Life, Post Treatment

Aug 25, 2023

Hello, all. I hope you've been well since my last post back in June. I'm happy to say that I finished treatment on July, 25th. The last few weeks of treatment were tough, as the radiation became more of an issue and I had to lean into quite a bit of pain management and take lots of naps!! I was dependent on the feeding tube for about 2 months to ensure that I was getting nutrients. Good news, I am eating on my own again. And, while things don't taste 100% like they used to (my tastebuds are finding their way back to normal), I'm glad to be eating. I had my chemo port removed on the 23rd of this month and my g-tube will be removed this coming, Monday on the 28th. As far as we know this was a successful treatment - I'll have a CT scan done the week of Labor Day and a PET scan done mid October. I'm confident both scans will be clear.

Two days after my last treatment I developed what's called neutropenic fever. This was due to an acute sepsis case of mucositis in the back of my mouth and throat. I was admitted into the hospital and remained there for a week. Neutropenia is a condition that can happen frequently post chemo. I've learned that my chemo, Cisplatin, is considered to be a powerhouse and as a result of using this, my immune system was wiped out - hence, neutropenia. In the hospital, I received two blood transfusions and three bone marrow booster shots. I lost 5lbs there (total of 15lbs), despite being on a drip feed. It just took a lot out of me. I'm happy to say now, that I'm up 5lbs from the 137lbs that I weighed when I got home from the hospital. My recent labs indicate that I'm still anemic and although there was improvement with my white blood cell, hemoglobin and platelet counts, it's going to be a few months before I'm back to healthy levels. I'll take it, though. Just glad to have made it through, and am EXTREMELY THANKFUL for all of you, as I did not have to worry at all about finances during treatment.

I'm humbly updating you all today to say the fundraiser is still active and I'm asking that if you're in a place to donate, or if you have friends or family that are in a place to donate, I could use some additional assistance. My efforts to gain employment are not producing anything viable at the moment. I am working with a recruiter, so I hope this will be remedied sooner than later. In the interim, your donation would help with the following:

* Rent and utilities
* Monthly bills (phone, internet, insurance, credit card)
* Hospital stay costs and expenses

Because of my current health status, I'm unable to work in person. This should change in about a month, fingers crossed. Do know that I'm doing all that I can, exploring all possibilities to add financial stability to the picture, as I continue to heal.

I never would have thought that I'd be in this situation. I am humbled and am beyond grateful for anything that you can offer at this time. If you have any questions or would like additional details specific to my efforts, do not hesitate to reach out [email protected].

Wishing you all health, happiness and love.

Many thanks,
Jim

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