Pink isn't the only Cancer

Sorry its been a while since lasr posting, busy recovering from a total knee replacement and more as follows:

In May my psa doubled in a very short time so I started an 8-9 month course of Casodex and Proscar. I had an exam with my Rad Onco and she offered up there might be other options for treatments. She linked me with an Oncologist. Per my request for “a doctor on the other side of the gender fence” I had an exam with a young female doctor. Very bright and at first hard to gauge. I did warm up to her after about 15 min into our meeting. She brightened up when, at one point, I mentioned having written a book about my experience.

Unfortunatly she said there were no options for me at this time and the standard course of hormone medicines was my only option. Other than no treatments. Oh, she did say that a Radical Prostatectomy was an option but almost all men that had radiation refused that. I agreed.

So, after much back and forth interaction with my Part D Prescription insurer I choose oral medications: Casodex and Proscar. Since she recommended 8 months and I had been on Casodex for over a month Iplanned on stopping both at the end of the third week in Feb 2020.

I had my psa checked and it was down from3.79 in May to 0.54 in September.

All good – or so it would seem. More on this soon.

Well another new year under the belt. We had a good time with friends and some local fireworks.

The prospect of a new year is exciting. New chances, new friends, renew family, and the opportunity to be off my Cancer meds.

To be brief and to the point – the past is just that, PAST. We can all start anew with the new year. I will be going to the gym lots more, trimming down – well try at least, and begin writing my second book: possibly another one also. Time, energy, and opportunity.

Please take a minute and let me know how you plan on using 2020.

Even though this is near the end of 2019 it will shortly be the beginning of 2020. Not an end but a new beginning.

Hope the salutation doesn’t offend anyone, none is intended.

Busy year, Cancer has reared its ugly head again but is under control with oral medications. They kind of screw me up but not real bad.

I am opening my research for book #2 in my series of Pink isn’t the only Cancer by seeking stories from Cancer patients and Care givers. Good ad not so good interactions with doctors, NP’s, PA’s, and nurses. Kind of like a continuous improvement plan for the medical profession. I refer to them all as medicals.

So please post your stories, message me, or email me.

But most importantly have a wonderful and bright Christmas and 2020.

This time of year most of us look back and reflect on the year. Some don’t and that is OK. I view the last 12 months as fun, enlightening, and frustrating.

Fun because I had some family and friends that have have evolved into family be part of my life in a good way.

Frustrating because some family has chosen to step back into relatives by not actively involving themselves in my life. I recognize we all have busy lives but I initiate communication often and they respond, sometimes, but only in response to me.

I need to clarify that when I say me or my I mean my wife too.

My second book is in the research mode and going slowly, holidays possibly, more likely just lower energy on my part.

I might not have posted this but my Prostate Cancer came back in April/May and I am on medications to knock it down again, successfully so far. I have added two more doctors to my care team. An Oncologist and a urologist specializing in treating the side effects of those medicines. I was Cancer free for 16 months and will be on these meds until Feb 2020. As one choir member said: “seems like a roller coaster ride”. Yes it does.

My attitude is positive and I have no sign of disease. So all good!

I would really like to hear from Cancer patients and Care givers about their experience with Cancer. Some might help others, possibly me, with their odyssey with Cancer.

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year in 2020!

There are several times in a year that family is wanted and needed.

Birthdays, anniversaries, key holidays, just to hit the key ones.

I recognize that we all are busy and that we all have family near by. But not all of us have that busy a life that we cannot take time to connect. Retirement, recovering from surgery, or just having some down time are what comes to mind.

However some family just connect at Christmas or just in response to a note or message. Those connections can be thought of as a knee jerk connection. Like oops I guess I should send a note to let them know I received their message.

On the flip side are friends that become family. They check in, call, message or email. Maybe not regularly or routinely but often. Might even stop over or invite to dinner.

Friends like those are family that cares and that means love and respect.

Well, another turkey day has passed and no one other than the turkey itself was harmed.

We spent the day at a friends house. They invited us and of course we accepted. He is a great cook and they are like family. Watched football; both our teams won: first game close and second game a blowout. Wonderful day.

What comes to mind is simple, Family might not be friends but friends can often be family.

Well, given the knee replacement and followup doctors for my Cancer. This whole year I have averaged two doctor visits a month. A few months three. No month one.

All well, even though my prostate Cancer has returned. Being treated successfully as no evidence of disease. My Oncologist has suggested eight months of meds until my psa rises up to 3 or doubles quickly like it did earlier this year. When that happens I will get a Bone Scan and CT Scan. With no spreading back on the meds as now.

I ask questions and make sure I understand. Add in my doctors have come to expect me to do this so they are prepared to explain and justify in ways that help me.

The most important thing is a positive attitude. My doctors agree and love that I am involved with them and my health.

Pleas let me know how you are doing and of course any comments you might have!

Email contact@pinkisnttheonlycancer.com Remember to tell me your thoughts!

There are many people that think that others make you happy, and in some cases that it true. However even the best effort by that person will not work if you don’t accept what they offer.

If you are miserable or not happy that is your choice. You might just want to stew in your own juices for a while but then you need to pull yourself out of that. No one can push you if you don’t accept it.

Think you want to be happy and you will attract people that can help you. If you are a crab then those people will start to avoid you, eventually stop coming by.

We all have seen crabby people and we all avoid them because if you don’t it hurts you. So you basically understand what I am saying.

Make a choice to be Happy and put in the effort to stay that way!

Ok, so what do I mean when I say life can be interesting? Well the things we run into people that we know and learn things we did’t know about.

Recently I found out a friend, young lady, had recently had Breast Cancer. Wish we had known then but understand why. She has recounted several stories of neighbors and close friends that helped her during her journey with Cancer.

I will reach out to her, soon, and ask for her to share a few of her stories on this blog site. Her experience has been wonderfully filled with positive times and examples of support.

My case did not include surgery so I was not in a position to appear to need help.

For more on me please get a copy on my book by the same name as this site.

Stay positive, ask for help when you need it.