July 28, 2001
Over the past few years I have used your web-site to gather information
on the different trials and patient profiles. Here's my situation
that I'd like to share with all meso-patients!!
First of all my trade is that of a construction boilermaker, working on
industrial furnaces in pulp mills, oil refineries, all of which were insulated
with asbestos at one time
In the fall of 1998 I was working on a project, building penstock and scroll
casing, while I was there, I started to feel sluggish climbing stairs
and staging, it would take me up to five minutes to get my breath back?
I was 5ft 9 inches tall 210lbs, in fairly good shape as far as boilermakers
go. So I went to my physician, who in turn sent me to get my lung x-rayed.
The x-ray showed pleural infusion. The specialist taped my lung and removed
3 ½ liters of fluid.
Something was definitely wrong inside there. A bronchoscopy proved negative
which was good news, next was on February 22, 1999 another specialist
did a thoroscopy, where they go between your ribs and into your pleural
to take biopsies, test results showed Mesothelioma, a form of cancer related
to asbestos exposure. What the oncologist was to say next really floored
the family, he said there's no Known cure for malignant mesothelioma
"go home, do your paperwork you've got 3 to 6 months to live."
WOW! Talk about getting hit by a Mack Truck. After getting out of the hospital
it takes awhile to figure everything out. Which avenues to go, and believe
me there weren't too many. Choices included Chemotherapy, Radiation,
or Radical surgery. I hadn't really decided but the third option was
definitely out. As news of my health got out friends started to call wishing
the best but soon a call from a firefighter we knew asked if we ever heard
of Essiac Tea, What a history this herbal tea has, anyway I started on
my tea then a friend phoned , saying I'm using this herbal extract
called Oncolyn, he was using it for the prostate cancer he had. I did
some calling around and soon I to was using the Oncolyn,I started 6 tablets
a day for the first week then down to 3 a day . I went back to where I
purchased the Oncolyn and told him there's something happening with
my lung, he said Its the Oncolyn , at this point all I knew something
was cooking?
Further to my research the immune "system" kept coming up. Low
and behold another friend's wife was selling Usana products, vitamin
supplements, okay, the reason these cancer "s take off is your immune
system does not have the firepower to fight them, so I added vitamin essentials
and pro -c, I also found out you have to have de-toxifiers, grape seed
extract, garlic, vitamin E with selenium, milk thistle, and Quercetin
C, All these play a huge role in your fight.
Throughout this difficult time I used visualization and visualized little
angels pouring acid over my tumors, There's a lot of literature out
there, and one book I found Uplifting was "Love, Medicine, &
Miracles", a book by Dr. Bernie Siegal. A must read. This book reveals
how people cope with there health problems the above mentioned , prayer
etc. All these things play an important role in your path to healing.
At this point I'm totally Convinced the course I was on was working
for me. My EX-wife and still great friend, was surfing the net and low
and behold found www.mesothel.com, Thanks to Roger Worthington's website
Linda was able to access information on mesothelioma and clinical trails
that were taking place across the U.S. Here in Canada the resources are
not available for this type of research, but a Onconase trail was taking
place in Bremerton Washington. The information stated that this light
form of chemotherapy killed mesothelioma cells in the lab, this study
was a phase II trail so this treatment was available for a while. Anyway
I was accepted into this Onconase trail on April 23, 1999. Nine weeks
later on June 27, 1999 my first cat-scan revealed no tumors at all, Gone!
Some scaring of calcified plaque but no tumors.
What an amazing turn of events, one cannot begin to express the emotions
that goes through you, ALL I can say is thanks To many, many friends and
this web-site for its information. So many of us need this kind of information
because without it, it's hard to know where to start. It's now
July 28, 2001 and last Tuesday's cat-scan revealed a stable diagnosis,
no change.
So there's my story, and I'm sure there are many, many more out
there, so in closing to those out there, keep fighting the fight, keep
a positive attitude even though at times you wish other things, give your
body the necessary firepower so that your immune system operates at peak
efficiency.
