Cody's Health Problems

[Don Alaska]

@Cody Fousnaugh I am glad you got the PSA followed up and that it was not as serious as it could have been. It is so much better than having doubts hanging over your head. On to the abdominal ultrasound!

 

[Cody Fousnaugh]

Anyone know where Beth went?

 

[Faye]

@Cody Fousnaugh Wow, that is a relief that the cancer has not spread. Good decision on the radiation. You could let the cancer go and maybe make it to age 85 before it spread to other organs and they malfunctioned, but why die from cancer when you can probably keep it in remission until a much older age?

 

[Marie Mallory]

The meeting/consultation with the radiation doctor came out much better than we thought it would. Come to find out, from him talking about both my MRI and the PET Scan, that my prostate cancer isn't as bad as it could've been. It's much better than my 1/2 brother is going thru.

Concerning the PET Scan, the doctor told us that the cancer has not spread outside of my prostate, which is definitely good. Actually, we could let the cancer go, but it was highly recommended that I get radiation treatment/therapy instead. So, I will get 5 1/2 weeks of treatment/therapy, which is much better than it could've been. Each radiation treatment/therapy will only last a few minutes. IOW, it will take me longer to drive to each session than it will have each session. The treatments will be Monday thru Friday.

Now, our next worry (?) is the Ultrasound I will get this coming Wednesday for my stomach. I will not start the radiation treatments until my stomach problem is taken care of.

My wife filled out an application yesterday for an apartment in the Reno area. Unless absolutely necessary, we don't want to spend another summer here!

Will tell everyone more later today or tomorrow. And, THANK YOU LORD for being there for me/us!!

Cody we are thinking of you and hoping for the best, looks like so far things are coming along pretty good.
I'm sure I replied to this before, but sometimes I forget to hit reply button, maybe so or maybe not so.
You and the wife take care and Happy Trails to You both. I may take a break to catch up on vines,if not see ya later.

 

[Cody Fousnaugh]

I had the Right Quadrant Stomach Ultrasound yesterday AM. I read the results online, in a Patient Portal, this morning. Most of the report looks fine, but, like the PET Scan, does reveal a Fatty Liver. On the PET Scan results it stated, "Mild Scarring of the liver". It appears the gallbladder is fine and no gall stones. Anyway, I stopped at my VA Clinic to give a copy of the ultrasound results to my VA doctor to review and let me know what she thinks. IOW, do I need some kind of prescription for my liver or what. All I do know is that I'm still getting pain sometimes in that area (right upper side of stomach).

Next Tuesday, depending on what my what my VA doctor tells me about the ultrasound, I'm scheduled to get a CT Simulation at the radiation center. Depending on what my VA doctor tells me, I will either get the CT or postpone it. The CT Simulation helps the Tech that runs the radiation machine to know exactly where to point the radiation beam.

So, as of right now (March 27th 1:50PM) I'm just waiting to get a message from my VA doctor on what to do.

 

[Faye]

Did your ultrasound include the pancreas? I know severe liver problems can cause pain, but "mild scarring" shouldn't cause pain. The main thing to heal the liver is to stop acetaminophen, ibuprofen, alcohol, and fatty foods and drink lots of water. The pain relief drugs are hard to go without with your shoulder pain.

A specialist told me that sometimes, in old age, we have to decide what pain we can deal with best. I chose my shoulder and neck pain because I can ease it somewhat with a heat pad.

 

[Tony Page]

Cody
I just came across your thread, Wishing you the best. I'm praying that your treatment knocks out this terrible disease. Get well.
Yesterday I got my biopsy results, I also have prostate cancer, I will be going through a similar path as you I think.

Tony

 

[Cody Fousnaugh]

Wild, but my VA doctor hadn't gotten any Results/Reports from of my exams or the Biopsy. Not the MRI, biopsy, PET Scan or Ultrasound. I have access to all online (Portal), so I printed them out and took them over to her at the VA Clinic. That clinic is only a couple of miles away from where we live.

Funny, but the Right Quadrant Stomach Ultrasound stated, "No gallstones", while the PET Scan stated, "Minor cholelithiasis" (medical term for gallstones). My VA doctor told me that she doesn't know what "minor" means, but also that the gallstones are so small, the Ultrasound didn't pick them up, but the PET Scan did. She also told me that she truly thinks the pain I get on the right side of my stomach is due to those small gallstones. So, this coming Monday I will go to local VA Clinic and do a blood lab/labs for both my liver and gallbladder. After that, she will set me up with a GI doctor for consultation concerning the lab/labs and treatment plan.

