You’ll have to for forgive the the non-linear storyline, think the likes the Pulp Fiction. Hopefully will eventually make more sense as story unfolds. I have chemo brain (https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/chemo-brain ) as a side effect which might explain my semi-coherent ramblings.
On December 1, 2023 I left work early. Life took a hard turn from here. My heart rate was 120 (tachycardia) was feeling light headed, and was a little short of breath. Prior to that I felt fine, no real signs anything was going on. I had just moved to Fargo, North Dakota for a nursing travel assignment about 2 weeks prior, my wild guess it was electrolyte imbalance. Next morning my heart rate was 110 and was getting ready to go to an urgent care clinic. Had a melenic bowel moment before getting in car. Melena is a black stool usually caused from upper gastrointestinal bleed. At the urgent care clinic they ran some labs, I had lost approximately over 50% of blood volume. Bought my self a hospital stay for few days.
While hospitalized I received 2 units of blood. What is ironic is that I have donated of over 14 gallons of blood according One Blood in Florida. They stabilized me a ran many diagnostic tests. One test they ran was ESOPHAGOGASTRODUODENOSCOPY or EGD, think a tube down throat not unlike the movie Alien but you get the idea. Good thing I basically went to sleep, woke with no recollection of procedure. Well they found a mass/tumor at the esophageal gastric junction., took a sample/biopsy. Turns out it was cancerous. There is is more diagnostic testing to follow.
After discharge from hospital and more testing. I met with oncologist and got more precise diagnosis on 14 December….. stage 3 cancer. My birthday is 13 Dec, sort of a “ Unhappy Birthday” a’la The Smiths . Since there was larger tumor in adjacent stomach. It will be treated as stomach cancer.
Let’s address the elephant in the room. What is prognosis aka are you going to die? Some studies show with out treatment might have 4 months. Given my situation and statistics and decision to follow treatment plan, drum roll please…….. 40% chance of being alive in 5 years.
A dear friend set up a go fund me. Also below is a pay pal link if that is easier.
https://www.gofundme.com/help-lou-smash-cancer
Done Caught Cancer 