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Scott Butner
Senior MemberPosts: 3,918 Senior Member
Kind of ironic
Scott Butner
Senior MemberPosts: 3,918 Senior Member
So the doctors don't like what they've seen in my CT scan (some probable lymphomas on my spleen) so they are going to inject me with radioactive dye to do a PET scan (assuming my insurance approves it, which I suspect they will). Based on the results of that test, they may elect to remove my spleen, which is sort of a shame because the fact that it's enlarged has really reduced my appetite and I've lost some weight (which is good for my heart and blood pressure). In fact, it's probably the easiest 12 lbs I've ever lost!
but the really ironic part is that between that test, and the routine cardiac stress test (which I *aced*, by the way -- my heart, at least, is in good shape!) I'll get more radiation from my doctors in a month's time, than I did in 29 years of working at (and living adjacent to) the country's most radioactively contaminated waste site (Hanford Nuclear Reservation).
Life is funny, if you're in on the jokes.
but the really ironic part is that between that test, and the routine cardiac stress test (which I *aced*, by the way -- my heart, at least, is in good shape!) I'll get more radiation from my doctors in a month's time, than I did in 29 years of working at (and living adjacent to) the country's most radioactively contaminated waste site (Hanford Nuclear Reservation).
Life is funny, if you're in on the jokes.
Replies
Doesn't sound like there's enormous urgency in it, so I think that should be possible. it's not a life-changing operation (I will still be the same gender, etc) but it can significantly slow the progress of the cancer in certain cases, apparently. But it WILL put me out of commission for about 2 weeks, so scheduling it around all my summer wedding gigs will be fun.
Like George said, hang in there. You're in all our thoughts (except maybe Hextall because he's busy with his Kevyn graph).
Just to be safe, stay out of North Carolina and the deep south afterward.
So when Hex is busy making graphs about how much Kevyn doesn't work does that mean Hex is working less than Kevyn?
Hang in there Scott...
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My sister suggested the same thing, and got me all excited.
Imagine my disappointment to find that the average human spleen only weighs 6 oz.
on the other hand, I'll bet it would make great bait for catfish.
my family left north carolina in the 1790's. I must admit that I haven't been particularly drawn back to it since then (though I have visited once or twice).
Buffy? Buffy?
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Yes! Scott get one of the young, fit nurses to do a risque shoot in her nursing uniform. With heels.
You can never have too many replacement spleens! Thanks!
I'll see what I can do.
And if it's a pic of a male nurse in heels, just PM that to Buffco.
Here's hoping this goes well for you, Scott. Prayers inbound for you and your family.
Well, I've been referred over to the cancer center in Seattle.....so you never know.
Jim
I am so much more fortunate than this, in so many ways -- for one, there really IS no pain. The list of physical symptoms are so ridiculously trivial (some weight loss, really nasty night sweats, and feeling tired) and the statistics are so much in my favor (80%+ overall survival rate after 5 years, etc) that it's no wonder it's gone on for two years and was discovered by accident in reviewing my blood tests. The changes it actually CAUSES in my life are dwarfed by what most of my friends with chronic illnesses have to put up with or face. And I know that.
but like you say: it's those late night ponderings -- for instance, the median survival of those with this disease when it's progressed to needing a spleen removal is something like 4-5 years. Now, I've got no fear of dying -- at least not consciously -- but there ARE people who I love who depend on me, and a lot more who are dear to me.
Plus, I have a rather black sense of humor. So sometimes my ponderings sound a LOT more pessimistic and fatalistic than I actually intend them to. I hate the uncertainty and weekly changes in status (except when they go in my favor) but day to day, life is sweet.
Appreciate having you guys as a sounding board. My facebook community is simply too large to share some things with -- it feels too much like milking sympathy, which is not my intention. Just trying to voice out loud some of the stuff that rolls around in my head at night.