Clayton C. Medley
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Life Moves Pretty Fast

5/23/2021

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In the movie, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Ferris wants a day off from school and he's  got an insane plan to pull it off. Ferris, his friend Cameron, and his girlfriend Sloane take the Ferrari to Chicago for the day. Meanwhile, principal Ed Rooney is convinced that Ferris is, not for the first time, playing hooky for the day and is hell bent to catch him. 
They bought it. Incredible, one of the worst performances of my career and they never doubted it for a second. - Ferris Bueller
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I never went to Chicago, but some thought that I was playing hooky. Administrators said it was convenient that I was sick. I heard about teachers in class talking about how they didn't think I was sick at all.
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Others, well... You know how small town gossip can be. There were a few folks who would check up on me and snap me. That helped a lot. Being at home, alone, feeling terrible, was rough. I went from running around 16 hours a day to nothing. Nothing at all.
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In November, we got COVID and the weekend we were supposed to be out of quarantine, I didn't feel good again. We went to the doctor and I tested positive for strep. I got some antibiotics and thought it would be 2 days and I would be back  and feeling better. That was 7 months ago.

I started throwing up blood and we headed to the Emergency Room. The first of 4 trips to the ER over the course of my illness. We changed my antibiotics and things got a little better until they weren't. We headed back to the ER and the tests and referrals started.

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I saw a gastroenterologist and did MRI's and CT scans, labs and swallow studies, and upper and lower coloscopies, dozens of office visits and consultations, and so many pill bottles and potions... all of them ruled things out but none of the gave an explanation or a diagnosis for what I was going through. We signed forms, joined studies, tried stuff to see what might happen and waited. 

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Every day I was throwing up 6-7 times a day, having consistent diarrhea, and stomach cramps. I couldn't sit up, stay awake, or think straight. It was the most horrible thing I've ever endured. It's been a really long 8 months.
April 8th, I got my second COVID vaccination and I felt terrible. My mom read that some long-haulers get better after getting the shots, so I went. VERY reluctantly. Then when I felt worse  - a lot worse - and I was ticked. It was awful. Flu like symptoms on top of everything else. Not cool.

Then about 4 weeks later, my symptoms weren't as violent. Then they weren't as frequent. Then soon, I had a good day. A really good day. Now I've had about 9 really good days in a row. I'm so very thankful.

I'm not out of the woods yet, but I'm no where near where I was.
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​Soon, I may be ready to have a little adventure!

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I know that I'm still here for a reason and have a lot left to accomplish. When we got the results of the colonoscopy, the doctor told us that they found a polyp. It was a very aggressive form of cancer. He said, "All of this probably saved your life. By the time you started having symptoms and figured out what it was you would probably be dead by 23." God wastes nothing. Even though I went through some horrible days, nothing about my senior year is what I'd thought it would be, and I'm not quite over all of this yet, I know God's got more for me.
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You're still reading? Thanks, man!
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It's a Good Day to Have a Good Day

5/19/2021

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I've had about 6 good days in a row.  A little over a month ago, I got my second COVID shot and started a new antibiotic from the oncologist. I am so happy to feel better. I'm not good. This is not over. But for the first time in a LONG time, I don't feel horrible. It's such a relief.
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Senior Sunday

5/17/2021

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Senior Sunday, I've looked forward to it since my first year in youth group and here it was. Nothing like what I'd imagined.
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Senior Night at Youth Group

5/15/2021

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It was my last night of youth group tonight. It is tradition that seniors share some advice, things they've learned, and encourage the younger students to keep living out their faith. I've looked forward to this for years.
When it came, it wasn't what I expected. We've been through lots of changes. Things look different now. But the Lord is still working and He is still good.
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At the end of the night, Jason Fisher asked the young kids to come up and pray over us. He prayed for us. This is what he said....
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Final Finishes

5/15/2021

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My last paper is submitted. It's been an interesting semester. It's been super hard to stay on top of my school work. I haven't felt good. I couldn't even sit up for any amount of time. The pressure it put on my midsection was unbearable. I was exhausted and sleeping all the time. Staying awake long enough to complete and understand school work was near impossible.  
I am so thankful that it's over. Thankful I survived it.
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I Love My Momma

5/9/2021

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This lady has been by my side through all of this and she's been amazing. I tease her and we argue all the time, but man, I love that lady!

