Wow, has it really been that long since my last post? I have to admit that the eight weeks of getting up at 5.30am left me with no energy at the end of the day to sit at my computer and blog. Most of my tiredness was due to rising early and a very busy work life, but I have the feeling that some was attributable to the treatment itself. Someone mentioned to me that babies need a lot of sleep because (healthy) cells are multiplying so fast as they grow – and in like fashion my body has been putting a lot of energy into repairing, restoring and renewing the healthy cells affected by the radiation. I don’t know if this is scientifically true, but it ws a helpful and sustaining thought.
I have to say that the treatment visits rapidly became routine. Park the car, grab an orange juice, take the elevator, greet fellow patients, get changed into the ubiquitous hospital gown and wait to be called in. The Gantry 2 Technicians (Allisha, Chris, Georgene, John and Phil) at the Francis H Burr Proton Treatment Center were outstanding in their professionalism, warmth and humor. It was truly a pleasure to be greeted each morning with such positivity and care. The experience of getting ‘zapped’ was easy, quick and completely painless. I have to admit that I frequently felt as if I was in the medical bay on Starship Enterprise being instantly healed by people pointing ‘remotes’.
As I neared the end of treatment I did notice a slightly elevated discomfort with urination, but not anything that could be in any way described as painful. In the month since I finished treatment this discomfort has almost completely disappeared. I am still somewhat fatigued – but a lot of this probably due to maintaining a very active work schedule throughout and post treatment. Nothing that a good vacation wouldn’t cure. Anyone want to fund a month in Hawaii???
Yes, Peter, it has been that long and I had been concerned about you because of that silence. As you know, the frustration of this condition is that the changes come on unexpectedly and they are not all pleasant ones. We need the support of fellow sufferers and we owe it to them to keep in touch. So, don’t let it go so long again.
Thanks for your recent visit to my website. It was much appreciated.
My next PSA reading is 30 Jan 2009. Since diagnosis, it has come down from 1000 to 300 and then 59 in October. However, PSA is not everything. In spite of the huge drop, my general state of health continues to slowly deteriorate.
Like you, I am spending more time laying down due to the general tiredness and lack of stamina. In my case, I am sure it is due to the opiates (pain killers) and the hormone therapy than the disease.
You have a good Christmas and I wish you well for 2009. May your brush with prostate cancer be over and a distant memory in 2010.
You danced all the way, and deserve a vacation in Hawaii!
Thanks for being in my life!
Not sure if the link to my first blog post works. I wanted to make sure that others are aware that there is a treatment being developed which parellels the lumpectomy for breast cancer patients. Inf fact there is a book called the “Male Lumpectomy.” I am in the process of considering alternatives as mentioned on the blog post above (website). More to follow. Ron Hoffman ronhoffman@yahoo.com
http://hoffmnron.livejournal.com/ is the blog
Just wanted to say that I really enjoy your blog posts..An honest and beautifully written account of what you’re going through/what you’ve gone through.