8-12-16 PET/CT
It was a rough night trying to sleep with all the discomfort. My lower right side lip had been unexplained and numb for a couple of days. I started to get leg cramps and found it difficult to stay still.
We drove into our 7:30am appointment and I needed a wheelchair from the car because I was in too much pain to walk. I went from the wheelchair to a stretcher in no time because it hurt to sit up too much. Wondering why the whole time that I waited another week to do this. The pain didn't subside and I was able to get a small IV dose of morphine and IV Zofran to help make me more comfortable.
I barely drank a quarter of the required drink for my PET/CT. I started to feel better after about 20 minutes, but was still laying down on the stretcher. I preferred the chilly air and didn't want a blanket because the heat would upset my stomach. I barely made it through the scan. My LDH panel was very high and a few other numbers were high suggesting that my body was struggling to fight something. At this point I was just waiting for my room to be ready and for the pharmacy to prepare my chemo so I could get started.
They explained that I had a lower bowel obstruction that was causing me all the discomfort and I was also constipated, not making things any easier for me at the moment. They started me on softeners and IV fluids in one of the appointment rooms that I usually see the doctor in. They kept a watchful eye on me, but I was just itching to get the chemo started. Everything was moving 100 times slower than it seemed at the time. I was too exhausted to get anxious over it which was a good thing.
Hours would pass before my room was cleaned and ready for me. It's just the way it is, so you best learn to accept it for what it is real fast. Now I can finally get the program started. I barely remember the IV techs putting in my PICC line. We went slow with the Rituxum which ended off at around 1:30am. I was doing good so far and I was impressed at how well I was taking it for someone that almost seemed like they weren't really there at the time. Every half hour vitals, constant checking to verify that I'm not having a bad reaction to the medications.
I was beside myself in a daze that I woke from the next day feeling much better with some actual clarity of thought as I slowly snapped out of it. This was 1 of 4 24 hour chemo drips that I would be on over the next 4 days, each ending in the early am hours. The drugs were very high doses again so I know what to expect when I get off them and go home to recover over the next few weeks.
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday were good days and I worked from the hospital without feeling worn down or mentally exhausted. Team MGH did a great job of picking me up off the canvas and getting me ready for another round. That was rough, but that's what it's like to get the shit beaten out of you right before your own eyes. All I could I do was watch...
They wheeled me in there and I walked out on my own two feet on my own steam. Now I'm just strong enough to handle the backlash of the medicine when I get home.
With an inferno in my eyes and the lust for my enemy's still beating heart in my hands. I fight another round! After the second chemo cycle we'll schedule another PET/CT and assess the results. My job is to stay healthy, strong, focused and be ready to quite possibly have my ass handed back to me a few more times as the treatments continue.
The food at the hospital sucks!!!!! How the fuck they expect anyone to go through cancer treatment with quarter star rated, pre-school cafeteria quality food, baffles me. I shouldn't have to bring in my own food, but it's the only way I'll make it through the cycles.
- Anthony
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
8-10-16 Oncology Update - Resuming Treatment
Hi All,
Well we had our appt's with BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) and Oncology today and this is what came out of it.
We
agreed that the disease has grown in one tumor and is still growing. A
PET/CT scan on Friday will determine how much. We agreed that with just
the herbs alone it isn't enough to manage the disease at it's stage. We
agreed that moving forward with more EPOCH chemo that I did back in 2013 (refer to this blog post)
would be better because I responded very well to it followed by a stem
cell transplant with donor cells. The stem cell transplant may not even
take place because I can refuse it if all is looking great.
Oncology
encouraged me to keep dosing on the herbs through treatment because I
responded very well in regards to the smaller tumor by completely eliminating it. As long as I remain
responsive to the herbs after the chemo I may get support from BMT and
Oncology not to move forward with the stem cell and continue dosing on my herbal protocol.
I have the scan on Friday and I'll be admitted for more chemo late Friday morning.
I'm
looking at 4-5 cycles. After 2 cycles we'll do another scan. After 4
cycles we'll do another scan. Their concern is to show that the tumor is
shrinking or gone completely. Either way I'm going to continue dosing
and eventually it will be brought to it's knees.
The fight goes on another round.
This is what you didn't know.
Over
the past couple of months I put together a small tight Inner-Circle of
people that believe with fire in their eyes and without fear in their
hearts, in my strength, my confidence in my herbal advisors and my
decision back in June not to move forward with more chemo. I had no
choice but to shut others in the dark to avoid their malicious
psychological attacks. That negative energy is a cancer within itself
and it offends me.
I
had gotten off to a slow start gathering the herbs that I was going to
mega dose on and some changes were made along the way. Not going at full
force until July 6th, Here is what it narrowed down to.
Essiac: 6oz 3x a day 7:30a – 3:30p – 11:30p
Graviola: 1300Mg 4x a day 5:30a –
11:30a – 5:30p – Bedtime
Turmeric Curcumin with 3mg Pepper Extract: 500mg 3x a day
Moringa
& Wheatgrass Smoothie: 16oz
2-3x a day
Moringa
Seeds: 4 seeds 3x a day
Moringa
& Soursop Tea: Every morning
Fresh Graviola Leaf Tea: Tea: Once a day
Sodium Bicarbonate: 1tsp per16oz water once or more a day depending on PH output
Tong Ren Therapy: Every Saturday
Acupuncture: Once or more x a Month
Tai Chi Dao Yin: Daily
Rene Cassie and Eissac
This modest Canadian nurse discovered a natural herbal
formula she took no money for it and died in relative obscurity.
Rene didn't feel herself a writer so she never wrote an
autobiography. She did, however, write a series of articles entitled "I
Was Canada's Cancer Nurse" which was published in the seventies with
Bracebridge Examiner. Additionally, a collection of her writing and interviews
was published posthumously in the Bracebridge Examiner. She wrote a brief
biography of her family and their settlement in Bracebridge, which you can read
in her own words http://www.essiacinfo.org/caisse_pop_3.htm Tens of thousands of people have rid themselves of cancer
using Essiac. You can purchase Essiac at https://www.essiac.ca/
Beware of other websites that do not have the original formula.
