Overdue update.

Lets see,...Im past the one and a half year since diagnosis point, and am looking to be blessed with hopefully another few years. So far My PSA has been recorded from a .13 to 155.

I went through a round 2 radiation treatment on a large portion of my left hip, my clavicle, and left shoulder in December starting Dec 7. Done at Overland Park in KC, the staff is top notch and once again My wife and I treated them all with box after box of Daylight Donuts. Radiation has pretty much dealt with the very painful invasion of those areas by the cancer. On round one of radiation I lost 20 pounds, this time it was 10 pounds. My weight is 197 at 6 foot tall.

Although I now suspect there may have been some nerve damage done. I spoke with my Oncologist the last 2 visits about a persistent pinched nerve feeling in my left hip area. We are still not sure what the pain is about. Its hard to describe the pain other than compare it to a pinched nerve; but it feels like its a BIG nerve. lately I absolutely have to take an Advil in the mornings, and am getting to the point I will have to take one at least twice a day. What worries me is that it may get even worse. I now see I may have to answer "yes" soon when I am asked if I have fallen in the last 90 days. To swivel on the left hip and remain standing is beginning to be a gamble. Is pain management in my future?

I am on Zometa for my bones. Due to it making me feel somewhat ill for a good two or three weeks at regular dose, We have agreed to halve the dosage. I only stay ill for about 10 days now so thats a plus.

Lupron refresher was administered January 7th, but it is to be my last dose as I underwent an Orchiectomy January 24th. Maybe some energy will return this summer; it would be refreshing to have some energy to actually do something physical. And how about the possibility of no fuzziness of memory or thought!

Taxotere will begin when my PSA show signs of increasing which may begin once the effects of radiation level off. Prior to Radiation numbers were 44. and since then at last count 28.

Due to the aggresiveness of my form of prostate cancer it was agreed by the wife, my doctor, and myself to go with the Orchiectomy. Always wondered at those who were eunuchs in history and scripture and now I know! Due to hormones and now this, I just dont have much thought at all for things sexual. One can go through quite a bit of change if ones life hangs in the balance it seems.

So, to sum it up, How do I feel? I cannot shop or stand for over 20 minutes without a great need to sit down due to pain and fatigue. Walking is a little more delicate now due to the nerve thing. Not using a cane or support just yet. Always feeling fatigue, or nausea, or pain or all three. There is a creeping feeling of awareness that my time in this body is growing shorter. I am not depressed by it. There is a lot more appreciation and thankfulness for each day I get to experience.

Sure, I get all flustered and teary eyed occasionally over all the problems cancer has brought me, but when I am in my normal way of thinking, I find it all somehow enriching with the increased awareness, the broadening of one horizons if you will. Hang in there is all I can say.

Thank you Tatt2man! I forgot to mention my next blood test will possibly be my most harrowing experience yet ha ha!

Grettingz,
I salute you "young soldier". Please never forget the "red" dirt of Pleiku and the guntrucks that you maintained. All that I can do is wish you many years of pain free life. You followed years after my journey but you were part of my unit--the 8th group in VN. Keep the faith!
Bronson--To answer a question that you posed in another thread, "Yes I'll give you a hug even though my wife is the only one to receive one from me in 48 years-lol"..We all appreciate your support here.
Bill

Impressive grit!

sad but inspirational. hang in there man.

ed

Best of luck in your fight greetingz!

Greetingz, in your awareness level, have you gotten to the point, where, when you look at, better yet interact with someone...strangers, folks on the street , in the stores or anything in this life, you have the ability to snapshot the image and sense they are doing the same and the lock of the look endures. So much wonder….
Salutations Brother, you, in the grand scheme of things, in spite of your troubles, are really in a good place. I had the revelation years ago, others, I'm sure have had it also, I mean consciousness does not exist in a vacuum. Oh yeah, the revelation, its not what happens to us that is meaningful, it is how we reply to such.