Feb 132021
 

Yesterday I could not go to the bathroom, and the pain was so bad that I went to the ER in an Ambulance.  WWWendy was here, but the snow was too deep for my power chair to get to get car door.  They gave me a CT Scan.  It showed two things.  First I has severe Opioid Induced Constipation.  They gave me a shot in the belly and about an hour later I Republicated all over everything.  Then I wad to wait in one of those horrid ER beds from 2:00 PM until midnight for a medical transport company to tale me home.  Portland is shut down.  I’ve lived here since 1979 and this is the worst blizzard I’ve seen.  In addition, the scan showed that my tumors are all considerably worse, so it’s apparenty that the infusions are not working.  I’ll be contacting My oncological team next week.  I’m going back to bed.  I’ll be back in the saddle when I can.

Cartoon:

And a special one** is on the way.

Build the Future. It Belongs to YOU!!

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  26 Responses to “Personal Update – 2/13/2021”

  1. Oh! Tom, so very, very sorry to read of your pain, and also of your scan showing no improvement with re: to your tumors. Glad that you got a shot to help relieve your (backside) pain too. 
    I’m so very sad about the prognosis. I pray that you can get your rest, and hopefully get meds to reduce your pain. Keep us posted on what your oncological team says and does for you. 
    Praying for you, Tom, take good, good care, and get your rest. 

    *This just in: “Trump took over the GOP, the same way that Hitler took over Germany, from the ground up. The only reason he failed to establish a coup/dictatorship, is because of the GOP officials who refused. This is also how Putin established himself in Russia. Nobody dared to refuse.”  John P. ~ 
    2. “Re: The Hearts on the WH lawn –  Valentine’s Day – FLOTUS – “I just wanted some joy! With the pandemic, just everybody’s feeling a little down. So, it’s a little Joy. A little Hope.” ~ Jill Biden ~ 
    3. “Ahhh… the day before Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. So nice to see President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden on their walk yesterday morning with their furbabies checking out Dr. Biden’s hearts on the White House lawn. It was nice to see the press interact with the President while they banter back and forth in a good way. Something so simple but so powerful first thing in the morning. ~ Vicki M. ~ 

  2. As Nameless would and probably will say, this is not the news we wanted to hear.  Except for the part about your being home.  I guess Lona’s warning and my affirmation of it came late.  Hopefully not too late to change direction though.

    Census Bureau adjusted timeline for releasing redistricting data
    https://www.census.gov/newsroom/blogs/random-samplings/2021/02/timeline-redistricting-data.html

    And this is (just one reason) we need police reform.

    Cartoon – Because I am an opera fan, I know one who isn’t.

  3. Glad you are home TC.  Pain killers often contain warnings about constipation side effects and sometimes need to drink extra water.  Sorry you also got tumor information that wasn’t desired treatment effect.  Also empathize with the timing being in such lousy weather conditions adding the stresses of affected transportation.

  4. “Republicated”? I’m gonna steal that! 10

    Sorry to hear about those darn tumors. I hope you have someone lined up to take over Politics Plus because I love this blog.

  5. Damn!  Sorry to hear your tumor news.  Notice that I did not say “Shit!” You’ve had more than enough of that to deal with. lol
    ‘Toon: If only there were such place for the bastards!  And reincarnation, because I know of a bunch of beings who I’d like to see return as dung beetles

  6. Glad to hear that you make it home. Being as late that they released you, I wish they would of waited till the morning.
    Sorry to hear that your scan came back with negative news, I honestly thought the infusions were helping to shrink the tumors. Hope your Oncologist will have another route to try. 
    Please take care today. Get all the rest you need, Tom.
    Prayers being sent your way.
    Take care, Tom

  7. sorry to hear about your rough days…..sounds like the snow in Portland is crazy……sorry that the scan did not have good news w/r the tumors…..peace and love be with you….

  8. The good news was that your bowl wasn’t impacted and it took only one injection for the dam to break. The bad news was that your tumours are still growing despite the infusions. You seem to take it all in your stride but then your increasing back pain may have cast some doubt for you on the effectiveness of this treatment.

    For now, the most important thing is getting your pain under control without the nasty, and painful, side effects. I hope they gave you your 100 mg patches yesterday to take home.

    You are in my thoughts, TomCat, as always.

  9. As JD noted, this is not the news we wanted to hear WRT progression of the tumors.

    But I’m glad you found resolution to your abdominal pain. 

    Constipation is a well-recognized side effect from opioid meds.  I’ve even seen it addressed in ads on TV.  (Well, as best as I can tell, since TV commercials almost never have CC.)

    I suspect they gave you a subcutaneous (SubQ) injection of Methylnaltrexone (Relistor).  It’s very effective – and very fast – in relieving opioid-induced constipation (OIC).

    Although not a common Pediatric problem (other than oncology, there are very few peds patients on opioids), I would suspect that a protocol regime for OIC would include agents like: high-fiber diet; a stimulant; a stool softener; laxative; fluids; exercise – not all of which would be available to you.

    Methylnaltrexone I believe does come as an oral tablet – but I have NO familiarity with it at all.

    Sorry to hear about your blizzard – welcome to my Midwest world.  (Although given your extensive and varied domiciles, I doubt you’re a “Newbie” when it comes to blizzards.)

    Hang in there – we’re here for you!

    • A high-fiber diet might be difficult – a fiber supplement might be easier.  Metamucil?  I know there are several brands (none of which I have used) but I’ve see Metamucil used, and it certainly doesn’t look like it contains anything that could snag a stent – plus it is administered with lots of liquid.  As always, I bow to your knowledge.

    • That’s exactly what they did, Nameless.  It worked so well, and the ER was so slammed in a blizzard in a pandemic that I wad to lay buried in my own poo for an hour, while they saved peoples lives. 💩

  10. Oh, HELL, TC!  That must be so very difficult to accept…not to mention EXPERIENCE!  I’m hoping for the best, my dear…and just want to remind you that you have friends all over the world who are thinking of you and wishing the best!
    At the risk of ”too much information”….I had a similar problem after experiencing a knee replacement.  Too many opiods really lock you up!  That’s when I discovered EZEKIEL bread!  A couple of slices in the morning and….all’s well.  You can buy it at Trader Joe’s or Sprouts or probably even Whole Foods.  

    Wishing you well, TC!

  11. TomCat,
    I am so sorry to hear about all you’re going through and the bad news you ve received.  Your courage in coping with the pain and OIC is inspiring, but I wish it weren’t so necessary.
    Wishing you continued stamina and excellent sense of humor,
    Margaret Goodman 

  12. I’m so sorry, TC, that things are going so poorly for you. Blessed be, my friend. Always and forever. :^) gene

  13. May turn out to be a blessing in disguise since you can make your choices based on more information for how you want to live the rest of your life TC.

  14. TC, I have not been on line very much lately and did not realize you were having such bad news.  I am so sorry, and wish you nothing but the best.

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