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Been away for awhile
Posted by newpatient on June 16, 2008 at 2:36 amHi Everyone! I haven’t participated alot, but I recieved some of the most helpful info. from a few here, and I am sooo grateful. The last time I did participate was before my pre-op chemo. I had a pretty rough time of it, mostly dehydration. Not long after my chemo treatments, I got a pulminary embolism (blood clot in my right lung) that almost did me in. My Dr. said it was the largest he’s seen where the patient survived. It also came with an “A” Fibrilating or irregular heartbeat. I spent 7 days in the hospital and I am still on blood thinner and heart regulating meds. That happened on Valentine’s Day. Two months later I went into surgery for my RC. I had it done with the DaVinci robot assist at Fox Chase in Philadelphia by a great Dr. by the name of David Chen. I was terrified before the surgery, but it went really well. I spent 12 days in the hospital. After 3 weeks, I went back to Fox Chase to have my drainage tubes removed, and the foley catheter removed a couple of weeks after that. I had no control of my new neobladder and then, Sunday last week it just started working. I was very happy and still am in the way it is working for now. I have a few dribbles when I stand up and some short squirts if I laugh, cough, sneeze or lift anything over 5lbs., but I am in regular underwear with a pad. I still need to go to the bathroom and void every 2-4 hours (3 seems to be right for now) to keep from having any accidents. There are volumes of other related experiences that go along with this, but I’ve said enough already. I just wanted to let you know where I’ve been for a few months, Joe, Tim, Zach, Wendy and Gene as well as a few others. Thanks, Carmine
Age 54 T2 high grade Rx 9/17/2007
RC 4/24/2008 Dr. David Chen
Fox Chase Cancer Ctr. Philadelphia PA
with DaVinci Robotic Assist
Retired from General Motors
1/1/2008 (with 30yrs).
Marriednewpatient replied 16 years, 7 months ago 5 Members · 16 Replies16 Replies-
Hi Joe!
Getting switched to a new site is going to take awhile to get used to. You are right, getting better is what this is all about. My wife definately is happier with the outcome than any other possible gift.
Thanks,
– Carmine –
Age 54 T2 high grade Rx 9/17/2007
RC 4/24/2008 Dr. David Chen
Fox Chase Cancer Ctr. Philadelphia PA
with DaVinci Robotic Assist
Retired from General Motors
1/1/2008 (with 30yrs).
MarriedGuestJune 24, 2008 at 11:41 amCarmine I think you already gave your sweetheart a great gift and that was getting the surgery and on your way to recovery. When you go through things like this (being ill) and your wife or girlfriend is by your side this is what true love is all about. I’m certain she cares more about your health then some fancy dinner under the circumstances. Wishing you and your G/F the best. Take Care, Joe ;)
Hi Joe!
Glad you wrote! It was a harrowing experience also for my sweetheart. I felt bad about it for her to go through that on Valentines Day, of all the things to happen. The week that followed took our minds off of that holiday. I’ll have to make it up to her somehow. Course, I’m not sure how to make all of the past year up to her. She has been terrific through it all. I don’t know if I could have done it without her.
– Carmine –
Age 54 T2 high grade Rx 9/17/2007
RC 4/24/2008 Dr. David Chen
Fox Chase Cancer Ctr. Philadelphia PA
with DaVinci Robotic Assist
Retired from General Motors
1/1/2008 (with 30yrs).
MarriedGuestJune 23, 2008 at 6:12 pmCarmine what a time to get a pulminary embolism but I am glad all worked out for you. Valentine’s Day is for happy hearts not to get problems there so it sounds as you were a real lucky man. Glad to see you back and take care of yourself and stay positive. Joe ;)
GuestJune 23, 2008 at 3:32 amAnd your lookin good, and you have all those girls taking care of you..I know, when I signed up it was about Gene, he had the cancer, I just wanted to know WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT, AND SURE ENOUGH I GOT ALL MY ANSWERS FROM ALL THESE WONDERFUL PEOPLE.Gene finally gets on and makes a reply now and again, and I am glad he opened up to it..
Take care Carmine, Ginger
Hi Ginger!
Good to hear from you! I have to check the “Gene Beane” posts carefully cause sometimes it’s Gene and other times it’s you. I want to make sure I can thank you both when you give me encouragement in separate posts. I lost some weight, so I updated the picture.
Thanks,
– Carmine –
Age 54 T2 high grade Rx 9/17/2007
RC 4/24/2008 Dr. David Chen
Fox Chase Cancer Ctr. Philadelphia PA
with DaVinci Robotic Assist
Retired from General Motors
1/1/2008 (with 30yrs).
