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Post by edmontongreg on Feb 9, 2014 9:35:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the update on Burner. Hope he kicks this.
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Post by edmontongreg on Feb 9, 2014 9:43:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the update on Burner. Hope he kicks this.
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Post by TheBear on Feb 9, 2014 11:39:34 GMT -5
BluePriders,
In all my years as a psychiatric nurse and as a counselor in Thanatology, one concept keeps being reiterated in its truth...
The Greatest Fear of ALL is the Fear of the UNKNOWN
We all want the best outcome for Burner, even as we all know it is going to be a fight. It occurred to me that it must have been difficult for Tommy to break the news to us. And, I can only suspect the shock to us all when hearing/reading the words "acute leukemia."
This is where the emotional impact of the unknown enters. What is leukemia? ... and what is "acute leukemia?" Just from the sound of it, "acute" sounds even more scary.
Below are a couple links. First, a quick explanation from the National Institute of Health, NIH, on what is meant by "acute" or "chronic" ... and what is the difference...
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/18126.htm
Then, a link from the American Cancer Fund with a basic definition/explanation of leukemia and the 4 general types of it...
americancancerfund.org/leukemia/?gclid=CMri_IC0v7wCFVKRfgod9QUAgg
Knowledge is power. Hopefully, as we take away the FEAR of the unknown, may the power of the Positive Energy we send to our beloved Burner come from a place of being informed.
Respectfully, Bear ________________________.
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Post by hcsodale on Feb 9, 2014 12:52:39 GMT -5
Alright, who is connected up there in NYC? We will give Burner his time to get things physically and mentally sorted out, and then we need to get Patti LuPone to do a quick guest appearance for him to get him feeling like things are back to normal!! Since every male nurse in the hospital will be in there watching too, Burner can have some sensory overload between the entertainment and the eye candy! We're thinking about ya Burner! Be well.
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Post by TheBear on Feb 9, 2014 13:55:16 GMT -5
(Clip...) ...We will give Burner his time to get things physically and mentally sorted out, and then we need to get Patti LuPone to do a quick guest appearance (clip...) ...Since every male nurse in the hospital will be in there watching too, Burner can have some sensory overload between the entertainment and the eye candy! We're thinking about ya Burner! Be well. GOOOOD Thought, Dale!
Patti Patti Patti!!!
Um, and is there a hint in there that the male nurses in NYC are, ah, uh, um, "fluffy"? (or just admirers of a gay icon superstar)?
... an a one; an a two... "Let me Entertain You... Let me Make you Smile!"
RascalBear _______________.
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Post by bluepride on Feb 11, 2014 19:45:55 GMT -5
An update on Frank: He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. I spoke with him a while ago and as always, he's in great spirits. He's had 2 spinal taps since last Friday and he began chemo today. Only two chemo drugs which will be given over the next few days with some time allowed for the stuff to do it's work. He'll most likely have the usual reactions; Nausea, fatigue and possibly a loss of hair....the chances of that are good, unfortunately. But it will grow back, hopefully a better quality than that unsightly mop he has now. He's hoping it comes in platinum blond. I guess he's never heard of Miss Clairol....(not much!)
I did some research on the medications he will be getting and I'm very familiar with one of them. He has some interesting days coming up. His doctor has many years of experience. Of course, Frank is not enamored with the food they serve. But I reminded him he's not staying at the Waldorf and he has to eat. It seems like mostly chicken and fish, which are pretty much staples at his house anyway.
So the treatment begins.....Let's all wish him the best and keep him in our thoughts and prayers. I'm working on getting a photo of him in the hospital gown with the butt shot. Except I want a rectal thermometer sticking out the butt. He's going to have to accept that this will be done.
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Post by bluepride on Feb 15, 2014 11:45:09 GMT -5
Just a quick update: The last two days were pretty rough for Frank but he was bitching about the food earlier this morning so that's a good sign. Myself, his partner and one other are going to drive to the snow to their upstate place to get mail and a couple of quick chores. If the snow is really bad we may just turn back. He knows we're all thinking of him and he appreciates it. I'll try to check in later tonight or tomorrow. Thanks.
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Post by bluepride on Feb 16, 2014 22:38:26 GMT -5
Got the chores that Frank needed done yesterday. It was a long trip and we ran into snow on the way and on the way back. Visibility was horrible. I'm glad I wasn't driving.
