Dennis, where are you?

[Guest guest]

Dennis,

We haven't heard from you in quite some time. How are the radiation

treatments going?

Please pop in and tell us how you're doing. We care about you and miss

you.

Sue

[Guest guest]

I'm so glad to hear from you, Dennis!

Sorry that you have to do so much driving for your radiation treatments.

We're thinking of you.

Not an MD

On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 11:24 AM, Dennis W <betnden@...> wrote:

> I'm still here and read all the posts. I haven't replied because I put

> myself in 'self-imposed exile' after posting a bad one about a month ago

> that wasn't me. I've got to be better than that and apologize for my

> actions.

> I started radiation last Wednesday. I drive an hour there and an hour home

> after. After changing into a gown, I wait for maybe 10 minutes before being

> called in, then about 10 minutes on the table. It takes longer to find a

> parking place. I haven't noticed any side-effects except for extreme fatigue

> and more depression so far, but I'm too grouchy, too. That's why I'm careful

> in what I say or do, even at home. Of course, I had to stop MTX and Folic

> Acid, and don't know the effects of that at this point.

> I do know the effect it will make in my wallet. A trip to and from the

> clinic is almost 70 miles and I'll have to do that 5 days a week for the

> next 2 months. The clinic did give me a little help with that, so it will

> ultimately be a big help.

>

> Dennis in eastexas

[Guest guest]

Dennis,

Sorry you are having to go through all that and have such a long drive on top of

it all. Hope you get to feeling better. My friend went through radiation and

said the extreme fatigue got her too. Please be careful because she mentioned

that the fatigue seemed to get worse the longer she went through it. Everyone is

different so hopefully that won't happen to you.

>

> I'm still here and read all the posts. I haven't replied because I put

> myself in 'self-imposed exile' after posting a bad one about a month ago

> that wasn't me. I've got to be better than that and apologize for my

> actions.

> I started radiation last Wednesday. I drive an hour there and an hour home

> after. After changing into a gown, I wait for maybe 10 minutes before being

> called in, then about 10 minutes on the table. It takes longer to find a

> parking place. I haven't noticed any side-effects except for extreme fatigue

> and more depression so far, but I'm too grouchy, too. That's why I'm careful

> in what I say or do, even at home. Of course, I had to stop MTX and Folic

> Acid, and don't know the effects of that at this point.

> I do know the effect it will make in my wallet. A trip to and from the

> clinic is almost 70 miles and I'll have to do that 5 days a week for the

> next 2 months. The clinic did give me a little help with that, so it will

> ultimately be a big help.

>

> Dennis in eastexas

>

[Guest guest]

Dennis, big smooches. Kick that cancer in the booty. Rest when you can, gentle

exercise when you feel up to it. Have Betty help you with the VA stuff as she's

able. They've got some good prostate cancer resources. And don't worry about

salty posts. I think everyone understands that sometimes we get grouchy or have

a raw nerve touched. Heck, we can always bring back the " did I cause my RA "

debate and I can jump up and down for a while. Hugs, Kate F

[Guest guest]

Kate, I have had blood tests and saw a doctor at the VA outpatient clinic in

Tyler last week. Unfortunately, they have nothing to offer me in any way.

Even to see a Rheumy will have me driving into Dallas or use the Longview

office to set up something in Shreveport, about the same distance. I guess

I'll stick with the 22 mile doc. I was hoping for better news but that was

it. And Ive been battling a big case of Fibro thanks to Nae, I think,

posting symptoms and other effects. I had forgotten about them. Maybe we

need reminders of symptoms lest we forget.

Dennis in eastexas

On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 8:24 PM, Fair <kalfoley@...> wrote:

>

>

>

>

> Dennis, big smooches. Kick that cancer in the booty. Rest when you can,

> gentle exercise when you feel up to it. Have Betty help you with the VA

> stuff as she's able. They've got some good prostate cancer resources. And

> don't worry about salty posts. I think everyone understands that sometimes

> we get grouchy or have a raw nerve touched. Heck, we can always bring back

> the " did I cause my RA " debate and I can jump up and down for a while. Hugs,

> Kate F

>

>

[Guest guest]

It is so nice to see you posting again. My thoughts are with you and your wife.

you have always had a keen sense of humor. It will return.  Know we all care

about you....

Raniolo

>

>

>

>

> Dennis, big smooches. Kick that cancer in the booty. Rest when you can,

> gentle exercise when you feel up to it. Have Betty help you with the VA

> stuff as she's able. They've got some good prostate cancer resources. And

> don't worry about salty posts. I think everyone understands that sometimes

> we get grouchy or have a raw nerve touched. Heck, we can always bring back

> the " did I cause my RA " debate and I can jump up and down for a while. Hugs,

> Kate F

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dennis!! So good to hear from you. Is there anyway to move your treatments

closer to home or somewhere you could stay from Monday night until after your

treatment on Friday? I know how rough those drives can be. I will keep you in my

prayers. How is Betty doing? Be well, my friend and don't be a stranger - grumpy

or not - we can take it..... Doreen

>

> I'm still here and read all the posts. I haven't replied because I

> put myself in 'self-imposed exile' after posting a bad one about a

> month ago that wasn't me. I've got to be better than that and

> apologize for my actions.