MarriedGuestJune 22, 2008 at 7:39 pmCarmine,
Good boy, don’t get frustrated until they slap you in the face with what could be not such good news, but my theory is as in Joe’s case, they saw something that looked questionable and it was nothing, after a second look see. I love seeing your big smile again,,GingerHi All!
Thanks for the info. Julie. I’m going to remain upbeat and not worry until they take a closer look on Tuesday. Thanks Gene for the kind words and encouragement. Maria, try not to be too fearful, I was terrified and worried constantly before my RC and it was all for nothing. It really wasn’t what I was imagining all along. I think, in terms of problems and feeling bad, the chemo was harder. Recovery is longer, but pain was surprisingly minimal. I have to say that I met some of the most kind and caring people in my life from this ordeal and it’s restored my faith in humanity.– Carmine –
Age 54 T2 high grade Rx 9/17/2007
RC 4/24/2008 Dr. David Chen
Fox Chase Cancer Ctr. Philadelphia PA
with DaVinci Robotic Assist
Retired from General Motors
1/1/2008 (with 30yrs).
MarriedHi Carmine, good to hear from you again. I remember reading your posts about chemo with great interest as I was due to start mine. Like you say it was hard, but you have to get on with it. Interesting what you said because my heart rate increased as a result of the chemo, nothing like what you have experienced.
I am due my RC July 3rd and am very nervous,the wait is the worst. It has been inspiring for me to read your progress and you have a great attitude which is encouraging.
Maria xxCarmine, your report means they saw a lump too small to be called a lesion or tumor. Neoplasm is another word for cancer so they don’t know if it is original to the lung or a metastasis from the bladder cancer. if your CT was done at the same place as the previous one that showed the nodule then they should have compared the size. My husband had a nodule that was followed for several months and it was not until it kept growing that the radiology report mentioned the possibility of cancer. His turned out to be a metastasis from his Bladder Cancer (CIS).
You are right the report does not sound good but you really won’t know until they do a needle biopsy or remove the nodule.
They removed the nodule in my husbands lung. Unfortunately even though they thought they got it all he now has a lesion in his pleura that has gone into the ribs. Mucho pain.
Get this attended to immediately. Julie
Volunteer Coordinator
ABLSCGuestJune 22, 2008 at 3:20 amCarmine,
I am with you, don’t worry about it until they say its something to worry about,
I don’t know much in that area, I’ll hope its a flute and they are seeing things.
Take care and glad your doing good, nice to see your smile again,,,GeneHi Gene!
Good to hear from you!! I’ve thought a lot about everyone here during those trying moments and where everyone was with their own battles. I am still doing pretty well. I Just had a CT scan to look at my right lung from the embolism. The report sounds scary even though the pathology report didn’t find any cancerous cells in any of the tissue they removed, the CT scan is showing a “mildly enlarged posteriorly mediastinal nodule, suspicious for neoplasm either primary neoplasm or metastatic focus”. I am not sure what this means, but it doesnt sound good. Do you or anyone else know what this means? I have an appt. with the Dr. on Tues. Thats when, I guess, I’ll know for sure. The nodule appeared on my previous CT scans, but it wasn’t considered a problem then??? Well I’m not going to worry until I see the Doc and find out for sure.
Thanks,
– Carmine –
Age 54 T2 high grade Rx 9/17/2007
RC 4/24/2008 Dr. David Chen
Fox Chase Cancer Ctr. Philadelphia PA
with DaVinci Robotic Assist
Retired from General Motors
1/1/2008 (with 30yrs).
MarriedGuestJune 21, 2008 at 1:32 amCarmine, Yes indeed you have been missing on the forum,,,I always feel like those who initially ask before surgery about things and never come back are lingering in space or something..but you are back now and I am sorry to hear about the embolism,,,, your one lucky guy,, glad your here, and your neo is working, thats great, I am so happy to hear from you,,,recovery takes time, you seem to be on schedule,,, your friend, Gene
carmine
i think preparation is the key. that’ll give you the confidence to stick your neck out in the early days. i went on a flight to the states recently and rather arrogantly didn’t take a pad or anything in the cabin. really regretted it! didn’t sleep a wink for fear of wetting myself! if id just had some bits and pieces i would have enjoyed the flight more. but its amazing i did it at all! days i feel 100% “normal” now. im sure you will too. please PM me or post to the board with any queries. no question too embarrassing for me.
all the best
Thanks Tim, thst’s encouraging news. Right now, I feel like I will always have a pad, but as soon as I can, I will go on without it.
Carmine
Age 54 T2 high grade Rx 9/17/2007
RC 4/24/2008 Dr. David Chen
Fox Chase Cancer Ctr. Philadelphia PA
with DaVinci Robotic Assist
Retired from General Motors
1/1/2008 (with 30yrs).
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