The story of Rene Caisse and Essaic Tea
In the mid 1920s, Rene Caisse was head nurse at the Sisters of
Providence Hospital in a northern Ontario town. While on duty, Rene was
bathing an elderly lady and noticed that one of her breasts had a lot of
scar tissue on it. Upon questioning the lady, she learned that the
women had advanced breast cancer 30 years earlier. The woman further
explained that she had met a old Indian medicine man who told her he
could cure her cancer. She said that she had no money at that time, and
didn’t want to have an operation anyway, so she went to see the Indian.
He showed her certain herbs growing in the area and told her to pick
them and make a tea and to drink it every day.
She had no re-occurrence of cancer to that day, 30 years later.
In 1922, Rene named the formula “Essiac” after the backward spelling
of her own last name, Caisse. The recipe from “a very old Indian
Medicine Man,” allows for many stories and theories. There has never
been “proof” of the actual tribal heritage of the Medicine Man who
offered this formula, as many Native American Tribes lived in the area
at the time.
Rene Caisse spent her life working with this herb tea, until she died
in 1978 at the age of 90. For a time, the Canadian Minister of Health
allowed Rene to treat certain terminally ill patients in her Bracebridge
clinic. According to Rene, many of the people she treated reported they
were helped by the remedy while others claimed living with their
illness was made more bearable.
The Herbs used in Essiac are:
Burdock root (Arctium lappa)
Used traditionally to help maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract, support a healthy immune response.
Sheep sorrel leaves (Rumex Acetosella)
Used in traditional folk herbalism to cool the body, create
sweating and detoxification through the skin: useful in maintaining a
healthy kidney and urinary functions.
Slippery elm inner bark (Ulmus fulva)
North American species of tree. The inner bark nourishes and
soothes organs, tissues and mucus membranes and supports lung health. *
It also helps normal digestion.
Indian rhubarb root (Rheum officinale)
Used traditionally in small amounts, this herb helps purge
the liver of toxic buildup and waste that accumulates through normal
daily life.
Anything more or less that this is not Authentic Essiac and should be avoided!
Ojibwa Tea of Life makes the same exact recipe that was given to Rene Caisse and used. Visit Ojibwa Tea Of Life to Order.
The Mighty Moringa Tree
Every part of the Moringa tree can be used in medical
science
Moringa oleifera has an impressive range of medicinal uses
with high nutritional value and medicinal benefits. Different parts of Moringa
contain a profile of important minerals and are a good source of protein,
vitamins, beta-carotene, amino acids and various phenolics. Moringa provides a
rich and rare combination of zeatin, quercetin, beta-sitosterol, caffeoylquinic
acid and kaempferol.
Moringa can act as cardiac and circulatory stimulants,
possess antitumor, antipyretic, antiepileptic, antiinflammatory, antiulcer,
antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antioxidant,
antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal activities, and
are being employed for the treatment of different ailments in the indigenous
system of medicine.
Traditional cultures in various parts of the world have long
used Moringa in their herbal medicine repertoire for ailments ranging from gout
to various inflammations and fevers. Some of the remedies are described here
but there is no guarantee they will work for every case!
1. A Rich
Nutritional Profile
Moringa leaves are loaded with vitamins, minerals, essential
amino acids, and more. One hundred grams of dry moringa leaf contains:
- 9 times the protein of yogurt
- 10 times the vitamin A of carrots
- 15 times the potassium of bananas
- 17 times the calcium of milk
- 12 times the vitamin C of oranges
- 25 times the iron of spinach
2. Antioxidants
Galore
3. Lower Blood Sugar
Levels
4. Reduce
Inflammation
5. Maintain Healthy
Cholesterol Levels
6. Protect Against
Arsenic Toxicity
If you’re just looking to try Moringa Powder you can find it
at most health food stores and vitamin stores. Vitaminshoppe.com
supplies a good brand of Moringa Powder at an affordable price. You can
also find Fresh Moringa Leaves and Tea in most Asian markets.
Guanabana
Guanabana is known by a variety of names -- including soursop,
cherimoya, custard apple, Brazilian paw paw and graviola. However you recognize this versatile tree, one
aspect is clear: guanabana provides powerful relief from a a wide scope of
disease. Tackling cancer, herpes, parasites, infections and more, guanabana is
an important player in the battle against ill health.
A natural, inexpensive and effective treatment for cancer --
and just about everything else
Revered for centuries in South America and Southeast Asia,
the bark, leaves, root, seeds and fruit have been used to tame heart disease,
asthma, liver issues and arthritis. Guanabana is also helpful for treating
sleep disorders, fevers and cough. According to the article,
"Guanabana--Medicinal Uses?" extracts of the plant:
- Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss.
- Protect the immune system.
- Boost energy and outlook on life.
- Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer -- including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancer.
- Proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug.
- Selectively kill only cancer cells, unlike traditional chemotherapy treatments.
As far back as the 1970s, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) investigated the merits of
guanabana, and discovered the stems and leaves of the tree were successful in
destroying cancer cells. "Inexplicably, the results [of the NCI research]
were published in an internal report and never released to the public. Since 1976, guanabana has proven to be an immensely potent
cancer killer in 20 independent laboratory tests, but as of now, no
double-blind clinical trials," reports Christopher Lane, Ph.D., in
Psychology Today.
You can find Guanabana under many names in some health food
stores and vitamin shops. Vitaminshoppe.com
has Graviola 750 (325mg) in some select stores if you're looking for
something local to you. I chose to order a stronger dose at 650mg per
capsule and I get them directly from Betterlifenutri.com or Amazon.com. The benefits of
this fruit in aiding your fight against disease are simply amazing. More and
more articles are popping up about Guanabana. Check out one of last years on Livestrong.com.
