Change of Plans

Needle Biopsy Called Off; P.E.T. Scan To Be Taken Instead -

In a last minute decision, it appears I will be having a P.E.T. scan on Monday at OHSU instead of a needle biopsy. This is because OHSU radiologists are just too nervous to perform one in the sensitive area where my lymph nodes are. According to my oncologist -- it was just to risky to go in there with a needle. Because I wasn't about to go under with general anesthesia again, I opted to go ahead and take another P.E.T. scan. My previous scan was over six months ago, last January in fact.

(photo credit: this is what a typical needle biopsy of a lymph node looks like. The needle is quite long and such a biopsy can be very painful, but does not require someone to be put asleep, it's all local anesthetics.)

The P.E.T. should give us a lot of clues according to my doctor. He said that if there indeed has been cancer activity since the first of the year, it will show it. And if it does, I am prepared to have one of not more treatments of chemotherapy. After talking with my family about it, it seems like the wisest route to go at this point. Having more surgery is at the end of my list. Even steroid treatment trumps any exploratory surgeries in my opinion.

The other ongoing issue is the amount of work I have been missing. This has been an awfully rough experience as I just took a promotion at ODOT. So far, my manager has been understanding and is aware I might be out for intermittent periods over the next few months.

Meanwhile, I find myself home alone in Salem and lonely :-( as my girlfriend and her son are off in sunny Florida at Disneyworld. There was more than one reason why I was unable to go along. Maybe next year I will be able to go.

-LB

>>><<<< BREAKING NEWS <<<<<>>>>

"OMG, WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"

The news is in! It's not good news, nor is it bad... it's just plain confusing. After being forced to wait over an hour for my doctor, my girlfriend and I found out that there is no evidence that Lymphoma is present in my left groin. So where does that leave us? Just exactly where we were 24 hours ago. The biopsy result did say I have inflamed tissue which was causing the swelling in both my groin and leg. This we do know.

(photo credit: Oregon Health & Science University's Center for Health and Healing on the south waterfront of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon / where I have all my appointments with my oncology medical professionals).

What's next? I was given three options:
1) Take another biopsy in my pelvic region where there are more active lymph nodes.

2) Undergo steroid treatment to bring down the swelling -- though if I did have Lymphoma -- it would eventually come back on it's own.

3) Start undergoing chemotherapy treatment on the basis that I do have Lymphoma -- an option I wasn't even going to entertain!

My doctor was leaning towards option one, but let me tell you... going in to be slit open only for a second time in less than a week didn't appeal to me. As a matter of fact, I am still quite sore from this recent biopsy, which was a very unpleasant experience.

So, I listened to option 2 once again, but the thing is, it would probably have less than desirable side effects, including diabetes risk, harmful effects to liver and kidneys, and weight gain.

This took me back to option 1 -- have a biopsy, but I asked the doc at this point "did I need to have an invasive biopsy that was going to involve full-on surgery?" I suggested a needle biopsy, and after watching him debate it in his mind for about five minutes... he agreed we could proceed with this.

The needle biopsy is going to be a difficult one, because this lymph node, just like the one I just had biopsied is quite deep and will have to be guided in by a CT scan. My last scan revealed I had "golf-ball sized" lymph nodes in my pelvic area, and some of them very active. So the object is to poke one of them and extract tissue... believe me it isn't anymore pleasant than it sounds!

So, this is what is on the agenda my friends -- a needle biopsy in my pelvic area within a week. Then, maybe just then, we will have a more solid answer on what just ales this tired exhausted soul of mine.

-LB

P.S. I plan on keeping you updated regularly from here on out -- so please keep checking in!

LATEST: Waiting is the Hardest Part

LATEST NEWS:

Following last Friday's biopsy results I await a call from my doctor. That call from the doctor's office came in today. The call came earlier than expected. The scheduling coordinator informed me that my oncologist wants to see me ASAP -- so at 1pm Wednesday I find out the results of my biopsy from last week's surgery. Originally I had an appointment with my doctor four weeks in advance, but I was told the urgency of this appointment pushed me ahead of regularly scheduled appointments on an otherwise 'jam-packed' day for my oncologist.

I should find out what type of Lymphoma lies in the lymph node they removed from my left groin.

Check back here for the latest. I'll be sure to fill you in once I find out the results.

