Cancer update 11/30/18

Well, today marked 6 weeks down and 2 weeks (10 treatments) to go!! The end is in sight, and I have to say that I’m looking forward to getting off this merry-go-round. They have begun to concentrate solely on the prostate.

I’m still experiencing the same problems; occasional runs and being extremely tired. I slept 9 hours last night and fell asleep in the recliner today for over an hour. Even so, I’m yawning up a storm as I write this. I think that is the thing that bothers me the most. I just have no motivation, am super tired constantly and still am feeling rather weak. All these things add up to my being unable to do my part-time job, wreaking havoc with our funds.

We got our first bill from the cancer center and paid it. Having done so we have decided to have a family treasure hunt of our attic tomorrow afternoon, hopefully finding some items that we can turn into cash to replenish the old bank account.

It will be a family thing because they know that if they don’t help, their huge inheritance will end up being enough to grab a burger and fries…..MAYBE!!! I’m kidding of course, but it does need to be done. Linda said she’s been wanting to do this anyway because neither of us remembers any more what the HECK is up there. I’m positive that there are remnants of my childhood and other items from then until now that we put up there for ‘safekeeping’ or to make room for the new stuff that we bought along the way.

So, anyway, if you don’t hear from me for awhile it’s because we found a missing Rembrandt or Gaugin or other priceless art treasure and have moved to some exotic location! It might be Las Vegas, or New York, or maybe the huge metropolis of Denton, Nebraska.

Keep a good thought for us; we appreciate it.

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.

Cancer update 11/13/18

So, today I had the 19^th radiation treatment for my prostate cancer. Yesterday after my treatment I visited with the doctor. I asked him about a couple of symptoms that I am experiencing, more fatigue and a new problem; weakness. He said that both are normal. The weakness, which he correctly mentioned were in my hips and shoulders are most likely due to the shot that I get to kill my testosterone. He said that if the problem continues that they may have to cut back to continuing the shots for only 18 months, rather than the 24 to 36 months that were originally planned.

I also got another surprise change in my treatment plan. I told him that I only had 7 more treatments to go, and he corrected me; telling me that I was going to have to go through the complete 40 treatment course. Evidently, since I’m a “big guy” in his words, the higher dosage of radiation tends to burn the skin and does not penetrate sufficiently as it would on a smaller person. He had thought that someone had told me and apologized. Needless to say, the apology did not make me feel any better. Instead of just a little over a week before being through, I now have to wait until December 14^th for my last treatment. At least, I HOPE that will be the last day! I will have to have a new CT scan and more tests to ensure that it is gone or cured.

I’m sleeping 9 or 10 hours a night, interrupted by a couple of trips to the bathroom each night, then I tend to doze in my recliner off and on the rest of the day. My trip to get my treatment daily is pretty much my only excursion from the house, other than our Saturday errands or to get prescriptions from the pharmacy. Obviously, this has killed my part-time job; and that worries me greatly. While I was at the doctor’s office, I asked why I hadn’t received a bill for my treatments or visits with the doctor yet and was told that they send out one after I finish up. I suppose that it doesn’t matter much whether I get one BIG bill or a bunch of little ones, so we’ll see about that when the time comes.

All in all, I feel fairly good all things considered. I’m 65, so I don’t expect too much anyway. The aches and pains that go along with my age just serve to remind me that I’ve been lots of places and done lots of things. I’ve got a fantastic family and lots of people rooting for me, so I know that I can and will beat this thing!

Thank you for visiting my blog, and again I can’t thank everyone enough for the kind words and well wishes. Your support means more to me than I can ever repay.