To those members who might have noticed, I have been absent from or haphazard at best in my posting on ECC for over 6 or 7 weeks.

I was diagnosed with Liver cancer in July 2008 and have been battling the disease since then. There have been multiple side affects and other issues surface through all this with repeat hospital admittances that needed dealing with too.

The past 7 or so weeks has been the worst experience/s in my life as my “platelet” blood count started to freefall. Apparently a healthy adult platelet count is in the >300 range for the platelets to provide the blood to clot and control of bruising being their main functions. My platelets got down to below 3 which made me susceptible to things like haemorrhages which would result in instant death. I had platelet transfusions, blood transfusions, steroids, and a variety of other medications during this period but none had a lasting affect.

This all cumulated in a nose bleed which would not stop. I tried everything I could to stop the bleeding but after 4 hours ended up at the hospital emergency where they administered various medications and transfusions while I waited for a hospital bed. Later that evening I got to meet my Surgeon and he explained I was at a point of life and death and their recommended action was to remove my Spleen as quickly as possible as the organ was enlarged and was absorbing all the platelets my body could produce as well as the transfusion platelets.

The Surgeon explained to my wife and I that the operation was very high risk as I would be bleeding so much that it increase the risk of complications and to consider that I might not pull through it. For my wife and I there was no question that I should have the operation.

Here I am today with my platelets in the 350 range and back onto the Chemo Therapy. I am still recovering from the operation using painkillers to deal with the pain, I feel dog tired all the time, my body is a bit wasted & out of condition but I am fighting fit enough to continue fighting this mongrel cancer.

Here’s to many more years of ECC & Hemi57

Wow John,

Sorry about the troubles. Guess when you play 'hookey' it's for good reason. I honestly thought about posting a "where's Hemi" type post a week or two ago, but declined figuring you were probably caught up in work. Now I wish I had. Anyhoo, glad your getting back up to snuff somewhat, and in "fighting" spirits. Best wishes my friend.....

WOW! I been wondering about you as you never miss a big welcome to the newbes on the site. Sure am glad you are having some success with your medical problem. I thought you might have been attacked by a wombat or something. Anyway goes to show you that us old farts never know from one day to the next if a medical demon is going try and take us out. You got a lot of lost time on this forum to make up and I'm cheering you on.
Wishing you the best for a full recovery and future health,

Doug

Damn John! You gotta let us know when your in trouble so we can send the prayers out for you! Believe me they WILL go out for you and your family tonight foir sure!
If there is anything we can do let us know! Now get yourself well and keep us informed!:smile3:

Well shoot, this came out of nowhere...
That's some mess you are going through John, really sorry to hear about it. But that's great that you had the spleen operation and your platelet stats are coming back to normal. Just keep thinking positive and you can beat that cancer too! I wish you the best mate!

Here’s to many more years of ECC & Hemi57
:withstupid: :beer:

Glad you're doing better John and are continuing to improve. :beer:

you're a very brave man,I hope for a full recovery soon!

I am so sorry to hear the seriousness of the new medical situation. Glad you made it through and I was wondering where you were too. Keep up the fight!:You_Rock:

Glad you're back with us!

John, glad you're back in the thick of things, and here's to your "many more years" of contributions to the NECOA. You WILL be in our prayers...........Ken :texas:

Welcome back, brother.... It gets kind of lonely when a regular is missing.

Glad to hear that your on your way to your recovery...sometimes the steps are small, but they're still steps in the right direction. I wish you all the best and as Moe would say "Keep a stiff upper lip kid"

You've certainly been missed here, John! Glad to hear things are headed in the right direction for you. Best wishes from all of your friends here at ECC/NECOA.

John W, you are always in my prayers Mate! We've discussed this in person, and it was great getting to meet you and Paula.

God Bless,
Lee

sending you my best wishes. cancer has took its toll in my family aswell, it is a terrible disease. get better soon so you can help me with my 4th gen, seems like something pops up everyday that needs attention. ha!
take care,
Spencer

John,
Glad you're back. Keep fighting, brother. Cancer can be beat! I'm praying for your speedy full recovery.

cheers,
Glenn

Good luck John, I battled leukemia in 07 and am now in remission. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Good luck John,my prayers are with you. My son just is now in remision after battling Luekemia for two years. It was with a tough mental attitude ,prayers and great doctors and staff at University of Arizona MC in Tucson.

John best of luck man. Hope everything works out for you. :You_Rock:

Hope your feeling better John. My prayers and best wishes are with you. :nanawrench:

John Keep fighting brother your in our prayers....Garry

Thanks to all the members who posted and also the others who are out there thinking of me. Since I last posted the potholes in the road got somewhat bigger. I wrote up the following about my last "adventure".