I spoke to Frank today for approximately 1 minute, if that. He was tired so I wasn't going to tax him. This evening I find out he had two visitors during the day. Both are members here, actually. Supposedly the chemo ends Monday or Tuesday, then he has to recover from it and be monitored for reactions and regain strength. And when I returned from upstate last night, I saw that he had left a message on my answering machine. He must have called as soon as I left the house.
According to his doctor, everything is going as expected. Even though today's phone call was very brief and he was very tired, he had me laughing. Simply amazing.
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Post by hcsodale on Feb 17, 2014 19:18:12 GMT -5
"You'll be swell! You'll be great! Gonna have the whole world on the plate! Starting here, starting now, honey, everything's coming up roses!"
Okay Frank, name that Musical!
Keep up the good work, we're here to harass support you.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2014 10:46:16 GMT -5
I just got off the phone with Burners hubby Stephen. He gave me some more updates. He's optimistic about Franks recovery. He said it will take time but he's hoping for the best. I'll be giving Frank a call later today.
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Post by bluepride on Feb 24, 2014 13:04:26 GMT -5
Spoke to Frank a couple of times in the last few days, the last time being Friday, I believe. He actually called me to apologize for not wanting to speak to anyone much due to the chemo reaction. Can you imagine? But when I spoke to him last, he was feisty and sounded so much better than about a week ago. He is off the chemo and is undergoing more tests to gauge the effectiveness of the drugs. Maybe another round of chemo just to be on the safe side?? I'll be speaking to him later today, I'm sure. For myself, I gotta go to my chiropractor today after seeing her on Friday. The kindest, softest thing I can say about my latest back pain is: "agony". I'm hoping the doctor and myself get it right today and I'm adjusted correctly! I'll call Frank when I return home. One thing that has got him mad is that one of our friends, who means well, I guess, has been calling him and after about 30 seconds, makes the phone call all about him (the friend) for the next 20-30 minutes. Un-frigging-believable. Frank's other half blocked his number out of Frank's cell phone...(The one with the rotary dial). Thank God he doesn't have his room land line phone number. He may have to be told in no uncertain terms to NOT call Frank at all. Period. Some people just HAVE to make everything about THEM. Jeez....
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Post by TheBear on Feb 24, 2014 19:09:23 GMT -5
THREE CHEERS for the sunshine in the report on and from our own dear Burner! Oncologists and specialized techs and nurses have far more up-to-date medical training than I when it comes to something like this leukemia diagnosis. However, in my field, I have found age, maturity, experience - and most of all PMA, Positive Mental Attitude, - show the way toward the outcome we seek. That Burner himself leads by example with PMA is the best healer.
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Post by bluepride on Feb 26, 2014 13:34:47 GMT -5
Since Frank came off the chemo, it has been sort of a roller coaster. Conflicting reports on how effective the drugs were. The good news is his white blood count is good as well as his reds. That is important. And the chemo worked on most of what it was supposed to and then there is some chemo that didn't get the job done. So...more medications are being given; not necessarily chemo at this point. And he has been reassured that things aren't as bleak as was reported to him after the chemo ended. The report he read was very technical and it really wasn't in patient friendly language. But he sounds good and is still in good spirits. He's going to be in the hospital longer than we thought and he knows he has to go through some more medical procedures, tests and treatment. He still bitches about the food. And he had a horrible room mate that was driving him crazy. I heard the guy in the background and actually asked Frank if his room mate was a billy goat. Because that is what he sounded like to me. I kid you not. As of this morning, he has been moved to a private room because of the slob in the room. For all of the good reports I've been giving, please don't think that this ordeal has been a walk in the park for Frank. His humor, sarcasm, bluntness and objectivity has been getting him....and myself...as well as Steve....through this. I'll probably be speaking to him later today. I don't like to bother him every day so I try to give him a break every couple of days. Please keep him in your thoughts.
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Post by bluepride on Mar 1, 2014 19:30:05 GMT -5
Things took an unexpected turn yesterday. Surprisingly, Frank was released from the hospital. His numbers are apparently good enough to allow him to go home but he has to return to the doctor on Monday for more treatment in his office. We're expecting at least 6 inches of snow (down from about 12 at last report) so it may be either a postponement or a change in plans. I haven't spoken to him yet because I want him to have time to himself and Steve. And to just revel in the fact that he's back home. He'll have to have visiting nurse service to tend to his chemo pic and a few other things. But hopefully, the treatments remaining will allow him to stay out of the hospital and recover fully at home. This came out of the blue for me; I wasn't expecting it but I'm glad it happened. Maybe when he feels up to it, Frank will check in here and say hi.
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Post by TheBear on Mar 2, 2014 19:18:34 GMT -5
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