My VA doctor also told me to go ahead with the two pre-radiation therapy things, as in CT Simulation and insertion of the Rectal Gel Spacer and schedule my radiation therapy. So, I start that next week.

In the meantime, I'm staying with eating chicken and fish and very little, if any, red meat. I continue to drink lots of water and green tea. One cup of coffee in the morning, with one packet of Splenda and some No Sugar (?) Flavored Cream. I've decided to cook/eat boiled eggs, instead of fried eggs each morning.

 

[Don Alaska]

Wild, but my VA doctor hadn't gotten any Results/Reports from of my exams or the Biopsy. Not the MRI, biopsy, PET Scan or Ultrasound. I have access to all online (Portal), so I printed them out and took them over to her at the VA Clinic. That clinic is only a couple of miles away from where we live.

Funny, but the Right Quadrant Stomach Ultrasound stated, "No gallstones", while the PET Scan stated, "Minor cholelithiasis" (medical term for gallstones). My VA doctor told me that she doesn't know what "minor" means, but also that the gallstones are so small, the Ultrasound didn't pick them up, but the PET Scan did. She also told me that she truly thinks the pain I get on the right side of my stomach is due to those small gallstones. So, this coming Monday I will go to local VA Clinic and do a blood lab/labs for both my liver and gallbladder. After that, she will set me up with a GI doctor for consultation concerning the lab/labs and treatment plan.

My VA doctor also told me to go ahead with the two pre-radiation therapy things, as in CT Simulation and insertion of the Rectal Gel Spacer and schedule my radiation therapy. So, I start that next week.

In the meantime, I'm staying with eating chicken and fish and very little, if any, red meat. I continue to drink lots of water and green tea. One cup of coffee in the morning, with one packet of Splenda and some No Sugar (?) Flavored Cream. I've decided to cook/eat boiled eggs, instead of fried eggs each morning.

I had a similar experience with the "gravel" in my gallbladder at one time. It was recommended to me to have a procedure done to widen my common bile duct, as that was where the gravel was getting stuck. The pain would develop for a time then go away. The Hepatologist/ Gastroenterologist told me I should go to Miami or LA to get it done. That was not practical for me at the time, and the problem seems to have gone away with time as I haven't had any troubles in recent years.

 

[Cody Fousnaugh]

I had a similar experience with the "gravel" in my gallbladder at one time. It was recommended to me to have a procedure done to widen my common bile duct, as that was where the gravel was getting stuck. The pain would develop for a time then go away. The Hepatologist/ Gastroenterologist told me I should go to Miami or LA to get it done. That was not practical for me at the time, and the problem seems to have gone away with time as I haven't had any troubles in recent years.

Well, Don, even after getting both the PET Scan that revealed the "minor" gallstones and the Ultrasound that revealed nothing, I still get some pain in the liver/gallbladder area. I use a heating pad over that side of my belly each night and the pain goes away from the entire night, until I get up (stand up) the next morning.

Every-other day when I take my prescription 50mg Tramadol around 9 AM for my shoulder osteoarthritis, along with a Tylenol 8 HR 650mg 20 minutes later, the pain in my stomach and shoulder is gone for awhile. On the days I don't take Tramadol, I have to take a Tylenol 8 HR 650 in the morning not too long after I get up.

So, is the problem the so-called "minor" gallstones or is it the "mild scarring" of my liver. I guess blood labs and the consultation with a GI doctor will tell me and what can be done to get rid of the pain I get in my stomach.

I don't have constant pain in the liver/gallbladder area. It's more like a "achy/nagging" pain than anything, but I know it's there. Sometimes it feels like the pain is in my hip replacement area. I have to get an x-ray for that though.

 

[Don Alaska]

Well, Don, even after getting both the PET Scan that revealed the "minor" gallstones and the Ultrasound that revealed nothing, I still get some pain in the liver/gallbladder area. I use a heating pad over that side of my belly each night and the pain goes away from the entire night, until I get up (stand up) the next morning.

Every-other day when I take my prescription 50mg Tramadol around 9 AM for my shoulder osteoarthritis, along with a Tylenol 8 HR 650mg 20 minutes later, the pain in my stomach and shoulder is gone for awhile. On the days I don't take Tramadol, I have to take a Tylenol 8 HR 650 in the morning not too long after I get up.

So, is the problem the so-called "minor" gallstones or is it the "mild scarring" of my liver. I guess blood labs and the consultation with a GI doctor will tell me and what can be done to get rid of the pain I get in my stomach.

I don't have constant pain in the liver/gallbladder area. It's more like a "achy/nagging" pain than anything, but I know it's there. Sometimes it feels like the pain is in my hip replacement area. I have to get an x-ray for that though.