Good health to all.
Paul Douglas
*** POSTED JULY 31, 2001 ***
An Update -- 03/05/02
It's only been 8 months, but I just wanted to up-date my condition
to every-one out there who uses the Web-site.
It's been 8 months and 5 CT scans later and everything is stable as
far as my mesothelioma is concerned. It's been a remarkable 3 years
since I was diagnosed, and I hope to be giving you up-dates like this
for years to come, I still take my regiment of vitamins, still on the
Onconase trial, and still take my oncolyn. I know there are thousand's
of us out there so if you need moral support or someone to relate to,
you can reach me at: shrnedd@telus.net.
Best of health to all.
Paul Douglas
An Update -- 10/02/02
It's been awhile but the good news is I've just had my 20th C-t
scan and alls well , my condition is stable, no tumors just the same calcified
plaque where the tumors used to be. The past 4 or 5 months I've had
the opportunity threw your web-site and my E-mail to talk to some very
fine people who's love ones have been diagnosed with this terrible
disease an been able to assist them in their fight which is all of our
fight to lead them where they may find some successes, their questions
are many and I think when you can give direction and hope it sure makes
them feel better and ultimately the same for me. I wish the very best
to all mesothelioma victims and their families, this is a fight we can't
lose. I can still be reached a my E-mail address and thanks again for
your web-site, I'm on it almost every other day.
Best of health to all,
Paul Douglas
An Update -- 02/26/03
This past Saturday, February 22, 03 was my 4th anniversary of sorts!! Not
with-standing a few bumps on the road along the way, medical opinions
out of the spectrum things are going really well, I feel good, not without
the odd aches and pain one has to endure!! which in turn gets the mind
process out of kilter, it's never to far away those thoughts tend
to creep in once and awhile!!
When I was first diagnosed in 1999 I said to my wife I guess I'm "toast"
I had forgotten I'd said that as she reminded me. Well, were still
kicking up a storm so to speak!! Backin the first few days after getting
out of hospital, I was gathering information as to how to begin the battle
I was facing, I said to myself I've got to stop this disease in it's
tracks, there's still a few loose ends to tie up here, so I set a
few goals 1 being my daughter's graduation, this June it's happening
not only do I get to see this I've also watched my daughter grow into
a beautiful, caring and loving young adult, 2nd I said to myself what
about my 50th birthday, that's down the road but definitely within
reach!! It's funny sometimes, people seem to have forgotten about
that day 4 years ago but that will never be lost in my mind, the fight
continues, every day one must do the things that have helped me sustain
my health, my vitamin regiment, the herbal tea, oncolyn and the clinical
trail of onconase, which I owe to this Web-site, that test trial was the
last piece of the puzzle that seemingly put me over the top??
Every day is a new day, what lies ahead only God knows I must say to all
mesothelioma victims never give up hope, enjoy your families life is so
precious, it feels good to wake up and greet the day and string those
days into weeks, months and years as I've been so fortunate to do!!
It's crispy cold today, fresh snow on the mountains. I am going to
take Eddie to the dyke and enjoy the fresh air!! I can still be reached
at my E-mail address for those of you who want to speak to someone that
has and still fighting this terrible disease, and thank's again to
Roger and all the people who help put together the valuable information
this web-site provides!!
Good health to all.
Paul
An Update -- 09/02/03
Another 6 months has passed and every-thing is fine, my last ct-scan was
clearer then the previous scan go figure eh!!! As you know there are peaks
and valley's with this disease. In April a scan revealed plurel infusion,
so I thought here we go, on to my next iron in the fire, It looked like
I was off the onconase trial but not to give up on that I went to my oncologist
here in Vancouver, 60 cc's of fluid and no conclusive tumor growth
visible on the ct-scan wasn't enough to be excluded from the trail.
So both doctor's chatted on the phone and Bingo back on the onconase
trial, I was prescribed Zithromax and then wait till the next scan to
see if there indeed any growth as luck and good faith would have it no
tumor growth the infusion had cleared up and every-thing is back to normal!!