Cancernetwork.com
published a nice read in 2008. Even Memorial
Sloan Kettering has published an article about Guanabana.
If you’re interested in Fresh Graviola leaves you can get
them directly from the Caribbean from FreshGraviola.com.
They will mail you approximately 500 Graviola leaves for $30 so you can make
your own Tea and other recipes. You can also find Soursop Tea and juice in some Asian markets in the tea isle.
Tom Tam - Acupuncture & Tong Ren
Tom Tam’s Tong Ren Anti-Cancer Healing group. Tom Tam is one
of our modern day pioneers in Bio-electricity, Piezo-electricity, Sonar
Frequency Therapy, and Quantum Healing. More info and class schedule and
locations at tomtam.com View live classes
with an open mind at tongrenstation.com.
The Benefits of Turmeric for Cancer Treatment.
You can find fresh Turmeric root in some health food stores and
Asian Food Markets and use it like Ginger and make a tea with some Black
Pepper. You can also find Turmeric in both capsule and extract formulas. I'm using Nature's Truth Turmeric with 3mg Black Pepper from Walgreens.
Turmeric has been used in the Chinese and Indian
pharmacopoeia for thousands of years. It is known for its powerful
anti-inflammatory properties, used in treating several conditions such as
toothache, chest pain, urinary tract infection, flatulence, jaundice, menstrual
discomforts, bruises, hemorrhage, and colic.
Today, researchers are investigating the countless benefits
of turmeric and it has shown incredible promise in the prevention and treatment
of cancer.
Turmeric’s active ingredient is an extracted compound called
curcumin. Studies have shown that curcumin helps prevent several forms of
cancer including breast, lung, stomach, liver, and colon because of its
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It stops the development of
cancer by interfering with the cellular signaling aspects of the chronic
disease.
Lab results have found curcumin capable of ;
- Inhibiting COX-2, an enzyme that causes negative inflammation, which can lead to cancer.
- Impeding vascular epithelial growth (a polypeptide that stimulates new blood supply) to starve cancer cells of their oxygen and fuel source.
- Inducing a tumor suppressor gene.
- Stopping metastasis (spread from one organ to another) of cancer cells.
- Killing large cell B-cell lymphoma cells (the most common reason for non-Hodgkin lymphoma).
- Preventing regrowth of cancer stem cells.
Based on a 2011 study conducted by the University of Texas
MD Anderson Cancer Center, researchers found that the curcumin extract
effectively differentiates between cancer cells and normal cells while
activating cancer cell death (apoptosis).
Sodium Bicarbonate:
A Baking Soda Regimen is also effective in fighting disease
and Cancers and boosting the bodys PH level. http://www.md-health.com/Drinking-Baking-Soda.html Sodium Bicarbonate; when drunk
this can kill yeasts and microbes and help to alkalize the body. There are even
experts who believe it may help in the fight against cancer. Keep in mind that
baking soda is high in sodium. More info at http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-11325/sodium-bicarbonate-oral/details
That is where I'm at right now.
I will continue my herbal protocols throughout chemo treatment.
I'm
going to be brutally honest with you. If you're not onboard with my
choices and have no real knowledge or experience in my choices. If all
you have is doubt and fear in your heart and a lack of confidence in me
then I really don't (add necessary expletives) care what you think or
have to say! So keep it to yourself. If you want to do something for
yourself, follow the links above and educate yourselves. I just did
their holy (add necessary expletives) grail of treatments and this is
what I got out of it. Nothing. And all they wanted to do was do more of
the same failing treatments.
We
successfully annihilated one tumor from behind the 8-ball and we will
cut the larger tumor down to size which was measured at 8.4cm on
Jul-18th and eliminate that with a combination of chemo and very potent
herbs. We've proven to Team MGH that these herbs are no joke. Sometimes
the enemy is stronger than the army fighting against it and Team MGH is
going to kill them all on Friday. Make no (add necessary expletives) mistake about it, I am
taking this fight very serious. With the support of my Inner-Circle We've gotten this far safely!!!
I've
said more than once, if you want to demonstrate your strength than
bring in on, because I do not need your weakness. This is me being me
and hopefully I haven't offended anyone or offended anyone that bad.
Don't take what you read personal because nothing is directed at anyone.
I have to say what I say, just as I said it in order to stop malicious
psychological attacks dead in their tracks.
I love all of you and I'm grateful to have your love in my life!!!
We are Stronger Together Than We Are Alone.
(add necessary expletives) Hillary because I've been saying this longer than her. I should get a quarter cent for every stronger together banner.
- Anthony
Team Tarallo
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Todays Tong Ren Anti-Cancer Class
Around the end of March I picked up a Fitbit so I could track my activities, count calories, monitor my sleep and heart rate. I wasn't really digging the Fitbit and got a Garmin Vivosmart HR instead for the same reasons. I can upload reports to my doctors and be held accountable for my results or lack of results.
France and I have been boxing in the gym 3 days a week and the workout isn't easy to keep up with for either of us. My peak heart rate is usually around 175 - 185bpm. Not bad considering that we are breaking our asses for an hour doing crunches, push-ups, throwing about a thousand plus punches all within an hour.
I thought it would be interesting to track my Tong Ren class today. The results blew me away!!!
We had a very high energy class and when I say high energy I don't mean that we were working at full tilt. We stand or sit there like we're about to fall asleep and tap our Tong Ren dolls. I find it difficult to break a resting heart rate most times.
Today I was wearing the Fish Finder machine and I had it adjusted to max like I usually do. Tom had modified a 2'x10' carpet with one of the Ultrawave machines to positively charge the static electricity with Peizo electricity and I along with several other Guinea Pigs in the class were asked to sit in this row of chairs and place our feet on the carpet and explain what we felt.