I doubt the doc can tell much about gallstones form lab results unless liver damage is getting bad. Ironically, what they call "liver function tests" (LFTs) are actually "liver damage tests". The only liver function tests routinely done are prothrombin time and bilirubin.

 

[Cody Fousnaugh]

Almost made a mistake!
Had an appointment this morning (4/1) at the Oncologist for a CT Simulation for upcoming radiation therapy. When we had the consultation with the Oncologist Doctor, he asked me if I wanted to have a Rectum Spacer Gel put in (in-between my prostate and rectum), that my Urologist would do, and my wife said "no" and at the time I agreed with her. That was until we read how the gel protects the rectum from radiation and is highly recommended to get.

So, yesterday afternoon I called the Oncologist Office and asked them, "Should the Rectum Spacer Gel be put in before the CT Simulation is done?". The Scheduler told me, "not necessary", but then spoke to a nurse who told her, "yes, most definitely have the gel put in before getting the CT Simulation". So, I cancelled the appointment, until I have my Urologist put that Spacer Gel in me. Right after that, I will make an appointment to get the CT Simulation and schedule my radiation therapy times.

This afternoon, we go to my Urologist Office and discuss my PET Scan and what the Oncologist Doctor said to us concerning the PET Scan. At that time, I will schedule the Rectum Spacer Gel procedure to be done. That procedure is similar to a Biopsy, but with gel put in me. No samples of anything taken out.

Yesterday AM, went to local VA Clinic for blood labs, so an appointment can be made for me to see a GI doctor concerning my liver and gallbladder. I may also have to get another Ultrasound of both. All wife and I want to know is.........what the heck is going on in my stomach that is giving me some pain. Not serious pain, but still pain, and what can be done about it.

 

[Cody Fousnaugh]

New problem came up! Contacted my Urologist's office Scheduler and was told that I couldn't get an appointment to have my Rectum Spacer Gel procedure done until June 11. That is, unless there is a cancellation. To protect my rectum from any radiation from the therapy, I really want this Spacer. I'm now trying to find out, from my Oncologist Doctor, if my prostate cancer can wait until then or will it spread. The office clerk told me last Friday, "I will inform him to call you, but I never got a call back. So, tomorrow (4/7), I will call there again.

My VA doctor told me, thru my online VA Portal, that the entire area is very short on Urologists and the ones that are here are very backed up in appointments. All wife and I want to know is, can my prostate cancer wait until June for the Gel procedure, CT Simulation and radiation therapy to start?

As for the GI doctor and Fibro Scan for my liver, I have yet to hear back from the VA Community Care Network at the VA Hospital. Both my VA doctor and I will try to find out something tomorrow (4/7). I really need to know if my stomach problem is my liver and/or my gallbladder. If I have to drive all the way to the VA Hospital in northern Las Vegas for the Scans, I will and my wife will go with me.

IOW, it looked like everything dealing with the radiation therapy was going fine, until the only date for the Gel procedure came up.

 

[Cody Fousnaugh]

First, called my half-brother last night to inform him on what going on so far and ask him some questions about his prostate cancer stuff.............wish I hadn't! Seemed like he was too interested in mowing his lawn than talking to me. He seems to think that everything that has happened to him, concerning his cancer, will happen to me. However, his is/was very bad, compared to mine, but he does seem to be doing very good. So anyway, I won't be talking to him again for awhile.

Found out that the GI Dept. at the VA Hospital doesn't refer any Veteran to Community Care. So, that means I had to make an appointment to go there (33 miles north of us) for my Fibro Scan. And, on top of that, the lady in the GI Dept there told me, "Your PCP/VA doctor should've told you that we don't. She should know that." And, the lady also told me, "Your PCP/VA doctor can go over the results of your Fibro Scan. She can get the information from the GI doctor, so you don't have to drive back up here."

As for the blood labs I just done at local VA Clinic, my VA doctor told me that they all look normal for my liver and gallbladder. I don't get it! I get that pain from something.

As for my Rectum Spacer Gel, either have to wait for a cancellation from someone or will keep my June 11th appointment. Can't/won't start my radiation therapy without it.

I'm told that there is a very serious shortage of professional medical people here, but we also think that it's the population here as well. Over three million people!

 

[Don Alaska]

First, called my half-brother last night to inform him on what going on so far and ask him some questions about his prostate cancer stuff.............wish I hadn't! Seemed like he was too interested in mowing his lawn than talking to me. He seems to think that everything that has happened to him, concerning his cancer, will happen to me. However, his is/was very bad, compared to mine, but he does seem to be doing very good. So anyway, I won't be talking to him again for awhile.