It seems every 2 years I run into a funk of sorts.
Last week at the clinic in Bremerton, there was three of us mesothelioma
patient's sitting side by each, I was on the onconase Matt had had
his lung resected, and Vern was on the Alimta- cisplatin. Needless to
say we had a great conversation as to the pro's and con's of the
different treatments we were using!!! So in closing I like to wish all
mesothelioma people the very best and never give up hope, every-one likes
a good fight now an then an this one we have to win. Roger and the rest
of the team, keep up the great work your doing many kudo's to you
guy's. I can still be reached at my E-mail address if any needs support
in their fight?
Thanks again, Best of health to all.
Paul Douglas
An Update -- 02/16/04
Great News!! February 10th was my 29th C-T scan and all is well. The doctor's
have noticed a small amount of pleural thickening at the base of the lung
but no tumor growth so no fluid.
I can't believe it's been 5 years since I was diagnosed with meso,
and that fateful statement, "You've got 3 to 6 months to live".
Well, with the hope and prayers of a lot of friends and this website,
we have proven good things do happen all the time!! Miracles might be
a little under-statement but some have said that!!
Believe me there is a lot time and dedication to help keeping your immune
system running at peak efficiency to fight against those cancerous cells
that want to grow out of control. I still maintain my Vitamin regiment,
along with Oncolyn, Essiac tea, while also managing to stay on the Onconase
trail in Bremerton Washington thanks to this Web-site. Over the past few
years there have been occasions where it has been touch and go, but we
have managed to weather those storms. In maintaining my health I've
found the goals I set a few short years ago are coming to fruition, my
50th birthday is coming this October and now I'm making some new goals
to strive for, but not to far away!!
As you and everyone who uses this Website are aware, mesothelioma is such
a sneaky disease, and there are different types which do not react favorably
to the forms of chemo we throw at it. So when one has some success the
key is stay the course and find what works for the individual patient,
and keep with it. This website enables people to aid in their struggles
to get that information and put them on the right track.
One has to thank Roger Worthington and all the people associated with him
for the tireless work these individuals do to help us and further be able
to help ourselves in the tragic disease that invades our families lives.
Once again Kudo's to all the people who devote their time and energy
to this disease!! I look forward to the month's ahead where all these
new grants that have been made start to show a positive result to further
help all those afflicted with disease, for those who wish to talk to someone
who is also fighting this unending battle, my E-mail is shrnedd@telus.net
Good health to all
Paul Douglas
An Update -- 09/09/04
Yesterday, Sept., 8th I had my 31st Ct-scan and low and behold no change,
I don't know how long I can keep this batting average at 1000, it's
a challenge but I'm up to it. Come October I'll be reaching another
goal that I set for myself, the big FIFTY, my sister and brother are planning
a birthday bash, family and friends should be a good one!! Sometimes I
sit back and wonder why I have been so fortunate while others seem to
be not so lucky, as I've said before if you have some success stay
with it, the rewards are priceless, to wake up every day an knowing the
hand I was dealt and to be able achieve the goals I set is amazing!!
I am in touch with a lot of people who use this web-site and they tell
me what an inspiration I am to them and their families who have been afflicted
with this disease, truly it makes me feel good and also makes me want
to do what I can to help others who have my not know which way to turn!!
The road blocks are there both medically and financially and it's
no easy task in a life or death situation.
It also gives me great pleasure to know that Roger and every who works
for him spend their time and resources to further help us find a way to
eliminate mesothelioma as a life ending disease, it's not the way
it was supposed to be and it looks like the politicians are warming to
the idea that we have a disaster happening right in front of their eyes,
I think the sight of the Twin Towers collapsing and all the asbestos floating
over Down town Manhattan has woken a lot of senators up as to the magnitude
of the problem asbestos will eventually pose, it's about time!!
