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Putin dreamed of ending NATO, and now it’s Finnish-ed.

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Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

The arc of the moral universe doesn’t bend itself. it’s up to us.

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White supremacy is terrorism.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / A Rocky Road for J. R. in WV

A Rocky Road for J. R. in WV

by | 100 Comments

This post is in: 

I heard from J.R. in WV, and it’s been a rocky road for him these past few weeks, but he is hanging in there.  J.R. said I could share his update so you guys don’t have to wonder what’s going on.

In J.R.’s own words:

Late last night I saw a regular commenter wonder what happened to JR in WV, who disappeared. BJ has been a wonderful tool while I was so ill.

I have been viewing posts and comments on a small tablet, and have recently been discharged from the hospital after some serious side effects from my chemo infusions, and thought I would write up a description of those treatments and my hospital stay.

Trigger warning, I was really sick!

My chemo treatments last 8 hours, the first 4 are IV drugs to counteract severe side effects of the Cisplatin and gemcitabine, which are administered all afternoon, two sessions a week apart.

Until last Tuesday after Memorial day I tolerated these sessions pretty well with fatigue as my worst side effect, but that most recent treatment kicked my ass hard!

My cousin, who has been coming to these sessions around noon to relieve my wife, and bringing me home, could tell I was whipped, I had trouble walking the 230 feet from the car up to the front door, and he helped me to bed.

By Thursday I was convinced something was bad wrong, and I asked cousin to come Friday morning and take me to the Cancer Center’s walk-in clinic. There a very professional Nurse Practitioner listened to my chest carefully, and then said “You need to go across the road to the ER right away!” Another medical person who helped save my life! Off we went.

It was early afternoon, and I was seen right away in a very professional ER setting. They did CAT scans which showed massive blood clots up one leg and into my lungs. I was moved to an ICU ward for cardio-pulmonary issues, where they put me on IV Heparin for several days, followed by a move to a recovery ward where I was started on an oral medication called Eliquis.I was told just having cancer is a giant risk factor for clotting, who knew? and I would be on Eliquis for the rest of my life.

My blood work showed my platelet levels were dropping, and they gave me a platelet infusion, which looked like a big bag full of milky ditch water, and lasted several hours. Over night my blood work improved quite a bit, and the next morning a hospitalist Dr came into the room and said they were going to turn me out. So I called cousin to rescue me again.

That afternoon I was able to walk up the path, using the Rollator walker, which even has a stool feature so you can sit and rest to catch your breath. And now I’m home with the dogs and my dear wife, who has been wonderful and caring.

After a couple more sets of chemo, which they are delaying a little to let me recuperate a little bit, they intend major surgery to remove pretty much everything below my kidneys and install a port to remove urine, which I am informed is fairly tolerable. The oncologist tells me he expects me to have a 50/50 chance of long term survival.

And that’s my medical review. As I said, BJ has been a real blessing and I have been keeping track of comments right along.

Balloon Juice Jackals, thanks so much for caring and all your great comments !!!

Let us know what we can do to help, Bill.  I’m sure people will chime in below with their good wishes.

Reader Interactions

100Comments

  3. 3.

    O. Felix Culpa

    Wishing you all the best in your recovery! Glad you had help when you needed it.

  5. 5.

    EmbraceYourInnerCrone

    Please let us know what we can do to help, anything from help with expenses to items on an Amazon wish list, to music suggestions o listen to during chemo.  We are pulling for you and you have friends here.   Good things can happen,  my sister in law is on year 3 + after her stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis,  made it through chemo(it total sucked) and is now retired and doing what she wants (traveling)   My son in laws younger sister was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer about 2 and half years ago.  It has been a rough road but she is now cancer free and just ran her first 5K.    I am hoping for light and life for you,

  7. 7.

    Rileys Enabler

    Best wishes for a strong recovery with minimal side effects. Fuck cancer, sideways.

  12. 12.

    Maxim

    Thanks for giving us an update, J.R. Cancer sucks and chemo sucks, and I’m sending you all my best wishes for a smoother road going forward and the best possible outcomes. It’s good to know you’re hanging out in the comments with us.

  14. 14.

    lowtechcyclist

    @EmbraceYourInnerCrone:

    Please let us know what we can do to help, anything from help with expenses to items on an Amazon wish list, to music suggestions o listen to during chemo.  We are pulling for you and you have friends here.

    Seconded.

  15. 15.

    OzarkHillbilly

    I spent a week in “intermediate ICU” once because of blood clots. No fun at all. I too am on blood thinners for life. Not a big deal until I hit the doughnut hole. I hope your Eliquis is more reasonable than my Xarelto.

    Sending you nothing but good thoughts. Stay strong.

