Author: gregory.everett1

So, my last PET scan showed a little area in my mid chest area, but nothing in my esophagus. The biopsy from my esophagus showed no cancer…nothing! BUT, for some reason, my white blood cell count is high and my red blood cells appear to be slightly enlarged. So Dr. Biedny felt it best to do another bone marrow biopsy and PET scan. We are hoping that the rise in white blood cell count is due to the cold virus I had over the last couple weeks. It wasn’t COVID, but I’ve had slight congestion and mucus lingering in my sinuses. He did the bone marrow biopsy today, and the added lido-cane really helped with the pain and discomfort. So we’ll see the results of this and the upcoming PET scan to determine further action. Hopefully the PET will show nothing. Curious because I continue to feel great with no fatigue, loss of appetite or anything.

The high blood cell count is the concern, but we’ll keep it moving. If the PET still lights up in the chest, then local radiation would be the next step.

It really just dawned on me yesterday when I was at St. John for the GI scope procedure that I hadn’t been scared of COVID….until then. Since last week I have been having symptoms of what feels like a cold (cough, congestion). Dr. Ayash directed me to immediately go get a PCR COVID test. I did get a flu and covid test and both were negative. I started taking Mucinex, which did begin to clear up the cough and congestion. I would also take Tylenol in the morning to prevent a fever. By Monday, I was feeling much better with little cough. Another covid test on Monday to prepare for Wednesdays procedure was negative as well. The morning of the procedure, I couldn’t take Mucinex or Tylenol and actually had a slight fever when I got to the hospital. Dr. Barawi, the GI doctor and the Anesthesiologist were concerned, because I had a cough and fever. A rapid covid test was ordered, which again came back negative, so we went ahead with the procedure.

I have never been so worried that I may have come into contact with COVID until then. We must all be diligent in wearing masks and protecting ourselves. My life has not stopped and I am far too social to stay at home, but I try to be cautious about where I go and what I do. I can’t wait to get my vaccines all over again. Dr. Ayash said it would be 6 months, but maybe my immune system will be strong enough for me to get them sooner….I hope!!!

At my last visit with Dr. Biedny, I told him about this blog I started and I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him smile so much. Even under his mask, I could tell he was just as happy as I am. When I told him this is the best I’ve felt in well over a year, and about the blog, he just smiled and smiled. These moments are so very important between a doctor and patient. It adds a real human connection to the relationship. As we were speaking, he was actually on the blog site and said he would share it with others in the office. This could serve as a resource or outlet for others at the Webber Cancer Center to share their experiences and information.

I’d like to have people chime in about their healthy eating habits and what they are doing to keep their mental and physical fortitude up.

I had a recent visit with my primary Oncologist, Dr. Adam Biedny a few days ago and he is pleased with my overall progress and the blood work. Under the microscope, it appears that my red blood cells are a bit enlarged. He explained that this could be due to my immune system being really revved up. Not much for alarm, but he suggested that I begin taking B12 and Folic Acid. Both of which I have at home, so I’ve begun taking them. My magnesium is still a bit low, so I will be regimented with taking the magnesium pills daily…I hadn’t been taking them (shame on me).

The next step is to have an EGD done so they can scope my esophagus and do a biopsy of the area that showed on the last PET scan as inflammation. I began taking Omprezole for acid re-flux and that has really helped over the last couple weeks. I haven’t had any issues swallowing pills or food for about a week now. Hopefully this is just inflammation that a steroid or pro-tonics can relieve. If the biopsy shows cancer, then we will do radiation.

At this point I can’t stress enough how important it is for us all, especially my black brothers to get a check-up with their primary every year. The person that attribute saving my life on November 9, 2020, has recently been diagnosed with cancer on his pancreas. Almost a year to the day. November 2021 he began having acid re-flux issues and not being able to keep food down. After going to the hospital and several tests, the biopsy came back positive for cancer of the 3 inch mass on his pancreas. He felt like he didn’t have any warning symptoms of this mass.

The bottom line is I neglected going for regular check-ups with my primary care physician and look what it resulted in… cancer and other issues. GO GO GO get your body checked and your mental health!!

So, I recently consulted with a Radiation Oncologist, based on a referral from Karmanos after reviewing my last PET scan. It shows some inflammation in my esophagus. It could just be that and not a cancerous mass, so I’ll get a GI scope done to be sure. If it is a mass remaining, then localized radiation would be the key.

It would probably be 2 rounds of 5 days of radiation in that area. Although I feel great each day and am back to my fighting weight, we gotta be sure. My appetite remains good and I am eating well. I do at times still have some difficulty swallowing some foods, like bread and meat. I really have to be conscious when eating to chew my food up well and have a beverage to wash it down. I am taking Omeprazole and that really helps with the “acid re-flux”.

Today I had a follow up with Dr. Ayash at Karmanos to review my PET scan that I had 2 days ago. The good news is that it is not showing any more lymphoma and the mass on my esophagus is thought to possibly be esophagitis and may not be a cancerous mass anymore. I have been having more acid re-flux and that why the doc feels it may just be inflammation. I will start taking Omaprozale again for that. She also ordered an EGD with the GI service. This will put a scope in my throat to better determine whether this is indeed just inflammation. After this is done, we will be able to determine if radiation of that area is necessary or not.

Overall, I was told that my blood work is good, except for slightly low magnesium. I will take magnesium pills for that. Everything else is pointing in the right direction. I feel great each day and am not experiencing any fatigue. I also sleep very well through the night. I am happy with the progress!!! 🙂

Because we often deal with many life stressors simultaneously, it is easy to ignore the signs of poor mental health. When I was diagnosed I had been through several life stressors such as the work environment. I ignored the fact that I was not dealing with certain issues well and masking it with bad habits. Being mentally strong and healthy is a big factor in the cancer journey and ultimately in recovery. It is easy to fall back into bad habits, but fight the urge and seek professional help if necessary. Dealing with the diagnosis itself is tough enough.

Today I had a follow-up appointment at Karmanos. My labs came back good and my white blood cell count is continuing to rise…YESS! My magnesium and sodium is a bit low, so its recommended that I really push salt in my diet. Also I was given a list of foods to increase magnesium. The bottom line is I have to start eating again everyday. My PET scan is scheduled for November 8th and after that a decision will be made about radiation to get rid of the lymphoma still in my chest area.

I’d like to send a special thank you and mad love to Dr. Ayash at Karmanos for the incredible care I have been given. She is a doctor that comes in and really takes her time with me. She stays as long as I have questions and doesn’t try to sugar coat anything. The entire Stem Cell Transplant team is awesome!

Thank you all for the birthday well wishes and sentiments. I had a wonderful weekend with great friends. I still wasn’t able to enjoy much food, but my taste is returning slowly. That’s a good thing. I have a follow-up appointment with Karmanos tomorrow and am hoping my cell are still increasing as they should. I developed a slight cough and a bit of congestion the past day or so, but I am sure its the changing weather that is reaking havoc for a lot of people. I still feel good and no major fatigue so I believe I’m in good shape. I hope they will let me know when I can get the Covid shots over again. When I go anywhere, I continue to wear my mask and stay away from crowds of people.