Saturday, December 17, 2016

New Oncologist in Austin

Well I'm now in the care of Dr. Shrikhande and she's very nice. Based on both my younger brother and I being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer before the age of 50, she wants to do some genetic testing. Should be interesting. AND the good news from the visit, blood work came back and my PSA is less than 0.1 Woo Hoo! still in remission, screw cancer.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Yippie! IT'S MOVEMBER season!

Check out my Movember page, I'm the captain at Splunk and we've got some great MOmentum

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

New PSA results

Just like it should be, the PSA ready came back less than 0.1 Cancer is still in remission, fantastic Now I can channel my energy to growing a Mo!

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Don't look now but Movember is fast approaching, yippie!

Hey there everyone, This Movember, I'm raising funds for men's health. Will you join my team? It doesn’t matter if you’re a Mo Bro or a Mo Sista, Movember is for everyone. I’m supporting the Movember Foundation because they’re tackling some of the most significant health issues faced by men. Learn more about the important work and impact the Movember Foundation is having: Get involved! Together we can stop men dying too young. Bob Evans

Monday, September 12, 2016

PSA results are in.....

ah yes, another reading of "less than 0.1" which means the cancer is still in remission. Yippie!

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

End of ADT for now

Met with my oncologist and we decided to stop the Androgen Deprivation Therapy for now. We'll monitor the PSA as usual and watch for any increase. Dr. Reza also recommended I start yoga to help with my back pain. Benefits are flexibility, strength and muscle tone. Time to search for a yoga class. Stay tuned for the PSA results...

Friday, August 5, 2016

another CT Scan needed?

well, my surgeon wants me to get another CT-Scan done monday because he sees a spot on one of my kidneys that he wants to take a closer look at.... so he told me it was nothing to worry about but as human nature would have it, I am. Most likely it's nothing but having cancer never lets you let your guard down. another update next week

Sunday, July 24, 2016

I'm a film star...

Well, not really. Yesterday I was one of about 14 people interviewed by Movember, yes, video taped. It was an opportunity for me to tell my story, share personal experiences and to mentor other men who are newly diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. It's all part of a huge initiative being created and it's called TrueNTH, True North. I'm very honored to be able to take part and "pay it forward". Over the past 2 days I've met other PCa patients and made some very good friends. We're all part of a fraternity that we didn't choose to join but collectively we're all working to raise awareness and change the conversation.

Friday, July 22, 2016

And tomorrow....

I become a movie star... More later 😀

Movember Ascent project work

It's been great working with some incredibly bright Dr's and web design folks as we create what is going to be a fantastic resource for patients like me on ADT, Androgen Deprivation Therapy. Face to face meeting in Ann Arbor today, it went great. Thanks to Dr. Peterson for inviting me to participate as a patient advocate. It feels great to give back

Thursday, June 30, 2016

All the plumbing is good

Met this week with Dr. Peterson from Duke, my miracle worker. The reconstructive surgery he did back in January, 2014 and it changed my quality of life dramatically. Well, my annual checkup showed all the plumbing is in great shape, kidneys look great and blood work is great. All good for another year, next plumbing checkup, June, 2017. Until next time

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

MLB adds light blue

This article moved me to tears. After seeing pink in the NFL for years, it's great to see another major sport get involved, this time for men. While I'd like to say "it's about time", I'm glad I'm seeing this effort. http://www.forbes.com/sites/darrenheitner/2016/06/07/mlb-adds-color-to-fight-against-prostate-cancer/#7eff8d99757c give it a read

PSA is low again

Just had my quarterly visit with my Oncologist, my PSA came in at 'less than 0.1'. great news. I also received my 4th shot of Eliguard, I'm good for another 90 days. good news is good

Sunday, May 1, 2016

All good, Eagle Project done

So quick health update....all is good, blood pressure is under control, cancer is still in remission due to ADT drugs. Well done. I just had my annual physical, no concerns, just a need to lose a few pounds and strengthen up, nothing new :) So my son Bradley has had a long scouting career and he completed his Eagle Project on 4/30 where he and a team of scouts built an outdoor fireplace at the Museum of the Waxhaw's. Now he needs to put the final touches on his last 3 merit badges, then his last Board of Review. Fingers crossed that everything goes well. Next health update coming end of the month after meeting with my Oncologist, Dr. Reza.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Wild blood pressure ride

Back on Monday, April 4, my body didn't feel right. Headache, shortness of breath, high blood pressure (163/108), something was wrong. The after hours nurse said "go to the emergency room". So I did and within 5 minutes of arriving,,they had me hooked up to an EKG, full IV going taking blood work. By now, my BP was 195/116, nice. Well, the EKG, the blood work, the CT Scan all turned out normal. I take 5mg of Norvasc daily, they gave me another 5mg and after 3 hours my BP was 'down to' 157/102 so they let me go and told me to contact my PCP. So for I week I was on 2 BP medications and taking my BP every day and it came in around 135/95 daily. So I called my numbers into my PCP and she added another med. For the last week I've been on a third BP medication and my BP is coming in around 104/70....and I feel tired and sluggish all day. Looks like we're going to need a little more adjustment. Fun, fun

