Common Variable Immunodeficiency Support Group
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a group of 20-30 primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) which have a common set of symptoms but with different underlying causes. CVID's underlying causes are different, but the result of these are that the body doesn't produce sufficient antibodies in response to exposure to pathogens.
Well, I'm not sure how much greater risk we're all at for stomach cancer, but I'm currently at 100%. A few days ago, I was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer that is also in my lungs and liver. It's all happened very fast. A few weeks ago, I started having trouble swallowing. Then, a little difficulty burping. Then last Friday morning I had a black stool. Then Saturday night I spit up a blood clot. From that moment, my world changed.
Today, I'm still in the hospital and still bleeding inside. I'll have a port installed tomorrow and will likely start some very aggressive chemotherapy and radiation in the afternoon. I've talked with my immunologist and she will increase the frequency of my IVIG to help me through it.
I'm posting this because I want people to be aware of some of the symptoms that could indicate a problem.
By the way, I didn't have any loss of weight or appetite, but I did experience a low grade fever. With the fever and an uncomfortable chest, I started a two week round of antibiotics that I now think may have masked some of the symptoms and could have cost time in the diagnosis. No way to know this for sure.
Life is good, Live it well... And thanks for listening.
Today, I'm still in the hospital and still bleeding inside. I'll have a port installed tomorrow and will likely start some very aggressive chemotherapy and radiation in the afternoon. I've talked with my immunologist and she will increase the frequency of my IVIG to help me through it.
I'm posting this because I want people to be aware of some of the symptoms that could indicate a problem.
By the way, I didn't have any loss of weight or appetite, but I did experience a low grade fever. With the fever and an uncomfortable chest, I started a two week round of antibiotics that I now think may have masked some of the symptoms and could have cost time in the diagnosis. No way to know this for sure.
Life is good, Live it well... And thanks for listening.
Oh, while I'm here, I have a request of anyone who might read this post. Please send healing thoughts, prayers, and comfort of any kind to the spouses, children, partners, parents, and all other loved ones of those you know who suffer from any life threatening ailment. It suddenly became apparent to me last night that this is so much harder on loved ones!
As always, life is good, live it well... and thanks for listening. :)
Take care, Buddha!
When my children were ill, I always wished their pains and illnesses on myself because I couldn't bear to see them in pain. Maybe that was a selfish wish, and it was granted, because they now take care of me, and I have sympathy for them, and wish they didn't need to worry about me.
I tell myself that being on either side makes us stronger, and maybe that is the reason for it.
Just want to say thanks for all your thoughtful responses and kind words. I go up and down physically (the last couple of days have been mostly good, even got on the motorcycle a couple of days ago!), but I generally stay strong mentally and spiritually, so things are good.
As for progress, it's clear I'm no longer bleeding inside (thanks, radiation!), but other than that, no news on progress or prognosis until they do another CT scan, which probably won't happen until sometime after the radiation is complete and I'm somewhere in the middle of my next chemo cycle. Next cycle starts around the 24th, radiation ends a week or so later.
Jazzy, my cancer has the oddly nice sounding name of adenocarcenoma. Haven't done much research on it, but it sounds like a vacation spot in Spain.
It's another great day to be alive and I'm grateful for all the wonderful support I get here. Bowing to y'all's Buddha natures and sending hugs. Life is good. Live it well. And, thanks for listening... :o)