Saturday, December 28, 2013

Pre-op on Jan. 3rd

Next step in the process is the Pre-op appointment on January 3rd @ 3:30pm. I'm going to have lunch with my buddy Jaime Zabala, really looking forward to catching up. In a blink of an eye after the Pre-op and I'll be in surgery. Nervous? Not yet. I have two surgeons who will be in the operating room, maybe 3 if I need some repair work on the pelvic bone. Still in Wisconsin with mom and dad spending some quality time. Bad news came this morning, my moms brother, my uncle Erv passed away last night in his sleep. He was having some heart problems but it still sucks. It's good to be with mom to comfort her. It was a balmy 37 degrees today, Monday's high temp will be 2 degrees. Until next time, be well.

Friday, December 27, 2013

Surprise Mom, I'm here!!!

If you ever get the chance to surprise your parents, do it! I planned a trip to come visit my mom knowing I would be arriving after her hip replacement surgery and in need of some help....physical and moral. So as I was about 10 minutes from her front door, I called and she picked up so we chatted about how she was doing, what the weather was like, etc. I kept the conversation going until I was walking in my parents house and hung up when I walked around the corner to see my mom. The tear duct floodgates did open....she was so surprised it was priceless. Here for 5 days and hope to create more lasting memories.

Friday, December 20, 2013

One full day at Duke Cancer Center

Today got an early start, I had an appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Andrew Peterson. What a great guy and awesome bedside manners. He thoroughly explained the surgery to me and the possible 'audible' that might be necessary if he finds further radiation damage. So we got the blood work done today as well as an X-ray of my pelvic area and also a lovely MRI of my pelvic area. Why? Because when we met in clinic, he applied pressure to my pelvic bone and it caused a high amount of pain. This led him to believe that he radiation may have damaged my pelvic bone. (And you thought this was going be easy...me neither). Arrive at 9:30am, depart at 5:15pm....with. 2:45 drive on each side. Let me pause here for a moment and remember Tom Stueber. Tom passed last night after a tough battle with Esophageal cancer. We've been helping their family as best we can and I ask that you keep the family in you prayers. Ohs, and my mom successfully made it through hip replacement surgery this morning, not bad for a 77 yr old. I'll have more to say about my surgery on the next post....stay tuned. Happy Holidays to you all.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Jimmy V Classic

ESPN is running the Jimmy V Classic which is a series of basket ball games to help raise awareness around Cancer Research which is first class!!!, 100% of the funds donated goes to Cancer Research and it has awesome backing by many athletes. The interview that touched me the most was the interview with Digger Phelps, former coach of the Notre Dame basketball team. He's faced Prostate Cancer and Bladder cancer and has battled them both valiantly. It's with looking to You Tube for the videos....heroes who won't let cancer get the best of them...just like me! A donation to the Jimmy V Foundation is a good thing. Thx

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Next step, major surgery

Well, the radiation cystitis has cooked my bladder to the point where I have the capacity of less than a cup of coffee. So that means Choice 1 - live with it and find a bathroom every 30-60 minutes. Choice 2 - major surgery called Continent Urinary Diversion # 2 is my choice, after the recovery, my quality of life will be much better than it is today. Just another hurdle and mentally I'm ready. My local surgeon has my surgery date at March 14th which is too far out. The surgeon at Duke thinks he can get me in January 9th. In fact, he called my local surgeon who he's known for years to urge him to move up my date. Hopefully I'll hear from my local surgeon this week.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Well, it didn't work

Last post I was talking about having a suprapubic catheter put in....well they couldn't do it. Why? My bladder is too small. We know it was shot but I didn't realize the radiation damage had shrunk my bladder. A normal bladder can hold 300ML...think about the volume of a can of soda. My bladder can't even hold a half cup of coffee...small cup. Which is why I have to go so often. Now we just wait until they can schedule me for the big surgery. Yesterday was a setback I wasn't ready for so I was pretty bummed out. Just need to bounce back

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Yet again another minor surgery

So on Friday I'll be undergoing what's called a 'suprapubic catheter insertion'. It's a fancy name for inserting a catheter via my "just below the belt" area which will help to improve quality of life. Quick procedure, maybe 40 minute surgery, outpatient and home by noon. Ah yes, the battle continues and I've had my share of 'minor procedures'...four so far since July with # 5 coming Friday. You know, if cancer were taking on someone with a weak attitude, this shit might get them down but my cancer doesn't realize it's facing my attitude and fight so bottom line, it's screwed. Yeah, screw Prostate Cancer. Until next time. Be well!

