My roommate has cancer

[Fritz]

I don't do this very often....I'm about to spew my own version of Update.

I've lived with Matt about 20 years now, we are the best of friends.  He has been living with AIDS for longer than he has been living with me.  He is now on his second go-round with cancer.  The first bout was a year ago, anal cancer.  The treatment was radiation and chemotherapy, and he handled it very well.  I didn't have to care for him, he even drove himself to the hospital every day.  The treatment was successful, the anal cancer is gone.

Now, he has developed lymphoma which is a blood cancer.  Radiation would do no good.  He is doing chemotherapy again, and it is completely different from our experience last year.  He goes in for chemo once every two weeks, and the side effects seem to go in a cycle.  He goes through days when he struggles to get food down.  He has lost a lot of weight, down to 100 lbs. a week ago and back up to 110 since then.  And he has a lot of trouble walking, because he is so weak.  I would watch him moving from room to room, and the chances were about 50-50 that he would fall down and need help getting up.  So, he bought a really cool walker with wheels, so he is somewhat more mobile now.  Of course, it is my job to get the walker down the stairs and into the car.  And I'm doing all the driving (and of course cooking, cleaning, etc.)

We are hopeful that this treatment will work, but of course we don't know that.  I don't say this out loud to him, but my gut tells me has maybe 2-3 years left.  He is 53.

Thanks for reading my rant, and I'll take any advice offered.

[Eraserhead]

I'm very sorry to hear that.

[RedSLC]

Well...this is a depressing piece of news.

I'm so sorry to hear this. All I can say is that I hope your friend will pull through. He has only my best wishes.

[Goldwater]

Oh, wow. I'm sorry to that.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

I'm very sorry to hear that, Fritz.  I wish I could offer you both more than my thoughts and prayers.  Please try and maintain a hopeful attitude no matter what comes his way.  I don't know much about this type of cancer, but as long as there's treatment available, there's hope.

[CLARENCE 2015!]

I am so sorry...... my first wife- the love of my life- lost her battle with cancer nearly seven years ago. The key is to cherish the time left with that person who is so special to you....give them as much of life's wonders as they can experience in their remaining time. We traveled,built our dream home, saw our grandchildren born, ate well, danced together, and so much more.....I thank God every day that her last years were as enjoyable as they could have been.

[anvi]

Terribly sorry to hear, Fritz.  Strength to both of you.  I have no advice to offer--you are taking wonderful care of Matt, and that's all that he or anyone could possibly need or want.  It's a nice thing to see, so bless you for doing it.  You're obviously in all of our thoughts.

[Reaganfan]

Sorry to hear about your friend

[Tender Branson]

Wish him all the best from me.

[windjammer]

I'm sorry to hear that Fritz! I hope his treatment will work!

[Antonio the Sixth]

Ugh, really sad to hear. Best wishes to him.

[TDAS04]

Sorry to hear this.  I hope he will be OK.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Sorry to hear that.  Best of luck to him.

[Ban my account ffs!]

I'm sorry to hear about this Fritz

It sounds completely overwhelming... just keep on keepin' on.  Your roommate and you can get through this!

[Fritz]

Matt was admitted to the hospital this morning.  He went in for his chemotherapy, and they decided to keep him.  I am not surprised about this.  He has been complaining about painful heartburn, and says he can't eat because it hurts too much.  Consequently, he is very weak, it was a real chore getting him to the hospital this morning.

Thanks for all the well wishes.  I'm just posting this because I need to vent all this stuff.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

My condolences and best wishes for your friend, Fritz.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I'm keeping your roomate and his family in my prayers. I'm so sorry to hear about this

[windjammer]

I'm keeping your roomate and his family in my prayers. I'm so sorry to hear about this

[Sol]

I'm so sorry Fritz.   I'll be thinking of you.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Sorry to hear this.  He (and you) will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Fritz]

Well, Matt is back home from the hospital, and doing much better than when he went in.  He is eating normally again, and getting some of his mobility back.  It is not yet determined whether or not he will continue the chemotherapy, for now it has been stopped (which is why he is doing better).  My question for the doctors is, if he can't handle the chemo, what other treatment can be tried?  I intend to go with him to see his oncologist next week, hopefully we'll get some answers then and come up with a plan.