prostate cancer – Couldausedanotherday

Closer to Normal

Summer 2013 in Oregon is circling the drain. I took the box fans out of the upstairs windows and put the electric blanket back on the bed.

My summer was a paradox, creeping along unbelievably slow, moment by drawn out moment in the hospital and in recovery, but then I looked up and suddenly the summer days are gone!

I’m feeling closer to normal and farther from death; although I know it could be waiting in the next crosswalk. But, it could be waiting for anyone there and has nothing to do with cancer.

*Working full time and ready for high water*

I just had my six month visit with my urologist. He said my PSA (indicator for prostate cancer) is non-existent, that’s great. He said I’m halfway through the danger zone….. If the prostate cancer doesn’t come back within five years, it’s highly unlikely it will come back.

I doubled the dosage of my B complex vitamins and it does seem to be helping with the chemo nerve damage / pain in my feet.

My oncologist said next visit, three months from the transplant, they will test for cancer indicators. I thought, with all these vials of blood you’ve taken – what have you been testing for?

We were clicking through TV stations the other night, looking for a reason to stay up ten more minutes, when I saw an eerily accurate representation of my new hair style: it was little Ralph Wiggum on the Simpson’s.

I’m afraid I won’t be able to identify with him for long because in the mirror I see little black seedlings sprouting among the wispy white survivor hairs clinging to my head. This could get interesting.

I remain, as always, thankful to God.

Just A Quick Note

I’m about half way through series three, about eight weeks on chemo. It is beginning to wear; I’ve left work early a couple times, just very tired. I should be modifying performance curves for segments of pavement, but it’s becoming difficult to concentrate.

The items on my short list of symptoms so far have politely taken turns, one at a time temporarily taking position at the top of the list. The doctors say I look good and my blood looks good, so we continue.

Stability Is Constant (at least for now)

I left work yesterday telling my co-workers I was going to “spin the wheel” again at my oncologist’s office. The wheel appears to have stopped once more on, “stable.” I tell everyone that I would be happy to remain stable for the rest of my life. I won’t get tired of that word, stable. I hope you don’t mind my repeating it. Thank you for your prayers.

The current test results that were available right away showed no notable change. The results for the test that really tells what’s going on will not be available for a few days.

During the exam, the doc asked if I was experiencing any pain or numbness, or anything unusual. I told her that next time I see my urologist; I was going to ask him about my belly button. It’s been “weird” since the prostate surgery.

There’s a little skin bubble where the button used to be. She took a look and said it’s herniated. She said it won’t be a problem unless some “bowel” gets into it (or, unless a head with slime dripping fangs pops out of it). I wondered out loud about the rare opportunity to incorporate that little bubble into a three dimensional tattoo; an eyeball tattoo would be perfect there!

*Also very rare, our cats sitting quietly together. Probably resting up for the late night cat races*

Last Chance to make a run for it

Hi, everyone; Two updates in this email (three if you count the fact that we actually now have TILE ON THE BATHROOM FLOOR)

First, Brandon and Emily were evacuated out of Egypt to Germany. After about a week, Brandon returned to Cairo and Emily went to visit her parents in North Carolina. Shortly after her arrival, her folks announced they were moving to Florida.

She has been helping with that project and hopes to return home to Cairo and Brandon in a couple weeks. Brandon has been back to work at the American University. He said there is still some instability around the country, but mostly fine in his area.

Second, I went to the hospital today in preparation for my surgery in one week. I did some pre-registering, pre-admitting, and even had the opportunity to do some pre-paying.

I declined the pre-paying of my deductible, explaining how silly it would be if I paid today and later decided to make a run for it. I met again with my surgeon. We went over a few details and we are both ready to go.

I will check into Meridian Park hospital at about 6:30 am on March 17th for my scheduled surgery at 8:30. They tell me to plan on one or two nights in the hospital, and two to four weeks recovering at home before returning to full time work.

I want to thank you again for your prayers, I can feel them, and they give me peace. When you pray, would you also pray for my cousin, Dennis Sturdevant, his wife and his family, for strength and peace? Dennis was also recently diagnosed with cancer. It’s advanced and can’t be treated.

Thank you,

Scott