I Got My PEG Tube Out Today

January 22, 2010 | By Dan

PEG-Tube It is a red letter day for me. I got my PEG tube out today after 3 months on it sticking out of my belly.

I would say that the tube and I had a love/hate relationship during the time that I had it but honestly I hated it the whole time I had it. I am thankful that it kept me from starving and dying of malnutrition but other then that it and I were not friends.

The procedure to get it out was quite simple. The doctor just cut the top off the tube, let the saline drain out, then he gave it a yank and I was free. Ah, the sweet feeling of freedom.

PEG tube – you kept me alive and I thank you for that but if our paths never cross again I will not be disappointed ;-) .

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The Next Steps – Where Do We Go From Here?

January 12, 2010 | By Dan

signpost As mentioned on my Twitter updates last week we had some significant events happen. The first was that we were finally approved for Medicaid. The approval came with a retro date of November 1st so that means the majority of my radiation treatments will be covered. That was our largest bill to date weighing in at around $20k after the discount so you can imagine how happy we were to finally get approved after 4 denials.

The other thing the approval for Medicaid did was allow us to see another Oncologist for a second opinion. The reason for the second opinion was to determine whether to have surgery or not. The issue that we were having with surgery was that our Oncologist wasn’t sure if it was necessary. He wanted it to be a joint decision with the surgeons. When we went to talk with the surgeons they just wanted to do surgery, no questions asked. As you can imagine this made us a little uncomfortable.

A New Doctor

Now that we had insurance we went back to the original Oncologist that originally diagnosed me. After explaining to him the issue that we had with the other Oncologist and surgeon he asked me about the details of the treatment that I already received. I explained to him the 6 weeks of radiation with the first and last weeks having 5 days of 5FU and 1 day Cisplatin.

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A Special Thanks to Family and Friends in 2009

December 31, 2009 | By Dan

As most of you know 2009 was quite eventful for my family and I. From being laid off in January and being unemployed for 8 months to being diagnosed with cancer in September without having health insurance. The last part of the year saw me going through radiation and chemotherapy to fight cancer. In the final weeks and days of 2009 I spent my time recovering from cancer treatment.

Now some might say that for my family and I 2009 was a terrible year. While I was tempted at times to label it that I have to say that it has been one of the best. During this past year we have been tried and tested but still have come out on top. You never know how strong your relationships are with family and friends until they are tested and this year was a lot of testing. In that testing I am glad to say that I became aware of more support from family and friends then I ever knew was there.

In the mist of everything that we went through this year we never asked for help from anyone but the help poured in, from everywhere. Folks that I hadn’t talked to a long time tracked me down because they heard that I was having a tough time. The sheer magnitude of people’s willingness to help out and contribute to our well being was overwhelming at times. As overwhelming as it was I am thankful for every contribution and offer of help that was sent our way.

With that I want to take the time to say thank you to the following organizations that helped during 2009. I have purposely not mentioned individuals because some if not all folks aren’t quite comfortable with that.

  • Coremetrics – Austin, TX – Thank you for your pool of donations. Even though it had been 10 months+ since I worked there you guys cared enough to put your resources together to help out. Thank you so much, it really means a lot to me.
  • Solarwinds – Austin, TX – Your support during and after my diagnoses helped to cushion the blow. You are a great group of people to work with and I hope I have the opportunity to do so again in the future.
  • Softserve – Lviv, Ukraine – I always enjoyed working with you guys and am so thankful for you pooling your resources together to help out. I hope we work together again in the future.
  • Best Gasket – Whittier, CA – As a former client I was not even aware that you knew what I was going through. Your contribution was greatly appreciated.
  • Celebration Church – Georgetown, TX – Thank you for the counseling support while I was in the hospital each time and the sessions that I was able to attend on my own. You helped me to keep my bearing during this difficult time.
  • Jimmy Jacobs Custom Homes – Georgetown, TX – Thank you for adopting us for Christmas. The presents you had for the kids where more then we would have ever given them and they loved it. Thank you for helping to make Christmas special in the mist of everything that was going on.
  • Wonders and Worries – Austin, TX – Thank you for your time with the kids during this time. You made my diagnoses and treatment less scary for the kids and for me. Thank you.
  • Shivers Cancer Center – Austin, TX – Thank you treating me when nobody else would without insurance.
  • All the individuals – Family and Friends - There are so many of you that are not directly associated with the organizations above that have done so much for us. You are located all over the country and made sure that you did anything you could to help out during this time. You will always be remembered and I hope we are in a position to help you out in the same manner if you ever need it.

