Conference

March 11, 2014


Dear B,
   I just wanted to tell you that yesterday's conference on colorectal awareness day turned out great. Lenny and Jerome  came to the conference. We went to the Spanish restaurant El Presidente.While we were at the conference, I

found out that the genetic make up of the percentage of cancer risk. Basically if you have it in your family, you will have a chance of getting it.The Doctors had a discussion panel. The doctors all gave their expertise on the subjects discussed. The doctors expressed great importance of a colonoscopy, The conference allowed ample time for patients to share there  personal experiences. I learned about three kinds of colonoscopy. They were called the third eye,virtual and the regular.
   Dr. Feingold told me to start chemo early as possible at this time I was still looking for an oncologist.
We also got lots of goodies from the conference. The day ended when we went to Microcenter computer store. Jerome drove and Lenny got a few things. We all had mugs at the end. We were closer to building Jeromes machine.

The Second oncologist

Sup B,
   Today I met with oncologist number 2.She is japanese Dr. She said we have to get a jump on they chemo. She is using adjuvent treatment.
She said I will get a port.Then two drugs for six months. The only thing is that the facility is going to be at downtown new york Presbyterian.I have to say i'm not too kosher with that because they are not good I mean clean. I am a little sceptical because she could no access information. I spoke with Dr.Feingold 's People they said it was online. Dr.Cheagal
Was very nice and seemed sincerely concerned.I also sent in material for Memorial Slian Kettering hopeful that will make my choice easier. I am not giving up yet. My mother  is driving me crazy.I am still waiting on MSK.
L aterz for now.Liz was great today.

The first oncologist...

Dear B,
   I went to speak with Dr.Alfred Neugut. He was the first oncologist I talked to. He looked like he was in his late 60's. He had a little hair on the side, barely any on his head but most hair coming out of his nose as it constantly dripped as he talked.
Dr.N basically liked to talk about his specialty different type of cancer treatments breast, colocretal and ovarian. He looked at my records jotted some information down. Then he told and few pictures to explain my cancer. It took him a few minutes. He told me I was lucky to come in so early usually there is almost an hour to wait. Dr. N said I was lucky to not have to wait so long. Something had come up with one of his cancer patients.  ( I laugh silently and perhaps the others thought the same in the room) I was in the room with a female Dr.,(there to observe him) my friend Liz (my buddy support system) and a nurse that came in periodically.(Debbie I think her name was)
As hes wanted to I gave him a chance to give his spiel. He said I pretty much know what all it intails. Dr.N procedures to estimate the better chances of chemo. to not have remission.  It according to him has inflated numbers more and less. I have a survival rate of 46% and chemo increases it to 48% . Of course no direct figures just estimates. My theory is that there is not a ratio of range to fit the prediction. According to the stats 4 out of 12 (can not be less than 12) lymph nodes containing cancer cells is the same as 4 out of 34. I think they should have better numbers or ratio that was my piece of mind.
   My friend Liz asked about alternative or complementary therapies that would work with the chemotherapy.  Dr.N said it was "bullshit". I think a raindrop may have cried when I heard this. She then asked about group support and counselors. To no avail.Dr. N fling his had and said Debbie will take care of it.She knows about these things.Ok so the dead ringer is that after his arrogance has passed he got up using his apple iphone and answered a txt in front of me. and he smells pew pew.

The Day Before...

Dear B,
   Today I'm a bit nervous. I have been talking to all my buddies. I had advice given to me by Dr. Kabak. She told me to make sure ask about a few things. When I go see the Oncologist Dr. Neugat, I have to ask him what kind of treatment, how long its going to be and what are the side effects. Dr. Su said make sure I  bring my documents. I think I will be covered from all angles. Dr. Harvey advised to take some alternative treatments with the Chemotherapy. She  recommends Qui Gong and acupuncture.
   I just still can't believe that I have stage 3 B colon rectal cancer. I hope the treatment is not that bad. As usual I had my daily argument with my mother. She called up one of her friends to talk to me. I keep asking how many editions of newspaper did she sell. I spoke to Lenny one of my close high school friends. He has been pretty good and patient with me. Another of my friends from high school named Katy said I was being over dramatic about the situation. I said oh yeah did you even read about my condition? She was silent and didn't respond. I am thinking she didn't bother reading about the cancer. Katy explained to me that her coworker had chemo but it was for brain cancer. Her coworker "M" gets Chemo for one session and is drained for the next few days.It referring to chemo isn't that bad she mentions I said really in my head. I was like thinking man she really devalued my cancer in a few words. Katy seem to have the foot in mouth disease or maybe (ass) disease. Other than that she doesn't seem to be that bad. Katy has been supportive by all means. She asked if  I was busy tomorrow but I said I was going to meet an oncologist. Katy offered to go but I already set up to go with my neighbor  Liz. She has help me out with so much information.
   I enrolled in an organization called cancercare.org. This organization has support groups, therapy and oncologist on staff. Cancercare.org with help me with financial aid and a place to stay after therapy.I am not sure about all this stuff. This cancer situation is a lot to take in I hope to do my best and conquer the cancer.
I shall definitely have a long journey to travel.

My Ash Wednesday!

   Today I was just remembering how much fun it was to make jewelry. I went to my friend Liz house and I made a necklace and a lots of earnings.

   I also had a session with my therapist Shirley, she gave me lots of time to talk. I also got some great advice from her.  She made some suggestions on what to do when my mom does to  protect me.
   I'm going a shout out to all my buddies at Barnes and Noble.I missed you guys a lot. Thanks for all your support. I will keep updates of my journey. I am feeling a lot better than I did in the beginning of the month.So thank you for asking. If you have not read all my blogs yet please do and comment. I am trying to live a normal day by day. I have endless appointments at doctors. I know eventually I will not be able to do what I would like to do. I am ok for now and if you have questions ask me.

Post visit

Dear B,
   I visited Dr.Su. yesterday. No clear answers if I should definitely take chemo or not. She told me it will only give me me 30% of non reocurance. I find it not great odds. She mentioned that her dad had stage 2 and was clear. He was older too. I think it was weird the charts sat I was stage 3b .The charts states I have 4 out of 34 lyphnodes exposed. But wouldn't 4 out of 10 be worse. It seems to not be on that kind of ratio scale. I still have oncologist visits ahead. Hopefully I think I might make a better decision. Im just like what????? Remember no definite answers. My therapist has been supportive. She tells me to take it easy. Make sure I have friends and family support. Liz has been awesome. I wanted to give a shout out to Lynn, katy , Lenny and Kirsten.

So I am back from my Dr. ...

So B I went in and got my staples taken out  I learned I should not apply bacitracin on wound. It should be dry or needs to dry out. Liz said to punch her for being wrong.       Dr.Feingold said to rest up first 4-6weeks. 2. Get to oncologist Chemo? Then get a genetic markers test in case of other cancers. Kristen said to check out Sloan and Kettering. She also got my results.She was correct in saying that Dr.Fiengold would have contacted me earlier if it was more serious.
   Dr.Feingold said if it was ten years before I would be in the hospital longer and recovery time is not as good.Thank goodness for technology.
   Well, besides Kristen being concerned , Lenny, Katy and Daisy called.