> I started radiation last Wednesday. I drive an hour there and an

> hour home after. After changing into a gown, I wait for maybe 10

> minutes before being called in, then about 10 minutes on the table.

> It takes longer to find a parking place. I haven't noticed any

> side-effects except for extreme fatigue and more depression so far,

> but I'm too grouchy, too. That's why I'm careful in what I say or

> do, even at home. Of course, I had to stop MTX and Folic Acid, and

> don't know the effects of that at this point.

> I do know the effect it will make in my wallet. A trip to and from

> the clinic is almost 70 miles and I'll have to do that 5 days a

> week for the next 2 months. The clinic did give me a little help

> with that, so it will ultimately be a big help.

>

> Dennis in eastexas

[Guest guest]

Well, Doreen, it won't be closer for the next few years. My regular hospital

is building a big fancy Cancer Center, but I expect to be cured before then.

Betty is still having bad pains in her right hip and her Spine doc 'can't do

anything for her' until she loses weight! He had been working only on her

spine, not the rest of her. She has an appointment with another doc soon.

Until then she's taking the same anti-inflammatory I am. The one she was

taking wasn't doing anything for her but she didn't say anything about it. I

finally got fed up with things and gave her one of my Lodine tabs. I know

it's not supposed to be that way, but nobody else will help her. In a matter

of hours, she could feel the difference! The next morning, we called her

doctor and he called in a script for these tabs. During that 'bad' time, she

got too soft and now we need to get her up again.

Our daughter, Liz, is having a bad flare with swollen joints and lots of

pain, but she can't afford a doctor. She won't be worth much if she doesn't,

and she knows what it has done to me. That's the sad part of it.

Dennis in eastexas

On Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 7:06 AM, Mimi <mimi212@...> wrote:

>

>

> Hi Dennis!! So good to hear from you. Is there anyway to move your

> treatments closer to home or somewhere you could stay from Monday night

> until after your treatment on Friday? I know how rough those drives can be.

> I will keep you in my prayers. How is Betty doing? Be well, my friend and

> don't be a stranger - grumpy or not - we can take it..... Doreen

>

>

>

> >

> > I'm still here and read all the posts. I haven't replied because I

> > put myself in 'self-imposed exile' after posting a bad one about a

> > month ago that wasn't me. I've got to be better than that and

> > apologize for my actions.

> > I started radiation last Wednesday. I drive an hour there and an

> > hour home after. After changing into a gown, I wait for maybe 10

> > minutes before being called in, then about 10 minutes on the table.

> > It takes longer to find a parking place. I haven't noticed any

> > side-effects except for extreme fatigue and more depression so far,

> > but I'm too grouchy, too. That's why I'm careful in what I say or

> > do, even at home. Of course, I had to stop MTX and Folic Acid, and

> > don't know the effects of that at this point.

> > I do know the effect it will make in my wallet. A trip to and from

> > the clinic is almost 70 miles and I'll have to do that 5 days a

> > week for the next 2 months. The clinic did give me a little help

> > with that, so it will ultimately be a big help.

> >

> > Dennis in eastexas

>

[Guest guest]

Dennis - is there somewhere close to where you have to go that you could stay

during the week so you don't have to make that long drive back and forth?

I know what you mean about giving someone else our Rx's - and I also understand

that sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. I'm happy to hear that

YOU were able to figure out what Betty needed and she's feeling better. I get so

aggravated with these doctors that don't seem to want to think outside of the

box anymore. I think I'd be tempted to find a new doctor for Betty. Don't these

idiots know that a lot of our weight problems are a direct result of the joint

pain we experience? If they'd fix her hip and/or spine, she could feel stronger

afterward and possibly be able to work on the weight then - if they haven't

jerked around so long that it would be too hard for her. But, right now its only

causing her more pain. Maybe the Lodine will help her to become more active and

be able to build up some of those muscles. <sigh> I get so irritated with

doctors!!

I'm sorry to hear your daughter seems to be following in your RA footsteps. Can

she go to a local health department? It might be a slow process, but they might

could get her the help she needs.

My oldest daughter has followed in the family's AD footsteps. I have the RA, she

has MS. Totally sucks - and I really believe that genetics plays a huge role in

these AD's (Auto-immune Disorders). I worry about my youngest daughter. I pray

she doesn't follow in our footsteps.

Anyway - hang in there, Dennis. Its good to hear from you again. Vent away

anytime. We're here for you..... Doreen

>

> Well, Doreen, it won't be closer for the next few years. My regular

> hospital is building a big fancy Cancer Center, but I expect to be

> cured before then. Betty is still having bad pains in her right hip

> and her Spine doc 'can't do anything for her' until she loses

> weight! He had been working only on her spine, not the rest of her.

> She has an appointment with another doc soon. Until then she's

> taking the same anti-inflammatory I am. The one she was taking

> wasn't doing anything for her but she didn't say anything about it.

> I finally got fed up with things and gave her one of my Lodine

> tabs. I know it's not supposed to be that way, but nobody else will

> help her. In a matter of hours, she could feel the difference! The

> next morning, we called her doctor and he called in a script for

> these tabs. During that 'bad' time, she got too soft and now we

> need to get her up again. Our daughter, Liz, is having a bad flare

> with swollen joints and lots of pain, but she can't afford a

> doctor. She won't be worth much if she doesn't, and she knows what

> it has done to me. That's the sad part of it.

>

> Dennis in eastexas