I hope when you look back on your 2009 I hope the good outshines the bad as it has for us this year.

Here’s to an even better 2010!

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Back In The Hospital

December 26, 2009 | By Dan

Yep, I am in the emergency room right now waiting to get admitted to the hospital. I had be feeling pretty wore out for the last two days and developed a fever last night. Basically fevers and cancer treatment recovery are something to be concerned about so the wife and I went to the emergency room to be on the safe side.

After checking my blood they found that I have some sort of infection and my white blood count is low. With that they are admitting me to give me some antibiotics and something to raise my white count. I just hope the food is better here at the Round Rock Seton hospital then it was in the Austin one ;-) .

I feel alright but but have no energy and if I get up too quick I start to black out. The doctor here says that is par for the course being 3 weeks out of treatment. Oh well.

It looks like I will be here in the hospital a few days while they give me the meds.

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Latest Update on Dan’s Cancer Treatment

December 7, 2009 | By Dan

As most of you know I was diagnosed with Cancer back in September. I have been doing various posts on my progress but they get buried because I also have my Twitter updates post here as well (Incidentally there are things about my Cancer treatment in my Twitter updates but not always).

Anyway, the below link will take you to all the posts on this site that are specific to my Cancer treatment if that is what you are looking for.

http://www.danmasters.net/cat/health/cancer

Also, if you are looking to contact me you can do it via my Contact Page, on Twitter, or on Facebook.

Thanks,

Dan

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I Am Done with Chemo and Radiation!

December 7, 2009 | By Dan

victoryThis morning I finished the last dose of chemo and on Friday last week I finished my last does of radiation. In all I had 12 chemo and 25 radiation doses.

How do I feel?

I feel great.

I feel better now then I did at any other point of treatment which is pretty amazing since I currently have the highest doses of treatment “affecting” my body right now. I am able to swallow better then I have been able to in a long while even though my throat is probably swollen from the radiation. What this all means to me is that it only gets better from here.

From this point on I will be focusing on transitioning from taking food via my PEG tube to taking it all by mouth. I want to get rid of the tube as soon as I can.

Where do we go from here?

I should have a follow up appointment within the next week with my Oncologist to see how I am doing. At that point we should schedule the PET/CT scan to see if there is an active cancer left in the body. If there isn’t then we will schedule a scope of my throat to do a visual inspection. If they do find anything in either test then they will want to talk about surgery but I am praying that they don’t find anything. My Oncologist has started to sound optimistic that forgoing surgery is a possibility.

If I don’t need surgery then that should mean that I could return to the working world sometime after the first of the year which would be nice.

I have to say that I am extremely happy that things have gone as well as they have and expect that trend to continue.

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My Official Treatment Plan and Start Date

October 22, 2009 | By Dan

So I just got the final word on the what and when in regard to my treat plan. The 6 week chemo and radiation treatment plan is still in place but with a twist. See I am to have chemo on the first and last week of the 6 week plan. But during those weeks I am supposed to be getting chemo for a 16 hour period each day. On top of that I am supposed to make it to get zapped by radiation each day as well. We asked our nurse about the logistical part of this yesterday and she said she would work it out with the doctor and call us.

