BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments

Subject: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Apr 13 - 10:52 PM

Just talked to Karen. Spaw is having a rough time, but they will be going home after her shift is over. He doesn't have the falling off hair nor the curly hair. Nausea, yes. Karen is not looking forward doing it all over again the week of the 32th. I hope it clears in time for them for a christmas.

UPSPAW!!!!!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Apr 13 - 11:08 PM

I thought this would be about his colonoscopy.

Spaw! Stop that right now, you hear me? Stop it!

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 12:56 AM

Hey! Spaw, I need you to be healthy, you hear me? I'm sick and tired of you being sick and tired.

Or something like that. Be good. Be well. Be the best that you can be.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 04:31 AM

It's a bugger when yer curly hair falls out, and so itchy when it grows back too.
Up an at 'em Pat.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013
From: gnu
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 06:34 AM

UP SPAW!

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 07:39 AM

Bless you, my dear, for the report.

Spaw, holding tight for you and Karen. Much, much love.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 08:03 AM

I thought this was about a colonoscopy too! Funny! C'mon Spaw, grab hold of our hands, we'll help you through!

Love you Man!

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 10:35 AM

Up Spaw!

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: billybob
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 01:00 PM

Up Spaw,

Billy just got great news after his 6 months of Chemo....... no sign of the leuchemia, if he can do it I know that you can!!

lots of love to you and Karen
Wendy xxxxxx

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: ranger1
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 02:33 PM

You better get well soon, Spaw! Otherwise, you never know when Sinsull might send you another singing, dancing bit of hideobilia!

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: GUEST,SINS
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 03:52 PM

CRAP!
It was bad enough that he was killing me at Scrabble when I thought he was healthy but to have him screw me over when he is on chemo...well...well...
Screw you Spaw!
Much love,
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 04:27 PM

oh-oh...looks like i shouldn't have opened my mouth, sorry karen and spaw. i love you still. any one think i should take it down before he comes? karen and pat, i'm sorry.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 05:11 PM

its for that mylieloititis(sp) stuff, not major, but still scarey. he posted abou this a week or go or so.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 05:49 PM

i wish it were april fool's.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: Janie
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 08:01 PM

Quite major, actually.

Our beloved and ribald Catspaw 49 is nearly a master at focusing on the positive and staying in the moment. Cracking jokes and sounding crude and crass. Amazing sense of satire and irony. Incredibly entertaining with his sometimes shocking humor.

Remember, however, the awesome person that is apparent behind the persona.

Up Spaw.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: gnu
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 08:30 PM

kat... don't you fret. Better we all know so we can tell him once again what he means to this community and has meant to us for many years. If that pisses Karen off in any way, shape or form, I am saddened. If it pisses Spaw off... fuck him. Broke dick, sorraaay and saggy assed malamu....

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 08:49 PM

(Can't help but agree and giggle with Gnu)

Rock on Spaw!

XOXOOXOX

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: Bobert
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 08:57 PM

Okay, Spawzer... Sick time is over... Time to get on with some serious well time...

Okay???

B~

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 10:41 PM

Oh, Spaw, I hope the nausea goes away very soon. How awful to have the cure make you feel sick. Are you paying attention? Get better!

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 10:43 PM

Thanks,ggnudarlin'

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: Janie
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 12:48 AM

And thank you Kat, for updating us on what is UP with Spaw, regardless of what is up or down with you.

Bartender! Set up the entire house for a round of hugs

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 02:19 AM

hugs! I'll have one of those! & shout (buy) the next round.

sandra (sending good wishes to spaw & Karen & boys)

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 07:15 AM

Spaw,

   Zofran helped me immensely with chemo. If you haven't had it yet, ask for some.

Love you Friend.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: gnu
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 07:18 AM

Well said, Janie!

Thanks, kat.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: gnu
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 08:46 AM

Yo, SPAW! Definitely NOT up to your high calibre but...

