Category: Personal History
Only in Ireland
Carrick on Shannon, 2014.
Perhaps only in Ireland would you find a Chapel and Bar paired next to each other.
Today
Finished 8th round of immunotherapy today. Few more months to go, if no surprises. Next scans in September.
All good 👍🏻💪🏻.
🫶🏻
Near and Far: Two Views of Bridges
Taken years ago. Top image is of the Manhattan Bridge-from the Brooklyn side of East River (DUMBO are= Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass).
Bottom Image: Brooklyn Bridge in background – taken 2012.
2016
8 years late in getting these posted. Life can be distracting 😉.
Second Chemo
Can’t say enough good things about the Oncology staff and especially the nurses. It’s got to be a taxing job, on many levels. I have a great rapport with my Oncologist-brilliant guy!
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
All good 👍🏻💪🏻🙏🏻.
First Chemo
While in the chair a Social Worker stopped by to check on me. Pleasant conversation about fears and frustrations regarding cancer and my five year journey. She left me a ‘Bags of Hope, with lots of useful goodies. The bags are put together by volunteers that have been doing this since 2016. The support and assistance of the clinic staff is unsurpassed!
It takes a handful of meds to get through chemo- to help manage nausea and other side effects. Hopefully, I won’t be needing some of this collection, but better to have on hand.
“Don’t sweat the small stuff “.
All good.
🙏🏻💪🏻
Health Update:
The port was implanted yesterday afternoon. It’s under the skin, where you see the two horizontal incisions. The catheter is attached to the port, near the top incision and travels up and to the right connecting to the jugular vein. A large vein is needed to deal with the chemo drugs. It finally hit me, on the operating table ( I chose local anesthesia over total, so I was fully awake and aware throughout the procedure) things are getting serious. 99% of patients choose to be totally out.
The club no one aspires to. Because I have a port I have to carry a card identifying as such, complete with serial number on the back, etc. I also have to wear a wristband identifying the port brand as well as something for my keychain. Mostly, this is for the benefit of healthcare workers, but it serves as a reminder for me as well
Always positive and strong! Hug your loved ones! 🙏🏻💪🏻🤗
Water Colors
Health Update:
Met with my primary oncologist this morning. It’s been nearly two weeks since I finished the latest 15 SBRT sessions. Next up is chemotherapy over 12 weeks followed by one year of immunotherapy. In the next two weeks I’ll be scheduled to have a port installed on my upper, right chest, getting a variety of anti nausea drugs and other chemo related drugs plus attend a chemo class to help me understand what I’m about to face in this process. I have surgery scheduled for late August to deal with a pre cancerous issue with my right vocal cord. My August calendar is starting to fill up.
Staying positive, but a little overwhelmed at the moment.
🙏🏻💪🏻
Mt. Rainier
Health update: Saw a doctor yesterday to discuss my condition and next steps. I see a new oncologist tomorrow as well as do an MRI. One more oncologist to see after tomorrow then the doctors huddle up and present my case to the Cancer Board that meets weekly. Right now things are leaning toward both radiation and chemotherapy. We’ll see how things shake out over the next couple of weeks.
All good 👍🏻💪🏻.
🙏🏻
A Magical Place
Spotted on my walk Yesterday
Health update:
Disappointed, but not surprised. Pathology report came back positive for cancer-actually two markers- TTF-1 & napsin A were both positive. See doctors on the 19th and 20th, plan the next move. This is chapter 3 of this journey that started in early 2019.
🙏🏻
All good. 👍🏻
Health Update
Yesterday was a bit exhausting, with three doctor appointments. Nearly overwhelming for my limited brain power. Anyway, PET scan has been scheduled for May 7th. Results from that will determine next steps. I really like my oncology team and the clinic in general. They listen, explain and are totally positive energy. It’s a tough aspect of healthcare, to work with patients who have serious issues and concerns.
All good 👍🏻.
Friday View
On my walk a few minutes ago. A cloudless sky in Seattle- who would’ve thought?
Note: health update coming next week. I’ve seen one of three doctors, after my last CT on the 8th. Two more still need to weigh in. Based on what the first oncologist said, I have a sense of where things are going. It’s a mixed blessing/bag. All good.
This journey started in 2018, with the first CT scan. It’s just the nature of ‘c’.
Blessings 🙏🏻
Started Week One of SBRT
Week one of four weeks of Targeted Radiation started. Today went well. I can’t say enough good things about the clinic staff; they’re so supportive and really listen to my concerns and explain the process, as it relates to me, extremely well. I can expect fatigue and skin irritation. They gave me a cream for the irritation, which I apply twice a day.
The anxiety I had as well as everyone who has come in contact with my case is the tumors close proximity to the coronary artery that feeds the left side of my heart and to the main nerve that runs down my left arm. It was explained to me today that they can adjust the beam to within 1mm of where it needs to be. Additionally, if I were to slightly shift my body, for whatever reason, the SBRT machine automatically shuts off, so the beam cannot damage any tissue it’s not supposed to.
So, all good today 👍🏻. Thinking all positive thoughts!!
🙏🏻❤️
PS: Diseases like cancer can rob you of your identity. I haven’t used any of my cameras in months and it seems the real ‘me’ is slipping away from me. The mental battle is to not let cancer/disease to take away what is ‘me’. Never give in!!!💪🏻👊🏻
Health Update
A month ago I had lower back surgery. Simultaneously, I was also dealing with a different hospital /doctor group for my cancer. I have an inoperable tumor in my upper left lobe/lung. Juggling two critical health issues at the same time was more than enough for me to deal with. I haven’t posted as I have rarely left the house, hence, no new photos to post. I actually have a few from before surgery, but it’s tough to get past the circumstances of surgery, etc.
This morning I got a call from the doctor working on my cancer case. The two biopsies they took 10 days ago were NEGATIVE. This was the best news. Now things are in motion to treat the inoperable tumor with Targeted Radiation. Next week the the Radiation Oncology doctor from another clinic will be contacting me to schedule an intake exam and treatment schedule.
I’ve left out a couple of health related issues that have occurred in the past month; I’ve lost 35 pounds, kidney function dropped, etc.
Targeted Radiation has its own set of side effects. I feel good about handling just one treatment course. Had one or more of the biopsies been positive I would be facing chemo in addition to radiation.
I was so relieved to get the good news this morning; nearly in tears. My family and more have been so supportive these past few months;prayers, hugs, chicken soup….
My goal has been to stay alive and relevant for as long as is possible. Today’s news gives me hope that I still have work to do and things to photograph in this crazy world we live in.
Blessings to all,
Fred,
The wandering photographer
📷🎞️
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