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Last day of Movember....

Another successful year. Next step for me, interview 2 Dr's for a major surrey that will significantly improve my quality of life. All will happen this week and a decision about surgery will be made by Friday, the sooner I can have the surgery, the better. On another note, I just watched the unbelievable finish to the Auburn-Alabama game, WOW, what a Finish!! Okay back to Movember, if you haven't supported my cause or helped raise awareness, please do so. Every 16 minutes a man dies from Prostate Cancer...that's 92 people today. That's reality...so spread the word and get your PSA checked.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Movember is in full swing!

Hey, have you supported you favorite MoBro or MoSista? Check out my Mo http://us.movember.com/mospace/457931 Help me raise awareness but telling a brother, uncle, father, coworker or friend. One in 6 men will get Prostate cancer. If you feel compelled to support me, click on the link above, check out my 'stash' and drop a donation in the bucket :)

Hyperbaric treatments are done

And the results are in.....drum roll please.... The HBOTs had no impact. my Urologist did another Cystoscopy and my bladder is shot. His exact comments were"your bladder has no capacity and the radiation has killed your bladder". Next step is an operation called a Continent Urinary Diversion. Look it up http://urology.osu.edu/20975.cfm It's pretty involved and for me, it's go time. The quality of life change would be dramatic. Instead of running to the bathroom every 30-60 minutes, I would be back to 'normal' going every 4-6 hours. I'm interviewing 2 surgeons this upcoming week, one from Duke, one local. Trying to schedule this in December if possible. Just one more punch to throw against cancer. Stay tuned

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

24 of 30 dives done

Sitting in the airport right now and realizing it's been a while since I traveled last. While I love to fly, there are certainly things I don't miss. So, today was my 24th treatment, 6 more to go. I'm headed to Tampa for some meetings and will resume my treatments next week Thursday due to travel to Plano for quarterly review. Feeling pretty good these days, getting more walks in and starting to get back to some 'toning', well short of what my grandpa would call weight lifting, ha! Heads up, Movember starts in two days and I'm seeing Movember/Gillette commercials....very cool!

Friday, October 4, 2013

Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment...1/3 done

Actually slightly more, done with 12 of 30 treatments. Met with my urologist yesterday for a Cysto and discussed options if HBOT doesn't work. You know, cancer sucks, and after 4.5 yrs of fighting, I'm mixed in emotions. Mostly pissed off and even more determined to do what it takes to put this into remission, improve my quality of life and most importantly...help serve as a mentor and advocate. When I'm done selling software, my next calling is to work full time raising awareness around prostate cancer. My goal, NFL players wear light blue during Sept which is National Prostate Cancer awareness month. Until next time, make every day great!

Sunday, September 15, 2013

This HBOT better work

Tough weekend when it comes to bladder issues. Ever had a bladder spasm? Well, I get multiple per day, not fun. Btw, nice Packer win today :) Until next time

Friday, September 13, 2013

Feeling Groovy!

My second Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment went smooth as can be. I didn't feel the loss of energy like I did the first day. Today I ran into a women who was on her 42nd treatment out of 60. She's fighting breast cancer and she described images that had been taken and the HBOT has shrunk her internal lesions so that's great news. I talked to the Dr. it will be okay to take the week off I had planned to go to Myrtle Beach and golf. So, I need to get all of my sales opportunities closed by no later than Oct. 4th Friday, Sept 13 was awesome!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

HBOT - Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

So the first treatment was today....interesting. Feeling the after effects which are fatigue and a massive headache. Maybe I should go back in time a bit. During my last surgery my Dr. said that I have bladder cystitis meaning my bladder was damaged from the radiation. This damage causes soars or cysts in/on the bladder. So I have constant blood & clots I pass in my urine. Dr is hoping HBOT helps heal the bladder. one treatment down, 29 to go.