​Happy Mother's Day

Yes, I have a  sister. She went to the car.. said she didn't know we were taking a photo. Does she not know who our mother is?!
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School Uniform Spring Senior Year

5/4/2021

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Took some snaps in my new school uniform. This semester has been a trip!
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Just Follow Ups

4/26/2021

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At the follow up with the gastrointestinal specialist today, he said that he didn't need to see me for four months. They expect the progress to continue. I feel like we're breaking up, but I still don't feel anywhere near 100%. Things are getting better, but I'm not better yet.

We are still praying for relief and continued progress.

Overall it was a good visit, I'm ready for it to be over.
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Babies are Cool

4/23/2021

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One of the coolest guys I know just had a baby. I got to go over and see him and hold the baby. They just sleep, but they sure are cute!
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Cancer Follow Up

4/22/2021

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Seeing the oncologist for the 2nd time was kind of a relief. We came in for labs yesterday. Just a quick blood draw. After reviewing the numbers, the doctor said he didn't really want to see me again.

LDH LEVELS
He does want one more round of labs to check on my LDH levels in a month. They are on the high side of normal. LDH is an enzyme. It's a marker they use to diagnose lymphoma.

DIAGNOSIS
The doctor and his fellow had no ideas about a solid diagnosis. They said some doctor words and told us it was a BS diagnosis that they tell people when they don't know what's wrong. At least they don't think it's cancer. It would  be a one in a billion if it was something.
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Celebrating and Remembering

4/12/2021

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Today we remembered a dear friend, gone too soon. We all went to lunch with Regan McCormicks family and friends. We celebrated his birthday and his life.

We miss you, man.

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Momma's Proud

4/1/2021

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My mom posted this today and made my eyes sweat a little. This all started in November and I have not felt good not one single day since.
Good to know others still see me. I feel a little forgotten. The world has moved on without me.
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Shot to the Heart

3/12/2021

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 My mom has been reading. Apparently, some folks who have had long lasting  COVID symptoms feel better after they get vaccinated. I did NOT want to get ANOTHER shot, but here we are. Let's see what happens....
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Chugging for Answers

2/26/2021

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Another test this morning. Drinking all this stuff and getting an MRI. Chugging this stuff it like Stone Cold Steve Austin. #CollegePrep Cheers!
The drink was supposed to make my insides light up. The IV was rough. The morning was not my favorite.
​Here's to more answers soon...
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Breakfast of Champions

2/15/2021

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Nuclear Eggs for Breakfast and a 4-hour photo shoot. Microwave eggs and water.
Looking for more answers and moving towards solutions.

​Current antibiotic is helping but ready for healing.
Billy John Medley
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God Waists Nothing

1/20/2021

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My follow up GI appointment happened today. Getting all of the test results. The doctor said all of this probably saved my life. They found a polyp on my colon that was a very aggressive form of pre-cancer. In 4 years it would have been full blown aggressive cancer. It has nothing to do with his symptoms though... but like Zack Holder says, God doesn't waste anything!
Now I'm also lactose intolerant... and I'm super bummed about it.
Now we have 2 new tests and 2 new prescriptions... and a path forward. Nowhere near the end, but we are moving!
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4 times the...

1/14/2021

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4th trip to the ER... HOURS of my life I can never get back. I got ANOTHER new prescription and made a few new friends.
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A Spoon Full of Sugar

1/7/2021

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​Third time to the pharmacy this week.
​It's been a tough week. Praying these new meds help treat the symptoms and give me a little relief. I've been fighting this since November.
Still waiting on lab results to get a treatment plan going...
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Both Ways

12/29/2020

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Update from mom: He did great. Now we wait for the follow up visit to get a new plan. Excited to be on the right path!
The most recent in a long line of tests. We are praying expectantly for good results and an easy solution.
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Different Kind of Celebration

12/16/2020

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I can't get out much and go to the usual holiday parties so my mom planned a bunch silly challenges. We're competitive though and she had prizes - good ones too - so we rose to the challenge. We've been celebrating Jewish holidays and talking about our Christian heritage all year so Happy Hanukkah!
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