Any how keep up the tireless work you guys and gals do for every one of
us that uses the Web-site and for the families that are affected by this
terrible disease!!
Thanks again, I can still be reached at my web-site for those who wish
to communicate with someone who has meso, I think it's easier to relate to??
Good health too all!!
Paul Douglas
shrnedd@telus.ne
An Update -- 01/17/05
Hoping every-one had a good a Holiday season at MARF. Since my last up-date
a few things have changed, remember a few posts ago I had mentioned what
a sneaky disease this mesothelioma is, well low and behold About 6 months
ago I could feel this lump on the outside of my rib-cage, I didn't
think to much about it as the c-t scans were saying it was stable!! After
getting 4 or 5 opinions I decided on my own free will to get a biopsy
and see what this thing was?? After 4 cancellations I finally went under
the knife Dec. 30th., the surgeon asked me if he should biopsy it or cut
it right out!! We've waited this long so take it all out. 4 days later
my suspicions were confirmed, it was meso!! Little did I know what a fire
storm of sorts this would turn in-to!! Everyone started freaking out,
meanwhile here I was wondering where their thought process had disappeared??
Ever since I was diagnosed way back in Feb., 99 I had envisioned a plan
of attack if any thing should develop along the way, well almost 6 years
later here we are. Taking the "bull by the horns" so to speak,
let's not jump to conclusions here, there is a progression thing in
place so why don't we follow it?? After everyone had time to reflect
a little bit things did not appear to be that difficult; another ct-scan
showed little or no progression in lung itself, so that was good news.
So now were on to the second phase of the Onconase trial which adrimiacin
is introduced as a second agent, I'm told I should tolerate it very
well, I'll lose my hair but since I'm going bald any way, maybe
I'll get an earring and they can call me Paul "Mr. Clean"
Douglas, hopefully I'll garner a few laughs along the way!!
In the meantime I feel great a little set back like that did not cause
to much concern to me it' s gone with a little radiation to clean
up any cells that might be around, it's a done deal. I see no reason
not to be giving more positive updates in the future and looking forward
to some good news in the research that is progressing as we speak. Saying
that I like to say to everyone who uses this website stay positive, life
is good, Now if I can get my golf game to come around life will be real good!!
I still can be reached at shrnedd@telus.net and wishing every one a healthy
new year!!
Thanks again and good health to all.
Paul Douglas
An Update -- 06/13/05
It's been a while and just to let you know everything is real good.
Back on my previous post in January I mentioned that I was going onto the
second faze of the Oncanese clinical trail, that being Adriamician with
Ocanese, but low an behold a Mugascan and an Echogram showed that my heart
might not able to tolerate the Adriamiacin as the valve that pumps the
blood, it was working at about 50 per-cent so my oncologist didn't
feel good about those results so we were taken off the trial all together.
I was off treatment for 2 months still taking my Oncolyn, Essiac Tea and
my vitamin regiment, as time went by I inquired about treatment from my
oncolgist here in N. Vancouver B.C. and he said without a tumor marker
to gauge the progress if any the Alimta Cisplatin was making and the toxic
effects it has that we would have wait for tumor progression before any
treatments would be administered!!
From a Doctor's stand point I guess that was the best way to proceed?
But being pro-active I called Joe Johnson in Bremerton Washington for
a second opinion?? It was his thought that we should go ahead with 4 regiments
of the Alimta-Cisplatin and see if there was any change, our ct-scan showed
it was stable from the previous ct so it was a hunch on his part and amazing
enough there was a change after 2 treatments and significant change after
4 treatments. I always had this pocket of fluid in the upper lung area
since day 1 but the treatment had cleared a lot of the fluid up!! So there
you have it his hunch paid dividends that we didn't expect, the results
needless to say were eventful. Through the treatments with the help of
steroids and anti-nausea pills I never endured the sickness that comes
with this treatment, a little tired for week after but nothing to stop
my daily activities nor did it effect my appetite, so that was a bonus!!
