Good News Update on Dennis' Health Items
I am not going to have colon resection surgery on May 18 as planned. That has been postponed until late June or early July. I am doing well without much stomach pain or nausea.
The reason for the postponement was that last weekend I came down with bronchitis that put me to bed in a miserable and weakened condition. My pulmonologist gave me a "Z-pack" prescription of the anti-biotic Zithromax, which made a big difference in a few days. On Wednesday I'd have to say that God also lent me an extraordinary boost of energy and mental clarity as I presented my Vitality Therapy counseling training seminar for three hours on my feet, speaking without hoarse voice, to fifty Salvation Army counselors in Chicago. God overruled my illness! I loved that, and am in awe at what came over me. Friday I was back to being so fatigued that I got a transfusion of two units of red blood cells. I feel nearly back to normal energy today, but still like to sleep a lot.
My pulmonologist also discovered that my immunoglobulin levels are low. I will probably get 30 grams of intravenous gamma globulin some day next week. That has helped me get over respiratory infections in the past, but my last one was 1 ½ years ago.
I am scheduled for a day at Mayo Clinic Friday May 24, for my routine exams there. This will include PET/CT scans to see if there are any signs of cancer activity. If clear on that, I will begin Cycle #17 of Revlimid. This may need to be at a lowered dosage, because my bone marrow is showing signs of reduced ability to produce the blood cells I need, This is a disease condition known as "myelodysplasia" that often comes after prolonged lymphoma treatment. When the day comes that they detect cancer, or I get unacceptable side effects from Revlimid, I will be off that treatment and on to something new in the hope that it is more effective against my cancer, and less harmful to my body.
As to colon resection surgery, I would like to avoid it altogether, not just recover well from it. To that end I am probably going to explore some alternative medicine treatments, like acupuncture. I'm looking for something that has the ability to loosen the scar tissue constricting my intestines from the outside in. Please tell me any rumors you hear about in that direction.
Thanks.
Dennis L. Gibson, Ph.D.
The reason for the postponement was that last weekend I came down with bronchitis that put me to bed in a miserable and weakened condition. My pulmonologist gave me a "Z-pack" prescription of the anti-biotic Zithromax, which made a big difference in a few days. On Wednesday I'd have to say that God also lent me an extraordinary boost of energy and mental clarity as I presented my Vitality Therapy counseling training seminar for three hours on my feet, speaking without hoarse voice, to fifty Salvation Army counselors in Chicago. God overruled my illness! I loved that, and am in awe at what came over me. Friday I was back to being so fatigued that I got a transfusion of two units of red blood cells. I feel nearly back to normal energy today, but still like to sleep a lot.
My pulmonologist also discovered that my immunoglobulin levels are low. I will probably get 30 grams of intravenous gamma globulin some day next week. That has helped me get over respiratory infections in the past, but my last one was 1 ½ years ago.
I am scheduled for a day at Mayo Clinic Friday May 24, for my routine exams there. This will include PET/CT scans to see if there are any signs of cancer activity. If clear on that, I will begin Cycle #17 of Revlimid. This may need to be at a lowered dosage, because my bone marrow is showing signs of reduced ability to produce the blood cells I need, This is a disease condition known as "myelodysplasia" that often comes after prolonged lymphoma treatment. When the day comes that they detect cancer, or I get unacceptable side effects from Revlimid, I will be off that treatment and on to something new in the hope that it is more effective against my cancer, and less harmful to my body.
As to colon resection surgery, I would like to avoid it altogether, not just recover well from it. To that end I am probably going to explore some alternative medicine treatments, like acupuncture. I'm looking for something that has the ability to loosen the scar tissue constricting my intestines from the outside in. Please tell me any rumors you hear about in that direction.
Thanks.
Dennis L. Gibson, Ph.D.
posted by Dr. Dennis L. Gibson at 10:14 AM
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