Long time, no update

Didn't realize its been as long as it has since my last update. I apologize, between being overwhelmed, depressed, and busy with life during the holiday and post holiday stuff - just got away from me.

Nothing really positive to report.

Latest from stomach doctor/surgeon - there is nothing that can be done. It's just a continuation of on-going radiation damage, now effecting my lower bowels, and it will only worsen over time. Its only a question of time before I deal with still another obstruction issue. When it happens, it will either self-resolve, or it may require more surgery.

Still waiting for final report from dermatologist about my scalp - whether cancer is playing into it, and whether the infections has been cured.

On my kidney bleeding - no easy answer there. Specialist, what a surprise, attributes it all to on-going radiation damage. Next time I have a major bleeding event - he will look again. Scans currently show nothing, yet they bleed regularly. He did note that both my tubes from the kidneys are slowly but surely closing over from scarring. This will present a significant problem in the future.

And on top of all this good news, been fighting a terrible head cold, probably first cold I have had in over 10 years. Forgot how miserable it can make one feel. Just makes all my chronic pain points hurt 10x worse than normal. Hardly able to sleep at all.

Wife is leaving for a week vacation in Florida at 8 in the morning, ,got to drive her to the airport. I am unable to go, so I hope at least she has a good time.

I recently sold my Fiat Abarth back to the Fiat dealer for cash. And then bought a 2015 Ford Taurus Limited from a local Ford dealer. Hated to give up my fast little car, but my body could no longer take the constant pounding from being so stiff a ride, and the endless stick shifting, etc. So back in a big, plush, comfy car. At least that takes some stress off of me, took me a few months of denial to finally admit this to myself, but in the end, I know it was the right decision.

Finally, the big rise in my PSA that the VA noted was not an anomaly as hoped. It was re-tested by my oncologist a month ago, and not only had it risen, but it had risen by another 4 full points over what the VA said. So my PSA once again is way up double digit whole numbers, and rising fast again. Right now, I refuse to think about options, and will wait until my March appointment to discuss what, if anything, to do.

Kind of why I hate posting, not too full of happy stories to share.

I've been wondering where you've been.

Happy stories not a requirement.

David,
I appreciate your posts no matter what kind of news it is. Knowing that you are still there fighting the fight no matter how hard it can be. As always, you are in my prayers.
Jim

Typical of you to apologise for not posting!! Stop that. You've no need to apologise.
Due to Raditation - what a surprise!
I'm starting to reach the the conclusion that there was more wrong with your RT than just you not having a full bladder. Did they forget to set up the shields or something and subject the whole of your body to RT?

I understand exactly what you mean about uncomfortable car seats. Small cars cn be fun. Trouble in the Netherlands is that if you don't have a fairly small car, then it's almost impossible to park. (Where I used to live I had my own parking space, but the other cars were often so close that I would have to get out shut the doors and then push the car into the space and put a brick by the wheel! Even now I only enough space to open the doors on one side of the car, and that's with a Renault Captur that's only about 5ft 9in wide (excluding the mirrors): A Fiat Abarth is about 5'4".
And being a Brit I love a stick shift!
Alf

Hi David,

Good to hear from you!
The positive news is the PSA I think.
With a double digit PSA in 2014 (and even in 2013?) and a fast doubling time the fact that is stayed double digit in 2016 is very positive.

I know all the other stuff must be so draining. Wishing you the best with it all and hope that 2016 is year that comes with some answers.

Regards,
An

Thanks for the update David. We have both been here so long it is sometimes hard to find a positive note. But that new car sounds like a positive for you. I can relate to your wife having a vacation of her own as I always encourage my wife to go as there are times I am not up to it.
Michael

Greetings from The Republic of Texas:

To David, my prostate cancer, Triumph motorcycle riding, former Navy guy, who suffers so much more than I. I just hate all of this for you. I was talking to another friend, who was also in the Navy, about not being able to do things that we once could. I said that I was able to accept that I could no longer do some things and that I wasn't pissed off about it. His response was that most of the things he can no longer do, he didn't want to do any more.