As of June 7th I have been off any treatments and looking forward to a
great summer and our trip to New York later this month, we;ll go back
in September for a ct-scan and hopefully there will be nothing to report
and move to 3 month check-ups.
Till my next up-date I hope and pray for all those affected families that
have to endure this terrible disease that good things do happen and never
give up hope, If anyone wishes to communicate with me via E-mail it is
still the same and look forward to helping anyone who has trouble getting
through the hoops that the medical system seems to put us through, more
turmoil then we are already!! So in closing again thanks to Marf and every
one else for the hard work that will eventually lead us to a cure.
Good health to all,
Paul Douglas
An Update -- 09/30/05
Just to let every-one know my Sept 18th ct-scan was clear, it's quite
amazing because I've been off treatment for over 3 and 1/2 months.
I went 2 months without doing any thing before but this the longest so
far. My oncologist was very ecstatic as was my family, the nurses and
all my friends and relatives. I guess the good lord is watching out for
me and my mother must be kicking him in the pants saying watch out for
this guy!! It never fails before a ct-scan there are all these aches and
pains, my wife says your imaging them , but in my mind they are there??
Once the scan is done I wait for Dr. Cook's assessment and low an
behold your clear all the symptoms slowly fade away!! The mind truly is
a deceptive organ. Thanks for the invitation to the
2nd annual symposium, I don't know if I'll make it, the New York trip was fantastic,
the people there are so friendly, always willing to help the lost tourist!!
Yankee Stadium is a baseball fans dream, the Yanks lost both games but
who cares I was there I got pictures I drank the 8 dollar and 50 cent
beer what more could you ask for?? We enjoyed the shows, I'd go back
in a heart beat but all this put a hit in the pocket book, but don't
count me out just yet, it's Oct. 1st and there's still time. I'll
close for now and hoping to see some results on the on going research
to this disease yield some dividends in the near future!!
The best of health to all.
Paul Douglas
An Update -- 01/04/06
Happy New Year to you and every one at MARF (www.marf.org). In past year things have gone really well for me health wise, as I mentioned
in my last up-date, I've been able to put 3 ct-scans together with
a stable diagnosis, I was in a dilemma whether to get a scan before Christmas
or wait till the New Year, my oncologist said I wouldn't leave to
long, there I was thinking, good news bad news. SO Nov. 29th we did a
scan and low and behold stable again. Once more a little pleural thickening,
but other wise no change, so it made for a very Merry Christmas. I go
back in 3 months for another scan, as we continue keep the mesothelioma
at bay!! This February will be 7 years since the doctor famous words,
"you've got 3 to 6 months go home and do your paper work"
We kind of blew that statement out of the water, one can only hope for
continued successes till more treatment options are available to people
who have been afflicted with this killer disease. Also hoping to see some
results on the on going research projects that have been trying to aid
us in our fight!! In closing, wishing every one the very best in 06, I
can't believe how fast 05 went. I can still be reached at my E-mail
address Shrnedd@telus.net for those who desire some one to converse with.
Good Health to All, Paul Douglas
An Update -- 06/11/06
It's been over 5 months so I thought I'd touch base and let every-one
know things are still pretty good health wise. My last ct-scan was stable
so that's always great news, it keeps me away from the Alimta-cisplatin
chemo which is a good thing!! June 8th was 1 year since I last had any
treatment, I guess the chemo did it's job but you never know when
it will sneak up on you?? I have a ct-scan on July 11th so we're a
month away and I'm feeling pretty good right now, let's keep our
fingers and toes crossed so our luck keeps on going.
Sharon and I just got back from Spain and Portugal, 3 weeks in the sunshine,
10 days in Spain and 8 days in the Algarves of southern Portugal. A lot
of history in Spain dating back to the 11th century, truly some amazing
places to see. In Portugal we spent one night in Tavira then went on to
Salema, a quiet little fishing village, 6 days laying on the beach. What
a great place to recharge your batteries, r&r at it's best, the
seafood was fabulous, beer and wine aplenty, the whole trip there was
no rain at all, but all good things come to an end, we arrived back in
Vancouver, you guessed it RAIN!!
