It Looks Like I Have Cancer

Bio · Jun 8, 2013

At the end of last year Nov/Dec, I began to experience abdominal pain and pain in my lower right side. I lost 17lbs in 2 weeks! I went to the doctor and they ran standard blood tests and sent me to several specialists. Everything came back normal. Eventually, as this year progressed, I began to feel better than I had and I managed to put almost all of the weight back on. However, I still get abdominal pain. Recently, my doctor scheduled me for more blood work and several tests. One test in particular is called a 5 HIAA 24hr Urine Test. It is used to detect Carcinoid Tumors/Carcinoid Syndrome. I followed all of the dietary restrictions for three days prior to the test as indicated. Last Saturday I received a letter from my doctor letting me know that all of my tests were negative! Great news and a huge relief knowing cancer is off the table but at the same time disappointing since it didn't give me any answers!! Well, Wednesday at work I received two call from a number I didn't recognize. I checked my voice mail and it was my doctor saying that he wanted to go over my blood work with me...Odd...I was having a good day so I figured I would call him Thursday morning. Come Thursday morning, I realize via voice mail that he tried to call me again that evening...Now I'm somewhat concerned! So, I talked to him yesterday (Thursday) and he told me that my 5 HIAA test came back positive/elevated. He informed me that a normal range is between 2mg and 6mg in a 24hr period. Anything over 25mg is most likely cancer....Mine was 88!! Today I went the Gastroenterologist and he let me know I'll be having an Octreo Scan. This is where they give me an IV of radioactive dye and it in turn will light up the tumors. I'll find out on Monday when this test will take place (need insurance approval). This is a rare cancer that is very slow growing. Ninety percent of the time it's misdiagnosed due to it's rareness. One of the things that is disconcerting is the fact that in many cases, by the time a person is exhibiting signs of the syndrome (which I am) the cancer has usually spread and gotten to a point where treatment is no longer an option.

I've got my chin up and still have a smile on my face! I try not to get ahead of myself. I'm just taking this one day at a time. I'm a realist, but hopefully something caused a false positive....I did ask the doctor what other ailment could cause a reading like this and he said he didn't know of any. Regardless, I've still got a lot of life to live and a wonderful woman who I love more than anything to share it with!!

maldorf · Jun 8, 2013

Damn, I am really sorry to hear this. I am really impressed with how you are handling this. Lets hope that it was a false positive somehow and that the next test wont show any masses, or if there is a mass its really small.

Once a month for the past 5 yrs ive been going to my hematologist/oncologist so I see all the cancer patients there getting their chemo. I often get really down about my heart condition, but going in there is really humbling to me and I realize that some people are worse off than me. Most of them seem to recover though. Cancer treatment these days is so much better than it was even just 10 yrs ago.

Please keep us all posted on the results of that next test. I will be thinking about you and wishing you positive things.

Medic08 · Jun 8, 2013

Wow, I'm very sorry to hear this, but I think it's awesome that you're staying strong and not just giving up or thinking the worst possible outcomes. If you don't mind please PM me your name (at least your first name) so I can say a prayer for you. Not trying to derail your thread or make it sound like I'm a bible thumper, but I do believe in prayer. If you're not a believer or don't wish to PM me then I while heartily respect that and wish you nothing but the best, my friend. God speed!

maldorf · Jun 8, 2013

just thinking

Reading your post made me think about the day that the doctor called me to tell me my ejection fraction had been measured at below 20% and that I would need to get a defibrillator. About 2 days later I was in the basement doing squats when I had a really bad tachycardia and had to call 911. The paramedics got here just in time to defib me and get my heart out of v fib. When I next saw the doctor at the hospital I begged him to give me an idea, based on his experience, of how long I might live. He told me another 10-15 yrs, that was 5 yrs ago. I was almost relieved that he told me 10-15 yrs because part of me was thinking I had less time. Who knows. All I know is that my morale really dropped bad when I got that phone call, but I was able to come back from that and remain positive.Now I just take one day at a time, thinking ahead at most a day or two. Things aren't so bad.

needforspeed · Jun 8, 2013

Awesome state of mind! You can do anything you set your mind to.

deerslayer41 · Jun 8, 2013

Praying for you brother.

Rainmanisback · Jun 8, 2013

Bro I am really sorry you are going thru this... Kudos to you and your incredible strenght. I hope everything goes well for you

Jblack · Jun 8, 2013

Bio when you read this shoot me a text

PHIL HERNON · Jun 8, 2013

Wow

Praying for you and Maldorf. My wife had an MRI last week and they found a spot on her brain. Life punches you in the gut doesn't it.

