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Author
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Topic: New Here/Cancer Scare
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brooklynblessed
New Member
Member # 6891
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posted
Dear friends:
Monday began another chapter in my treatment history; and thank God I'm optimistic & as usual put it all in God's hands..if I did not have to drink of this cup I'd prefer it..but once again I am at the forefront in a try at a treatment for hep c & the recent diagnosis of cirroshis.
You see I am not in a trial or anything like that it's just that I am the first patient of my liver specialist to try this type treatment (his world reknowned boss who sometimes sees me has only had one) so...if this is successful it may be another treatment avenue more widely used in the future for others that suffer from liver disease.
Saturday I picked up the ribavirin that I must orally take twice a day & Monday will pick up the CONSENSUS INTEFERON, that I will inject daily for one year.
The inteferon must be refrigerated & the reason I had all of these recent tests: biopsy, endonoscopy, colonoscopy, mri & stress test was to make sure that I was up to the daily injections & oral meds.
On the other past version you will recall I had 2 hospitalizations for blood transfusions and am prone to anemia. So, I ask for you to pray for success that my hep c viral load will go to undetectable, the liver scarring melt away & no side effects like anemia & these other ones:
SIDE EFFECTS: Flu-like symptoms following each injection (fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and pains, malaise) occur with all of the interferons. These symptoms vary from mild to severe and occur in up to half of all patients. The symptoms tend to diminish with repeated injections and may be managed with analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Tissue damage at the site of injection occurs with all of the interferons but more commonly with interferon beta-1b and pegylated interferon alfa-2b. Depression and suicide have been reported among patients receiving interferons; however, it is unclear whether depression and suicidal thoughts are caused by the diseases being treated or the interferons themselves. Therefore, all patients receiving treatment with an interferon should be observed for the development of depression and suicidal thoughts. Other side effects that may occur with all interferons and which may be caused by higher doses are fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, joint aches, back pain and dizziness. Still other possible side effects are anorexia, congestion, increased heart rate, confusion, low white blood cell count, low platelet count, low red blood cell count, an increase in liver enzymes, an increase in triglycerides, temporary skin rashes, mild hair loss or hair thinning, swelling (edema), cough or difficulty breathing.
Know though that whenever a health care professional sits me down & says Mr. ******** you could experience____________ or_________________ or____________ my response is no I won't.
So there we are on the verge of another year (God willing) of daily injections & oral meds w/ me believing that within the first three months my test will show an UNDETECTABLE hep c viral level & by the end of a year the scarring on my liver will show it's melted away.
Thanks for your prayers and concern; and as always if you ever need advice in this area for friend, family, fellow church member or you--- feel free to contact me in confidence. God is still on his throne & there's no better doctor, amen ?
God bless you,
Rick/Ps. 118:17
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~~Jesus IS The Great Physician!~~
Posts: 5 | From: NYC | Registered: Nov 2007
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brooklynblessed
New Member
Member # 6891
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posted
This is a message sent to my family & friends..it'll give you an update, name was changed if you pray for my ex-con friend you can use Juan as it's one of his akas:
Greetings Family & Friends:
My early wish is for a blessed holiday for each & everyone. I will bring you before the altar several times before 2007 ends.
Tomorrow I will meet w/ my primary care doctor (Dr. Lia) and my liver specialist (Dr. Gabe) & go over my recent biopsy results.
The tentative plan is for me to begin procrit injections (anti-anemia protection) for a month and then in 08' start DAILY (ouch) self-injections of a liver med that's similar to pegasys---plus a daily oral med. This would be regardless if cirroshis is the lab find that we'll be going over. I appreciate those ongoing prayers.
These verses of holy scripture are so important at all times but seem to have a special meaning around Christmas..read them again if you will....w/ an open heart:
The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy[a] angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Beloved, I've decided this Christmas to live out that scripture by having our old friend ---- being w/ me from Fri @ Times Square Church*** until staying out in Brooklyn Sunday afternoon & then part two: to join me for Christmas dinner in Manhattan. Maybe at a friends new restaurant.
I am not violating his confidentiality as he knows many of you have prayed for him as he went in & out of prison and drug programs over the last few years. And one of you on the list met him by surprise when we were in NYC seeing the sites.
As a matter of fact ever since I've know him he's been mainly in jail every Thanksgiving and or Christmas.
He's also aware that I might introduce him to TSC members especially those who have similar backgrounds. ---- says he remembers several visits by TSC Prison Ministry while he was upstate.
I ask TSC members to keep an eye out for us as he may leave his current program & be at the church around 5:45-6 to grab us early seats before the 7pm Christmas program. Please come & say hello.
