September Update

Changes:

• The fatigue continues but has eased somewhat. This is to be expected as the distance (in time) from the last implant increases. But of course, this means I'm getting closer to the next implant; and so the cycle continues.

• The hot flushes continue but with less frequency and duration. Shortness of breath continues and has eased somewhat - see point 1 above.

• Night urinations have decreased to 1 or 2 per night!!

• Sleeplessness is now almost a thing of the past! I sleep very well now - between ‘pit stops’

• Tiredness has also decreased – see point 1 above!

• Hair loss - chest, stomach, under the armpits - continues but is not a problem. Less shaving required now

• Cognitive Impairment continues to improve; largely because I am forcing my brain to remember even small details - the old adage applies here - use it or lose it!!

• Confusion only rarely becomes a problem, because of the above strategy.

• Memory loss has eased considerably - again because of the above strategy!

• My 'High protein' energy drink (a breakfast supplement) has been added again along with:

Propolis - a product of honey, which has proven results for empowering the immune system; Sage – improves memory; improved, well-balanced diet; and, a milk substitute with added calcium and vitamin D – to prevent bone thinning.


Unchanged:

• My attitude remains (mostly) positive!

• Bowel movements remain good.

• I have put on weight (all over) but it looks good - so I'm told. However I'm still trying to beat the 'bubble in the middle'!


I exercise (walk) most days to stave off bone thinning and muscle atrophy and have sufficient 'down days' to allow my body time to recover. I also get plenty of 'resistence training' (strengthening various muscle groups) by wrestling with my grandchildren!

I have had to ‘work’ at balancing these two; it was only when I considered just how much my body was damaged during the Radiation Therapy that I was able to fully understand the importance of maintaining this balance!

July Update

Although somwewhat early, I thought it was time, once again, that I offered the following update. I can now report the following changes.


Changes:

• The fatigue continues ... but is much improved because: (a) I am no longer working (b) We are now living in Vina del Mar, Chile!! (c) The food here is natural i.e. no preservatives/all organic and is very cheap - suffice to say we eat VERY well!
• The hot flushes continue but with much less frequency and duration; thanks to the Androcur.
• Shortness of breath continues but is improved - see point 1 above.


• Night urinations have decreased to 1 or 2 per night!!


• Sleeplessness is now almost a thing of the past!


• Tiredness has also decreased because of the above!
• Sensitive skin IS a thing of the past.


• Hair loss - chest, stomach, under the armpits - continues but is not a problem.


• Breast (nipple) soreness and sensitivity almost gone.
• Cognitive Impairment continues to improve; largely because I am forcing my brain to remember even small details - the old addage applies here - use it or lose it!!
• Confusion rarely becomes a problem, because of the above strategy.
• Memory loss has eased considerably - again because of the above strategy!


• My long-standing battle with sinus is over!! This means I now enjoy a deeper and longer sleep time than I have for more than two decades ... yay Chile!!


• The hair on my head has become noticably thicker, particularly on the crown ... yay hormones (female)!!

Unchanged:

• My attitude is increasingly positive!
• Bowel movements remain good.
• I have maintained a weight loss of 2.5 kgs!

Now apart from the above, I can also report continued success with the use of a number of products that have helped to increase my strength and well-being.

• Berocca - available without a prescription.

I have noticed some general improvement in strength levels as a result. Berocca aids in releasing the maximum amount of energy available from the food you eat. Therefore it is very important to follow a well balanced and nutritious diet.

• 'High protein' energy drink as a breakfast supplement.

This I have noticed considerably boosts my energy level for a good start to the day!

• I also chomp on 3 or more Glucodin tablets daily.

The addition of these products has not only given me more energy at times but has also resulted in an improved diet.

I should also add, that I have been careful NOT to overdo ... just because I was feeling a little more 'normal'. I use these products, more for an improved sense of well-being; rather than an aid to 'doing more'.

While it is important to exercise sufficiently each day to stave off bone thinning and muscle atrophy; it is also important to allow your body sufficient rest each in regard to the Radiation Therapy!

