Thursday, September 12, 2013

Stage 4 Lung Cancer Pratfalls

I was sooo excited Monday morning that the admission clerk at plasma facility used my middle name I dropped down on my knees like Wayne and Garth chanting, “I’m not worthy! … oh sheet! … I can’t get back up!" … with me stuck kneeling at the counter my daughter and staff dissolve into laughter as I begin my 130th day of chemotherapy (carboplatin + alitma).


Considering I was in for a plasma transfer for anemia the absolute weakest physical moment would be immediately prior to plasma drip … what possessed me to kneel down? … I just cannot resist showboating. 

Also it was first plasma transfer with new injection port … it’s kind of cool though certainly funky as I could not shower that area for a week … at least for me use of the port made the blood plasma less icy. 

Later ‘feeling’ super charged after two bags of plasma I drove to a local convenience store for soda and to practice some independence. Proudly cradling my 2 liter Pepsi while keeping my balance …(I had left my cane in the car and was using display cases for balance) … that is until I went to hand the Pepsi to the clerk…

Like a football field fumble chaos breaks loose …. Bottle spins on counter … spilling carbonation accelerating spin … bottle slides bottom first to floor shooting back a geyser of carbonation … I kneel down to pick up the bottle … WAIT! Did I just do this again?  

… Two young clerks are staring at this all in disbelief as I am down on the floor sheepishly holding up a still dripping 2 liter Pepsi trying to explain that I cannot get up … actually one was about to burst holding back her laughter  while the other shifted her urgency when I played the “c” word and blamed chemotherapy … 

… any way they get me up … as I retell the story at home I find my daughter laughing hysterically for the second time this day  and complaining that why when out with her I don’t do more stupidly entertaining antics. 

… trying to outlive Stage 4 Lung Cancer involves everything from exhaustion to fear to depression to joy and yes sometimes even comic relief ... 

Two weeks ago I DJ’d/MC’d 4th Annual Free To Breathe Lung Cancer 5K RUN/WALK … 3.5 months since DX of Stage 4 Lung Cancer with brain mets … receiving this thank you card was humbling …  
Patrick Leer
Health Activist:
Caregivingly Yours, MS Caregiver @ http://caregivinglyyours.blogspot.com/

18 comments:

  1. First, let me congratulate you on a successful port usage! If you have to go through with this, it's the best (IMHO)!!!
    Second, you "sound" better via your writing than you have. I like that!!
    Third for getting 'stuck' not just once, but twice on the same day! HA!

    Glad you are (at least to me) feeling better!

    Jackie

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    1. Jackie, I love my port and I was told the reason this plasma transfusion was not so frigid is because the plasma is injected in a large vein to your core which warms it faster.

      getting stuck twice ... a new frontier for me :)

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  2. I just love your great sense of humor and beautiful spirit, Patrick. I do have to admit I was giggling a little bit over here as I read of your over confidence~two times. Glad you threw the 'C' bomb on the store clerks so they knew you needed some help. You must feel so great after reading that touching letter from the 'Free to Breathe' organization. Way to go Patrick! I can't imagine how your presence helped so many at that event. Thinking of you daily-Fight Fight Fight my awesome friend.

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    1. Thanks Linda ... I can't use chemotherapy as an excuse to Megan or medical staff - they just shake their heads, laugh and ask what was I thinking

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  3. At least you could use the c excuse--as for me just plain old OLD! LOL As with Jackie so glad to hear the Patrick we all love (sense of humor and all!) I wasn't just giggling, like Megan out and out laughter!! Thanks for that! Love and prayers....

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    1. thanks and glad to provide some unintended laughs in this war with cancer ...

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  4. Good to hear you are feeling better! Keep the faith - we're sending healing energy and prayers.

    SteveS

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  5. Hi Patrick. I came upon your blog as a stage 1 non small cell adenocarcinoma victim. I had my upper right lobe removed and will get my first follow up ct scan in October. My nodule was found incidentally but I was devastated, none the less. I was a smoker for the past 25 years and do not feel I or an smoker, former or current, deserve lung cancer. Do I wish that I never smoked, absolutely. Would that have guaranteed no lung cancer diagnosis? No it wouldn't have, considering all of the never smokers who have been diagnosed. I have to tell you that I read your blog from beginning to your last entry and am inspired by you. You are a remarkable man and your wife has been blessed to have you as a husband. You have raised a beautiful daughter who is strong and loving and there for you in every way. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Keep on keeping on. May God bless you in every way. You are a good man.

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  6. Hi Patrick. I came upon your blog as a stage 1 non small cell adenocarcinoma victim. I had my upper right lobe removed and will get my first follow up ct scan in October. My nodule was found incidentally but I was devastated, none the less. I was a smoker for the past 25 years and do not feel I or an smoker, former or current, deserve lung cancer. Do I wish that I never smoked, absolutely. Would that have guaranteed no lung cancer diagnosis? No it wouldn't have, considering all of the never smokers who have been diagnosed. I have to tell you that I read your blog from beginning to your last entry and am inspired by you. You are a remarkable man and your wife has been blessed to have you as a husband. You have raised a beautiful daughter who is strong and loving and there for you in every way. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Keep on keeping on. May God bless you in every way. You are a good man.

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  7. As a sign of gratitude for how my wife was saved from CANCER, i decided to reach out to those still suffering from this.
    My wife suffered cancer in the year 2013 and it was really tough and heartbreaking for me because she was my all and the symptoms were terrible, she always complain of abnormal vaginal bleeding, and she always have pain during sexual intercourse. . we tried various therapies prescribed by our neurologist but none could cure her. I searched for a cure and i saw a testimony by someone who was cured and so many other with similar body problem, and he left the contact of the doctor who had the cure to cancer . I never imagined cancer. has a natural cure not until i contacted him and he assured me my wife will be fine. I got the herbal medication he recommended and my wife used it and in one months time she was fully okay even up till this moment she is so full of life. cancer. has a cure and it is a herbal cure contact the doctor for more info on drwilliams098675@gmail.com on how to get the medication. Thanks for reading my testimony.

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  8. ALL THANKS TO DR WILLIAMS WITH HIS HERBAL PORTION I WAS COMPLETELY CURED FROM BREAST CANCER.
    I'm here again to appreciate. DR WILLIAMS God will always continue to bless you more abundantly, for the good works you done in my life, I will always keep on writing good and posting my testimonies about you on the Internet, I’m Jessica from Orlando, Florida. I was tested breast cancer positive, I saw a blog on how DR WILLIAMS cured people with his herbal portion, i did not believe in natural medicine but i just decided to give him a try, I contacted him,and explain my situation to him,few day later he sent me the herb, after taking doc Williams herbal medicine for few week i also got my healing with his herbal portion, i am so happy. If you have any type of cancer problem ,you can contact him on Drwilliams098675@gmail.com for advice and for his product,i hope this testimony also help some one out there .

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  9. I recently have some difficult conversations and I did what a lot of people do when they want to know how to do something. I googled it. I came across Dr Williams herbal medicine on YouTube so many people thanking him about his good work. I also have lungs cancer. I wasn’t running all over God’s creation with every man I could find but here I am. I have felt bad about myself for so many years now because of my cancer status. I obviously still have some self-accepting to do but I want to thank Dr Williams for everything he have done for my family ,after taking Dr Williams medicine i was completely free from lungs cancer within one month of usage, I think what you are doing is so admirable. you have helped me a lot! I want to definitely reach out to you and thank you for your amazing work. You are a good person, and an extremely talented man. You have helped millions with your herbs, and have really inspired me,and i pray you still continue doing the good work.you can also email him on drwilliams098675@gmail.com for help

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