GreenEarth · Jun 8, 2013

Amazing reserve in the face of adversity. Chin up brother, you'll be in my prayers.

Jude2 · Jun 8, 2013

Just prayed for u. Hang in there .

maldorf · Jun 8, 2013

PHIL HERNON said:
Praying for you and Maldorf. My wife had an MRI last week and they found a spot on her brain. Life punches you in the gut doesn't it.

It sure does, and when you least expect it. I hope your wife turns out to be ok too. Man, seems like a lot of bad news on here lately.

One thing about life that really pisses me off is how bad things seem to happen to good people and its POS people like murderers that end up winning court cases and going free living long and healthy lives. Youll have the drunk driver that slams into a family and everyone in that family dies and yet the drunk driver walks away unharmed.

triathloncoach · Jun 8, 2013

I've told this story several times already but in summary: 6 years ago my now 13 year old daughter was told to have leukemia (my father in law died of leukemia and it is hereditary) by her pediatrician based on conclusive lab reports. She was referred to a pediatric oncologist who knew right away she had leukemia and sent us to a Pediatric Oncology Hospital. The Asst Head of the Department reviewed the data, examined my daughter and said we need to admit her. BUT - first she wanted to run one more test. It would take about 2 hours and we were told to wait in the cafeteria and we would be summoned when the results were back. Do you know how hard it was for me not to let my daughter, who really didn't understand any of this, see me completely break down? Or my wife who lost her dad to leukemia when she was 9 preparing herself to now lose her daughter? We knew she had cancer.

It was a sure thing that my daughter had cancer. She didn't. It was a fluke on the blood work and a bone fracture of unknown origin.

Please stay positive. I didn't. But miracles happen. Medicine is far from a perfect science.

I have always liked you Bio, you are certainly in my thoughts. Be at Peace.

BigChef · Jun 8, 2013

You are in my prayers Bio. My mum has cancer too. I told my mum you have cancer but cancer hasn't got you and she didn't understand what I mean but I told her that I saw a sign on someone else bed in the hospital years ago and explained to her. Stay strong brother!

MooseKnuckles · Jun 8, 2013

Praying for you hope all goes well

acer00 · Jun 8, 2013

God Bless You

God bless you my brother. Give it all to him and you can live, thrive, and overcome. Bless everyone that is supporting you and all the Dr and care takeers that have any major or minor involvement with your treatment.
I once know someone in a similar situation, he overcame with relentlessness, faith, great support,an in relenting will to survive. I will pray for you with my wife tonight if you are OK with that.
Most importantly you are not alone, nor will you ever be. Through this board we all are brothers, comrads, and in a sense, family. For some this place may be the best or the only family they ever had. We are here for you brother and even if there has not been face o face meeting between most of us, I am always amazed at how gear using alpha males can turn the humanity switch at the drop of a hat to encourage any brother who is going through tough times. Whether it be the new asking what test is, the idiot with the abscesses, does gh make me blot guy(that's me). The struggling guy getting divoced or even a man who was struck temporarily with cancer...this board has real love and support, use it and we can help carry you.

Sorry I have been through a couple bouts with this as a supporter and seen some win and lose. Gets me a little emotional and fired up to rise against the times. You will be blessed and No brother here isn't pulling for you. You got this, you can stomp that pile of shit into oblivion. Stay positive. Return the love around you and witness miracles.
Blessings

PM me for anything brother

acer00 · Jun 8, 2013

Also

I meant to edit my post but the 15 min had past. I am a metal a rock music lisrener when i run, train, or compete. But there is one singer that can get to me on a spiritual level more then anything I have heard. Jenn Johnson fromm Bethel Live is truly a voice that God uses to reach people. I.have known those who have been impacted by her music and teacings for a while now

If you ever get a chance YouTube Jenn Johnson: You Make Me Happyy, and Come To Me. Put the headphones on. Works for me and some others, maybe it will work for you. Again I pray for you and you positive attitude is a great step. You are blessed. PM me if out need any encouragement or just to release

Blessings

JonnyO · Jun 8, 2013

Sorry to hear about this Bio. Hopefully they did in fact detect it in its early stages and it is treatable and you can move put it all behind you, but the main thing right now is staying positive which you seem to be doing and by the sounds of it you have a great woman that will stand by your side and help you though the tough times ahead. I wish you all the best and please keep us updated.