Living my life story.
January 22, 2013
”How are you doing?” The text from my friend Paula reads; like others she wants to know the results of my CT scan or just be updated. She caught me in the patient waiting area anxiously waiting to be called for a guided ultrasound to drain the ‘large’ volume of fluid in my abdomen.
“Living my life story.” I replied back to her.
It was a cryptic reply to an already stressful day. I had my CT scan yesterday after having it postponed last week. This morning my oncologist called–in the middle of a conference call–to give me the news; the good news is the metastatic pulmonary nodules in both my lungs have shrunk and there are no new lesions; the not so good news is the build up of fluids in my pelvis and abdomen. This is giving him concern and would like an immediate paracentesis procedure done to drain the fluids in my abdomen and have it examined for any cancer activity.
That seems to be my life story: Endless medications, procedures, blood test, treatments, side-effects, etc. After a hectic morning, I managed to squeeze in my blood test done in preparation for paracentesis in the afternoon, while trying to manage my workload. I am dazed as I go in and out of the hospital the whole day. The good news from my lungs did not even sink in because of new challenges always pooping my way. I am tired.
The paracentesis procedure was less painful than what I expected. They puncture a hole in abdomen using local anesthetic, a needle is inserted, and a large syringe removed fluid sample to be taken to pathology for malignancy test. Then the rest of the fluids were drained; all 1700cc of it or almost two liters, could you imagine that? Some how a two liter bottle of Mountain Dew will not look the same to me.
What next? We wait for the pathological results and see if there is need to change my treatment plan. In the meantime, I trying to gain weight having loss so much from diarrhea and vomits, and continue to make the best of things. Let me now pause and fully appreciate the news; that there are no new nodules and the existing ones have shrunk. That was worth every diarrhea, vomit, and hardship.
Tomorrow is a new day.
Cheers.
P.S. I have temporarily given up a vegetarian way of life short of eating red meat.
Kuya Bo,
smile ka naman dyan!!
at least the ascites fluids looks like a mountain dew not a dr pepper
anyway, im rejoicing with the good news part and hopefully that ascites is just a little detour. you’re always in our thoughts and prayers, you and the pretty Ninang! good or bad continue to offer your life story to God.
delia
Bo, as always, my prayers added to many and happy with the good news part. The waiting must be tiresome and stressful, energy being sent to you! OM santi, Helen Snow
Always praying for you, Bobet.
Bo, focus on your yoga, meditation and family. Please remember what keeps you strong, Your mind, soul, faith and family. Fortify yourself as you have done before dont forget your routine. Most importantly dont let work get in the way of your well being and ritual/routine, Take it from me your colleague at work and this job/company will not stop taking so please remember….There is no one or nothing else more important than you, your health or your family. I know you know this and you are amazing at doing the right thing but remember your training (just like they teach the marines and you have taught us) when it gets very “complicated” or the fire fight gets “intense” you need to fall back on what you have trained yourself to do and not get caught up in the battle that you are facing. Stick to your plan and your training let no person, meeting, event, or no cancer disrupt your mission to get well and be the best you can be ….Remember be Bo strong! Hoorah!
Hi Chris.
Thank you for the comment. I needed that extra boost to get me going. You da man.
Sent from my iPhone
I understand the feeling of being on an unending obstacle course. Clearing each section doesn’t feel like victory, you just wonder if the next will be worse and how much worse. There’s something almost robotic in my response. It’s hard sometimes to view a major success as anything other than an insignificant event in the flow of one’s life. Try to celebrate when you can, though, it will give you strength and your body deserves credit for the good things it is doing.
You are an inspiration! I have no words that will erase your pain or make what you’re going through a little better since I haven’t experienced what you, Ate Irish and the rest of the family are going through these past few years. Know, though, that I am keeping you in my prayers. I will see you in May. Keep the faith…
Brother Bo,
Greetings from the land of Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes! It’s been way to long my brother. Say hello to the “Big Boss” too please. It sadden me to hear that you are back in the fight again, but know this sir, God does answers prayers and he is in the answering prayer business 24/7/365. I am living proof of that as you already know.
I will be lifting you and your family up in prayer sir. As a few of your wonderful friends have already stated “Find comfort in the small things. Victories are not always in HD or in Ultra-Super Spectrum Color.” Victories comes in small packages sometimes. The voice of a old friend. The smile of a nurse. A bird singing near your window. The loving look or caress from your wife. Having a meatloaf sandwich with me. Now you know I just had to throw that in there, sorry Bo, I just couldn’t resist not adding it ;o)
Please know that you have a group of loving family members and friends. May I suggest keeping a bookmark on the Book of Psalms. Find a verse and make it your war cry. Mine was Psalm 86:13 “For great is your mercy toward me: and you have delivered my soul from the lowest hell.” This is what my mom read to me everyday during my stay in the hospital. I should not be here Bo, but yet by the grace and mercy of our Father in Heaven, I am still here.
God has touched you in so many ways, here is another chance to get to know Him even better. Recharge your spiritual batteries. I know that it is hard to fight off the emotional roller coaster but that is something you have always done. Your inner strength is one of the things I admire about your. Use your family and friends when you are low. We will build you back up.
With all of this now said, You look into that mirror and say the following words “The champ is here! The champ is here…followed by your war cry” You fight and you pray. We will fight with you! We will pray for you!
I will be in touch again and soon sir.
Tye