Cancer update 10/28/18

This past Friday was my 7^th radiation treatment for my prostate cancer. I also had my first meeting with my radiation oncologist. So far, I haven’t felt many side effects to the treatments and the ones I have experienced were fairly mild. But, he told me that normally side effects don’t show up for the first couple of weeks.  They will just start seemingly out of nowhere, and there is no way to predict if and when they will happen, or what they might be. So, I’ve got that to look forward to.

I will admit that this weekend I am feeling more tired than ever. I slept through the entire half-time and third quarter of the Nebraska game, and my family will tell you that is nothing short of amazing; completely out of character for me. It seems to be progressing in fact, and is starting to bother me. This fatigue is beginning to cut into my part-time job, and with the bills starting to come in for the cancer, we can’t afford to be without that supplemental income. I also am starting to get the more frequent urination that they warned me about, even getting up 2 or 3 times during the night where it used to be only once in awhile.

I have an article that I need to get done so that it can get into Flat Out magazine, and I talked to the subject a few weeks ago about it. I haven’t been able to even get started on it. Heck; I’ve put off this blog post for 2 days now!!!

So, it boils down to the fact that we’re 7 treatments down, 18 to go (hopefully). As long as I don’t start experiencing problems with the treatment, I’ll be done in a little under 4 weeks! I have no idea what comes after that, but we will handle it as it comes.

Thanks again for everyone’s concern and well wishes. It means a lot to Linda and I.

Cancer update 10/11/18

I know it’s been awhile since I updated everyone on my cancer battle, but that is because there was nothing new to pass along until today.

I had thought that I was going to begin my radiation treatment, but instead I got 3 tattoos!! No dragons or butterflies, but 3 black light visible ones to direct the technicians when I do start my treatment next week.

First, they put me on a table and put a Styrofoam block between my feet, then used a big rubber band to lock my feet in position on either side of the block. They placed what I can only describe as a large pillow under my legs. They then used a vacuum to evacuate whatever was inside of the pillow in order to mold it to my legs. They said they would use the pillow each time I went in for treatment to help me hold still while they apply the radiation. Next came my 3 tattoos; one on each hip and one on my abdomen. Then, they ran me through a scanner, not unlike the one I had my 2 CT scans in. They ran 1 scan, checked it and then ran another because they were not happy with the first. I probably was on the table a total of a half hour, but it wasn’t too bad.

After the doctor approved the scan we discussed how the treatments would go. First of all, I have to come in with a full bladder; I can’t go for 2 hours beforehand! That’s no easy assignment for us old guys, let me tell you!! The doctor said there were 2 options for the treatments. Either the normal 8 week course (40 total treatments) or an increased, more concentrated dose for just 5 weeks. He said that in the last 2 years studies have shown that the shorter course is equally effective as the 8 week one. We decided to start with the 5 week course and see how I tolerate it and how it affects me. If there are no problems, we’ll stick with it; otherwise we’ll have to switch to the lower dose and take longer.

Dr. Stavas asked how I’d been feeling, and I told him tired with a capital T!!! I sleep 8 hours or more but still have to take an hour to hour and a half nap every day. I am just constantly worn out!! He told me that is normal, and the longer that I am on this medication to kill the testosterone the worse it will get. It’s been bad enough that I’ve only been able to work at my part-time job 3 days out of the last 2 weeks, and that is so frustrating I can’t tell you!!!! As for side-effects of the treatments, he said the most likely is urination problems like frequency and urgency. Since I drink nothing but water all day long, with a total of around 200 ounces a day, that is going to be a biggie!!!!! But, if that’s the worst that happens, I can handle it. I just hope the toilet can!!!!!

My first treatment will be next Thursday and continue every week day. If I can stick with the 5 week plan I will be done 1 week before Thanksgiving. I’m hoping that I can tolerate it well enough to make that happen. Hold a good thought for me please that is how it goes.

I want to thank everyone for their concern, thoughts and prayers so far and ask that they continue. I’m not scared, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned. I’ll keep you all advised as soon as treatments start.

Thanks for stopping by!!!