# So I got some bad news on New Years Day (somewhat long) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 11, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803 "2009-01-11T16:39:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![truthbot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@truthbot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthbot)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/81 "2009-01-24T01:00:47Z")
Sending healing vibes to **RickQ** and heaps of positive thinking for him and **Brynda** for the 30th. Take care, the both of you! ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/82 "2009-01-24T14:56:14Z")
I hope for the best! You two are in our thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/83 "2009-01-24T15:05:23Z")
Hugs and kisses for you two. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2009, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/84 "2009-01-24T23:53:10Z")
That’s wonderful news! I do so hope he gets to go home ASAP - recovery at home is so much more comfortable. Being surrounded by one’s own energy and familiar sights has got to alleviate some stress. Also, this: > [@Brynda](#): > > Rick is a wonderful, sweet man…I waited so long for him. Made me tear up. A LOT. Best of luck to both of you. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/85 "2009-01-25T04:26:52Z")
When I say I waited so long for him, I am not kidding. I was 41 when we met. As odd as it might seem, he is my first love, my first and only husband. We have only been married 7 years. I feel like I waited forever, but I hit the jackpot. Anyone who knows us knows that we adore each other. I would have told you that we couldn’t have loved each other more, but both have found that this experience has made us love each other in even deeper ways. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f07891/32.png) [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/86 "2009-01-25T04:39:46Z")
My thoughts are with you both. I met a good friend when he had six months to live – non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It’s now year ten and he’s still just two stubborn to die. There’s been struggles, it hasn’t been fun, but I would not give up a second of that time. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/87 "2009-01-25T04:56:05Z")
I hope things go well at the doctor appointment. I know that it can be very scary when you’re still in so much uncertainty. No matter what the doc says, do remember that treatments are getting better all the time for cancer, and even advanced cancer doesn’t mean everything is going to be grim and horrible. I have a relative who has been living with advanced cancer for 2 years now. When we first heard that the cancer was incurable, it was a terrible blow, but thankfully even incurable cancers are quite often treatable, and the treatments have done a lot to hold the cancer at bay. Over those first few months after the diagnosis, our family went from grieving to actually learning to adjust to it and live with it, and the time since then really has been mostly good in spite of some ups and downs. Continued well wishes to you both. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/88 "2009-01-28T22:56:38Z")
Rick is home! Hurray!!! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/89 "2009-01-28T23:36:00Z")
Hooray! That \*is \*good news. I’m going to offer another piece of unsolicited advice - sorry. Get a composition notebook - the kind where the pages don’t come out - and keep a medical journal. In it put down everything a doctor or nurse says to him. Put in every single question you have for the next visit. When you get there, don’t let the doctor leave until every question has been answered. Also keep track of day and time of any odd symptoms. I found this to be invaluable. I never have to try and remember on what day or exactly what happened. I never had to try and remember what word the doc used or when my next appointment is. It is always in my journal. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/90 "2009-01-29T00:37:07Z")
Yay!!! I’m sure it’s a relief to both of you for him to be home. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/91 "2009-01-29T02:12:36Z")
Congratulations on being home! I second the notebook idea - it’s too much to expect that you’ll remember everything. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/92 "2009-01-29T02:21:20Z")
Sending healing thoughts. 1/20 is my son’s 14th birthday. It’s one of my favorite days of the year! It’s a good day- sending 1/30 happiness your way. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/93 "2009-01-29T14:22:55Z")
We’re all on your side mate hoping for the best for you. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/94 "2009-01-29T14:33:29Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > Hooray! That \*is \*good news. > > I’m going to offer another piece of unsolicited advice - sorry. > > Get a composition notebook - the kind where the pages don’t come out - and keep a medical journal. In it put down everything a doctor or nurse says to him. Put in every single question you have for the next visit. When you get there, don’t let the doctor leave until every question has been answered. Also keep track of day and time of any odd symptoms. I found this to be invaluable. I never have to try and remember on what day or exactly what happened. I never had to try and remember what word the doc used or when my next appointment is. It is always in my journal. This is sound advice and always make sure you have a couple of functioning pens and pencils with you and a watch. Make notes of times. Time has a way of slipping, slipping, slipping…into the future. sorry. Sending positive vibes to rick and you. I hope the cats don’t work him over too hard with his return to servitude. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/95 "2009-01-29T14:42:16Z")
> [@RickQ](#): > > I am only 32, in good health, and don’t have any risk factors like drinking or smoking. GAH! I was sad to read the OP, but I’ve got to admit, I had myself convinced that you were old, already in poor and declining health, etc. What a sobering reminder that this can strike any of us at any time. I hope your recovery is going well, Rick. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/96 "2009-01-30T00:27:46Z")
> [@Brynda](#): > > Rick is home! Hurray!!! aaaah! :)🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/97 "2009-01-30T21:33:34Z")
Back from the oncologist. He is strongly recommending IL-2, which is a biologic therapy in which they stimulate your immune system to fight the tumors. He said it is Rick’s best chance for a complete remission. Unfortunately, it makes you sick as a dog for two weeks, and you have to be hospitalized for that time. The oncologist is setting up an appt with the MDs who do this, as he doesn’t do this particular treatment. Yes, complete remission was the term he used. Hurray! Thanks for all the good wishes. As for the advice, we have been keeping a 3 ring binder with copies of his reports, etc. Will add a section like you advised. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/98 "2009-01-30T23:02:28Z")
Yay! Prayers and good-vibes-transmission continuing unabated from Philly. ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/99 "2009-01-31T03:28:28Z")
Great news! I hope it’s a quick two weeks. ---
**Author:** ![RickQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@RickQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickQ)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803/100 "2009-02-12T16:27:21Z")
So, back with more info. We go to see the oncologists who specialize in the IL-2 treatment this afternoon. I am hoping they can give me some good news and get me started soon. Had a minor setback last week though. I woke up last Saturday with cold sweats and a temperature. We called the on-call service for the doc who is ‘managing’ my case until we get to see the oncologists. They recommended going to the ER, where I was admitted. The hospital did some scans and found a pocket of fluid (which they said is normal when you have an organ removed) and they wanted to test it to see if it was infected. They did a CT-guided needle aspiration and tested the fluid. They did not think it was infected, but they had been giving me antibiotics all along. I was in the hospital for 5 days and just go home yesterday with more meds to take. I lost my appetite again while in the hospital. I swear their must be something in the IV that they are giving me which just kills my appetite. I didn’t even want to drink Diet Coke [sup]Nectar of the Gods[/sup] :eek: But now I’m back home with somewhat of an appetite and able to surf the dope again 🙂 Keeping my fingers crossed about this afternoon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-got-some-bad-news-on-new-years-day-somewhat-long/480803.md?page=6)