A Russian couple walks down a street in Moscow when the man feels a drop hit his nose.
"I think it's raining," he says to his wife.
"No, that feels like snow to me, dear," she replies.
Just then, a minor communist party official walks towards them.
"Let's not fight about it," the man says. "Let's ask Comrade Rudolph whether it's officially raining or snowing."
"It's raining, of course" Comrade Rudolph says and walks on.
But the woman insists, "I know that felt like snow."
To which the man quietly says, "Rudolph the Red knows rain, dear."

Hat... coat...

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 12:39 PM

Pat has lived his life out loud and a lot of it here at Mudcat while he was recovering from something. So this is UPSPAW Redux. Thanks for letting us know - not everyone wants their medical information out here, but Spaw is exceptional - and I suspect people learn a lot from these threads.

Get over the nausea soon, buddy. And pay attention to Michelle - she has information that can help.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 01:17 PM

Indeed they do, SRS. And the Mudcat community I befriended after I had my fisrt slice and dice helped me a lot, in a lot of ways, during my three months of inactivity. Especially late at night.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: gnu
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 02:51 PM

Date: 06 Apr 13 - 01:17 PM twas me. NB Power zapped all my cookies!

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: olddude
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 04:34 PM

All my love always to you Karen
you call if you need anything

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 05:42 PM

Friends: While the Doctors work their magic, you might want to make an adjustment to your diet.

Respectfully suggest you investigate kale, custard apple(guanabana), pomegranate, broccoli..

Wishing you Health & Recovery...bob

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: SINSULL
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 05:48 PM

Don't worry, kat.
Spaw mentioned chemo to me a few weeks ago but I got the impression it was a distant maybe.
Hope he is well enough soon so I can kick his saggy (fill in the blank).
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Apr 13 - 10:07 PM

Hey Spaw,

Thinking of you tonight. If you've had Zofran and didn't find any relief, I was given Compazine and Fenagren to use when the Zofran didn't work (but it always did work and I never needed the other meds...but thought maybe it would be something to keep in mind if you are still feeling icky....worth asking about anyway).

Stay strong.

Love you.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: gnu
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 07:16 AM

"... so I can kick his saggy (fill in the blank)."

I immediately thought "ass" but then I realized, in Spaws case, there are a number of blanks.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 07:21 AM

So much love, dear friend. UPSPAW!

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 07:32 AM

(((Pat & Family)))

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 01:24 PM

UP, SPAW, again!

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: gnu
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 06:02 PM

Light er up buttercup! Let's see what she'll lay.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 07:03 PM

He hasn't been back to finish trouncing me at Scrabble so I guess he is a bit low at the moment.
Hope Karen is getting some rest. The lady is a saint as much for taking care of him when he is ill as for putting up with him when he is well.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 07:49 PM

Spaw:
I can't match you for profanity, and I don't really know to what extent you believe in the major religions, But my prayers are with you anyway.


UPSPAW!

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 08:20 PM

you're right, mary. he is not doing well. they keeps giving him transfusions but he is still having major problems breathing.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: Janie
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 08:40 PM

Thanks Kat. I haven't tried to call or message Spaw because they have their hands full and many of us really appreciate you updating us even as taxing as posting is to you right now.

Spaw and Karen, you know there is a large crew rowing along side and holding you close. And Kat, you know we are rowing along side of you also.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: gnu
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 09:21 PM

kat.. thanks again.

Spaw... buddy... *I* need you to come thru this as do so many others. I mean, WHO is gonna teach Nigel to "profane" properly? You have important work to do you broke dick MOFO! Get with the program!

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Apr 13 - 10:18 PM

My apologies........I guess we need an update here but I'm at a loss for what to say exactly. This would be easier if I had any idea what the hell was happening but I don't so let me tell you what I know.

