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So I believe that this masterpiece was created not too long after I started the first. Probably sometime shortly after my major surgical operation. You know there's really nothing to do in a hospital except sleep for many a day (which I did, in fact, do).
So I finally got the word from my kind team of docs at the Burzynski Clinic today. They had the final word from my MRI that I got two days ago as well as the PET scan that I got yesterday (a word of note: the PET scan is equivalent to forty x-rays. Docs don't usually relate this info to their woefully uninformed patients either.) The MRI showed little to nothing in terms of new growth. There were a few questionable spots but things are pointing to post-surgical changes rather than any new growth. Then I got a PET scan to check the metabolic activity of the cells. That too looked like any possible growth in the questionable areas was post-surgical change. So things are looking on the up right now.
As great as this sounds, it doesn't in any way mean that I'm in regression yet. I know the tumor's in there. After the word I got from my last pathology report, this is fantastic news, but not quite so good for my treatment plan, though. Because I'm still not showing 5mm of growth, I remain unqualified to do any of the rigorous antineoplaston lifestyle right now, but I can still do the targeted gene therapy. So that's what I'm putting my money on-literally. I got the first drug today, and I'll be adding them in over the next few days. Then I'll be heading back to Atlanta late next week. I don't know what'll happen after that, but I'll post it as I think of it...
It's been a little over ten months that I've been dealing with this load of cancer crap. Ten months down; ten months to waste. Well...if that isn't a terribly negative thought, then I'm forbidden from accessing such a thing.
Actually contrary to what I said in the last paragraph, I'm doing much better than I was. After being fairly slumped over for the past few weeks, I think things are looking better than the last few weeks. Sometimes I get bogged down into negative trains of thought such as the infamous statement above, but I'm slowly regaining my will to keep my head held high. Hopefully, I'll be keeping things on this note for a bit.
This was it. I thought that today would be one of those early to rise, early to bed type of days, but alas 'tis not the case. Why would it not be? (Wow, thanks for your heightened personal opinion of this writing.) Today was going to be a bit much from the start: an 8am phone call with an expensive researcher immediately followed by a trip unawares to the local Burzynski clinic. It turned into a full day, though. I didn't get back into my room until 10pm. Now I know you busy folks out there may be pontificating, "That's not so bad, I do that most days." I know I used to be one of you. Oh and I took 10mg of Melatonin the night before. That'll keep you asleep all day.
Anyway, not to be totally vindicating myself (although I don't want to come off as a total wuss either), today was an interesting albeit somewhat disheartening day. So what's the deal then? I essentially have two options here. The first option is targeted gene therapy. It's essentially a treatment plan involving my own blood and several cancer biomarkers.
The treatment goes like this: My blood is taken (Yet again. I don't think I even feel it anymore), and it's tested for several markers that determine the specific oncogenes (those little cancer-promoting rapscallions) that my particular tumor expresses. Then if I do have a tendency for over expressed oncogenes, they'll scientifically formulate a proper list of ever-efficacious drugs for me to take that would ideally kill off any remaining tumor cells. I take some pills, and I may have to go get a shot each week. Oh and this is the easy way.
If I don't over express any oncogenes, then I'd need to do things the hard way. I'll need to turn to the Antineoplaston lifestyle. This is no simple drug, it is a lifestyle (albeit one that could save my life). Let me explain it to you. First, I'll have to have a catheter inserted into my sub-clavicle (for those of unexposed to bone speak, it's your collar bone). Then I'll be essentially taught how to be my own nurse. There will be a small 4lb. pump that will require a constant 24 hour connection. Connected to this pump will be two bags in a convenient little case that holds my synthetic pee residue. (Really. It's derived from human urine. Don't worry, it doesn't smell like it anymore...much.) These are two large liter-sized bottles. I'll go through three of those in six of my four-hour episodes. On top of this, I'll have to learn how to spike my own bottles to avoid pumping air into a major artery of mine, sanitize my catheter every time I reconnect the tubing, clean it out every three to five days, and draw my own blood via catheter every two days. This will be analyzed and faxed to Burzysnki to be interpreted by his hi octane staff of Houston docs. Oh and on top of all that, this will be a process that could take up to a year. Yay!