Also pray that he might be drawn to the altar..as I don't believe in twisting arms, amen?
So that's it.... waiting doctors consults Wed. afternoon & looking forward to a Matthew Christmas..unusual but what God has put on my heart.
May God Richly Bless You & We All Live Out The Scriptures In 08'
Love,
Rick
*** http://www.tscnyc.org/events_christmas_production_2007.php
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~~Jesus IS The Great Physician!~~
Posts: 5 | From: NYC | Registered: Nov 2007
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Kindgo
Advanced Member
Member # 2
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posted
I have been praying for you also..all needs and concerns.. :pray
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God bless,
Kindgo
Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the will of God there is no success.
Posts: 4320 | From: Sunny Florida | Registered: Jun 2002
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brooklynblessed
New Member
Member # 6891
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posted
![[Bible]](graemlins/bible.gif) Hey TGIF, trying to maintain a sense of humor, and coveting any ongoing prayers--- God bless you.
Last Thu. I had the MRI @ St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital on my liver and pancreas area-to recap I had two recent blood tests known as AFPs that showed me in a cancer range.
Today I was in Manhattan & met w/ a nurse practitioner as my dr. is on vacation & we went over the results---absolutely no signs of cancer w/ the only thing noticeable was a very small cyst. The cyst is waterly looking meaning non-cancerous---that's the good news..NO CANCER!
The bad news is for the first time in my life is these official findings from my copy of the report it says "The liver has a fine modular contour suggestive of cirrhosis".
There's alot more on my copy but concludes w/
"IMPRESSION:"
2.) Hepatic cirrhosis with splenomegaly.
Please note that these words used are "suggestive" and "IMPRESSION"...to me, a layman & a believer that my God is still in the healing business..means the results & there was an ultrasound of 5/25/07 that didn't set off any bells and an MRI of 10/31/2003 at Roosevelt that also didn't set off any alarms---are not of course 100% conclusive.
If I was in court and said judge I'd like to "suggest" sir,or your honor I get the "impression", he'd probably say EVIDENCE, give me concrete evidence.
So at this point we still have an unscheduled liver biopsy that needs to be done & my next appt. w/ my liver specialist Dr. Gabriel Ionesku & my PCP is on Dec. 5th; a biopsy may be done sooner but time has to be scheduled.
So like w/ the cancer scare please pray that cirrhosis will not be my downfall, as I proclaim that "I shall not die but live,and will proclaim what the Lord has done" (Psalm 118:17)...but cirroshis is serious--- & most of us know someone w/ that disease..in many ways it can cut life shorter than cancer..but that's not for me, amen:
Some facts though: Cirrhosis and chronic liver disease were the 10th leading cause of death for men and the 12th for women in the United States in 2001, killing about 27,000 people each year.[12] Also, the cost of cirrhosis in terms of human suffering, hospital costs, and lost productivity is high.
Established cirrhosis has a 10-year mortality of 34-66%, largely dependent on the cause of the cirrhosis; alcoholic cirrhosis has a worse prognosis than primary biliary cirrhosis and cirrhosis due to hepatitis. The risk of death due to all causes is increased twelvefold; if one excludes the direct consequences of the liver disease, there is still a fivefold increased risk of death in all disease categories.[13]
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~~Jesus IS The Great Physician!~~
Posts: 5 | From: NYC | Registered: Nov 2007
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brooklynblessed
New Member
Member # 6891
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posted
On Thu.Nov. 8th I took an MRI of liver & pancreas.My dr. is on vacation & I'm anxious about getting the results praying that my liver specialist will be moved to reach me today w/ the results rather than my having to travel & get in a waiting room to see an alternative dr. for those results.Lord move Dr. Gabe to compassion!!!!
As this is a holiday w/e..my anxiety will be high if I have to wait until Tue. for results..it'll help though as I plan to be in church Fri. night and over the holiday w/e....
Lord give me favor!
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~~Jesus IS The Great Physician!~~
Posts: 5 | From: NYC | Registered: Nov 2007
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brooklynblessed
New Member
Member # 6891
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posted
Actually may have been here in the past w/ an old name, but nothing would register..hmmm..but anyhow would appreciate your prayers:
Am ready on Thu.Nov. 8th to take MRI of liver & pancreas.2 Recent blood tests showed me in a "cancer range"; those can be thrown off due to my hep. c---praying that this MRI & a yet to be scheduled liver biopsy will show NO CANCER!Also need healing of hiv, liver and lipo.
In the area of finances have $$$$ owed on insurance, a NYC bond and for past disability payments.Praying for healing & finances in Jesus name.
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~~Jesus IS The Great Physician!~~
Posts: 5 | From: NYC | Registered: Nov 2007
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