Medical Update

With apologies for not being able to post for a while, however, among other things that had been going on these last few months, I had been unable to gain access to my laptop computer for about two months or so for some reason, until now.

For those not already in the know and without going into all of the specific details within this particular blog post of mine, in late November of last year I had gone to the emergency room at the Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC), was admitted and stayed in one of the units there for two full weeks.

Had been diagnosed with, among other things, a malignant cancerous tumor in my lower colon, which as it turns out might or might not be operable.

Various potential treatment options were mentioned and discussed, including surgery, as well as radiation and chemo; if I understood correctly, the latter two of those treatments would be done five days a week over the course of four weeks, on an outpatient basis at CVMC, possibly followed by continued chemo afterwards for a time.

Have an appointment scheduled with a radiologist at CVMC early next month and will learn more about the diagnosis, prognosis and the consequences of proceeding with treatment or not.

For those who prefer additional information and more details pertaining to these and related matters, however, feel free to read a letter that I recently penned and mailed to Patch Adams (please excuse the TMI -- Too Much Information -- found within the letter).

Believe it or not, about two years ago I had previously written to him via snail mail and he responded in a timely manner each time I wrote to him (about three times or so).

Video: Patch Adams, M.D. -- Transformation 2010 - Mayo Clinic (TED Talk; length: 16:06 minutes/seconds):

Video: Gesundheit Institute: Patch Adams at TEDxUtrechUniversity (length: 21:52 minutes/seconds):

The good news is that I have had lots of support and encouragement from health care providers, family members, friends and neighbors, not to mention my cat, Miss Cleo. 

This was and continues to be highly valued and greatly appreciated of course.

In fact, through a concerted advocacy effort led by others involved, Miss Cleo had been allowed to visit with her human in the hospital for about an hour and a half one day during his prolonged stay there (photos: Miss Cleo visiting her human at the hospital last December; click onto photos to view enlargements). 

The visit went well, was very good medicine and, along with the excellent care and treatment that he had received while at the hospital, her human began to feel relatively better as a result (even though the illness has persisted). 

He as well as she were very appreciative as well as highly grateful. That following Monday (December 9th), was their 10th adoptaversy.

As pertains to Miss Cleo, if and when the need arises, she will be well taken care of by trusted and valued neighbors (as had been the case during my hospitalization), including one neighbor who has since agreed to take her whether on either a temporary or long-term fostering or otherwise permanent basis.

In the meantime, as I had mentioned within my letter to Patch Adams, ..., 

like Sir Winston Churchill was often fond of saying (within the quotes), I shall remain steadfast and "(k)eep buggering on" (aka, KBO).

Have found it best to attempt to remain positive as well as hopeful (easier said than done, I know), even while and especially when agony, severe pain as well as deep despair and profound hopelessness might seem to be barking at the gates, plaguing body, mind and soul at times.

As I keep telling my family, friends, neighbors and others, however, "not to worry, I will be okay."