The disease is Myeloplastic Dysplasia Syndrome. I was having problems (more than normal) breathing. Problem was anemia, a lack of red blood cells to carry O2 to the lungs. After much diagnosis this was what they found. I was getting transfusions and I would feel great for a short while but you can't go that route all the time.

There is no cure for this disease and the end game plays badly with a form of leukemia that doesn't treat well. The drugs they do use to treat both is 1) Aranesp- A weekly shot which kickstarts the bone marrow and 2) Vidaza- A chemo treatment involving stomach shots (3) for one week per month.

We stated the Aranesp a few months back but it did not build the hemoglobin but had at least sort of maintained to the point where transfusions were 6-8 weeeks apart. At that point we stated Vidaza which kills off the bad to help the good or some other such nonsensical sounding crap. By the end of the first week I couldn't breathe and was transfused again.....and again only 4 days later.   At this point my Hemoglobin should be through the roof but I am still having a hard time breathing and now at a Hemoglobin level which before had been acceptable. I also have CHF of course which makes the transfusion process delicate without building up fluid in the body or scar tissue on my lungs.

Well, to hell with all that.....bottom line is I don't know why this is happening although it started gettin worse with the vidaza. I will be at the Zangmeister Center tomorrow foran Aranesp shot and will see if we can find out what the hell is happening. When I first asked and then read about side effects it was about mild nausea (yeah, but very mild), a rash/irritation athe each of the 15 injection sites (really sucks bad but liveable). Why I am having the trouble with breathing at this level and why my platelets are so super low......no real answers yet.

I love you all and I apologize to each of you for this lack of updates but I really didn't know what to say short of the above and that's still a developing story. I will do better in the future. Kat has been trying to get more info out of me but trying to explain this crap is just ridiculous. Hell, I got it and it doesn't make sense to me. I know it ends badly but that bothers me less than the daily lack of info and also BREATH!!!!

Now get back to doing whatever to hell it is you should be doing and I will keep trying to kick Sinsull's ass in Words with Friends. Also, may I suggest you buy or find and listen to an album by Jewel called,"Lullabye." Karen bought it while I was in the hospital this weekend and it is terrific. Her voice has always been sort of mesmerizing to me and the country influence comes through on this album. Beautiful stuff.

If you feel the need to worry, here's my best suggestion. Take 15 or 20 minutes within the next few days an worry like a motherfucker! Worry about whatever strikes you and feel free to worry like a double motherfucker about me. Then when the 15 minutes ends, go do something that matters a damn. Or do something that doesn't matter at all. But stop the damn worrying! Completely pointless and I respect all of you enough to know you are NOT pointless people.

You too Janie......


Love y'all


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Apr 13 - 01:39 AM

I can safely say we love you back. (not the front so much)

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: maeve
Date: 08 Apr 13 - 03:35 AM

Thank you, Pat. Although my energy is mostly required for care-giving, you are very present in my thoughts each and every day.

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: jacqui.c
Date: 08 Apr 13 - 03:49 AM

Just found this thread after a couple of days away. Still sending good thoughts (right now from the UK) to you all.

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Apr 13 - 04:13 AM

Sounds like they might be as confused as you are Pat. What we need is for them to pin it down. Only then can they deal with it seriously.
Thinking of you, and send best wishes to you and the family.
In 15 mionutes when I've done my worrying shift, someone else can take over. ;)

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: Megan L
Date: 08 Apr 13 - 04:36 AM

Hope they sort this out lad thinking of you and the family

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 08 Apr 13 - 05:36 AM

what Megan said.

sending more love

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: UPSPAW report - 4 April 2013-chemo treatments
From: gnu
Date: 08 Apr 13 - 05:55 AM

Spaw... heartened to see you posting and hopeful "they" figure things out and provide an effective course of treatment.

"Now get back to doing whatever to hell it is you should be doing... "

I'll take that under advisement.

As for my shift, I'll be in late as I didn't rise til 6AM and I am only on my second cup of tea. I can't worry well for at least two more cups.