your machine do some "buddhist prayer wheel" type work by signing up at worldcommunitygrid.org and running the program with the unused portion of your computer.
Done deal.
As Phat said, I'm pleased that you are taking a positive attitude despite your unsavory circumstances. It may sound a bit mystical, but I do believe that a healthy mind and a joyful heart promotes healing more than someone with a defeatist attitude. I won't patronize you by pretending to know what you've gone through, go through, and will go through. I can't empathize with you, but I do sympathize with you. You have my prayers whether you want them or not.
Thanks for sharing.

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell." -C.S. Lewis

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by RAZD, posted 01-03-2007 10:30 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 9 by ringo, posted 01-05-2007 1:58 PM Hyroglyphx has replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 402 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 9 of 325 (374729)
01-05-2007 1:58 PM
Reply to: Message 8 by Hyroglyphx
01-05-2007 1:28 PM


nemesis_juggernaut writes:
You have my prayers whether you want them or not.
Can we have your computer's spare microseconds too?

Help scientific research in your spare time. No cost. No obligation.
Join the World Community Grid with Team EvC

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Hyroglyphx, posted 01-05-2007 1:28 PM Hyroglyphx has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 11 by Hyroglyphx, posted 01-05-2007 6:21 PM ringo has not replied

  
scoff
Member (Idle past 100 days)
Posts: 37
Joined: 01-20-2006


Message 10 of 325 (374734)
01-05-2007 2:09 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by RAZD
01-03-2007 10:30 PM


RAZ,
Needless to say I'm adding my own computers to the grid.
Remember this, too. If there's anything I can do, anything at all, even if it's just someone to talk to, let me know. You have my email address.
You'll be in my thoughts a lot in the days ahead. A whole lot. I hope the good vibrations reach you.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by RAZD, posted 01-03-2007 10:30 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

  
Hyroglyphx
Inactive Member


Message 11 of 325 (374779)
01-05-2007 6:21 PM
Reply to: Message 9 by ringo
01-05-2007 1:58 PM


The Grid
Can we have your computer's spare microseconds too?
Absolutely I recently saw a thread about the Grid and will be donwloading and becoming a member shortly.

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell." -C.S. Lewis

This message is a reply to:
 Message 9 by ringo, posted 01-05-2007 1:58 PM ringo has not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1395 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 12 of 325 (374786)
01-05-2007 6:52 PM


Thanks All.
I have tears in my throat and a lump in my eyes (or something like that).
It is appreciated.
Edited by RAZD, : .

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
Rebel American Zen Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


• • • Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click) • • •

  
Buzsaw
Inactive Member


Message 13 of 325 (374790)
01-05-2007 7:30 PM


Hey Razd, I just want you to know that my prayers to the Father (Jehovah) in the mighty and worthy name of Jesus will be going up for your spiritual, mental and physical welfare.
So you understand why I'm not signing on I do not advocate or support conventional cancer medicine but do advocate, highly recommend and support wholistic healing whereby the cause rather than the symptom is focused on. I am fully convinced that the medical profession of this nation in particular finds it more profitable to look for cures than to find them. I remember way back in the 40s when the march of dimes was big and have seen the never ending peading for more money to search for cancer cure via the knife, the needle and the pill. I've also observed the success stories of folks who've gone the wholistic route as well as experienced myself how the regimented wholistic cleansing diet, herbs, vitamins, minerals et al cleanse the body of toxins, rejuvinate the cells, enhance the imune system and all so as to heal the body and allow it to do the wonders it is capable of when given the right stuff and eliminating the stuff that caused the sicknesses in the first place.
So my friend, this is not a crank post but a sincere from the heart message of what I am convinced to be the most help for prevention and cure to you and others who have any sickness regardless of what it is.
There's lots of websites on wholistic cancer regimes. One which I highly suggest to you which uses some limited sophisticated chemo therapy along with diet regime and naturopathy is cancercenters.com which you can google to check out and talk anytime around the clock with specialists there. You can also link into many testimonials of folks who've been cured or helped by this regime.
Cancer Centers Of America writes:
Cancer Treatment Centers of America offers patients the most sophisticated forms of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy in combination with complementary therapies, including nutrition, spiritual support, mind-body medicine and naturopathic medicine. If you or a loved one are exploring cancer treatment options, call 800-615-3055 or Click Here to chat with an Oncology Information Specialist. Our specialists are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
I don't have a link but just google the .com and go from there if interested.
May God enlighten and bless you.
Sincerely, Buz

BUZSAW B 4 U 2 C Y BUZ SAW ---- Jesus said, "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28

Replies to this message:
 Message 14 by RAZD, posted 01-05-2007 8:40 PM Buzsaw has not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1395 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 14 of 325 (374819)
01-05-2007 8:40 PM
Reply to: Message 13 by Buzsaw
01-05-2007 7:30 PM


Buz, thanks.
One of my links is for you, and I repeat it here:
Follicular Lymphoma | Lymphoma Survival Online Community
quote:
Although each case is different, the best chance for success comes from learning about follicular lymphoma, including treatments...what they can and cannot do...and combining that with the best in scientifically-based natural strategies targeted specifically to follicular lymphoma to help hold the lymphoma in check. This is known as an *integrative* (not alternative) approach, meaning that it incorporates the best in conventional treatments with the best in evidence-based natural therapies at the appropiate time.
This involves a combined approach by the individual.
Think about it. Perhaps they need each other to reach the full potential eh?
Edited by RAZD, : .

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
Rebel American Zen Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.


• • • Join the effort to solve medical problems, AIDS/HIV, Cancer and more with Team EvC! (click) • • •

This message is a reply to:
 Message 13 by Buzsaw, posted 01-05-2007 7:30 PM Buzsaw has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 15 by jar, posted 01-06-2007 9:34 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 384 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 15 of 325 (375029)
01-06-2007 9:34 PM
Reply to: Message 14 by RAZD
01-05-2007 8:40 PM


Team EvC = 47
It sure would be nice if we could reach 50 members by the end of January.
Many thanks to our new members, you know who you are.
Current Members 47 (#268)
Total Run Time (y: d:h:m:s) (Rank) 25:040:23:47:49 (#222)
Results Returned (Rank) 23,794 (#238)

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 14 by RAZD, posted 01-05-2007 8:40 PM RAZD has seen this message but not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 16 by Zawi, posted 01-07-2007 8:14 AM jar has not replied

  
Newer Topic | Older Topic
Jump to:


Copyright 2001-2023 by EvC Forum, All Rights Reserved

™ Version 4.2
Innovative software from Qwixotic © 2024