  17. 17.

    tobie

    Thanks for posting, Water Girl, and oh my, J R of WV, you have been through the ringer. I hope it lifts your spirits and strengthens you to be back home with your beloved wife and dog, and your cousin, who is a trooper! We’re pulling for you here. Good luck with the next round of treatment and keep us posted on what’s happening via Water Girl. We miss your voice in this neck of the woods.

  19. 19.

    CaseyL

    It’s very good to hear from you, JR!

    Medical care can be pretty.damn ruthless when they’re saving your life. Sounds like you have a good, responsive team.

    Fingers, toes, and other things crossed for you to beat this.

    FTFCancer.

  20. 20.

    tokyokie

    I’m glad that you found a good NP at the walk-in clinic. The level of competence for staff at the stand-alone ERs can be pretty spotty, and I’m glad you were seen by somebody who knew what she/he/they was/were doing. If you can tolerate walking, you should do so, because you’re less likely to throw a clot if you’ve been using your leg muscles.

  21. 21.

    Old School

    Best of luck to you, J.R. in WV!

    I’ve done platelet donations and they’ve been bothering me to make another donation.  I’ll do that sooner than later now.

  23. 23.

    pieceofpeace

    Thank you for sharing this messy, difficult part of your life.  I’ve missed reading your posts, in which the humor, overall love of life and home, helped by the optimistic outlook were obvious and welcomed, always.

    And always appreciated the warm hat-tips to your wife and the close life you share.  I strongly agree with whomever above that mentioned you have friends here, pulling for you.

  26. 26.

    Betty Cracker

    Whoa, that’s rough going! I figured you were merely taking a break from this kvetch-fest to focus on your health and did not realize you were laid up to that extent! Glad you’re on the mend and have a caring spouse and cousin nearby and compassionate professionals to look after you. I am wishing you lots of courage and strength for your recovery. Fuck cancer!

  30. 30.

    MomSense

    Fuck fucking cancer!

    Sorry you have had such a tough time.  We are all rooting for you!!  Sending healing your way.

  31. 31.

    Elizabelle

    JR:  you are one tough bird, and I am betting on you, not on the disease, to prevail in the end. Glad you are getting some wife and pups time. That is as restorative as anything else they can do. Please keep us posted, as you can.

  33. 33.

    deathpanelist

    doc here: coming out of lurking mode to give you this FYI: please do not sit on rollator much, they are unstable, and my sister broke her hip when she tipped backwards.

    Hope you are feeling better!

  34. 34.

    Raoul Paste

    It sounds like you’re handling this as well as anyone could.  Wishing you well, and keeping a good thought.

  36. 36.

    dkinPa

    Thanks for the update!  Sending good wishes and thoughts your way, J.R.  Hope this was just a blimp on your road to recovery!

  40. 40.

    catclub

    … cisplatin. I think I heard a report on generics that cisplatin is one of the ones in short supply.

  41. 41.

    Jackie

    JR, I’m glad we heard from you! A lot of us were concerned by your absence – knowing you were dealing with chemo treatments. Take care of yourself, and know there’s a TON of good wishes and positive vibes headed to you.

  42. 42.

    Donatellonerd

    white light and good wishes and luck from Paris. you’ve always seemed a real mensch to me and i hope it gets and stays better. my husband finished his chemo & radiation 23 months ago tomorrow and is doing well so … it does work sometimes. to echo the refrain, fuck cancer.

  46. 46.

    Cathie from Canada

    I had an ilieostomy for 2 years while recovering from bowel problems, and a friend of ours had a urostomy. We found there is an invisible but huge community of “ostomy” people who are knowledgeable and very willing to help people learn how to manage with these life-saving devices — the companies manufacturing the bag components also have staff who can help get everything set up for home care.

    Changing the bags seems intimidating at first but now I compare it to learning to drive — pretty soon it becomes second nature and you can’t remember when you didn’t know how to do it. Best of luck with everything!

  47. 47.

    KayInMD (formerly Kay (not the front-pager))

    Maan! That’s a tough road you’ve been on. I’m glad you’ve had your wife and cousin to be able to depend on. Knowing you have good people at your back makes a world of difference, doesn’t it? I hope you continue to make forward progress, knowing all the support you have here.

  49. 49.

    Scout211

    Hey J.R., wishing you strength in your continued fight.  It sounds like you have a good medical team and a good support team.  Check in here when you can.  ❤️

    And yeah, f*ck cancer.

  51. 51.

    laura

    Cisplatin is a killer of cancer but hard on the patient. Sending you buckets of strength, comfort and good wishes.

  52. 52.

    Joy in FL

    sending you all kinds of good thoughts, JR in VW. Thank you for sharing a tough part of your life.

