Norm M

[timinmo]

Guys one of our friends from the northern Illinois area has been absent on the forum for some time.  As most of you know Norm has had some health issues.  I sent him a message a while back and received the following reply.  I sure your prayers would be welcomed.

 

 

 I have been in and out of hospital 3 times recently . trouble with blood pressure , doc finally changed dosages . also just found out throid issues, more meds . cancer treatment done for now, it really tore me up, still in recovery mode  

[Johnsfolly]

5 minutes ago, timinmo said:

Guys one of our friends from the northern Illinois area has been absent on the forum for some time.  As most of you know Norm has had some health issues.  I sent him a message a while back and received the following reply.  I sure your prayers would be welcomed.

 

 

 I have been in and out of hospital 3 times recently . trouble with blood pressure , doc finally changed dosages . also just found out throid issues, more meds . cancer treatment done for now, it really tore me up, still in recovery mode  

Thanks for posting this information. I was thinking about Norm M the other day and was wondering how he was doing with his treatments. We will keep him in our thoughts.

[BilletHead]

        Consider it done,

BilletHead's

[JestersHK]

 Thanks Tim.  Norm if you make it here to read this get well soon!

[Mitch f]

God Bless your recovery Norm!

[Norm M]

 Thanks guys ,

 

 It's a slow road back .  My wife and I had to finally confront some doc's to actually find solutions rather than just hear it takes time .  Since then , they started ordering tests and we have found out stuff, especially the thyroid issue . Since we started treating that , I feel so much better than before , it is amazing . 

 

 Still have not got them to order a petscan to check for any  possible remaing cancer. I am going to have a heated if necessary conversation about that issue with them at my next appointment . 

 

Not sure how much more , if any fishing , I'll get in this year . 

[MOPanfisher]

Hang in there Norm, we are praying for you.  Amazing what treating the right thing can accomplish.

[Johnsfolly]

2 hours ago, Norm M said:

 Thanks guys ,

 

 It's a slow road back .  My wife and I had to finally confront some doc's to actually find solutions rather than just hear it takes time .  Since then , they started ordering tests and we have found out stuff, especially the thyroid issue . Since we started treating that , I feel so much better than before , it is amazing . 

 

 Still have not got them to order a petscan to check for any  possible remaing cancer. I am going to have a heated if necessary conversation about that issue with them at my next appointment . 

 

Not sure how much more , if any fishing , I'll get in this year . 

Norm keep strong! Don't worry the water will be waiting for you when you are able to get out and fish again!

[jdmidwest]

2 hours ago, Norm M said:

 Thanks guys ,

 

 It's a slow road back .  My wife and I had to finally confront some doc's to actually find solutions rather than just hear it takes time .  Since then , they started ordering tests and we have found out stuff, especially the thyroid issue . Since we started treating that , I feel so much better than before , it is amazing . 

 

 Still have not got them to order a petscan to check for any  possible remaing cancer. I am going to have a heated if necessary conversation about that issue with them at my next appointment . 

 

Not sure how much more , if any fishing , I'll get in this year . 

It does take time to recover, mine took 4 months to start to feel like I did going in.  But I have noticed they tend to lump all patients into a big pool.  I think it is because they have seen so many and just average things out.  Every case is different.  Every human body is different and they seem to have lost touch with that.  They have a protocol they follow, like a flow chart.  It is a system that you just have to have some faith in. 

I am coming up on my first PET Scan in 2 weeks.  They hold off for a reason.  The PET relies on normal cells and cancer cells and the amount of radioactive tagged glucose they take up in the normal cell process of feeding.  Cancer cells take it in faster and flare up when the scan happens and show up against the normal cells.  They are waiting for your body to stabilize from the damage of the radiation.  Regenerating cells may flare up and give a false reading. 

Part of the hesitation on PET test is the expense, insurance does not like to pay for it unless it is necessary.  And it is a big dose of radiation to the body that really could cause more cancer down the road.  You really should avoid it at all costs, but they have to use it.

Frustration was probably the worst part of the whole ordeal.  I tend to be more patient and work things thru.  But I felt I should be getting better faster and tried to speed things up.  Alot of my recovery support was thru emails to cancer docs or calls to my personal physician who I was fishing with each week of recovery.  I set several balls in motion, lymphodema and speech therapies to help with swallowing and muscle damage in neck were started by me.  I have seen a cancer doc once since I left treatments in June.

But, in the end, it takes time for the radiation to stop killing and the body to heal.  It does get better.  Make sure you get lots of fluid and proteins to help the process.  Try to get out and do something every day.  Keep positive.

[Norm M]

thanks again . 

it's definitely frustrating especially when it seems you are just another statistic . 

 

 fishing with your doctor is a good way to avoid long waits due to over booking so common in doctor's practices .