Everyone felt something. Since I was wearing the Fish Finder on my T1 & T2 I could feel vibrations from my spine meeting up with the vibrations from my feet somewhere in the middle. My knees were bent because I was sitting and my hips/thighs were bent in a sitting position and I could feel the energy collide between my hips and knees, but that isn't whats so !$^!^@ amazing.
I was distracted earlier and forgot to set my Garmin to track the class and remembered about a half hour into the class. When I looked at my Heart Rate it was at 240bpm and I was as calm and still as plant life. I watched my Heart Rate normalize when we stopped tapping while we moved onto the next person and started tapping again. My Heart Rate would quickly climb to 180+ and depending on the Intensity of the Healing energy building up in the class my Heart Rate would go over 200, 210, 220, 230.
When I got home I synced my Garmin and uploaded the results so i could see them and I couldn't believe it and I was there. I did a side by side comparison with this past Wednesday's Boxing workout for over an hour and the half hour of today's Tong Ren class that I tracked and couldn't believe what I was seeing.
I know that none of the Ultrawaves or Fish Finders that were running were disrupting the Garmin or it wouldn't normalize back to my resting Heart Rate of 75-85bpm. I've always known that there is a lot of healing energy in the class and I know that I contribute to it because i can feel my energy.
I want to continue to document and track my Tong Ren Anti-Cancer classes for my own keeping and share them with you here because sometimes people that I talk to about Tong Ren give me their look like yeah right and they expect me to pull proof out of a hat. I've said for a long time now (2+years) that I have benefited from Tong Ren and how it's helped me flush out the Chemo, lower my A1Cs, and blood pressure. This is the best real-time proof that I have that something that is very real is happening for the greater good of those that seek it.
I've cut and pasted a side-by-side comparison for you to see for yourself. Big deal some of you will say. So your heart rate went up. My Heart Rate doesn't get that high when I'm huffing and puffing in the gym for an hour let alone kicked back sitting in a chair tapping a doll.
Check out a class online so you can see what it is all about and maybe learn about it for 5 minutes instead of thinking it's all bullshit. If you are interested in going to one of the classes and would like company so you're not going alone, I go to Haverhill on Saturday's for the 1pm class. I usually get there around 12:15 most times so I can wear the devices that I don't have and sit in front of the Quantum Physics machine for 10-15 minutes.
France and I have been boxing in the gym 3 days a week and the workout isn't easy to keep up with for either of us. My peak heart rate is usually around 175 - 185bpm. Not bad considering that we are breaking our asses for an hour doing crunches, push-ups, throwing about a thousand plus punches all within an hour.
I thought it would be interesting to track my Tong Ren class today. The results blew me away!!!
We had a very high energy class and when I say high energy I don't mean that we were working at full tilt. We stand or sit there like we're about to fall asleep and tap our Tong Ren dolls. I find it difficult to break a resting heart rate most times.
Today I was wearing the Fish Finder machine and I had it adjusted to max like I usually do. Tom had modified a 2'x10' carpet with one of the Ultrawave machines to positively charge the static electricity with Peizo electricity and I along with several other Guinea Pigs in the class were asked to sit in this row of chairs and place our feet on the carpet and explain what we felt.
Everyone felt something. Since I was wearing the Fish Finder on my T1 & T2 I could feel vibrations from my spine meeting up with the vibrations from my feet somewhere in the middle. My knees were bent because I was sitting and my hips/thighs were bent in a sitting position and I could feel the energy collide between my hips and knees, but that isn't whats so !$^!^@ amazing.
I was distracted earlier and forgot to set my Garmin to track the class and remembered about a half hour into the class. When I looked at my Heart Rate it was at 240bpm and I was as calm and still as plant life. I watched my Heart Rate normalize when we stopped tapping while we moved onto the next person and started tapping again. My Heart Rate would quickly climb to 180+ and depending on the Intensity of the Healing energy building up in the class my Heart Rate would go over 200, 210, 220, 230.
When I got home I synced my Garmin and uploaded the results so i could see them and I couldn't believe it and I was there. I did a side by side comparison with this past Wednesday's Boxing workout for over an hour and the half hour of today's Tong Ren class that I tracked and couldn't believe what I was seeing.
I know that none of the Ultrawaves or Fish Finders that were running were disrupting the Garmin or it wouldn't normalize back to my resting Heart Rate of 75-85bpm. I've always known that there is a lot of healing energy in the class and I know that I contribute to it because i can feel my energy.
I want to continue to document and track my Tong Ren Anti-Cancer classes for my own keeping and share them with you here because sometimes people that I talk to about Tong Ren give me their look like yeah right and they expect me to pull proof out of a hat. I've said for a long time now (2+years) that I have benefited from Tong Ren and how it's helped me flush out the Chemo, lower my A1Cs, and blood pressure. This is the best real-time proof that I have that something that is very real is happening for the greater good of those that seek it.
I've cut and pasted a side-by-side comparison for you to see for yourself. Big deal some of you will say. So your heart rate went up. My Heart Rate doesn't get that high when I'm huffing and puffing in the gym for an hour let alone kicked back sitting in a chair tapping a doll.
Check out a class online so you can see what it is all about and maybe learn about it for 5 minutes instead of thinking it's all bullshit. If you are interested in going to one of the classes and would like company so you're not going alone, I go to Haverhill on Saturday's for the 1pm class. I usually get there around 12:15 most times so I can wear the devices that I don't have and sit in front of the Quantum Physics machine for 10-15 minutes.
Thursday, March 17, 2016
3-17-16 My Immune System VS. The Common Cold (Day +66 after Transplant)
Well I'm finding out quickly what my limitations are. I'm also better about keeping my blog updated when there is something going on.
To bring you up to date the drug study with Pembrolizumab (yeah you remember that) has been going very well. I've done 2 infusions so far and my upcoming one has been push back a week. I'll be in the study for 24 weeks going for infusions once every 3 weeks. I'll have a couple of PET scans and CT scans during this time to monitor my body's response to the treatment.
