Chemotherapy?

[Padams]

Hi All,

This is simply a venting my frustration type entry. Skip if you must.

My GI diagnosed me with Refractory Sprue. I am going in on Wednesday to have a face-to-face conversation with him. I had another call from him today and he said that he is going to talk to me about starting chemotherapy. He said that my immune system is over-active and the chemotherapy should help to slow it down? I'm not quite sure of the logic, but I will have a much better understanding Wednesday.

I guess my main gripe is .. chemotherapy wipes you out. I know everyone responds differently, but I do not want to go to school feeling like crap. I already do that . Anyway, I wanted to take a semester off to heal or at least try to regrain some of my strength. I am working a part-time job and my dad provides insurance for me, since I am a full-time student. If I were to take off a semester, I would lose all insurance, unless I had a full-time job -- due to my age and not being a full-time student anymore. I called around insurance companies, and I actually had some pretty honest answers to my questions.

I guess I am going to stick with school and suffer with it. I am a straight A student, but these last two semesters have been horrible. I've been pulling a C average, if not worst. My Disability Officer sympathizes; but there is nothing she can do.

Sorry for my vent.

That feels better.

Hope you all are doing well.

-Patrick
_________________
Patrick
06/14/05
I love Danna Korn

[paw]

Patrick, Hang in there and do what you have to do to get healthy. I understand how helpless you feel because you are not in control. My husband needed a kidney transplant and I felt pretty useless while the doctors did all their tests and things that they had to do. He was really sick and just making it from day to day. FINALLY he was cleared for surgery. Then I could get tested -- more waiting.

Long story a little shorter, I am a kidney donor for 4 1/2 years now! He is doing fine. It is amazing what they were able to do once they got him working correctly (with a new spare part from me) and on the meds to keep the immune system down.

Yes, we do watch out when he is around sick people. Yes, he has pills to take every day. Me? I do not have health problems as a result of the kidney donation. This wheat thing is completely unrelated and would have happened anyway. I have seen what can happen when the doctors find the problem and take care of it. I am wishing you the best of health even if it is a bumpy road to get there.

[isto]

Hi, Patrick!
I'm really sympathizing with you, as I'm sure everyone on the forum is. We all know how difficult it is to function when so ill and exhausted. On top of it you are carrying the burden of your dad's illness, also. All you can do is take it one day at a time and do the best you can for THAT day. I applaud you for your positive attitude and lack of whining. Venting is not whining, it lets us all know what is going on with you! I am praying for your strength and for wisdom to know what is the best decision for you!

Danita

[cruelshoes]

Patrick - as I have mentioned before, I am a cancer survivor. I have had more chemotherapy than I would care to remember (2 years worth). Different chemotherapy drugs have different reactions. It would be helpful if your doctor told you specifically the drugs he is thinking of trying on you. One drug I took didn't seem to affect me at all, but another one I took made me puke like the exorcist. Also, I think that the combinations that they may want to try at one time can be more difficult than a single one.

Could you take fewer classes at a time to try to give yourself an easier time of it?
_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
10-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters (12 and 2) have neg. bloodwork

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

[Professor]

[Jeannine1]

Hi Patrick,
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis.
I would say to give up that jop that you have at the grocery with all the contamination issues. you certainly do not need that.
I also think that with that diagnosis that you should qualify to get social security disability. I would definitly be checking into that. I recommend the book "Nolo's guide to Social security Disability, Getting & keeping yur benefits". You can get it on line, I think it is Nolo.com

Also, if you have to go to school, just take the least amount of classses that you can. Passing is passing. What is that little story, A's make good scientist, b's make good research, & c's makes good doctors.
(Heck we all know that is true!)

take care of yourself & get your test results & check things out for yourself. You will get thru this & be in better health sooner or later. Although I know that now it seems overwhelming, I am sure there are wonderful things in your future. This is just a little speed bump, okay with potholes!

[aklap]

Hi Patrick,

I've been looking around for Refractory Sprue info (I started a thread titled Refractory Sprue Info). Boy, almost all info says it's really really rare. Gosh, I'm not doubting your doc...but has he seen this before or had a lot of experience with RS in the past? I just wonder if seeking out another opinion would be a good thing to do.

I just want you to be getting the best care possible!
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[Judy]

I definitely agree with the Professor - they will probably give you much less chemo than a cancer patient. I also took Methotrexiate for a while and it was definitely a low dose. They use chemo for MS, too and I was told by a chemo nurse that it was a very small dose. Good luck Patrick - know that we are all pulling for you here. (((hugs)))
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Judy