Pink isn't the only Cancer

So here is a short portion of my book. I will include two parts not complete. Please let me know your thoughts.

Monday October 26th, 2015 10:30 AM

The purpose for this exam was related to back pain and the need, on my part, to meet & get examined by my new General Practitioner – Family Doctor.  OK so I guess I should acknowledge that I was heavily prodded by my wife, nagged a bit I guess you could say. Very good thing she did as it turns out.

When I heard via letter that my usual Physician’s Assistant, PA, was no longer with the practice I knew I would need to choose from Dr. Old R guy or one of the two new doctors, both female.  When I called to make the appointment I asked for a doctor that would be there for a long time knowing it would not be Dr. Old R guy. Oh, he is a nice man but not long term. I have been examined by him several times and some other doctors that were with the practice but are no longer there. 

I wanted to have a doctor for my decades to come and said so when scheduling my appointment.

All common exam items, questions and interaction. Dr. PC presented herself with a bright smile that could melt Greenland overnight. Very pleasant young lady to say the least. First question was “How can I help you today?” 

I need to tell you, with some redundancy, that Dr. PC did something I had not seen in quite some time.  She introduced herself, shook hands and sat looking at me directly. She did not sit at a computer and look around it or over it to talk to me.  She looked at me as a person not a record. She also did not hurry me, rush thru the discussion or skip the pleasantries. I, me, the human being, the person was her focus.  She even leaned in towards me when I offered some key points on my health concerns.

My main concern, other than my being prodded by my wife, was back pain, was discussed but also that it had been some time since my last general exam.  So she was quite thorough in her questions, poking and probing.   

I did let her know of my hip replacement in April 2015. Oh and I also let her know the back pain was not new; had this same pain early in my life but more so after my ladder accident 10+ years ago.

She ordered blood tests. Included PSA and the usual pieces to tell if I had problems or not. 

A few days later I received a call telling me that my Prostate Specific Antigen, PSA, was high.  

It was much higher than the results from 15 months before.  OOPS!

Just a little over two weeks ago I had total knee replacement surgery. For those that might not know what that includes I will give a brief description.

After being knocked out in the surgical room the leg is opened up with foot long incision centered on the knee cap, lengthwise. Then the ends of the upper and lower leg bones are sawed off and metal parts are hammered into place. Some other parts are replace and then you are sewed back up. I have been walking without assistance two weeks later and outside walking with a walking stick.

Recovery can be a few months and so far I am way ahead of schedule. I am thrilled with my medical team and even more so with my recovery.

If you would like more just message me.

Today the temps hit mid 90’s are not to be expected. In the house still 81 so sleeping tonight will be not easy. Oh, the joys of life.

Not complaining – really not. Too many things to do yet. I hope to hear from others on how life is treating them.

Sounds simple, for many too simple maybe.

But: Even at the end of it all, no matter your age, Cancer pushes the button off for many. Not every Cancer patient, in fact more live long after diagnosis than don’t.

Think about that! As I say in my book, Pink isn’t the only Cancer: “Cancer is just a word – not a sentence.”

Yep, might be treated as a chronic disease with treatments ongoing. Might have some operations and/or radiation, possibly more aggressive medicines. Maybe even some trials. Plus as time goes by more options are created.

So how does my heading relate to all this? You alone can determine how you live your life. Like a smile taking less effort than a frown it really is easier to choose good over bad life.

One thing that needs to be said however. When you put it all together Cancer sucks, treatments suck, and the way some interact with you Suck. Loved ones, family, and friends often need you to make them feel better. Really? I mean as a Cancer patient we need to be reassured and made to feel better. But in reality we are the ones that set the tone and help them feel better.

Just this week I had my second knee replaced. Not quite bionic but new parts, Yea!

This is my second new knee and my third new part, hip first then one knee and now the final knee. Second time around much better than the first. Seems to be three weeks ahead of my first knee on the recovery scale. To me at least.

Cancer not the cause of my replacement parts and not a worry either. See, life does go on after the “C” enters your life!

I am a retired Controls Engineer, Teacher and Code Officer. While in teaching I worked with students in crisis. This taught me to listen.
Before all that I had Testicular Cancer in 1975 . In both cases I had radiation but for the Prostate it was much more detailed, sophisticated, and focal.
My initial Prostate Cancer, Gleason 9 aggressive, treatment included Radiation and Hormone therapy. I am now on my third round of treatments. Yes the Cancer has returned but no spreading so far. PET scans, bone scans, MRI and lots of xrays under my belt.
Along the way I wrote a book about my Cancer experience, titled the same as this Blog.
I need to share my thoughts on Cancer and life in general. All I am trying to do is help others with Cancer be better.
Life is too precious to spend it angry, in pain, with fear, and doubts.

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.

One thing I did in my Odyssey with Cancer is write my thoughts down for me to cope.

Turns out that writing became more than that. It evolved into telling my story and then showing my emotions and thoughts.