Happy Birthday to my girl Rachel

17 years ago we welcomed into this world our precious daughter Rachel She has filled out lives with joy and memories we will cherish forever. Happy Birthday Rachel, you have blossomed into a very bright young lady. For you, the future holds no limits to what you can accomplish. Make it a great day! All my love, Dad

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Tough day

Felt like I was hit by a freight train emotionally. Just a wreck today....just about the lowest I've felt since being diagnosed 4.5 yrs ago Nuff said

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

a wild 57 days

okay, I might share TMI so you might choose to speed read through some parts. July 1st, surgery, hospital, Cystoscopy July 20th, woke up with a stricture, 6am| full bladder | can't pee | oh shit! | I forced out the blockage, made it home from Boy Scout Camp. (I led a group of 23 scouts on our annual summer camp...it was fun all week) July 21, I cannot self catheter, off to the emergency room, catheter put in, MRSA infection caught July 31, catheter comes out Aug 4, stricture | emergency room again, in goes the catheter (okay men, if you're not hanging by the ceiling right now, you're doing good) Aug 4, travel to Dallas for QBR, leg bag attached, fun Aug 8, catheter removed Aug 15, Cystoscopy planned for in office, unable to get past the bladder neck, let's schedule surgery # 2 Aug 23, surgery, Cysto, walking again with my new friend the catheter and leg bag. (party on) Aug 26, removal of catheter....Blood pressure, 185/125..just a tad high Aug, start hypertension medication (isn't life a party? :)) Why so many problems? well, four yrs ago when I was diagnosed, I had radiation first (a lower dose) before my surgery. My Urologist said my bladder has damage from the radiation and my body (particularly at the bladder neck - exit point) is full of scar tissue and it continues to try and repair itself, causing more scar tissue. More scar tissue = blockage. Daily cath = 'trauma'. Trauma = blood clots. Blood clots = repairing. repairing leads to ? (another stricture?) What's next, daily catheter to try and keep my scar tissue from closing. only time will tell. In the meantime, work is a nice distraction. You know what, through it all, my mom said to me "I can't believe how positive you are" to which I said, it's just in my DNA I'm guessing if you made it this far, you've had enough details. Hope you all are well and you've had a great summer. until next time, cheers

Friday, August 23, 2013

2nd Cysto in the last 7 weeks

It's getting a little old...and the hospitals are getting rich. The word from my surgeon is the radiation I had 4 yrs ago had cause a good amount of damage to my bladder. No wonder I've had the issues I've had to deal with. It's still a lot less than the challenges other cancer patients face so I have to keep that in perspective. Follow up in 10 days to discuss long term options because I can't keep doing this every 60 days. Later

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Emergency room, again

This,is getting a little old and more of an inconvenience. July 21 - stricture, emergency room, catheter July 24 - Urologist appmt, can't remove cath due to urinary track infection July 30 - Catheter comes out, begin self cath once daily Aug 4 - another stricture, emergency room, leave with catheter Depressing, frustrating, inconvenient. Off to Dallas for a few days, most likely back with urologist on Aug 8.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Stricture, sucks

Recovery was going good until yesterday. Woke up, had a stricture. Full bladder, can't go, catheter doesn't help. Siting in the emergency room Cancer sucks!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

minor surgery yesterday went well

It's all part of the follow up maintenance. I look at it like it's a car and you need to tune up/fix up as needed as time goes on. This is the second time I've had this procedure done and most likely I'll need it again in 2 years or so. It's called a cystolitholapaxy. frickin cancer, it won't take me down, no way. Hope you all have a fantastic 4th of July Holiday weekend be safe bob

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Ups and downs and fighting on

Well, back on the hormone meds (Lupron), its doing its job and lowering my PSA which is awesome! On the other hand, it's kicking my ass. Fatigue Hot flashes (you have to see them to believe how dramatic) Weight gain Mood swings(no chick flicks please) To keep things in perspective I would rather deal with that RSI effects than have the cancer active and spreading, that's a no brainier. Another drag, my inside sales partner has had a reoccurrence of breast cancer and faces two surgeries and about 3 months off. In keeping things in perspective, she has a much harder road than I do. S please join me in sending prayers her way. Tanny is awesome and I know she'll beat this damn cancer once again, She's a fighter. If you're reading this, help us raise awareness, we need to find a cure fore cancer. Thx, until next time.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Unstoppable hot flashes

WOW! it's been about 4 straight days now with some wicked hard hot flashes. And progressively getting worse. Major sweats and tough imbalance....hot for 2-3 minutes, sweating head to toe and then I get the chills. The cycle repeats itself 12-15x per day. I see my oncologist in 2 weeks and I need to ask about how to best handle these. Last time we added more Gabapentin at night. Nights are the toughest, I wake up swearing, then freezing and just can't get a good nights sleep. I often can't fall asleep until midnight and then am up as early as 4am. I need to tough it out. Had to go see the urologist today, Dr Kris Gaston, the Dr. who first gave us he cancer news. It was good to see him again. Why today? I've had ton of blood in my urine all day. We looked at last Feb Ct scan, he noticed a bladder stone. He ordered another one for this week and a Cysto appmt on Tuesday, 5/28. Hopefully we'll figure out what's causing all the blood. Until next time. Oh btw, what was super impressive was that Dr. Gaston remember who,I was from 4 yrs ago, cool.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Hitting the wall