Found out that the GI Dept. at the VA Hospital doesn't refer any Veteran to Community Care. So, that means I had to make an appointment to go there (33 miles north of us) for my Fibro Scan. And, on top of that, the lady in the GI Dept there told me, "Your PCP/VA doctor should've told you that we don't. She should know that." And, the lady also told me, "Your PCP/VA doctor can go over the results of your Fibro Scan. She can get the information from the GI doctor, so you don't have to drive back up here."

As for the blood labs I just done at local VA Clinic, my VA doctor told me that they all look normal for my liver and gallbladder. I don't get it! I get that pain from something.

As for my Rectum Spacer Gel, either have to wait for a cancellation from someone or will keep my June 11th appointment. Can't/won't start my radiation therapy without it.

I'm told that there is a very serious shortage of professional medical people here, but we also think that it's the population here as well. Over three million people!

Your gall bladder issue may not always show up on blood work unless it is quite bad. It should show up on your scans however. I hope they did amylase/lipase tests. Those can help evaluate ductile blockages and pancreatitis.

Medical personnel are retiring or quitting in large numbers all over the U.S., especially doctors. The combination of Obamacare and Covid made people realize that the hassle just isn't worth it. The dedicated people may leave, and the arrogant folks in it for the money may stay, especially if they cannot do something else. It often helps the VA system though, as most of the private sector hassles--overhead, billing, etc.-are left behind when the doctors enter the VA. They still have to deal with the government regulations and red tape though.

 

[Cody Fousnaugh]

Called my VA Community Care appointed Urologist's office yesterday to see if there has been a cancellation to get the prostate-rectum spacer that I need before starting radiation therapy. Unfortunately, have to keep the June 11th appointment, due to nothing available before then. I was told, again, that there is a major shortage of Urologists here. The next appointment wouldn't be until September! This procedure is only done once a month and only the office where he works is equipped to do the procedure. So, can't do a thing, concerning my radiation therapy, until after June 11th.

Next Thursday my wife and I go to the VA Hospital in North Las Vegas for my Fibro Scan for my liver. It is 33 miles north from where we live, but have to go. IOW, definitely want to get my stomach problem taken care of before starting radiation therapy.

We have no choice but to sign another Lease for 10 months. Do want to at all, but...........

 

[Hedi M]

Anyone know where Beth went?

I will let her know you asked

 

[Yvonne Smith]

It seems like it takes a long time for many doctor appointments now, except maybe the general care doctors. I know to se my cardiologist is at least 3-4 months in advance, but i can see his nurse practitioner a lot sooner than that if I needed an appointment.
Adding our prayers that all goes well with your tests and then the procedures, @Cody Fousnaugh .
I know you guys wanted to move really bad, but it might be best that you are staying close to where you have doctors that are at least familiar with what is happening with your health issues.
There might be even more of a shortage if you moved, and you have no way of knowing ahead of time.

 

[Cody Fousnaugh]

It seems like it takes a long time for many doctor appointments now, except maybe the general care doctors. I know to se my cardiologist is at least 3-4 months in advance, but i can see his nurse practitioner a lot sooner than that if I needed an appointment.
Adding our prayers that all goes well with your tests and then the procedures, @Cody Fousnaugh .
I know you guys wanted to move really bad, but it might be best that you are staying close to where you have doctors that are at least familiar with what is happening with your health issues.
There might be even more of a shortage if you moved, and you have no way of knowing ahead of time.

However, Yvonne, our plans are still to move. We will be signing a 9 month lease, and after that, will go month-to-month until we move. Hoping, and I do mean HOPING, that we can move up north by June of 2026. We really need to! We simply don't belong where we are.

 

[Marie Mallory]

Called my VA Community Care appointed Urologist's office yesterday to see if there has been a cancellation to get the prostate-rectum spacer that I need before starting radiation therapy. Unfortunately, have to keep the June 11th appointment, due to nothing available before then. I was told, again, that there is a major shortage of Urologists here. The next appointment wouldn't be until September! This procedure is only done once a month and only the office where he works is equipped to do the procedure. So, can't do a thing, concerning my radiation therapy, until after June 11th.

Next Thursday my wife and I go to the VA Hospital in North Las Vegas for my Fibro Scan for my liver. It is 33 miles north from where we live, but have to go. IOW, definitely want to get my stomach problem taken care of before starting radiation therapy.

We have no choice but to sign another Lease for 10 months. Do want to at all, but...........

I'm sorry you have to deal with all this and doctor shortage too. Hoping it is all over soon and your completely healed .