So, it's ok to have a soft, easy, comfy, sedan. Even without the cancer, it happens. I recently met an old buddy from the late 60's. Back then he had a TR-4. It had a luggage rack on the trunk. At the time, he refused to own anything that he couldn't fit in, or on the car. He now owns a small airport, a couple of airplanes, and a big house.

All of this is, of course, not relevant to your misery. Tell you what David, my friend, I am grief stricken at your suffering. I admire your resilience and courage. I have no idea why I have suffered so little and you so much.

Tomorrow is the fifth anniversary of my wonderful wife's death. Nothing will ever be the same. Never. It's a good thing we didn't know any of this all those years ago. Would we have had the courage to go forward?

My wonderful grandson is spending the night with me. He is my future and I love him dearly.

Keep Your Mach Up,

Bill

David, Thanks for updating us. You can't know how many of us rely on hearing form you. We hate to hear of your continuing struggles and worsening problems, but love to hear that you are continuing to fight! FYI, my husband's PSA has started to rise. Not much this time, but its the first time it's gone up since surgery and especially since he started the Lupron. He and his doc decided to 'give the Lupron 2 more chances'- so he'll get another shot and another PSA in April and then again in August. If it is still going up, then we'll talk about what to do. So I'm back to researching..... You remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Ditto what Lynnewood. Wrote!
Keeping you in my prayers

I admire your ability to look your nemeses in the eye, David, unblinking. Grace and honesty. Thanks for updating your friends here. Hope you catch a break

-Wilderness

Thanks for all the many kind and thought felt remarks since I posted this.

Jet - can't believe its been 5 years since your wife's passing, still seems so current in my mind, can't even to pretend to imagine how I would deal with that, as my wife is my main motivation to not caving in and giving up on the whole mess. We will hit year "42" on April 6th.

Still fighting this terrible cold, approaching the 10 day mark. Would go to the doctor, but even my wife said there's not much to be done for a bad cold. I just came off 14 days of mega antibiotics not long before this cold hit me, so that wouldn't help me to go back on them. Just got to keep toughing it out. Doesn't help that its been so cold here in SC, after a record warm December. Going to be around 10 degrees tonight and windy. Highest I saw today, was 39, and that's not counting all the wind.

More than anything else, I would simply like to have a break from anything new happening to me. Just let me get back to "normal", whatever that means at this point. I can definitely feel the fight has been diminishing with me, with each new set back. It's been non-stop since 2008, enough is enough.

Go so many projects in mind, but simply don't have the strength or endurance to do much at a time, which then frustrates me further.

But again, appreciate those that really care, means a lot to me. I wish all present, a good year to work with. Still really enjoy reading "good" stories, and to those that are winning the battle against the beast, I find a certain amount of glee from that.

Hi David....it is always good to hear from you and know that my continued prayers are there for you always. You are a true hero to many here. Your new car must be very comfortable...congratulations!
I don't post that often, but will tell you that my hubby is coming up to his three years since robotic surgery in February. He continues undetectable and has not had any more problems with the urine retention issues that he had after surgery. Our son will be graduating as an architect in May, and our daughter and her husband are enjoying married life. I can ask for nothing more.

Take care of that cold - God bless always!

David, it is always good hearing from you even though the latest news isn't always good. Yes, going on vacation will help recharge your wife's body and soul. She has been there for you and always will be. We care so much about you and what is going on in your life! I also look forward to your posts. Glad to hear you purchased a new car that is comfortable.

Ron's surgery on his Brain Aneurysm is scheduled for next week. We're a bit nervous about that, even more than the robotic surgery on his prostate. His PSA went from .02 to .04. The doctor doesn't seem concerned. We just want him to be healthy again. Take care and God bless....