To be all out honest, I am kind of scared and definitely nervous.

-LB

It's True

Last Friday, my suspicions were confirmed by my oncologist, I have lymphoma in my left groin. The CT confirmed it, the oncologist confirmed it, an ultrasound confirmed it, and now the lymph node will be removed this Friday in surgery.

People ask if I am scared, and my answer is "hell yeah I am scared!" Though I might be scared about going through this yet again, I am not scared that I can't pull through it. I know I have enough family, friends, and prayer going around that I will make it out of this one more time.

I'd by lying to you if I didn't tell you it made me sick to have cancer for the third time in my life. It makes me even more sick that I had it less than a year ago. I keep telling myself: I HAVE HAD BETTER REACHED MY CANCER QUOTA!

I remind myself that there are people much worse off, and people not as lucky. Knowing that, and knowing how many people out there care about me are the reason I'm going to fight another time.

The folks at ODOT are the ones who amaze me the most. They have pulled together like a family for me. My managers and coworkers are genuinely concerned for me. I have been at my new position for only a week and my new coworkers haven't gotten to know me quite yet; however, the ones at my previous position do -- and it's obvious they haven't forgotten me!

My parents will be down Thursday to be with me. Carrie will be with me as well. I am thankful for all of you who will be with me there in spirit. I could say that I'm a very unlucky guy, but I know that is really not the case.

-LB

A Major Setback

It seems as if the high I was on just recently because of my new promotion is now a distant memory. I warn you, I am feeling sorry for myself.

Just as I entered ODOT last fall, I was diagnosed with Lymphoma for a second time in my life. I had some really intense and painful radiation that made life a living hell for several weeks. I still live with pain and scars months later. I ask myself: "Shouldn't I be done with this?" No, unfortunately that is not the case. It appears I might be in for battle #3 with the big C.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I felt pain in my left groin area. I thought I had pulled a muscle from the way it felt. I have been working out on a daily basis since April, and I figured it could be a high probability that this is what happened. However, after just two weeks my leg has swollen to an enormous size and the pain is intense. Not taking any chances, I visited the ER in Stayton, Oregon recently, only to receive advice to go back to Oregon Health and Science University -- not my first choice.

After having a CT at OHSU, just a day later I found my left lymph node was at an impressive size. My regular oncologist was out of town, so I could only rely on the advice of a nurse practioner, whom I believe was just telling me the bare-bone facts as she probably chose for my regular oncologist to make the call.

Friday might be the day where I found out my fate. The oncologist is back, and at that point I will most likely have a biopsy. In the meantime, what I can tell you is that I am in a lot of pain, feeling cruddy, and dealing with a really, really swollen left leg.

The silver lining on this entire ordeal is that I am once again reminded how privilaged I am to have people who love me. My parents and girlfriend have really stepped up to the plate for me. It makes me guilty to have to put them through this, although I do know it is out of my control. I wish this wasn't the case. Additionally, many of my coworkers from my previous position at ODOT have been sending their thoughts and prayers. It's a really good feeling when my girlfriend and friends whom have only known me for months already care so much.

Thank you mom, dad, and my friends for keeping me lifted up through yet another dark time in my life.

-LB

The Big Move

After about 10 months of being with the Oregon Department of Transportation here in Salem, Oregon -- I am proud to say that I have been promoted.

I leave my current position as Technology Coordinator on August 1st and will take my new position as Project Manager & Web Developer with ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) of ODOT. This new position will deal mostly with the Trip Check website (www.tripcheck.com). I will be working on other projects as well. I am very excited for this opportunity, but will be sad to leave my friends at the Mill Creek Office building in Salem. The new position will be clear across town near the airport.

This all came as a surprise to me when just a couple weeks ago I was surfing the ODOT jobs page and discovered this position. Once I read into it, I instantly knew I was qualified for it and thought "what the heck...." I'd give it a shot. To my shock, I received a call for an interview by the next day. The interview took place earlier this week, and shortly after I returned to work I had found out I had pretty much been offered the position. After a day of thinking about it, I accepted the new position.

My manager was very happy and supportive of my move. Though she did say it would make her "sick" that I am leaving... and my other friends (Kelly mostly) were pouting over it. I'll also really miss the antics of Laura, Malinda, and my pal Jonathan. I do know we will remain friends, however, and not let this change effect us.