My most recent PET scan came back clean with no signs of cancer. My Oncologist was telling me that if I continue to make great progress and have these same awesome responses to the treatments I could be declared in full remission in 18-24 months. I'll jump for joy in 18-24 months.
So my day +45 after Transplant was 2-25-16. My bloods have been great and my WBC, RBC, Platelets, & Nutrafils have all been on the rise. I took a chance on the 2-13-16 during the deep freeze weekend and helped my Mother-in-law with a broken water pipe in the wall. The kitchen ceiling was a total loss and had to come down and be replaced. I was able to help out and only get a couple of very minor scratches.
I went back to work on 2-25-16. There were a number of people retiring by the end of the month and if I wasn't in to see them I'd probably lose the opportunity to wish them well and thank them for all they've done for me over the years.
I went back to the gym on 2-29-16 and got my ass handed right back to me everyday. I was feeling good about myself until I couldn't last through the first 10 minutes and struggled through the remaining 50 minutes, but I didn't quit.
This takes us to 3-5-16. We had about 2-3 inches of snow over night Friday into Saturday. I used the snowblower because that's why I have one. Just being out in the cold breathing in the cold air, even though I was bundled up was all it took and was the icing on the cake. I think that I wore myself out in the gym and exposed myself to too much in too short of a time. That Saturday night we went out for a bowl of soup and everything was looking fine with the exception of a few sniffles.
Sunday I was feeling run down and my temperature was on the rise. At 100.4 I called the doctors office to find out what they wanted me to do if I ran a fever over 100.5 like when I was in the hospital. I spoke with someone on the Oncology team and they wanted to get a True temperature without the OTCs I was taking reducing the fever. My fever went up to 103.8 and they would have admitted me that Sunday, but would only have given me IV fluids and they would monitor me while my fever broke. We agreed to let me break my fever at home. It took 3 days for the fever to stay broken. It would drop to 100. and shoot right back up the next day. It bounced between 99.8 and 103.something until Tuesday night when it finally broke for good.
Wednesday I was feeling better from the fever, but feeling worse from the cold that I thought I had. I called the doctor to see if I could get a chest X-ray in Danvers to see if there was fluid in my lungs. I went into work on Thursday and Friday feeling pretty beat up. I was able to get in on Friday for an X-ray and blood work that determined that I had some kind of infection and they gave me some antibiotics and an inhaler.
Sunday, the doctor called me and told me that my blood work came back positive for bacteria and to get to the ER right away. After checking into the ER, they did another set of culture samples, blood work and review of my chest X-ray and determined that I had H1N1 (swine flu), Pneumonia and bacteria in my blood which they believe got there from the Pneumonia in my lungs.
I was admitted right away, which was a surprise because I thought I was going to get a stronger antibiotic and be on my way. Not the case! That's how little my immune system could handle. I did great breaking the fever, but everything all added up just kicked the shit out of me. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days while they treated the Flu and Pneumonia with the right antibiotics. They did an ultrasound of my heart to verify if the bacteria and Pneumonia had done any damage.
I was discharged on 3-16-16 with a PICC line to administer IV antibiotics on my own at home for the next 11 days. I have a VNA that comes by the house to check up on me everyday to see how I'm doing and change the PICC dressing if needed and help me with the medicine if needed. I'm taking 20mls of Cefazolin 3 times a day to clear out the Pneumonia and Tamiflu to clear out the H1N1.
I was really concerned about the bacteria in my blood. That scared me the most. I've just gone through all these treatments and I'm going to take myself out from a common cold that went haywire.
I made a little video showing just how simple and painless the IV administration is. Thanks to the Infectious Disease Team at MGH determining that I can successfully manage this at home and the right Care Team from New England Life Care providing the IV training and VNAs for me I can finish treating myself at home.
It's just another fight, that's all it is. I had no idea I had H1N1, let alone Pneumonia and its still too early for me to get a flu shot. I won't get my baby immunization shots until sometime this July so I've still got some challenges ahead of me. If I can't handle what lies ahead I may as well go and buy the nails for my coffin myself.
It's not always going to go my way and I'm going to get my ass handed back to me sometimes. How well I handle it and rebound from those times can map out both my success and failure on this journey. Today 3-17-16 is only Day +66 after Transplant.
- Anthony
To bring you up to date the drug study with Pembrolizumab (yeah you remember that) has been going very well. I've done 2 infusions so far and my upcoming one has been push back a week. I'll be in the study for 24 weeks going for infusions once every 3 weeks. I'll have a couple of PET scans and CT scans during this time to monitor my body's response to the treatment.
My most recent PET scan came back clean with no signs of cancer. My Oncologist was telling me that if I continue to make great progress and have these same awesome responses to the treatments I could be declared in full remission in 18-24 months. I'll jump for joy in 18-24 months.
So my day +45 after Transplant was 2-25-16. My bloods have been great and my WBC, RBC, Platelets, & Nutrafils have all been on the rise. I took a chance on the 2-13-16 during the deep freeze weekend and helped my Mother-in-law with a broken water pipe in the wall. The kitchen ceiling was a total loss and had to come down and be replaced. I was able to help out and only get a couple of very minor scratches.
I went back to work on 2-25-16. There were a number of people retiring by the end of the month and if I wasn't in to see them I'd probably lose the opportunity to wish them well and thank them for all they've done for me over the years.
I went back to the gym on 2-29-16 and got my ass handed right back to me everyday. I was feeling good about myself until I couldn't last through the first 10 minutes and struggled through the remaining 50 minutes, but I didn't quit.
This takes us to 3-5-16. We had about 2-3 inches of snow over night Friday into Saturday. I used the snowblower because that's why I have one. Just being out in the cold breathing in the cold air, even though I was bundled up was all it took and was the icing on the cake. I think that I wore myself out in the gym and exposed myself to too much in too short of a time. That Saturday night we went out for a bowl of soup and everything was looking fine with the exception of a few sniffles.
