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Ed Caffrey's Workshop Talk to Ed Caffrey ... The Montana Bladesmith! Tips, tricks and more from an ABS Mastersmith.

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Old 02-04-2013, 08:54 AM
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Ed Caffrey Ed Caffrey is offline
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Latest on my health status

Well, here's the latest: Last week I had a visit with the Oncologist. He came right out and told me that he just doesn't know what is going on with me. He stated that SOME of my symptoms resemble Lymphoma, but not enough to justify treating me for that. So, he took about 8 vials of blood out of me, and said he was going to "cast a wide net", and test for a number of things. I went back last Friday for the blood test results...... Two things stood out....my ABS LYMPHS are 0.9 (normal range 1.0-3.2) and my LDH is at 377 (normal range 87-241). He told me that is an indicator that there is damaged tissue(s) in my body, but he can't find it. He then started asking me questions about where I'd lived, and where I'd been around the world. When I told him after 22 years in the military, it would be easier to tell him where I'd NOT been, he said that he wants to send me to an Infectious Disease specialist, thinking that I might have picked up something during my military career that has laid dormant for a bunch of years. He also is scheduling me for another complete CT scan, and a PET Scan. So, long story short, they are still trying to figure this thing out. I just hope we get somewhere soon. Yesterday I was the head Usher at church, which meant I ran both services.....and after getting home I was so worm out that I sat down in my chair and passed out for over 2 hours....and still woke up tired. I'd sure like to be cranking out knives, but I do a little bit of work, then have to either sit or lay down for a while.....feeling like I just got done running a marathon. And the saga continues.


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Old 02-04-2013, 09:05 AM
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Ed, you hang in there and do whatever you need to do. Whatever feels 'right' to you and your body. You're keeping at this and eventually there will be some answers for you.

Me and my family are still praying for you. Praying for some answers and that you'll have some peace of mind.

Call if you need anything, anything at all......................and I mean that!


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Old 02-04-2013, 12:50 PM
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Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!
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Old 02-04-2013, 05:33 PM
Doug Lester Doug Lester is offline
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I can sympathize, they're trying to figure out why I've been having headaches every day since the middle of November. More labs, more X-rays, more waiting. Hang in there. Work when you can. Rest when you have to.

Doug


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Old 02-04-2013, 07:34 PM
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I suppose at least there was some good honesty in your oncologist's conversation. It's okay to say you don't know sometimes. Hoping you get some relief soon, Ed. Take care and prayers will still be coming.

Jeremy
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Old 02-04-2013, 08:31 PM
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What you write about your oncologist is very close to what I've been surprised to find: If you get cancer, your best bet is to get a type that lots of other people get.

Everything in cancer diagnosis and treatment is based on statistics. Common cancers have lots of data; get a rare cancer and you become a research project.

They found a tumor in my pancreas (which is always a bad thing) in late Oct. and cut out a number of organs in early Dec. I'm now doing chemo - something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy - just to try to kill any stuff that they might not have found. But what I have is rare and so they really don't know if the chemo will do anything or not. (On the up side, the research folks love me and I understand that pieces of me have been traded with other research hospitals around the globe.)

By far and away the toughest part of the disease is mental. You can't plan ahead because you just don't know what the next test or med will bring. Keeping your mind in the right place takes a lot of work. It also takes a lot of work to be your own advocate to make sure that things do get done and you are proceeding towards some sort of answer.

Hang in there, amigo! Please know that you're in our thoughts and prayers.


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Old 02-05-2013, 06:59 AM
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Sure hate to hear that you are still having problems. Prayers sent.


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Old 02-05-2013, 07:37 AM
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Ed -

Hopefully they can figure out what's going on and get you back to 100%
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Old 02-06-2013, 04:27 PM
Cthulhu Cthulhu is offline
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Ed, I hope you get well soon.
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Old 02-06-2013, 04:40 PM
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Thanks everyone!

Just got a call, and I go see the Infectious Disease Doc next Tue morning. Hopefully he can spot something that everybody else has been missing.

I'll keep everyone posted on this thread.


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Old 02-06-2013, 08:16 PM
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Prayers and thoughts to you Ed. You know, some years ago you gave me a detailed, personalised response to a bit of a dumb question...I was actually a little shocked to get the reply at all! Thanks for being so generous with your knowledge. I know our God is looking after you.

Shane


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Old 02-06-2013, 08:21 PM
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Best of luck Ed prayers heading your way. Hope to have that conversation one of these days.
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Old 02-12-2013, 02:33 PM
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Just got back from today's Doc appt. Today I visited an infectious disease Doc. He was one of the better Docs I've seen. Asked a LOT of questions, examined me completely, and then ran me off to the Lab for more tests. Today was a record. they took 10 vials of blood out of me! There's no way I could repeat all the things he told me he wanted to test for, but he's suppose to have results by late tomorrow, and is suppose to call me. He also told me that he felt that if these tests don't reveal anything, he believes I would be a perfect candidate for the Mayo Clinic.......DUH! I've been asking my regular Doc about that for 6 months.....maybe if it comes from another Doc, he'll take it more seriously. I'll keep everyone posted. Right now I'm feeling wiped out, and think I'll hit the recliner for a nap.


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Old 02-12-2013, 04:16 PM
Jeremy Jeremy is offline
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Glad to hear you liked the doc, Ed. Sounds like if he can't help you directly, he can get you to someone who may be able to. Hang in there.

Jeremy
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Old 02-12-2013, 08:36 PM
Kostoglotov Kostoglotov is offline
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Glad to hear that this doc is doing everything he can to find out whats going on
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