Yes indeed, prayers , best wishes & positive vibes your way!Anything we can do?
Luncheon in Shelbyville ?
Ralph
Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Saturday, August 14, 2021, 3:26 PM, flyingpigforge
<flyingpigforge@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Prayers for you.
And if Janice might need a break I’d be glad to drive your drunk ass around.
Just got a ‘19 Chevy Suburban, it’s the smoothest ride I’ve ever had.
Kevin
On Sat, Aug 14, 2021 at 13:27 Rick Littrell <rickl@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I have been diagnosed (AGAIN) with prostate cancer, but this time it is more
wide spread and aggressive. I have 8+ lesions on my spine and pelvis (which is
causing me a low level of pain in the neck and lower back. The lesion on my
lower back is 3.8cm, which is the largest.), at least what we know of now. My
PSA jumped up from 13.90 on 7/29 to 20.06 on 8/12…that’s when the alarm bells
went off. I had an Axumin Pet scan on 8/10 that verified “we have a problem,
Houston!”.
Having a follow up total body bone scan on Aug. 18th. The Pet scan only covered
the area of my body around the spine. The bone scan will go from tip of toes to
top of head to find out if it has spread to any areas not covered by the PET
scan.
I will start my chemo on Aug. 19th, which I will be treated every 3 weeks, for
a total of 6 treatments, till Dec. 2nd. The week after each chemo treatment, I
have to get labs done so they can track progress (or lack there of). Each
treatment will last about 4 hours, except the 1st which will be 6 hours. They
start slowly to verify I can tolerate it and don’t have any severe adverse side
effects. I’m sure I will have some during the treatment period, how many and
how severe are undetermined now. More details to follow…If you want to hear
them?
I will also get an estrogen shot (to slow the growth down…which has its own
side effects, like crying when those damn ASPC commercials come on for
donations, while my breasts grow and I gain weight!) and a shot of some
medicine to strengthen my bones. None have cracked yet…
I will lose my hair within 6 weeks. Anybody need extra? You pay for shipping.
Will probably shave it off when it starts falling out in chunks. Supposed to
come back after beating this beast and could be a different color (red?) and/or
curly. Maybe I should get a tattoo on my head once the hair is gone???? Any
ideas? This should be interesting.
I have to have someone drive me to and from the treatments because it has
alcohol in it. Should be an interesting buzz???? Wondering if I should bring
some of my “extra” potion (Angel’s Envy?) to enhance the treatment?
Additionally, I can expect to be weaker and tired a lot more. I am already
experiencing that now. It’s a bone cancer and is attacking the bone marrow,
which makes the red blood cells.
It seems that I am one of the lucky 5% of prostate patients that have these
type of issues from the original diagnosis. Lucky Me?
I have a GREAT set of doctors along with the entire Norton Cancer Institue
organization. I feel very confident that if there is a way to beat this beast,
they will find it!
While my support network from family and friends has been great. I will need to
lean on you all to help me get thru this and to help keep my spirits up. I
don’t think it will be easy. It's hardest challenge I have ever had! I have had
a gifted life so far…details to follow.
BTW…During the interview with the nurse about what’s going to happen, she asked
me “Can I tolerate alcohol?”, which is in the chemo, I told her of “Yes I can,
I’m very practiced in tolerating alcohol!”
Thanks for your continued support during these difficult times!❤️
Love You all,
Rick “Fat Bastard” Littrell
Cell: 502.694.0557 | RickL@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.twitter.com/RickLittrell http://www.linkedin.com/in/ricklittrell