I've recognized that since being back on Lupron, fatigue is coming in spurts. A good example was this weekend where is was a busy week....a little stressful since its the last few days of our Q1. On Saturday, boom, I woke up normal time, went down for my normal routine but last about 2 minutes and went back to bed. Slept until 11am...I hit the wall. Today, woke up at 6, went down and took my daily meds and went vp back to bed...slept until 11 am again. This afternoon I started feeling a little more like myself. Should be back to great energy tomorrow. No physical activity this weekend, to much rain but we need it so no complaints. Until next time, have fun, smile :) And do a good deed daily

Monday, April 22, 2013

Rough day...all in perspective

Man today was tough....I couldn't regulate my body temperature. One minute I was hot, sweating and stripping clothes and within minutes I. Was freezing and adding as many layers as possible. During lunch I opted for a walk with my wife and it was about 62 degrees but windy. Believe it or not, I had 3 layers on top (incl hooded sweatshirt) and 3 layers on the bottom (yes, incl long underwear) and I'm glad I did. Even up until now, almost midnight, I'm adding and stripping layers as the body temp fluctuates. I try to keep it all in perspective, if my cancer goes into remission, this stuff is a minor inconvenience. Be well you all, until next time.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Feeling good

So far so good, energy levels have been really good which is great. Lupron has a side effect of fatigue and I've only had a couple of day where I hit the wall but overall it's been good. Today, I guess I needed rest and slept late but I spent 7 hrs outside doing lawn work, yard clean up, walking Mocha and burned a ton of calories. Dr Reza said "get ripped" and I'm working on it! Until next time

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The pros and cons of Lupron

Last time on hormone treatment the side effects were tough given the 2 drugs I was taking. Lupron & Casodex This time it's only Lupron. Damn, this is one powerful drug. The Pros: In only 4 weeks time, is helped drop my PSA from 2.0 to 0.2 which is great. I'm sure it will be 0.0 next time. The Cons: this drugs side effects are relentless. First come the hot flashes and while they aren't as bad as last time, they are still there. The ones at night make it though to get a good nights sleep. Then there is the fatigue, which I'm forcing myself to counter by staying active...but all of a sudden I hit a wall and just need to lie down. (Makes I trough to drive while you're sleeping but I'm practicing so stay off the roads!) Then there are the mood swings...more on that next post Hanging in there as I always know someone has it worse than me. Especially in the light of the Boston Marathon victims. Keep,them in your thoughts and prayers. Later

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Tax day is here

And this year is a dandy. Thanks to being forced to sell Convio stock and AMT... We owe the Feds $46k and he state $13k I take my hard earned money, get taxed on it once...then make wise investments and get taxed on it again. Sucks

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Busy day, side effects don't help

Good day today with yard work: - picked almost every weed - cut the lawn...twice because its growing like crazy. - cleaned the garage - washed my car - filled the bird feeders - laid on the hammock and enjoyed the short rest Glad I'm able to stay active and get outside and work as I hear the birds sing like crazy. I'm going to kick PCa, round 2 and I'm winning. Thx for the thoughts and support.

A lower score is a good thing

HooRay HooRay, a lower score on my PSA! Met with my Oncologist on Monday, had my PSA taken and it came back at 0.2.....down from 2.0 from just 4 weeks ago. Just Awesome! Round 2 with cancer and I'm going to win this round My Prostate Cancer doesn't realize who it's dealing with :) Thx to everyone for all the positive thoughts.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Cancer is losing, side effects are winning

Feeling good and trying to stay ahead of the side effects. - hot flashes, whatever, no big deal and I'm pretty likely to crack a joke about it, at least during the day. - fatigue, makes sense, if I wake up 4-5 times /night b/c of the hot flashes,hard to have energy in the morning so I'm trying to get on a 6 day workout to combat fatigue. 3 days cardio, mixed with 3 days strength training, bulking up "I want you to get ripped" is what Dr. Reza told me so those are the orders. I'm and on board. That's it for now, root for. Steve Stricker in the Masters 2013

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

the drugs are working again...

hooray, hooray. my PSA is lower today! after only one month on hormone treatment, my PSA went from 2.0 down to 0.2 great meeting with my Oncologist on monday, all signs are good. he wants me to 'get ripped'....which is a change. Last conversation was to do cardio 3x per week and stretch. Now, he wants cardio 3x per week and strength training 3x...get ripped. last time I was on hormone treatment I lost too much muscle mass and this time around I need to stay ahead of it. Dr. Reza has another patient about my age who is lifting weights and it's helped so that's my marching orders. imagine me, ripped. Here goes!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Looks like I need splecheck, ha!