Sunday I was feeling run down and my temperature was on the rise. At 100.4 I called the doctors office to find out what they wanted me to do if I ran a fever over 100.5 like when I was in the hospital. I spoke with someone on the Oncology team and they wanted to get a True temperature without the OTCs I was taking reducing the fever. My fever went up to 103.8 and they would have admitted me that Sunday, but would only have given me IV fluids and they would monitor me while my fever broke. We agreed to let me break my fever at home. It took 3 days for the fever to stay broken. It would drop to 100. and shoot right back up the next day. It bounced between 99.8 and 103.something until Tuesday night when it finally broke for good.
Wednesday I was feeling better from the fever, but feeling worse from the cold that I thought I had. I called the doctor to see if I could get a chest X-ray in Danvers to see if there was fluid in my lungs. I went into work on Thursday and Friday feeling pretty beat up. I was able to get in on Friday for an X-ray and blood work that determined that I had some kind of infection and they gave me some antibiotics and an inhaler.
Sunday, the doctor called me and told me that my blood work came back positive for bacteria and to get to the ER right away. After checking into the ER, they did another set of culture samples, blood work and review of my chest X-ray and determined that I had H1N1 (swine flu), Pneumonia and bacteria in my blood which they believe got there from the Pneumonia in my lungs.
I was admitted right away, which was a surprise because I thought I was going to get a stronger antibiotic and be on my way. Not the case! That's how little my immune system could handle. I did great breaking the fever, but everything all added up just kicked the shit out of me. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days while they treated the Flu and Pneumonia with the right antibiotics. They did an ultrasound of my heart to verify if the bacteria and Pneumonia had done any damage.
I was discharged on 3-16-16 with a PICC line to administer IV antibiotics on my own at home for the next 11 days. I have a VNA that comes by the house to check up on me everyday to see how I'm doing and change the PICC dressing if needed and help me with the medicine if needed. I'm taking 20mls of Cefazolin 3 times a day to clear out the Pneumonia and Tamiflu to clear out the H1N1.
I was really concerned about the bacteria in my blood. That scared me the most. I've just gone through all these treatments and I'm going to take myself out from a common cold that went haywire.
I made a little video showing just how simple and painless the IV administration is. Thanks to the Infectious Disease Team at MGH determining that I can successfully manage this at home and the right Care Team from New England Life Care providing the IV training and VNAs for me I can finish treating myself at home.
It's just another fight, that's all it is. I had no idea I had H1N1, let alone Pneumonia and its still too early for me to get a flu shot. I won't get my baby immunization shots until sometime this July so I've still got some challenges ahead of me. If I can't handle what lies ahead I may as well go and buy the nails for my coffin myself.
It's not always going to go my way and I'm going to get my ass handed back to me sometimes. How well I handle it and rebound from those times can map out both my success and failure on this journey. Today 3-17-16 is only Day +66 after Transplant.
- Anthony
Monday, January 11, 2016
1-11-2016 Stem Cell Transplant Pics & Video
Well I got my Stem Cell Transplant at 2pm and with all the prepping and so on it only took 45 minutes. Everything went so well I can post videos shortly after.
It was amazing to see the process in person. My Stem Cells in the bag and the nitrogen chamber that they were in. They looked different than they did when they were collected. They go through a treatment process which I can't remember all the details of before I get them back.
I had 4 bags that had to be injected through a unique process because I have a PICC line and not an access port. Then actually pump the Stem Cells back into the IV with another syringe. They could do it another way, but it would take around an hour per bag. This picture is almost like I'm saving my own life cause their my Stem Cells. I'll find out more about when I get my baby shots and so on later. That's how wiped my immune system was. I'll consider it that my body never knew it had cancer and leave it at that.
It was amazing to see the process in person. My Stem Cells in the bag and the nitrogen chamber that they were in. They looked different than they did when they were collected. They go through a treatment process which I can't remember all the details of before I get them back.
I had 4 bags that had to be injected through a unique process because I have a PICC line and not an access port. Then actually pump the Stem Cells back into the IV with another syringe. They could do it another way, but it would take around an hour per bag. This picture is almost like I'm saving my own life cause their my Stem Cells. I'll find out more about when I get my baby shots and so on later. That's how wiped my immune system was. I'll consider it that my body never knew it had cancer and leave it at that.
1-6-16 A Fight Full of Fuck
One of my instructors once told his class in less than a
couple of sentences that if they could learn to embrace in combat with the same
intensity they fuck with, that they would understand the engagement of combat
with more depth, sensitivity, relaxation, confidence and less fear.
My reiteration of those statements is that in our most
intimate moments we are in perfect harmony with our partner and QUIT is not
part of our vocabulary. The climax heightens as the passions boil and merge
into another state of euphoria and the fuck goes on, never ending until that
ultimate pleasure is achieved.
It’s the same with combat. It is a violent embrace that for
some has the same intensity. This battle for domination has no QUIT in it. This
violent climax heightens until Victory is won or your opponent is dead.
Fear is an emotion that is equal in both sexual and
combative engagements. Fear is ever present in our daily lives that you’ve most
likely experienced once again today. The car on the highway that cuts in front
of you nearly running you off the road. The broadcast on the news about the
people that lost their lives in a fire. E.coli outbreaks in restaurants that
you frequent. The threat of an attack if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong
time. Someone that you love that is stricken with disease. When you let fear
control you, you lose. When you allow fear to guide you, you win.
My reiteration of those statements has helped me prepare for
the unexpected without a spit of fear in my heart, for there is no QUIT in me!
I might get startled for a moment before I snap and then the fight is on and I
will not QUIT, for it is not allowed!