Quite honestly, I didn't know that this could happen to me -- just a small town guy running a computer business... now working for the Department of Transportation... and now already working my way up the ranks. It's a good feeling. :-)

-LB

Top Ten For Week of June 21, 2008

1. Carrie Everett
2. Jonathan Stephens
3. Michael Everett
4. Kelly R. H. Zobrist
5. Robin Ness
6. Debbie Bobbitt
7. Hannah Bobbitt
8. Tim Dunn
9. Richard Kerzan
10. Henry Salvatori

Catching Up

I find myself catching up with you all once again... a lot has happened.

Most recently, I just got out of a two day hospital stay for cellulitis. This hit me with a vengence on Sunday evening when I became extremely tired, dizzy, light-headed, and nauseated. Once I fell asleep I began to have a temperature and woke up in a sweat almost all over my body. Feeling better, I drove home to Salem from Portland where I was at with my girlfriend. I went to sleep, but felt pain in my right leg all night. Not knowing what was going on, I looked down at it in the morning discovering it was red from my waist to my knee. It was obviously infected.

I immediatly called Carrie and we went to the ER at OHSU. Shortly after seeing it, the doctors admitted me immediatly, requesting I stay the night for observation. I was put on IV antibiotics and monitored closely. It was amazing how quickly the infection had spread. I felt drained and very sick for several hours after. Finally the antibiotics kicked in, and I started feeling better.

Here is a Wikipedia explanation: Cellulitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue underlying the skin, that can be caused by a bacterial infection. Cellulitis can be caused by normal skin flora or by exogenous bacteria, and often occurs where the skin has previously been broken.

The truth is, we don't know how I got it, and when I asked one doctor that question, the response was "bad luck." Go figure, I think I've had that for 27 years.

In other news, things with my girlfriend and I have been going great now. I love spending almost everyday with her. She is a great person and I am thankful to have her in my life!

Recently, we spent Memorial Day in Joseph and I showed her around Wallowa County. Here are some pictures we took recently both then and on other outings:

Carrie, and her dog "Louie"

Me and 'Carebear' on our first coast trip to Lincoln City

We stopped by Multnomah Falls during our recent trip to Joseph

Carrie and I on our trip down the Imnaha River towards Cow Creek.

Wallowa Lake, during the clearest day over the Memorial Day weekend.

My pal Antoun, who recently moved to Eugene, and Jonathan in the background.


Dylan's last night before going in the Marines. Me, Dylan, and Thane from left to right.


Imnaha Canyon rims, what a cool looking place!

One of our best pictures together, at a rest stop ironically. Melamoose on the Columbia to be exact.

One last look at the Imnaha River Canyon!

Ok, so now you're caught up, at least for the time being. I am happy to say I am back in fairly good health and planning on keeping it that way. Oh, and one last thing, I'm losing weight from going to the gym almost everyday for an hour and a half. Good health is on the horizon, I can feel it.

-LB

Carrie

For the first time writing on my blog I am speechless... I don't know where to begin with this... so I will just start somewhere random I suppose.

I can't really say I just met this person..., in fact I've known her for about 7 months now. But what I can say is that I've only recently gotten to know her well.

It all started about two or three months ago, I met her in person for the first time. She started off as a coworker that I talked on the phone to and e-mailed often -- but only for business reasons. Then, she came over to the building I work in, and from then I was hooked.

The first day I saw her I felt like I had known her for a long time. We just "clicked" from day one. We are both very sarcastic, fun-loving, goofy people.

Let me introduce to you Carrie Everett, the girl who I really like, a lot.

She laughs at every stupid thing that comes out of my mouth, makes me feel better when I whine. She makes me very happy. Happy in a way I've never felt before.

It's the icing on the cake after all that I've been through, that I'd be lucky enough to have someone this cool in my life. I am thankful for you, Carrie.

-LB

Top Ten For Week of May 10, 2008

1. Carrie Everett
2. Antoun Kehdi
3. Jonathan Stephens
4. Debbie Bobbitt
5. Carl Bobbitt
6. Robin Ness
7. Kelly Zobrist
8. Hannah Bobbitt
9. Dylan Lewis
10. Thane Shetler