Ok, so last post I asked if anyone used MyFitnessPal as an app, let me know if you do. Motivation as friends work out together is proven to work, let's connect if you're working out towards a goal. Health wise, doing good. I talked to a colleague of mine today who has a daughter who has a very rare form/condition of leukemia and she is one of two people who have her condition in the US? I'm all ears when someone is going through the BAM! Of facing cancer and in this case it's very rare. His daughter is facing a bone marrow transfer which is one of the more risky surgeries....and the donor is his younger daughter. Shit, I have it easy by comparison. Do me a huge favor, pray for David and his family, they need it more than I do.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

MyFitmessPay app

Des anyone use it? If so, let me know, I'd like to hook op with a few friends to keep the motivation going. Let me know, thx

Is it hot in here or is it just me

Oh yeah, the hot flashes are back. Had about 6-8 so far today with a few the full head to toe sweat kind. The price to pay for beating cancer, on well, should make for a few good laughs during some business meetings

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Side effects...yup

Okay, I received my first Lupron shot on 3/11 and its designed to starve the prostate cancer which for me is now active again. Oh yeah, just like clockwork, ,the side effects are kicking in already. I go back to the DR. On April 8th and I'm sure by then they will be in full swing. Early signs, mood swings? (Maybe its because I lost my aunt/godmother yesterday) hot flashes? Maybe it's because I ate very spicy food today...we'll see. More later, be well and Go Badgers!!!

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Back on meds

Monday morning, a shot of Lurpon. Welcome back to hormone treatment. Last time it included a second drug, Casodex but this time it will only be Lupron. As a reminder, prostate cancer's food source is testosterone so the Lupron treatment is designed to shut down the testosterone production in my body. If the food source is taken away, the cancer should be starved and go into remission. Last time the side effects were, well, more than interesting. More on that later, I'm going to kick this cancer again, no doubt about it.

Friday, March 8, 2013

It's back active, time to shut it down again

Well, I had my PSA taken on Tuesday and just got the results. It's up from 1.3 to 2.0 so the freakin cancer is back active. Monday, 9:30am, back on Lupron.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

PSA is still 1.3 which is good

It's been a little stressful lately. But good news is the bone and CT scans are clean. Last PSA was 1.3, good that its steady, hopefully it will go down when I go back on March 5th. Appreciate all the thoughts and prayers, you all give me strength. Thank you Until next time

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Post scan meeting, not real relaxing

Met with my Dr. today and it was clear he's concerned that the cancer is back active. My blood pressure was 166/111, I guess I was a little stressed too. The good news is the scans came back clean but it's puzzling that there are some cancer cells "lurking somewhere" in my body but aren't showing up. Dr. Reza is convinced we need to make sure it is a recurrence and then we'll choose treatment options. It's very evident my Dr. is worried about putting me on hormone treatment again given what I physically and mentally went thro last time. They took my PSA today, we'll see what it's at this time. More later

Friday, February 8, 2013

Scans today

At the hospital for my Bone scan and CT scans Here we go again Kickin PC This cancer won't slow me down

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

It's back

Sept, 2012 - PSA = .1 Oct, 2012 - PSA = .2 Jan 2, 2013 - PSA = .7 Jan 28, 2013 - PSA = 1.3 The last two visits with my Oncologist, he said that if the PSA got to a level of .7 or higher, he would be concerned. We talked two days ago, before the results came back and he said if over .7, we would discuss options. Next steps, setting up a CT Scan and a Bone Scan to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or the bone (Prostate cancers two favorite places). Then I'll review the results with Dr. Reza. Treatment options: go back on Lupron either with Intermittent treatment (on 1 yr, off 1 yr, etc) or go on Lupron for the rest of my life. Quality of life has a lot to do with this because the first time on hormone treatment it was hell. I shed a few tears today, guess I wasn't ready for the cancer to come back so soon. Staying positive