July 2020- I start having pain in my left arm. I request an appt with VA doctor. In the meantime, the VA prescribes a variety of anti-depressants that double as nerve pain counters
September 2020- 6 weeks after requesting the appointment, I finally see doctor,starting months of flailing about for cause of pain..
October 2020- first visit w/ neurologist; they think it is pinched nerves at wrist, elbow, and neck
December 2020- finally begin physical therapy. pain gets worse
January 2021- steroids proves the only thing to bring pain down consistently; lose functionality left arm
May 2021- trigger points become visible on left arm[ a lump on my neck also becomes visible https://peakd.com/life/@stevescoins/youve-got-to-be-shtting-me
June 2021- CT scan done
July 2021- MRIs done; VA won't schedule biopsy til August https://peakd.com/proofofbrain/@stevescoins/this-percentandpercenting-blows
September 2021- finally get biopsy results[ its a soft-cell sarcoma, very rare.
https://peakd.com/health/@stevescoins/diagnosis-inand-its-not-good
first of many trips to ER for pain
after one such trip to a hospital associated w the outpatient I have been assigned to, they request I check in immediately to the hospital the neurosurgeon works in https://peakd.com/health/@stevescoins/the-end-of-the-tunnel.
transferred to another hospital
October 2021- docs decide to do chemo instead of surgery. i dont respond to the chemo well
https://peakd.com/health/@stevescoins/rug-pulled-again
https://peakd.com/health/@stevescoins/hurry-up-and-wait
https://peakd.com/health/@stevescoins/bad-news-piles-up
i get released from hospital, supposedly to finish chemo via VA
https://peakd.com/cancer/@stevescoins/end-of-round-1-cancer-1-ste-ve-1
doc tells me i'll die within a month of no chemo ( later on, I see this is never written into my records)but i'm home for halloween
November 2021- i check in w/VA ASAP. they dont have me scheduled for chemo, and i cant even get in to speak w oncologist for a measely 5 minutes
I start the paperwork for end-of-life care (im not going to die in front of my mom)
my sister says "fuck that", and brings me to Florida; she also searches out for a second opinion
December 2021- Moffitt Cancer Center, https://moffitt.org/, takes up the case.
January 2022- I begin chemo (3 cycles of 1 week in hospital, 2 weeks at home). Again, I respond poorly to treatment, having horrible hallucinations.
February 2022- I complete chemo, being nothing but a puddle of jelly and sick.
Now- I'm still weak, but regaining strength every day. I still have a surgery and radiation to get thru. I may lose the left arm. I'll find out more next week after meeting with the docs.
You're one tough sunuvabitch, Steve. Keep being tough.
i wished i was, brother
Damn dude, hang in there, never give up.
I'm sure you hear advice from all sorts, but I am hearing ivermectin is being looked at as a cancer fighting agent. Best wishes in your fight.
thank you for your thoughts. i did give up once, buy my family pulled me out
I looked you up because I was looking for one of my old Steemit posts and came across this one: https://peakd.com/propaganda/@tommycordero/the-cold-war-of-bumper-stickers
You made me aware of the term Pluralistic Ignorance, I appreciated your sincere interaction with me back then.
I was sad to learn that your health is not the best at the moment. Graviola fruit is rumored to be good for cancer. You can probably find it in Hispanic or Asian markets.
thank you, Tommy, i'll try the fruit
I came across this post from @rt395 and am so sorry to hear about what you are going through, in particular having to wait a whole year before getting a biopsy. I hope you will continue to gain the much needed strength to take on the next battles. All the best
thank you. the Moffitt Center moves a little faster than the VA ;>
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Haven't heard from you for a bit. I'm hoping you're still kicking. I dunno how I'd find out if you weren't. A couple months ago I gave my heir instructions on how to access my account, so if I am killed by a jealous wife or husband, he can let ya'll know. If you can't get your sister to take on that responsibility, you could check in at appointed times, so if you miss one we know to mourn.
But, enough hypotheticals. Just check in and let me know you're ok. Even if you have to type with one hand, at least you've had plenty of practice doing that.
Did you ever hear from him after this?
No
Has anyone heard from Steve in the last year??
I haven't man. I reckon he's moved on. I still miss him.
damn :(