Looking at the web-site it seems we're making some progress but lets
hope more resources are available for research by way of that 50 million
dollar Dept of Defense budget hassle aside. We're all hoping there
soon will be good news coming down the pipeline!! I still maintain my
vita-min regiment with the Oncolyn, I've added ip6 to it, I watched
a program where this oncologist insists his cancer patients take it, so
what the heck it can only do good.
I'll leave you for now, I'll give another up-date in December,
wishing good health to all.
Paul Douglas
An Update -- 01/17/07
Happy New Year! I think 06 went faster than 05. Just would like to let
everyone who uses the web-site an up-date on my health!! It's been
7 months and there is always something that creeps up on you?? Remember
back Dec. 05 I had an operation to remove a tumor growing outside of my
rib-cage well you guessed it, it reappeared but not in the same place
it slide back up to where I had the Thoracoscopy 4 ribs higher!! Talk
about being a sneaky desease, so we had radiation treatments and after
10 shots the tumor was gone!! I was really pleased with the out come to be sure.
=This past week I had a ct-scan and wouldn't you know it the scan showed
no changes except maybe a little pleural thickening at base of the lung,
after 8 years this didn't come as a big surprise I still feel good
and there's no crackling in the lung so every thing is o.k. till we
get another ct-scan in April. Because I've been so fortunate and maybe
a little lucky so far, I got talking with Joe Johnson in Bremerton Wash.
With the positive scan wouldn't it be a good idea to be pro-active
and get 4 treatments of Alimta-cisplatin just to be sure?? He agreed that
would be a great idea, the thought being you don't have to wait for
a reoccurance and keep a lid on it before it does come back!! 20 months
since I last had Alimta-cisplatin all the accumalative effects would have
passed on as time had gone by, so there's where we stand to-day, looking
forward to a great year in 07, got our 2nd annual golf tournament in Whistler
B.C. this summer, and where planning a trip to Mexico In April we've
got a lot of snow this year, even though I like the clear an cold weather
I'm lacking the Vitamin D that comes with sunshine!! Hoping to see
more treatment options come down the pipeline with all the research going
on!! Wishing every-one a healthy 2007!!
Paul Douglas
An Update -- 07/27/07
It's been a little over 6 months since my last correspondence so I'll
bring every-one up to date.
Let me tell you it's not without any excitement what occurred down
at the clinic in June, you know how I've always tried to be pro-active
in fighting this disease well it almost cost me!! The first treatment
of Alimta-Cisplatin went great, the second one didn't, I was sitting
there and I started to itch, I looked over to the nurse and no sooner
then about 15 seconds I was turning beet red, I started to lose my breath
all I could do is little gasps of air. I was having an allergic reaction
to the Cisplatin, before my eyes 4 nurses were on to me, they gave me
a shot of effrigen, I think that was what it was called anyway things
started to get better, this shot boosts your heart-rate, one nurse took
my pulse and it was 184 over 114 and after a short time it started to
go back to a more normal pressure, the thing about this emergency is I
couldn't do anything, I just sat there and let the nurses do their
thing. My daughter was with me that trip but she had gone to Sub-way to
get lunch, although she's just completed her 2nd year of nursing I
was happy that she didn't have to see her Dad in that state!!
So needless to say we stopped treatment for now and will have a ct-scan
in September to see where were at. Thinking back both Dr. Johnson and
I thought it was a great idea because back in the fall I had radiation
to get rid of the tumor that had came back on my ribs we figured if there
were any cells left we could blast them and be done with it. They say
a cat has 9 lives and if I were a cat I think I used a few up that day!!
We all have been waiting for news on the research that is on going, I
sure hope and pray the scientists are closing in on some treatments that
will help all us mesothelioma patients continue to at least live a some
what normal life. The stress that is put on the family's is a lot
to bare, in my case it's not really there but on the people I have
met with this disease and what they have to go through is incredible.
