Hi everybody.

It as been a long time since I posted last, so I will try to cover
everything.

Cancer:  Saw my doctor on 11/29 and told him about the pain I was
experiencing around my sternum and close to my spleen after examining it
and asking question about the pain level and how often I felt the pain
he decided that another CT/PET scan was in order.  The scan is scheduled
for 12/13.  They will call me with the results.   My next scheduled
appointment is on 12/20.

Internal Med. appointment was on 11/29. When I made the appointment I
had insisted that I be switched from seeing a Resident to seeing an
Attending Physician.  I really lucked out I now have the Department Head
and a super Doc,  who took a lot of time going over my medical history
(made loads of notes), my current concerns and he has also recommended
that I go back to seeing a Rheumatoligist. I got aggravated on my last
Rheumy Appt when the Resident who was doing the preliminary check before
the Doc comes in,  said when I was describing some of the painful areas
concerning me, (well Mr. Whitely you must realize that our primary
concern here are joints not your pains)  This Doc discussed this with
the Rheumy Doc and he said it would never happen again that the Resident
will not be seeing me again.  I have been having episodes of shortness
of breath which we discussed and he thought that perhaps my scoliosis
might contribute to it.  I had looked up the side effects for Doxepine
and found that one was shortness of breath so he said to stop it
immediately.

Orthopedic appointment with my neck and spine Doc was on 12/6.  He said
that my neck and spine were much the same as the last time and he did
not believe that any of my breathing problems were being caused by my
stenosis or my scoliosis.  I did not have my 3rd epidural steroid
injection because of my Lymphoma DX ( it kind of took over everything at
the time).  He is scheduling another round of  steroid injections to
handle my current neck. shoulder and back pains.  He is referring me to
the Pulmonary Clinic to look onto he breathing problem and also
referring me to another Ortho Doc for my right hip ( my xrays 5 years
ago  showed 10% cartilage erosion).

Eye  Doc yearly  appointment scheduled for 12/12.

Urology Doc... went back into both kidneys with the laser and finished
breaking up my kidney stones and those painful stents in both ureturs
which cause back and abdominal spasms were removed three weeks ago----Oh
what a relief that was.

Tonight, 12/9 I was having a lot of neck and shoulder pain so I cut a
three inch wide lidoderm patch for my wife to put on my neck to relieve
the pain.  I have used them off and on for about a year and I do not
always use the full patch.  About four hours after putting on the patch
I started having my breathing problems again.  We looked up the side
effects of the lidoderm patch (lidocaine) and discovered that it may
cause an allergic reaction of shortness of breath.  I took the patch off
and I am sitting here typing this and the shortness of breath at 1:22 AM
has almost completely quit.

I guess I have to give more thought to what my Cancer Doc had to say
about the Rituxin.  He told us to expect unusual changes because it
resets the body functions.  I have had five Chemo treatments,  all of
which included Rituxin (sp).   I guess I will postpone the Pulmonary
appointment, I may just be able o solve my shortness of breath problem
on my own.

You may wonder why I have had so many appointments lately, but I have
met my yearly deductible and I am trying to get these things done before
the end of the year.  Our deductibles along with our drug co-pays and
health plan costs are increasing substantially  next year.

Saying a pray for all those who need them.  Wishing all of you of all
faiths,  a Happy and Merry Holiday Season.  May next year bring happier
times and better health.

Don Whitely