This is going to be a very tough round of chemotherapy over
the upcoming weeks and everything I’ve trained and learned about Fear and Quit
is going to be tested, make no mistake about it. The only one that is able to
get in my way is Me! That is an obstacle that I’ve seen many family members and
friends make some very difficult choices between rounds in their lives. I’ve
learned some very important lessons in winning as well as quitting, with and
without dignity.
I find it kind of funny that we can go anywhere to learn to
fight in a variety of fighting styles, but we’re on our own when we want to
learn how to fuck. It is one of the few natural things that we still struggle
to teach ourselves how to do. I apologize for using an improper term, but my
interpretation is people that have sex haven’t conquered their fear of it.
People that fuck have no fear and are confident in facing a challenging
intimate embrace with their partner, through whatever it takes with no quit in
their hearts.
Another instructor taught me a lesson about quit when she
hammered her student, a member of her fight team about pushing through
weakness, facing fear HEAD ON without quit in your heart, but QUIT he did, and
he deserved all the embarrassment he got because he not only let himself down,
he let the other members on his team down. They had to face a forfeit and now
needed to work harder to in order to win because someone had that QUIT in them.
Thank you Rhonda! Should you ever read this, Thank You for sharing with the
world that was listening!
If I’ve struck a chord or pinched a nerve in you, GOOD! For
me this is about my NOW and if I’m able to help you prepare for your NOW when
it comes then I hope it serves you as well as it has served me!
I have known so many people that succeeded in so many
things, but gave up on themselves when it got tough. Well I’m here to show you
different so you have another great example to compare with.
I LOVE you! And I lOVE that you LOVE me in return. I love
serving you. I love your company. I love being there for you when I’m needed.
You are what makes me Great! I’m just a reflection of your greatness right back
at you!
And, I’ll be dammed if some fucking disease is going to
stand in OUR fucking way of the greatness WE share together!
I refuse to stand down and let this disease take ME away
from YOU!
That is how you have to feel when making certain choices in
our lives! Not with shitty metaphors and fortune cookie crap, but with real
EMOTION! Real LOVE that causes real PAIN that really fucking hurts and makes
you mad as fuck and ready for battle! Whether it’s facing closure during your
end of life planning, or struggling through life and its many complications in
your life or the life of someone you love.
As I sit here and think about what is in store for me I
reflect on our many teachers that gave of themselves and taught us (most in
secretive silence) very difficult lessons about fighting a different kind of
fight. A fight where it’s you against you. The Strongest you VS. The Weakest
you. A lesson that I learned from a great man that just happened to be my
Father, is that you’re only as strong as your weakest link. That can be applied
in every aspect in our lives. Very wise words to Heed!
I AM!
I am, that I am, Eternal I am.
I am an Invincible Source of Strength and Power.
Nothing can touch ME!
I Reign Supreme Over Everything!
I AM!
I am, that I am, Eternal I am.
I am an Invincible Source of Strength and Power.
Nothing can touch ME!
I Reign Supreme Over Everything!
Saturday, January 9, 2016
1-9-2016 Update & Changing of the PICC Dressing Video
Everything has been going very well so far. Thank you everyone that is ordering a Team Tarallo Shirt. You're thoughts and prayers mean more to me than a shirt does, but it represents a symbol of strength and determination that more people need to see as they get challenged in life because we are the examples of both our younger and older generation. When the time comes to make certain choices we will all have a reflection on how others managed theirs. I'm honored to share my experience with all of you so more of it is clear to you and without so many blanks to fill in on your own and many more holistic options that have been around for decades to centuries.
Well, when I got my PICC Line (peripherally
inserted central catheter) put in on Tuesday 1-5-16 it had a tugging
feeling to it that was uncomfortable when I turned my wrist, bent my
elbow or dipped my shoulder. I was told that it would take a day then it
feel fine. The PICC line was inserted just a tad too much and that was
causing the tugging feeling. When they changed the dressing and made the
adjustments I had asked if I could shoot a video, but France wasn't
there to do it, but I do have the changing of the dressing after a
couple of trips into the shower with it wrapped up. Between moisture and
condensation it is destined to need to be redressed and I have to wear
the PICC for the 3 weeks that I'm here. So here is the 5 min video of
the redressing. I'm not that fat, its the camera and gown I swear, but I am that
bald!
I've been able to exercise in the gym that they have here which is only a treadmill and a bike, but it gets the job done. My goal is to go in the gym 4 times a day and get a half hour workout in each time. This way I'm moving, keeping my circulation going, getting some sort of a heart rate up. As the days go on I may not even be able to go into the gym as my platelet level drops.
150,000: Activity as I wish
50,000 - 150,000: Bicycle, Treadmill and Weights (no restrictions)
20,000 - 50,000: Bicycle (light resistance), Treadmill (no incline), Weights/Resistance Bands (light), Walking as tolerated.
5,000 - 20,000: No use of the exercise room (no bicycle or treadmill), activities in my room, moving arms and legs seated or in bed.
I'm not trying to push myself, just trying to keep moving so I have my strength later on when I'm really weak which is in the upcoming days. France got a nice shot of my light idea of a workout wearing my Team Tarallo Hoodie.
More to come as the days pass. I'm trying to keep it interesting and less like a daily diary of events.
Anthony
I've been able to exercise in the gym that they have here which is only a treadmill and a bike, but it gets the job done. My goal is to go in the gym 4 times a day and get a half hour workout in each time. This way I'm moving, keeping my circulation going, getting some sort of a heart rate up. As the days go on I may not even be able to go into the gym as my platelet level drops.
150,000: Activity as I wish
50,000 - 150,000: Bicycle, Treadmill and Weights (no restrictions)
20,000 - 50,000: Bicycle (light resistance), Treadmill (no incline), Weights/Resistance Bands (light), Walking as tolerated.
5,000 - 20,000: No use of the exercise room (no bicycle or treadmill), activities in my room, moving arms and legs seated or in bed.
