Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Cancer update 11/21/18


Well, today was day 25 of 40 (that means that I’m 5/8’s of the way through my treatment schedule for those of you who are mathematically inclined). There’s good news and also some bad news.

First, the good news. My doctor told me that as soon as I finish my treatments, he will consider me to be in remission. Also, there will be no follow-up CT scans unless the periodic PSA tests show something abnormal, which he has no reason to expect will happen. I will have the PSA tests every few months.

He also informed me that we have begun the second phase of my radiation treatment. The first phase, which we just completed, was a broad treatment of the entire pelvis. It was to ensure that any cancer which had spread to the lymph nodes (which he didn’t think had happened) was taken care of first. Now, the second phase is more focused on the prostate itself. We’ve gone from a shotgun to a sniper rifle, as it were.

The not-so-good news begins with the fact that I have begun to feel a bad effect from the treatments. I have started to suffer bouts of the ‘Tijuana 2-Step’. When I informed them of this, they said that was perfectly normal and to try Immodium. They also said if that didn’t cure the problem that they can prescribe something stronger. So far, it has worked so I’m hoping we don’t have to go to prescription drugs.

Secondly, we had an unexpected large expense this week. The 65 foot tall pin oak in front of the house and beside the driveway had to be removed. We were experiencing large branches and even limbs falling constantly any time that we had even a decently strong wind. I called a tree service to come and trim up all 3 of the trees that we have left (the fourth one was badly damaged in that October snow storm we had several years ago and came crashing down into the back yard a few years ago. Luckily it missed the house). They informed me that this tree needed to be removed because it was dying. I hadn’t noticed it before, but the tree had begun to lean and the upper parts were becoming sparse; very few healthy limbs and branches and VERY few leaves. After lengthy deliberation I figured that the tree was approximately70’ish years old, since our house was built in 1947. So, Monday the tree service crew came out and cut it down and also trimmed the dead and low-hanging branches and limbs from the other 2. They returned Tuesday and ground out the stump, which I was surprised to see was probably 5 feet across. Anyone need some mulch for free (our youngest son took the firewood)??? So, $3700 later we have a lot more sunlight and don’t have to worry about limbs (or even the entire tree) falling on the car or the house.

We did experience a little good fortune this past week when my sister-in-law brought over a nice big lasagna for us to enjoy last Wednesday. It was delicious!!! Those of you who know my taste in food will not be surprised to hear that I added some red pepper flakes to mine, as I tend to the spicy side of all meals whenever possible.

The last part of the bad news this week came shortly after our lasagna was delivered. Unfortunately my wife suffered a severe set-back to one of her many health problems and I had to take her to the ER. After some testing, they kept her. She didn’t get out until Saturday after a LOT of tests. She’s home now and on the mend, so that’s a great thing. She’s very worn out, but that is to be expected.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I’m thankful that she is home with me where she belongs. Also, I am feeling fairly good, all things considered. We are planning on going over to our oldest son’s house for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow as long as she is feeling up to it. Please keep all of those who aren't able to have Thanksgiving with their loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

To all our friends, we cannot thank you enough for your thoughts and prayers. We do ask that you keep them coming, especially for my wife.