Like I said I'm looking forward to news coming down the pipe-line
so in closing keep up the tireless work Roger and the staff plus the people
at M.A.R.F. in trying to eliminate mesothelioma as a life ending disease!!
Thanks again!!
Good health to all, Paul Douglas
An Update -- 01/10/08
Happy New Year to you and every-one at M.A.R.F.
I just had a ct-scan Jan.8th and everything was stable. As we were reading
the CTt-scan Dr Leen looked over at me an said "your not on any treatment
right now are you'" no I'm not. This is truly amazing, what
ever your doing keep it up. I remember a stretch where I went 18 months
or so where I had no treatment so maybe I'm on another run of sorts!!
Anyhow I'll take and run, if I can stay away from the chemo all the
better. I purchased a book by Bill Henderson, " Cancer Free"
your guide to Gentle, Non-Toxic Healing" I would recommend that cancer
patients read this book. It has some very good directives that might interest
a lot of us, there's a chapter where there's 10 things you should
take!! Low and behold I'm taking 6 of them, so there you have it.
What works for some might not work for others!! but if you don't try
how do you know?? Is it just me or is time flying right by??
Feb. 22nd will be 9 years since I was diagnosed with Meso, what a ride
it's been, I've set a few more goals to reach for and hopefully
I'll get there. Let's hope this year brings us more treatment
options so we can live a some what normal life!! I've talked to a
lot a families out there and it's really tough on the family structure.
So in closing I wish the best of health to every-one at M.A.R.F. and all
those who use and read this web-site. Have a great 08 and I'll give
everyone an update in 6 months!! Bye for now, I still can be reached at
my web-site Paul Douglas
An Update -- 07/14/08
I just had a ct-scan July 8th, so I thought I'd pass on the good news!!
The results were diagnosed as stable with a little more calcified plaque
at the lower part of the right lung, as in previous posts this is an on
going trait of mesothelioma so to me the findings were good news. My breathing
is as normal as a person with no mesothelioma so before I go into the
scan I have a pretty good idea that every thing should be o.k. as I've
said before this is such a sneaky disease one truly never knows for sure
which way it will turn!!, I always keep a positive mind about it so that
keeps all those endorfins working my immune system, and with the Oncolyn,
essiac tea and the rest of the supplements I take seems to do the trick??
This year started off really well but I ran into a real funk of sorts,
for some reason I developed atrial fib, that's where the heart goes
out of wack and beats way to fast, I was miss diagnosed at one hospital
and finally the proper diagnosis was made!! One morning I was shaving
and I looked down at my feet and my ankles were swollen, calves and thighs,
this obviously was not right so I drove to my doctor's office; as
soon as he seen me Paul you have to get to emergency ASAP, to make a long
story short they gave me a shot of Formiacide a diuretic, soon I was peeing
like a race horse!! Any way through the whole ordeal I lost 33 lbs. I'm
taking medication for my heart and everything seems to be back to some
kind of normal co-existence with the world!! I've started golfing
the last month and were off on our guy's golfing trip, we call it
male bonding at its finest, Kamloops B.C. this year Whistler is passé for now.
Hoping there is some good news coming down the pipe it seems very quiet
right now, I know there working on ways to tackle this deadly disease
and were hoping they make some really good in-roads to fight this disease.
Keep up the good work you all are doing with M.A.R.F and we'll touch
base in December!! I can still be reached at me E-mail address for all
out there that need some support.
Good Health To All,
Paul Douglas
An Update -- 07/13/09
It's been over 7 months since my last correspondence!! I've had
2 ct-scans since then and both have been stable, so to speak, there was
a little bit of fluid this time so in talking to Dr. Leen he suggested
we take July 7th and synchronize it with July 6th 2007 and compare!! Although
there definitely was a further thickening of the pleural it seemed that
it's a very slow process, looking back at my lab reports the meso
I have is papillatory, which is the slowest form of the disease, it grows
and then stops so taking into account it's been over 10 years one
would surmise that this is a good thing.