I'm not trying to push myself, just trying to keep moving so I have my strength later on when I'm really weak which is in the upcoming days. France got a nice shot of my light idea of a workout wearing my Team Tarallo Hoodie.
More to come as the days pass. I'm trying to keep it interesting and less like a daily diary of events.
Anthony
Friday, December 18, 2015
12-18-15 Oncology & Radiation Update
I went to the Oncologist yesterday and everything was good news. My blood work is great, my strength is back and I'm even getting some seedlings growing back on my head (only to be mowed down by this upcoming chemo/Stem Cell cycle). I'm doing so good that I'm approved to go to First Night as long as it isn't frigid.
My Oncologist won't be doing another PET scan until after I finish the stem cell chemo cycle. The reason being is that because I would be just finishing up radiation the PET scan could produce a false positive.
I finished my 3rd week of radiation today. One more week and I get to ring the bell.
My Team Tarallo shirts should be ready by Christmas. I can't wait to see how great they look! If anyone is interested in having their own Team Tarallo Tee shirt or Hoodie, let me know and I'll get a breakdown of the price and what the minimum order is. I'm not looking to generate anything from this. I just want to you to have a shirt if you want one. SuperSportUSA.com in Malden is printing the order and they are AWESOME.
I ordered my Singing Bowl this week. I got a Antique Thadobati Singing Bowl with deep harmony and complexity #3553. It sounds great! I got it from bestsingingbowls.com if anyone is interested in getting one of their own. I'll put up a youtube video of singing bowls so you can sample some of the vibrational healing power of these bowls.
There are many types of vibration therapy one can choose from. One of the most common is the typical massage. A lot of the vibration caused by massage has little sustain and is used to stimulate the muscle and promote circulation. Remember the old karate chopping on the back and on the hamstrings. That creates a vibration that gets in deep, but doesn't resonate well. The body absorbs these vibrations more as an impact, but it is useful in relieving stubborn muscle tension.
Singing bowls can be placed on the body and activated on areas that need attention. The vibration (depending on the bowl) will smoothly resonate on that area and promote cellular activity that can reach where massage cannot. Tuning forks are also used in healing. Just like singing bowls different sound keys and frequencies are considered to accomplish different affects. Tuning forks are usually waved around the treatment area and weighted tuning forks are usually used to directly stimulate pressure points in order to utilize their vibrational power along the meridians or concentrate on a single point. The body is able to absorb these vibrations in a soothing therapeutic manor because it is not causing trauma through impact.
I am happy to share this with you because I know that someone, somewhere is searching for an alternative therapy to help heal themselves or someone they love, just like I did.
My Oncologist won't be doing another PET scan until after I finish the stem cell chemo cycle. The reason being is that because I would be just finishing up radiation the PET scan could produce a false positive.
I finished my 3rd week of radiation today. One more week and I get to ring the bell.
My Team Tarallo shirts should be ready by Christmas. I can't wait to see how great they look! If anyone is interested in having their own Team Tarallo Tee shirt or Hoodie, let me know and I'll get a breakdown of the price and what the minimum order is. I'm not looking to generate anything from this. I just want to you to have a shirt if you want one. SuperSportUSA.com in Malden is printing the order and they are AWESOME.
I ordered my Singing Bowl this week. I got a Antique Thadobati Singing Bowl with deep harmony and complexity #3553. It sounds great! I got it from bestsingingbowls.com if anyone is interested in getting one of their own. I'll put up a youtube video of singing bowls so you can sample some of the vibrational healing power of these bowls.
There are many types of vibration therapy one can choose from. One of the most common is the typical massage. A lot of the vibration caused by massage has little sustain and is used to stimulate the muscle and promote circulation. Remember the old karate chopping on the back and on the hamstrings. That creates a vibration that gets in deep, but doesn't resonate well. The body absorbs these vibrations more as an impact, but it is useful in relieving stubborn muscle tension.
Singing bowls can be placed on the body and activated on areas that need attention. The vibration (depending on the bowl) will smoothly resonate on that area and promote cellular activity that can reach where massage cannot. Tuning forks are also used in healing. Just like singing bowls different sound keys and frequencies are considered to accomplish different affects. Tuning forks are usually waved around the treatment area and weighted tuning forks are usually used to directly stimulate pressure points in order to utilize their vibrational power along the meridians or concentrate on a single point. The body is able to absorb these vibrations in a soothing therapeutic manor because it is not causing trauma through impact.
I am happy to share this with you because I know that someone, somewhere is searching for an alternative therapy to help heal themselves or someone they love, just like I did.
Thanks for reading.
Anthony
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
12-8-15 Radiation Update
Hi Everyone,
I finished my first week of radiation and I'm into week 2. Everything is going smooth and according to plan. I haven't felt any side effects and they don't expect me to, but it does all depend on my body's strength to manage the side effects like nausea, and diarrhea.
This is a picture of the TrueBeam Radiation machine that they use to treat the remaining tumor.
The TrueBeam rotates around me and stops at certain points to radiate me. During the radiation mapping I got 3 ballpoint pen size tattoos that would be used to align the machine up.
Of course I had to take a shot posing with such an amazing machine. Radiation ends on 12-28-15 and I'll find out when my next PET scan is that will determine the results of the radiation. Next up is Stem Cell Chemo cycle 4 in Jan 2016.
Thanks for reading.
Anthony
I finished my first week of radiation and I'm into week 2. Everything is going smooth and according to plan. I haven't felt any side effects and they don't expect me to, but it does all depend on my body's strength to manage the side effects like nausea, and diarrhea.
The TrueBeam rotates around me and stops at certain points to radiate me. During the radiation mapping I got 3 ballpoint pen size tattoos that would be used to align the machine up.
Of course I had to take a shot posing with such an amazing machine. Radiation ends on 12-28-15 and I'll find out when my next PET scan is that will determine the results of the radiation. Next up is Stem Cell Chemo cycle 4 in Jan 2016.
Thanks for reading.
Anthony
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