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Mike's Chemo Side Effect Recovery

Hello my name is Michael and I'm a two time cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with testicular cancer on December 21st 2012. That morning I awoke and sat up in my bed not feeling quite normal. I couldn't put my finger on it. I didn't feel normal, no temperature or flu like symptoms so I decided to go to work. Later that evening I had arrived in Fargo North Dakota on business and was going about my work routine but still felt awkward. I finally decided to check myself into the emergency room as I've never felt that odd in my life, good thing I did. It only took the doctors a few hours to diagnosis me with Cancer. After several blood test, a CT scan of my lower abdomen and finally a sonogram of my testicle they had pinpointed the location. After a long talk with the ER doctor we decided it was best for me to fly home and seek medical attention there.

The following morning I flew home and saw a specialist and we decided that the removal of my testicle was the best and safest option. I had my surgery on December 28th and it was an overall success. I went to see my Urologist a few days later for a post op check up and he recommended that I have a lymphadenectomy to see if the cancer was spreading. I spent the next several weeks visiting doctors and zeroed in on an ex-naval doctor whom several people had recommended. My surgery date was set for early February, I had 4 long weeks of anticipating the biggest surgery of my life. After an eleven hour surgery and 7 days recovering in the hospital I was finally ready to come home and get on with my life.

Great news! All my biopsies came back negative and I was on the road to recovery. I was getting excited to head back to work and to continue my normal life. My career has me operating heavy equipment with special licenses and my employer insisted on getting a second party doctor approval for my return to duty. By the time I had fully recovered and jumped threw all my employers hoops it was late August. I needed one last chest X-ray and... I received a phone call from one of the doctors offices and it wasn't the nurse but the doctor himself. Once I heard his voice my heart sank into the floor. He said "I have bad news, the cancer has metastasized into your lungs."

Once again I was on the hunt this time for an Oncologist. My father and girlfriend (now my wife) took several road trips with me to find the ideal doctor and facility. We all agreed on one doctor in Murrieta CA and I was to start on September 30th 2013.

I did (3) 3 week cycles of chemotherapy consisting of bleomycin, cisplatin, neupogen and vp-16. Besides for losing all my hair, a few pounds and being deathly tired my chemo experience was better then most. The rough road started a few short months later.

It has been well over two years now and I've been battling Peripheral Sensory Neuropathy in both lower legs and my hands. I'm extremely limited in my mobility and my day to day activities. Sometimes only being able to stand for a few minutes. I've exhausted all western medical options with little success and others that have landed me in the hospital. It's safe to say my body does not like opiates or narcotic pain medications.

I'm asking for your help with my past, current and future medical needs, did I mention I also had appendicitis? ( 3  surgeries and around of chemo later). I'd like to venture into holistic healing and eastern medicines that are not covered under my health insurance plan. I've seen a lot of doctors and taken a lot of prescription pills with minute changes. I want results and I feel that I'll get them threw a natural reset of my body, soul and mind.

My wife and I decided to put off having children for a few years or until I went back to work. Also we didn't want to get our hopes up with several doctors telling us it could be 3-5 years for us to conceive a child naturally. To our surprise we are having a boy and he's do in early August! I would love to be a healthier happier husband and new father with your support.

Thank you for reading my story and please pass it along 


Sincerely,


Michael
XJT 2006-LTD
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Donations 

  • Kathleen Newhouse
    • $300 
    • 8 yrs
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Organizer

Michael Newhouse
Organizer
Oceanside, CA

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