  53. 53.

    Madeleine

    Pieceofpeace at comment #23 beautifully expresses sentiments that I also feel. Though your treatment path may be tough, I hope there are no more unexpected boulders on the road.

  54. 54.

    geg6

    Fuck cancer.  Holding you in my thoughts, J.R.  Every day.  My sister is on her last immunotherapy treatment this Friday.  May you come through as well as she has so far.

  55. 55.

    Miss Bianca

    Oh, JR! That all sounds horrible, but you are still with us, and that is wonderful! Please keep us posted as your strength allows it. We love you!

  57. 57.

    Almost Retired

    Oh my, what a tough road you’ve traveled.  I’m blown away by your positivity, which will serve you well in the recovery process.  Fuck cancer, indeed.  Also….too…. fuck blood clots.

  58. 58.

    eclare

    Thank you for letting us know!  Fingers and paws crossed here for an easy recovery from surgery. Keep us posted as you can, we will be thinking of you!🙏

  59. 59.

    Ghost of Joe Liebling’s Dog

    Thanks for reaching out to JR for an update …

    JR, all good wishes from Way Out Here.  You don’t know me from Adam’s off ox (obligatory “not that Adam”), but I’ve been thinking of you; I imagine that many other folks here have been too.

    Hoping that everything is a lot more straightforward and all to the good from here on.

  60. 60.

    Mel

    Sending you and your wife so much love. There aren’t words to express how sorry I am that you are going through this. I have wondered how you are doing, and figured that you chemo and the side effects meant that you needed to conserve your energy, rest, and put non-essential stuff on immediate hold so that you could focus on getting through this hard, hard phase of treatment and on to healing.

    But, oh, my word, what you have been through.

    I have always looked forward to reading your comments and hearing about what’s going on at your homeplace. For a displaced old country girl and hubby living in the city, it’s a joy. And who the hell else here (except maybe Ozark!) knows how to make a truly great pot of soup beans?!?

    So, what can we do?  Because we all might be online neighbors, but we’re neighbors here on BJ all the same, and neighbors take care of their own. Are there any groceries , or better yet, restaurants that you and your wife like that would deliver,  and have gift cards or online pay available?

    Are there any treats that you and your wife especially love that I could make and send to you? Southern Ohio and WV are just a day or two FedEx away, and since I’m on CellCept and hubby’s on arthritis biologics, we keep a superclean kitchen, and would be happy to send a treat package. Sometimes, the only thing that could perk up my appetite on chemo meds was a little bit of childhood comfort food. Oatmeal cookie, apple handpie, ginger cookies, icebox sugar cookies. If you or your wife want one of the above, just ask Watergirl to let me know which and where to send, and I will send them.

  61. 61.

    stacib

    Best wishes for better health to JR.

    My mom was prescribed Eliquis, too.  It’s really expensive ($700+) for a 30-day supply, but the manufacturer will give you a year free if you have traditional health insurance.  Unfortunately, you can’t get any help if you’re on any government program (Medicare, Medi-Cal, etc.).

  62. 62.

    Jay

    JR, we missed you and worried about you. Thank you for checking in.

    Love makes a difference. You have love in your life.

    Reach out when you can, want to, or need to, we are here.

    #FuckCancer.

  64. 64.

    J R in WV

    Thanks for all the encouragement and well wishes. We’re still being hermits ever since COVID spread far and wide. I have trouble typing on my little tablet and so will  mostly be lurking…

    You all take care

    ETA.  great neighbors too, helping us with stuff I can’t do right now!

  65. 65.

    Mel

    @stacib: It is expensive, for sure. I have a Medicare advantage plan, and they balked, but my Dr. submitted a really well- worded authorization appeal, and it knocked the copay down to about $48 a month. If your mom’s drug company assistance program / card has a year limit, it might be good to get the authorization appeal process rolling a few months before that ends, since the insurance company likely will drag their heels on the process. Best to your mom, and I hope that she is feeling and doing well.

  66. 66.

    EmbraceYourInnerCrone

    @OzarkHillbilly: I am on Eliquis, I am very luck to have good insurance and its 50 bucks copay for me for one months worth. I believe the full cost without my insurance would be 500 a month….

  67. 67.

    BeautifulPlumage

    1. @J R in WV: I’m late to this post, but best wishes through the rest of your treatments, that they go more smoothly and are successful. So good to know that you have family & neighbors to support you right now.
  68. 68.

    Betty

    What a harrowing experience. So happy to hear you are doing much better and have a positive prognosis. Best wishes to you and your wife – and your cousin!

  71. 71.

    trollhattan

    🙀 Holy hell, what an adventure! I’d ask for a refund from the travel agency.