What happens when an intravenous port goes bad?

(this is a device they surgically implant into your chest to administer liquid medications, it can stay in your body for up to 2 years and eliminates the need for IV needles).


I had my usual blood tests done on Monday 18th May which was a day before I was due to see my Oncologist on 19th May. Late on Monday I received a call from my Oncologist’s office to advise me that my “red” blood cells were low and to come in the next day for Chemo and then an overnight admittance for a blood transfusion (which seems to be required in my case, ie. IC type observation).

The appointment with the Oncologist was straight forward and I was promptly off to Day Oncology ward for the Chemo. Everything was going smoothly with minimum wait time to get into the ward and the preparation to start dispensing the Chemo (back flush the port, flush through with saline solution, etc). Twenty minutes into the Chemo I started to get cold and shake uncontrollably so I alerted the nurse. Within minutes I was having difficulty breathing and getting colder and shaking violently so they piled on the blankets and gave me oxygen.

I had about 4 – 5 nurses working on me and they quickly discontinued the Chemo and were racing around to get doctor’s advice on treatment. Fortunately they hit me with Antibiotics and other fluids and in about one hour I was coming around. The explanation is, my “port” developed an infection which was distributed throughout my body once they administered the Chemo, ie. From port direct to heart, from heart to all points in the body and without a spleen I had no 1st line defence to the infection.

Later that evening I had all but recovered and they decided to continue with 50% of the blood transfusion using an IV drip which they set-up in my left hand. This transfusion went smoothly.

On Wednesday I was set-up again to receive the other 50% of blood and they decided that it would be safe to use the port again due to all the antibiotic they had pumped into me providing me adequate protection from the same episode reoccurring. Almost at exactly twenty minutes after the blood transfusion started to flow the same conditions surfaced, cold, shakes, difficulty breathing, pain and generally no control of my whole body.

This second episode lasted over 3 hours and I was in a pretty bad way. I was taken to a post IC ward and got the best of attention. I was semi-conscious throughout and gradually fought back.

I ended up staying in hospital until Monday receiving high doses of liquid antibiotics and under observation. I am now on a course of antibiotic tablets (as well as a cocktail of other medications) and getting lots of sleep in my own bed.

The Oncologist says I was in a life threatening situation and it certainly felt like it from my side. Of course the pesky port has been removed and I would like to see it burnt at the stake for causing all that angst.

My next appointment is 9th June to have another round of Chemo.

I am getting better by the day but need my afternoon sleeps to deal with the fatigue and the high protein food (on a low appetite) to build up my body strength and condition. Bring on the next pothole
:let_it_all_out:

Let's hope you're thru the "potholes" and on a smooth road again. We're pulling for you.

Doug

Scary situation John, lucky it didn't do any serious damage to your heart!
The port never should have been used again after the first infection. It should have been removed then.
Take care, we want you posting here for a long, long time!:smile2:

You're a warrior, John! To make it through 2 infections like that without a spleen is crazy. And as long as you maintain a good suspension then a couple of potholes aint nothin'!

:You_Rock:

Hang in ther John sound like your a "Trooper" i watch my Dad go thru much of what your going thru--Prayers sent--Don't give up--Glenn:beer::You_Rock:

Keep up the good fight, John. I've found from experience that the only way to get along with the doctors' demands is to take it one day at a time. I certainly hope, and pray, that you do not have all of the US red tape involved in getting the proper treatment. Please remember that you're still in our prayers and you will beat this!.........Ken

I've just had a co-worker going through the same thing and its a b!t(h....You are definitely in my prayers....keep your spirits up Dude---it will get better.............Dan

:secret: I just got word from a HIGHER AUTHORITY, every thing will be just fine. (but just the same, my Prayers are with you and yours) :bat_angel:

John,
I just now found this thread, and damn it was a shocker. I am very glad to hear that you weathered that amazing storm detailed in your post. All my best to you.

-Bob

It's been three weeks since John (hemi57) has posted. Hope everything is going well.

Doug

John,
Hope all is well! Prayers to you and yours!

From just (another) member, I wish you the best of luck and me your recovery be quick. Your in my prayers,
Donny

Thought I would bring this back to the top!
I'm a little worried about our good friend and member John Waymouth!
Robert or anyone, is there any way you can try and contact him or his wife to find out how he is doing? I would but I have misplaced his email address!
Guess til we hear anything I'll just keep sending prayers out for him and his family!

Thanks for bringing it back up Johnny. I have been wondering about him too. This long absence does not look good.

Been a bit concerned myself....

Been waiting to hear as well.