Do Not Go Gently—

But DO go as much, as far, and as often as you can…

 

Both Carol and I vastly overused the medical system in January and February. It seems we had more than our share of medical maladies, slow recoveries, new pills, multiple tests, and it went on and on… We normally head south in early February to soak up some desert sun while the rain dominates our home in Oregon. This year we got away a month late, which is better than not leaving at all, and we have been basking in the Arizona sun for about a month now. We left the day after the last doctor gave us the last OK (or what we interpreted as an OK).

We are healthy, relaxed, tan, active, and have seen nary a doctor, clinic, or hospital in a while. Hooray! Of course, like so many of our friends, our life seems to revolve around the regular medical appointments we have for blood tests, med updates, exams, and the odd x-ray and scan. We accept that as part of our long term survival plan.

It’s those dratted unplanned health events that mess up our schedule. You can’t actually plan to get the flu a week from Tuesday, twist your ankle the day after the grandkids go home, or slip on the ice next month. All these things can, and do, happen whenever they jolly well please.

We are getting more stubborn (if that’s possible) about doing what we want, when we want, and finding ways to shortcut those medical procedures and that time consuming healing process. For example, we have learned to remove stitches (actually pretty simple) and perform other medical procedures that might otherwise keep us close to home. We haven’t mastered brain surgery yet, but never say never… 

As more and more health challenges can (and do) occur, it takes more and more planning to do what we need to stay alive and mostly healthy and at the same time live our life our way. So far so good, but it can sometimes require a bit of diabolical plotting. Isn’t life supposed to be challenging, exciting, and interesting?

axman

There is NO free lunch—and NO miracle drugs

Cancer treatments can have unintended side effects‑‑forever

 

Many of us have had treatments and taken multiple medications for all sorts of cancer related conditions. Many of these common and widely used treatments and meds have significant side effects—as you surely know by now, but were not necessarily aware of at the beginning of treatment. 

Revisiting this has been triggered by my recent bladder procedure (cystoscopy) to remove cancer cells and cauterize ‘bleeders’ from my bladder cystitis. The cancer is a continuation of my prostate cancer and the cystitis was likely caused by radiation therapy I had ten years ago, for prostate cancer diagnosed twelve years ago. I was unaware all these years that radiation could cause such a ‘side effect.’ 

On the medication side, one purpose of clinical trials is to determine if the side effects of the experimental medication is within tolerable limits. No one expects new drugs to be free of side effects but, in fact, different people have different levels of unintended results. If the side effect is worse than the disease the FDA won’t approve it (probably). I have had many medication side effects. My list of med side effects has included loss of body hair, growth of hair on my head, significant breast growth, joint pains, hot flashes, upset stomach, fatigue, etc. My wife says ‘crankiness’ is another side effect. 

Treatments such as Chemo and Radiation kill all the bad cells and all the good cells they come in contact with. The ‘bad’ (cancer) cells are supposed to stay dead and the ‘good’ cells are supposed to grow back, mostly. That works often enough for these treatments to be used regularly. These treatments may help, or not. But there will likely be side effects. In my case the radiation did not work and the long-term side effects have been significant. I probably should have done my ‘homework’ a little better and a little sooner.

Pills and injections are less traumatic treatments but if you read the fine print that comes with your prescription, you are at risk some for every disease and condition known to medical science. I take pills to counteract the side effect of other pills. You may be doing the same thing. Why do we do it over and over? It all has to do with our quest to stay alive a little longer.

Of course I will continue to undergo treatments, take pills, and have injections in the hope that I will stay alive and be able to manage the side effects…just a little longer. I also pledge to do more and better homework so I know what to expect.

axman