    All my best J R, from far away California. Here’s hoping you land the correct 50.

    Also, LOL at ditch water.

  72. 72.

    Heidi Mom

    Late to the thread but wishing you all the best, J R, as you travel this rocky road.

  73. 73.

    Damned at Random

    Best wishes for an uneventful recovery, JR. The upside of recovery is that you can indulge your guilty TV pleasures. My husband started watching all the Mystery Science Theater episodes in order during chemo.  For me (post knee replacement), it was various Bigfoot hunt shows. If it raises your spirits, it’s the right thing to do. Whatever tempts your appetite is the right thing to eat. And enjoy the loving relationships you’ve nurtured all these years.

  74. 74.

    Delk

    Hang in there!
    A charity called “Good Days” helps me pay for my HIV drugs. They help out with other medical conditions as well.

    Thanks for the update and fuck cancer.

  75. 75.

    Ohio Mom

    Another latecomer here. Sorry to hear about all these twists and turns on your way back to health.

    It may be small consolation but it sounds like everything you are going through, the doctors have seen before and have a plan for. The last thing anyone wants to do is stump the doctors.

    Fuck cancer and remember we are all pulling for you. Please keep us updated, we missed you.

  76. 76.

    Ruckus

    JR, we have a lot in common and yet you always manage to upstage.

    I’m very glad my fellow navy vet has come home and gotten through this battle. You know the drill,  follow the rules and do as you are told and get through the rest of them.

    I’ve had cancer but then so has all but one in my family. He had Alzheimers. The others had different types but still cancer. I did 9 weeks of radiation treatment. Yours sounds a bit less fun. My sister just passed from cancer last week, my other sister did 15 yrs ago. Mom had cancer but it was caught early enough. I’m now the oldest in this and the extended clan. Cancer is THE bitch. And no I do not use that word lightly. I personally/not in a car, have been hit head on by a vehicle. Cancer was worse.

    All the best JR, do the work, follow the plan, win.

  77. 77.

    Soprano2

    Great to hear you’re back home. What a scary experience, I hope the rest of the treatment goes better than that. Fuck cancer. I’m fortunate to not have that in my family – we have heart disease instead.

  79. 79.

    Quiltingfool

    So glad you are back home!  I think we all heal better physically and mentally when we are surrounded by the comforts of our home.

    Sending good thoughts to you and your lovely wife!   Your Balloon Juice family is here for you, dear friend.

  80. 80.

    bluefoot

    Sending you good wishes and healing! I hope this turns out to be the worst of it, and the chemo does its thing rapidly and without additional drama. If there’s anything we can do, even if it’s just providing bad jokes and cheap humor to take your mind off things, please let us know.

  81. 81.

    There go two miscreants

    Sending wishes for good luck your way, JR. Hope you continue to improve.

  82. 82.

    Tom Levenson

    Only the best for you going forward. Thanks for letting us know what’s happening.

  85. 85.

    Quinerly

    Thanks for posting this. Sending positive thoughts. So sorry you are having to go through this.

    Fuck Cancer.

  89. 89.

    David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch

    Get well, valued commentator.

    Your humor and insight are sorely missed by this community.❤️

  90. 90.

    BellyCat

    Keep strong J.R.!  We can’t afford to lose any progressives in WV earlier than scheduled , ya’ know.  ;-)

    Sending healing vibes your way via the Sky Kitty.

  92. 92.

    C Stars

    Hi J.R. just wanted to pop in and say thanks for the update, I’m glad you’re back home now, and sending big warm comfy healing thoughts for the rest of your recovery.

  95. 95.

    grandmaBear

    I was diagnosed with colon cancer in my 40s, as a single parent whose son had just finished his first year in college. There were indignities, discomfort, pain, worries and illness. Every time I asked myself, will you put up with this or are you willing to die? The answer was always that I wanted to live. But I developed a great new appreciation for the beauty of each new day, for the preciousness of my friends and family, knowing that I might not.  It has now been more than 25 years. My son is now a successful professional and I have two lovely grandchildren I would never have known, so I know how fortunate I am. I am wishing the best for you and your family too, and that you will conquer this and enjoy many more sunrises with them.

  97. 97.

    Debbie (Aussie)

    JR, I hope the remainder of this, before surgery, treatment goes well. I too have missed seeing your nym amongst the comments. Take Care. Fuck cancer.

  99. 99.

    Another Scott

    Feel better J R in WV.  We need you, not least to close out threads.  :-D

    Good luck!

    Best wishes,
    Scott.

  100. 100.

    Nelson

    @stacib: I have a UnitedHealthcare Medicare supplement plan and a 30 day supply of Eliquis is about $150 (once you’re in the donut hole.)

    Be well JR.

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