November 2002 rediagnosed with a recurring tumor I am going to bring you through the whole fun thing   Archives << current   This is where you stick random tidbits of information about yourself.

Brain Tumor History And Other Rants   Friday, December 30, 2005   12/30/05 This is a timeline summary of the last 6 years of treatment for my Brain Tumor. 10/11/99 Diagnosed with Brain Tumor 10/18/99 Brain Mapped during surgery 10/25/99 Brain Surgery to Remove Tumor 12/15/99 Back to Work 11/26/02 Diagnosed 2nd Time 1/16/03 Last day of work 1/17/03 Awake Brain Surgery to Remove Tumor 3/6/03 Carbo Platin and Temodar start 3/7/03 2nd Day 3/8/03 3 more days of Temodar 3/18/03 Platlet Transfusion 3/22-29/03 Admitted to hospital with 102 fever Morristown 4/21-22/03 Carbo Platin and Temodar start 4/23/03 3 more days of Temodar 5/2/03 Platlet Transfusion 5/5/03 Platlet Transfusion 5/7/03 Platlet Transfusion 5/14/03 Platlet Transfusion 5/17/03 2 Pints of Blood 5/19/03 Platlet Transfusion 6/9-6/10/03 Carbo Platin and Temodar start 6/11/03 3 more days of Temodar 6/20/03 Platlet Transfusion 6/23/03 Platlet Transfusion 6/27/03 Platlet Transfusion 7/3/03 2 Pints of Blood 7/7/03 Platlet Transfusion 7/29-7/03 Carbo Platin and Temodar start 7/31/03 3 more days of Temodar 8/11/03 Platlet Transfusion 8/15/03 Platlet Transfusion 8/22/03 Platlet Transfusion 8/27/03 Platlet Transfusion 1/1/04 Started maintenance chemo Temodor 2/13/04 Last day of Temodor 3/24/04 Started maintenance chemo Temodor 5/5/04 Last day of Temodor 6/1/04 Back to Work 6/10/04 Started maintenance chemo Temodor 7/22/04 Last day of Temodor 8/23/04 Started maintenance chemo Temodor 10/3/04 Last day of Temodor 11-12/04 Diagnosed 3rd time for Surgery for Seizures / Tumor 12/23/04 Started maintenance chemo Temodor 2/3/05 Last day of Temodor 1/3/05 Left work on disability 3/10/05 Brain Mapping Surgery with small Hemorrhage bleed from brain mapping device on right side. Left arm paralysis. 3/15/05 After monitoring all weekend Awake Brain Surgery 3/21/05 Home from hospital 4/05 Occupational therapy for arm 6/1/05 Started maintenance chemo Temodor 7/15/05 Last day of Temodor 6/6/05 Radiation begins with (33 Treatments). 7/21/05 Finish Radiation. 11/18/05 Start Chemo Lomustine 12/5/05 Lincristine injection Currently waiting for blood counts to stabilize for 3rd chemo drug Blood testing twice weekly. 6:15 PM Wednesday, December 21, 2005   12/21/05 People don't realize what it's really like to survive this at times. I am winning right now but have fought tooth nail, kicking and screaming through this not to die. I see things different than all the people I talk to unless they have lived through this. Hey if it still hurts I am alive. Imagine for a minute not being able to eat out at all, even most pre-packaged foods. Not even being able to eat at friends, and forget hanging out with sick people. The next drug I am taking has conflicting food interactions. My choices cook fresh meat meals for myself and no leftovers past 2 days. Granted it's only like 4 weeks, you try it. Wait here's a general list of what you can not eat. Cheese, aged meat, ham, no cold cuts. No take out Chinese no take out anything. No nuts, which includes coking with nut derived oil. No alcohol, teas or coffees, can't even have boost shakes for nutrition, based on their ingredients. After all this time I am gaining a sense of pride and accomplishment from my survival. I never used to think it was anything more than what I had to do. Now I know it's what I needed to do to get to this good point in life. I don't feel bad for myself. I just wish everyone could gain some perspective and insight as to the daily physical, emotional, and financial burdens we live under being disabled, not being able to send the mortgage out until the government check clears, I have no savings just a checking account to push the money through for the bills. It's the times you need to make a living, you aren’t, you have to borrow to survive. And then sink in debt, further and further. My last MRI report was kick ass it proved I have a hole in my head and also true nothing is happening in said hole which kicks ass. Oh and happy holidays from the guy with a hole in his head thanks for keeping up with me, and following my drama. Pray for our troops. 3:01 PM Tuesday, December 06, 2005   12/6/05 Medical update: Last Friday I took my new chemo. I paid a $50 co-pay for 2 pills. I felt like crap until Monday. This Friday I go into NYC for an injection. Then the third drug I take everyday for 2 weeks, might just make eating for x-mas tricky. I have to go back to eating for a chemo patient, no fresh fruit or vege’s everything has to be cooked. Juices pasteurized. If you are sick stay away from me. Fun times, I am looking forward to family times around Christmas. To Heather U2 City of Blinding Lights The more you see the less you know The less you find out as you go I knew much more then than I do now Neon heart dayglo eyes A city lit by fireflies They're advertising in the skies For people like us And I miss you when you're not around I'm getting ready to leave the ground.... Ooh ooh oohOoh ooh ooh Oh you look so beautiful tonight In the city of blinding lights Don't look before you laugh Look ugly in a photograph Flash bulbs purple irises The camera can't see I've seen you walk unafraid I've seen you in the clothes you made Can you see the beauty inside of me? What happened to the beauty I had inside of me? And I miss you when you're not around I'm getting ready to leave the ground Ooh ooh oohOoh ooh ooh Oh you look so beautiful tonight In the city of blinding lightsTime... time Won't leave me as I am But time won't take the boy out of this man Oh you look so beautiful tonight Oh you look so beautiful tonight Oh you look so beautiful tonight In the city of blinding lights The more you know the less you feel Some pray for others steal Blessings are not just for the ones who kneel... luckily 2:02 PM