Sunday, April 10, 2016

PSA check, all good

I recently had an appointment with my Oncologist and he took my PSA again. It's been 9 months since I started ADT, Androgen Deprivation Therapy and so far, it's knocking my cancer into remission. the latest PSA results, no different, less than 0.1 Dr. Reza did comment on how well I've been able to handle the side effect, he was very complimentary although he did get on me about strength training and avoiding muscle loss. So now I'm back doing squats, push ups, working on the muscles. It's been 7 years since my diagnosis March, 2009 and quote the journey. Every day is a fight and I try to stay positive along the way. thanks to everyone who has supported me, very much appreciated.

Monday, March 28, 2016

good feedback from my Oncologist

I met with my Oncologist again today, they drew blood to check the PSA. Blood Pressure was sky high again, 167/106, not sure why. Dr. Reza complimented me and said I was handling being on Androgen Deprivation Therapy very, very well. He emphasized this 2-3 times, makes me feel good that I'm dealing with the side effects well. He did chew me out because I'm not doing any strength training so I'll start today. one side effect of ADT is loss of muscle mass so I need to pay attention to this. overall, a good appointment. taking it one day at a time.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

A quick 9 years

Gosh, it's been 9 years since we moved from Ohio to Charlotte. Time flies when you're having fun, right? 😳 Well for the most part it's been great, up until 7 years ago when the Dr. said "you have high risk, aggressive Prostate Cancer and we're going to throw everything at it in order to keep you alive". Wow, that threw a wobble in my orbit but I took a very positive attitude towards beating the cancer. Fast forward 7 years and after several surgeries and radiation, my cancer is in remission (knock on wood). One day at a time and thankful for every day. Until next time

Monday, March 14, 2016

Disappointed....

...but not surprised. Rachel has been unresponsive in my attempts to contact her to find out if she's going to join me in Bali. My gut says she's never intended on going which is unfortunate, this is a trip of a lifetime. I think Rachel if fearful of how her mom would react if she said yes and went on the trip. Her mom has the fear of God in her and actually threatened her and said if she went on the trip, Rachel would need to move out, really? Well, I tried and I know Rachel will look back and regret not going on the trip.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Happy anniversary it's seven years!

Seven years ago today, my urologist said to me the words "you have cancer, prostate cancer not the slow-growing kind but the aggressive high risk kind the kills men". He continued and said " we are going to need to throw everything under the kitchen sink at this including surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and most likely chemotherapy." Well, fast forward 7 years, while I have been through several major surgeries, radiation, hormone therapy, I still wake up every day thankfully with my cancer still in remission. Life is good 😂

Friday, March 4, 2016

Can you say WOW?!!!

So last week we had our Global Sales kickoff meeting and I learned that I qualified for our President's Club trip. Awesome! The trip is to a dream location...Bali, Indonesia, how about that! I've invited my daughter who is finishing her Freshman year at UNC Charlotte and because she wants to do a semester abroad in Japan next year, we would stop over in Japan on the way back home to check it out. Fingers crossed that Rachel takes me up on the invitation to take the trip of a lifetime!

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

PSA low, business is high!

Last check, PSA came in at 0.01, awesome! Cancer remains in remission, thankfully. Fiscal Year 2016 ended on a high note,I was blessed enough to qualify for President's Club! This years trip goes to ....Bali, Indonesia. A dream location, at a brand new Four Seasons Resort. I've invited my daughter, Rachel to join me as this is the trip of a lifetime. Since Rachel wants to do a semester abroad in Japan, this trip can give great international exposure. Fingers crossed that she says yes and we go have an awesome time. Stay tuned

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Another great SKO

Last week in Vegas was full of great information, friendship, recognition and motivation. As we get going in our new Fiscal Year, lots of high energy and the need to get going! Time to get busy

Friday, February 26, 2016

Another dose of Eligard

On Tuesday, March 1st I get my quarterly injection of Eligard to help cut off the testosterone production in my body that will cut off the food source for my cancer. So far so good. Physical advice is to start jogging instead of walking, must start March 1st

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Low PSA, brutal hot flashes

My PSA came back at < 0.1 which means the Androgren Deprivation Therapy is working. BUT, the side effects are more prevalent than ever. The Hot Flashes are brutal, if I'm not sweating, I'm shivering because I'm wet from head to toe. About every 10-15 minutes, all day...this is the worst it's been. I'm hoping my Oncologist can find some medication that can help. Stay tuned

Tuesday, January 5, 2016