Posted 9/1/2015 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
In a way, it seems like years ago that I went in for my first HDR Brachy treatment in Atlanta; and if not for a stubborn anal fissure from the biopsy (would you believe it still bothers me a year later?) I don't think I'd realize I had cancer. The fissure was misdiagnosed by me and three other primary care doctors as hemorrhoids so I finally got a colon specialist to look at it in the summer. I laid off the creams and ate my Quaker Oats every morning and I'm almost 100%.
First, I have to report that my dad passed away in July. Some might remember his story. He first got colon cancer at 61 and had a tennis ball size tumor removed and wore a bag for 20 years. He then had a run of cancers of the stomach, melanoma, prostate, bladder, brain (bladder recurrence) and finally he died with lung cancer (they think it was the bladder reoccurrence). Mostly he died from a combination of things, but he went through a lot of hell I know. At 79, he was named AARP citizen of the Year in our county in Alabama (120,000 people). He worked 12-14 hours a day in his auto-repair business so I could go to college and wear a suit to work every day. God bless him.
Back to my cancer report: I'm fine. I've been working out hard at the gym doing Crossfit and playing basketball 2-3 times a week. My wife and I are training for a 50-mile bike ride my company is sponsoring in St. Louis next month.
I got checked by the dermatologist this morning and got an "A+" from her. My ejaculate volume is down by 60% or so, but the pain afterwards is gone. My T is naturally low so I take a half a Levitra and it helps greatly. I can go without it, but it's much better with a little boost.
My urinary functions are actually better than pre-HDR, somehow. I did notice some leaking after peeing before I knew I had cancer, and got up nearly every night to pee. Now, I don't have an issue with either.
I got a sleep apnea machine and now I feel a lot better during the day because my sleep is better. It's odd to me that I've worked so hard keeping myself in good condition, eating well, never smoked, etc. and now I've had cancer, high cholesterol, low T, low vitamin D and B, sleep apnea, arthritis, pre-diabetes, male pattern baldness, etc. Seriously.
I go back for another PSA check at the end of this month and expect further drops. I think I'm cured!