Later I visited Joe Johnson my oncologist and we talked about the comparison,
without him seeing the ct-scan he was not going to comment until viewing
it himself, he asked me if i was symptomatic in any way i.e., coughing,
chest pain, hard breathing, lack of breath an the answer was no. Although
I presently have both of my rotator cuffs slightly torn exercise has been
at a minimum!! I still feel really good and I continue on my vitamin regiment
and the others I've mentioned before.
Next week we head up to Kelowna for our annual golf trip, it was 37 degrees
Celsius or around 97 degrees Fahrenheit, so we’re looking forward
to playing some of the best golf courses the Okanagon has to offer!!
Still waiting for some good news coming down the pipeline, I'll get
back with an up-date in January after my ct-scan, and hope and pray we
get some help to fight this terrible disease!!
Good health to all.
Paul Douglas
An Update -- 01/14/2010
First I'd like to wish everyone at M.A.R.F. and all the people who
use this web-site a properous and healthy 2010.
I just had my second ct-scan since my last post, and without getting to
technical the fluid build-up has increased but we're talking millimeters
so there is some concern but health wise still feeling good and I think
I'll be around for the forseeable future!!
I have the oncoligist's looking at the scans and have an appointment
with one of the best on the 27th of January in North Vancouver. I'm
sure every-one is aware we are hosting the Winter Olympics in February,
but El Nino is wrecking havoc on the local mountains but at Whistler we
have tons of snow. They call it the Pine-apple Express it comes up from
Hawaii, not to worry the weather will change!! Besides Aspen Colorado,
Whistler is chosen as the best ski destination on the globe, so if you
ever get a chance come visit our beautiful city. Lots to see and lots to do!!
I've been on the web-site the last few days and there doesn't appear
to be much happening, hopefully that will change in the fore-seeable future!!
We have an Olympic Slogan, Eh O Canada Go, can we win with the most medals,
we"ll see as we do have home field advantage. It will be exciting
to watch in any event., once again I'll talk to you in July, Good
Health too All Paul Douglas
An Update -- 07/12/2010
It's July and summer has arrived "finally" Just touching
base to up-date what's been going on!!
I was reading my previous post back on 7/14/08, and wouldn't you know
it like then when I got atrial fib, this February I was in atrial flutter!!
I don't know what it is but every 2 years I run into that funk, so
were back on the heart pills and the warfarin, blood thinner and everything
is back to normal. I had my 2nd ct-scan since my last post and it's
stable, so to speak, from the previous scan
When I chatted with the radiologist he put up the 3 past scans on the screen
and had measurements of the growth pattern of the meso!! 3 scans back
it was 9mm. This sscan it was 17mm but it seemed like to me the lines
were a little off, anyhow I guess it might be affecting my breathing just
a little or I am so badly out of shape it's scary lol.
Having said that it's been over 11 years since I was diagnosed and
since were taking milli-meters and not inches I'll take it!! Like
I said before one day it's going to bite me in the ass!!
When I get the findings sent to me I'll touch base with my oncologist
and we'll see where we go from here. Awhile back when we talked he
wasn't that concerned saying Let's save the "bullets"
So in a nut shell things are good, Sharon and I have been on 2 trips this
year, Maui in may and Vegas 3 weeks ago. Man was it hot - 92 when we arrived
102 when we left!! That's the desert for yah!! I've just returned
from Seattle where the Yanks took 3 of 4 to sit comfortably in first place
at the all-star break.
So all in all things look good I hope we'll see some news soon, we'll
keep our fingers and toes crossed and wait for some kind of break through.
We'll touch base in the new year, my E-mail is the same Shrnedd@telus.net
for contact.
Good health to all.
Paul Douglas
Paul passed away on October 20, 2010 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma
11 years ago. He hopes his message to keep fighting and never giving up
will continue to live on.