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freeio
Senior User
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
Posts: 116
Location: Guntersville, Alabama
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 Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:03 pm Post subject: A parallel risk to watch for |
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I have been dealing with pancreatic adenocarcinoma for about three years now, and during the last couple of months, the tumor markers have skyrocketed. This was not unusual by itself, but the tumor activity has caused a parallel problem which I had not expected. I have developed multiple pulmonary embola, i.e. blood clots in the arteries of the lungs. There are chemicals spun off by the tumors which form clots, and it can be one way for a cancer patient to die, but not directly from the cancer.
During the last week it got so bad that I basically could not go up a flight of stairs without falling down. So I am currently at UAB Hospital (Birmingham, Alabama) being treated for pulmonary embolism.
So my advice is that if you have cancer already, and get short of breath, have the doctors look carefully for clotting related problems.
Marty
_________________
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whipple procedure, Oct. 21, 2004
28 days of radiation
56 days of Chemo using Xeloda
diagnosed as progressive recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Stage IV) Jun. 20, 2006
was treated with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and tarceva, which all failed.
Cancer blog: http://diehlmartin.com/cancer.html |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3442
Location: Tennessee
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Muttsmom
Senior User
Joined: 30 Sep 2004
Posts: 631
Location: Northern AL
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| Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject: Re: A parallel risk to watch for |
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Absolutely Jim!!!
Marty you are in my thoughts and prayers as well. Our State has awesome facilities and doctors, and you're in one of them!
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04 |
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freeio
Senior User
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
Posts: 116
Location: Guntersville, Alabama
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| Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:52 pm Post subject: treatment |
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They let me out of UAB Hospital yesterday, and the treatment regeme is based on heavy doses of blood thinners. In this case they are using Lovelox and Coumadin. They also have me using a Combivent inhaler, to heep the ariways open. They put me on oxygen to keep me alive while the blood thinners work. So we shall see how this works.
It is much better to be home again. As very nice and capable as the UAB Hospital ICU staff is, I sleep better at home.
Marty
_________________
-------------------------------------------------
whipple procedure, Oct. 21, 2004
28 days of radiation
56 days of Chemo using Xeloda
diagnosed as progressive recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Stage IV) Jun. 20, 2006
was treated with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and tarceva, which all failed.
Cancer blog: http://diehlmartin.com/cancer.html |
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freeio
Senior User
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
Posts: 116
Location: Guntersville, Alabama
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| Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject: It is getting much worse now. |
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Something went further wrong last night. It looks to me like more pulmonary embola have formed, or it has otherwise progressed. I now have problems breathing while just sitting down, with the oxygen running. Getting up and going 20 steps exhausts me, and I get a heart rate of 160+, and become very dizzy immediately. If this goes one bit further, I could see going Home this week.
Since the cancer treatment has stopped, the pulmonary embolism is what is left to battle. The tumors are thriving and spinning off clotting compounds, and the combination of coumadin and lovenox are not slowing it.
The rest of the details are on my blog listed below.
Marty
_________________
-------------------------------------------------
whipple procedure, Oct. 21, 2004
28 days of radiation
56 days of Chemo using Xeloda
diagnosed as progressive recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Stage IV) Jun. 20, 2006
was treated with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and tarceva, which all failed.
Cancer blog: http://diehlmartin.com/cancer.html |
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Muttsmom
Senior User
Joined: 30 Sep 2004
Posts: 631
Location: Northern AL
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| Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject: Re: A parallel risk to watch for |
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Marty,
I wish I had the right words, but I know there aren't any. You are in my prayers.
((((((((hugs))))))))))
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04 |
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In
Site Admin
Joined: 18 Jul 2007
Posts: 1308
Location: AUSTRALIA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: A parallel risk to watch for |
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Marty-
I have been a silent follower of your story since I joined. You are a amazing person. You have inspired me many times, if i feel down or worried about something. I look up your blog and feel humble.
To keep a blog and to stay in contact- even though so unwell, is dedication. You have help so many people over the years with your information, life story and even a little humour.
I am Thinking of you, and in my prayers. Keep up the mean kick-arse attitude and positivity.
 oops sorry about the 'arse'- but this moment calls for it.
_________________
Thinking of you Inica
*Administrator*
~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~
My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731
 9 Lives and still kicking |
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Muttsmom
Senior User
Joined: 30 Sep 2004
Posts: 631
Location: Northern AL
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| Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 4:54 pm Post subject: Re: A parallel risk to watch for |
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oops sorry about the 'arse'- but this moment calls for it
You've got that right!!!! I love the way you say that. A friend of mine in Canada says it the same way. So......whether it's kick arse or kick ass, she's sure been doing it
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04 |
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freeio
Senior User
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
Posts: 116
Location: Guntersville, Alabama
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| Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 5:04 pm Post subject: Thank you for the continued support |
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Nancy, In,
Thank you for the kind words. I asked the Lord that He would allow me to keep my mind to the end, and so far, He has done that for me. The majority of forum members are caregivers, friends, spouses and such of those with cancer, as it would seem that so many of the patients do not have the strength, or really do not want to talk about their problem. Really, I don't want to talk about it, but am driven to it by the conviction that I might help someone somewhere to get through this nasty business.
Oh and by the way, Nancy, if you follow the link to my blog and check out any of the help topics with pictures, you will find that I am not a "she." But thanks for the compliment. Does that mean I am temporarily allowed into the sisterhood of cancer survivors?
Marty
_________________
-------------------------------------------------
whipple procedure, Oct. 21, 2004
28 days of radiation
56 days of Chemo using Xeloda
diagnosed as progressive recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Stage IV) Jun. 20, 2006
was treated with gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and tarceva, which all failed.
Cancer blog: http://diehlmartin.com/cancer.html |
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Muttsmom
Senior User
Joined: 30 Sep 2004
Posts: 631
Location: Northern AL
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| Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 5:12 pm Post subject: Re: A parallel risk to watch for |
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Sorry Marty. I had a senior moment at 48 . You are welcome into the sisterhood, brotherhood any any other place available. You are truly a survivor and as In said, such an inspiration in so many ways!! We're only about 45 minutes from each other, so I hope the ((((((hugs)))))))) I sent you, you can feel along with the prayers.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04 |
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In
Site Admin
Joined: 18 Jul 2007
Posts: 1308
Location: AUSTRALIA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:02 pm Post subject: Re: A parallel risk to watch for |
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Damn Straight- it's alright to say 'kick-arse' in this case-
And if not- then i'll have to talk to Admin.
_________________
Thinking of you Inica
*Administrator*
~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~
My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731
9 Lives and still kicking |
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