Well the doctor himself called today and said if I still want the 6 week treatment plan that I would need to be admitted to the hospital for the 1st and 6th week of treatment. The reason for this is that the standard chemo treatment office is only open regular business hours Monday through Friday. If I am admitted they can administer continuously like it needs to be done. He offered me that or a 3 month treatment plan where I have to carry a pump around with me.

We chose the 6 week plan.

The first reason for this is that I get the treatment done in half the time. The other benefit is if I do have an complications and/or pain I am there and they can help me with whatever I need. Sure it will be a week in the hospital but I think it is the best place for me to get this done. Also, they will ferry me each day to the radiation a couple blocks away so I will be getting the royal treatment.

Currently the doctor is looking at when I can be admitted but he is shooting Monday the 26th. We should hear back from him soon to confirm it.

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I’ve Been Pegged and Ported

October 20, 2009 | By Dan

Well today was the very first surgery of my life.

I have to admit that I was very nervous.

I think I was nervous about having a “real” surgery to begin with but also nervous about the results of the surgery as well. The results of the surgery were putting a port for my chemo treatment and a feeding tube (PEG tube) in my stomach. The thought of various tubes permanently hanging out of my body was kind of freaking me out. My wife was there by my side until they wheeled me away though and helped me to stay strong.

Upon waking up I was no longer freaked out but felt pretty good about what had taken place (I think the pain medication may have helped).

I think the main reason for this switch is that the anticipation of the unknown was now gone and so I could focus on the benefits of the work which was done. I think I am more excited about the feeding tube then the chemo port. The reason for this is that I have had trouble eating for a while and it had been getting worse. With the tube I will be able to get the food into my system that I need without struggling.

With the chemo port I am told that I will not need anymore IV’s so that is a bonus. IV’s and shots are my least favorite part of this experience so far but as bad as they are they don’t comapare to the…

BLOOD PRESURE CUFF Read More »

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I’ve Left My Job in the Name of Treatment

October 15, 2009 | By Dan

The last 24hrs have been a whirlwind of information, decisions, and action. I will start with yesterday.

Yesterday I had my appointment with my radiation doctor. This is a private practice doctor meaning that he is not directly associated with the cancer center and thus we are footing the bill for his services. At the appointment he inquires about when I am scheduled to start chemotherapy. I inform him that I do not know yet and that I do not even have an appointment with the surgeon to get my chemo port. He looks a little concerned about this since he will be ready to do radiation in a couple of days but I must first have my chemo. He then mentions that yeah, because you don’t have insurance things run slower for me over there (at the cancer center).

This took me by shock.

In so many words he was saying that because I did not have insurance that my treatment was being delayed. I then inquire about him whether I should be concerned about the delay because my cancer had not spread – yet – but could it spread because of the delay? He said that a week should not make a difference but that yes, a month would not be good. It had been a week and a half. The doctor goes on to say that if I had insurance he could send me right up to his oncologist and get me taken care of. This got to both my wife and I. Read More »

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Having Cancer Without Having Health Insurance

October 13, 2009 | By Dan

healthcare-reform As if being diagnosed with cancer wasn’t a big enough shock there is another part to my story that delivered almost as big of a blow to my wife and I. See, I was laid off from my job back in January. As apart of being laid off I was offered Cobra which would have allowed me to continue my company-sponsored health insurance.  I would have to pay the whole amount of the policy which was about $950/month. Being recently unemployed and unable to find a job I elected not to participate and we had kids covered under a local Medicaid program (funny, the kids qualified but Elsy and I did not).

I few months later President Obama was nice enough to pass a bill for unemployed people that would cover up to 65% of Cobra costs and we elected barack-obama to participate. Our monthly total for insurance would be around $350. It would still be tough to come up with that extra money every month but it would be worth it we thought. When we got the first bill to start the Cobra coverage it was $1250. See they wanted us to pay for the ~3 months of coverage that we never used. While $350/month would be tight, but possible, $1250 was unattainable after being unemployed for almost 4 months.  We did not take the coverage.

Fast forward to late August.

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