Was Originally Email – Couldausedanotherday

So many doctors

Hi, Everyone:

Some have asked how I am doing, so maybe it’s time for another update. My world seems to be full of doctors now. I have recently seen my general practitioner, my sleep doctor, and my eye doctor. On September 12^th, I saw my prostate surgeon / Urologist, our first visit in over four months. They tested my blood and found no trace of PSA, so I remain prostate cancer free.

I lost 30 lbs so they tested to see if as a result, I might no longer have Sleep Apnea

As for my side effects from the surgery, things are pretty good, and the doc predicts that they will continue to improve as time passes. I won’t see him again for six months.

On September 08, I saw my Oncologist. They tested my blood to see if there is any change in my Smoldering Myeloma. That’s what I have, Smoldering Myeloma. It will smolder in my bones until the day it makes a move, if ever. It’s not guaranteed, but the Doc predicts it will happen; it’s just how my numbers add up.

I’ve been holding this update for those test results, and I just got them today. I will have this test every three months. What they look for is the amount of, “M Protein” in my blood. The reading from this test was 0.8, and the previous test showed 0.8. My first test in July gave a reading of 1.1, so the number has actually come down just a bit, and lower is better.

On August 25^th, I saw my neurologist. I am shorter than I used to be. He said my vertebra was completely crushed, but as long as I didn’t have pain shooting down my legs and loss of bladder control (from crushed nerves), I was in pretty good shape and there wasn’t much else to do about the back but let it heal.

I am classified as one with, “tolerable pain.” I have a mild back ache most of the time, but it can be controlled with over the counter medicine, so it’s tolerable. My neurologist wants another MRI this Tuesday. I will also see my Radiologist near the end of the month for a follow up appointment.

The hospital called me the day before my final radiation treatment to tell me the secret radiation treatment patients parking lot, just outside the radiation department door, would be closed the next day. I/We spent the month hiking from the parking structure across the street, having never heard of the secret parking lot.

So, how am I feeling? I’m feeling okay, looking forward to feeling better. I have regained my appetite, and some of the weight I lost. I have a list of physical complaints, but it is short and relatively petty.

I thank God every day, as I have much to be thankful for, including you asking about me now and then, and remembering me in your prayers.

Thank you.

What are you doing for the next 28 days?

Monday was my 3rd radiation treatment, and I’m happy to report that it involved notably less back pain than the first two. I appreciated the wheel chair transport after the first handful of treatments.

I’ve been falling asleep very easily lately. I don’t know if it is the pain medications, or my general lack of sleep (or both!). I started sleeping in the rocking chair, switched to the recliner we borrowed from Grandma, but then discovered by accident that I actually sleep better at the dinner table.

I put my pillow where my plate would be, and I could sleep for much longer periods than in the recliner. But, how nice it was last night, the first night I slept in my bed in three weeks. I kept waking and standing up, just to see again that I could actually stand without assistance.

I am continually amazed by the help and the offers to help, the reports and promises of prayer, the cards, letters, and emails, and other acts of kindness Diane and I have been overwhelmingly blessed with. I was talking the other day with a friend about the question, “Does God speak to you?” Wow- My answer is, God has so many voices and so many hands.

I have a doctor’s appointment on Thursday. That will probably be an x-ray and possibly the bone marrow biopsy. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Later, Scott

Another Cancer?

Hi, Everyone:

Diane and I learned today that I have another cancer – unrelated to the Prostate cancer of recent months.

This cancer is in my spine and is called Plasma Cytoma or, it could be Multiple Myeloma. Both are similar. We will know which one I have after a bone marrow biopsy.

The doctor agreed that my pain level is currently too high to go for the bone marrow biopsy, so that will come after the radiation treatments have started, and those will be everyday for four weeks.

Treatment for both cancers include radiation, could include surgery, and the Multiple Myeloma would include chemo therapy.

*At Josh & Katrina’s wedding, my back was hurting*

Getting to this point, I feel that I am putting together quite a resume as a patient with my growing list of x-rays, MRI’s, PET scans, CT scans, biopsies, catheter usage, and enough IV needles that I think I could install the next one myself. I’m feeling quite practiced as a patient, but I’m not sure just where these credentials will get me.

I don’t know how to respond to all the love and support directed to Diane and I, except to say thank you. The things you say and do come to me as more evidence of God’s Love and Peace. Thank you each for being part of that.

Scott

On the road to recovery

This should be my final update.

I saw my surgeon on Monday, about six weeks after surgery. We discussed the side effects I’ve been experiencing, and my progress. The side effects, bladder control and sexual function, are both currently manageable and improving.

After giving my report, he determined that I was, “ahead of the curve” in recovering, and that I need to be patient and keep doing what I am doing. He took some blood for the PSA test that would tell if the little bit of Cancer that got out of the prostate got away.

Tuesday, Dana, from the doctor’s office called. She said the PSA was undetectable in my blood test, meaning I have no Cancer. She said I will need to see the doctor in four months, and asked would I like to make an appointment now?

I said yes, and we made an appointment for September 12^th. Then I said, “I’d like to hear it again.” She began to say September…… I said, “No, no, I want to hear the undetectable part again.”

Thank you, everyone, for your prayers and support during this time. It made a wonderful difference. God is good, and it’s nice to have friends. Guys – don’t delay going to the doctor if you suspect you may need to.

Later,

Scott