June Update

I thought it was time, once again, that I offered the following update. I can now report the following changes.


Changes:

• The fatigue continues ... but is somewhat improved because the Radiation Therapy has ceased, added to this, I am no longer working, as we are flying out to our new home in Chile on 26th June!!
• The hot flushes continue but with much less frequency and duration; thanks to the Androcur.
• Shortness of breath continues but is improved - see point 1 above.


• Night urinations have decreased to 2 or 3 per night!!


• Sleeplessness has decreased as a result of the above!


• Tiredness has also decreased because of the above!
• Sensitive skin (under the armpits) continues but is not troublesome.


• Hair loss - chest, stomach, under the armpits - continues but is not a problem.


• Breast (nipple) soreness and sensitivity almost gone due to Radiation Treatment (x3).
• Cognitive Impairment continues to improve; largely because I am forcing my brain to remember even small details - the old addage applies here - use it or lose it!!
• Confusion rarely becomes a problem, because of the above strategy.
• Memory loss has eased considerably - again because of the above strategy!

Unchanged:

• My attitude remains positive!
• Bowel movements remain good.
• I have maintained a weight loss of 2.5 kgs!

Now apart from the above, I can also report continued success with the use of a number of products that have helped to increase my strength and well-being.

• Berocca - available without a prescription.

I have noticed some general improvement in strength levels as a result. Berocca aids in releasing the maximum amount of energy available from the food you eat. Therefore it is very important to follow a well balanced and nutritious diet.

• 'High protein' energy drink as a breakfast supplement.

This I have noticed considerably boosts my energy level for a good start to the day!

• I also chomp on 3 or more Glucodin tablets daily.

The addition of these products has not only given me more energy at times but has also resulted in an improved diet.

I should also add, that I have been careful NOT to overdo ... just because I was feeling a little more 'normal'. I use these products, more for an improved sense of well-being; rather than an aid to 'doing more'.

While it is important to exercise sufficiently each day to stave off bone thinning and muscle atrophy; it is also important to allow your body sufficient rest each in regard to the Radiation Therapy!

You Found Blood Where - Part 2

Some time ago I wrote about the presence of blood in my semen (or ejaculate) an excerpt follows:

Now this I wasn't expecting ... I was told, that after the Biopsy I could expect to find blood in the urine. I was also informed that I could discover blood in the semen.

However, what I wasn't told, was that my first semen sample (4 weeks after the biopsy) would be the colour and consistency of (black) tea.

Now that was a shock! I was ready for evidence of blood, albeit dark; (as bright blood would indicate present bleeding) but to all appearances, what I was observing was not semen at all!

Even now, I am surprised at the profound impact that this unexpected occurence had on me. I guess ... anything to do with the male reproductive system, is closely linked to a man's perception of his 'male-ness'. Therefore any sign that something may be amiss in that area, causes alarm responses to reverberate through to the very core of a man's self-identification.

Well, I did promise to keep you updated; but I must admit ... this is the only area of research (re Prostate Cancer) that I have deliberately avoided - not precisely sure why?

This is of course a very sensitive subject for most (if not all) men and I'm certainly no exception; but in the interest of research I finally decided to pursue the matter further.

Imagine my surprise, after finally discussing the discolouration of my ejaculate with my wife ... that she had known all along! She simply said ... almost as an aside:

"Oh, I know ... it's been discoloured for sometime"!

My shocked reaction was: "How did you know"! I was genuinely surprised, and started thinking: 'women's intuition ... we guys don't have a chance'!

But then it dawned on me: "of course she would know ... she was there"!!


Anyway, that started me thinking:

'If the ejaculate was blood-stained BEFORE the TRUS (Trans Rectal Ulta Sound) then what had caused it'? 'More research needed - but a different hypothesis'!

Then I found this (courtesy of Doctor's Lounge):

"A brownish or reddish ejaculate indicates blood in the semen and can cause concern to the men who experience it. The condition is common, and many episodes go unnoticed because ejaculation is usually intravaginally. It may be benign or the first indicator of a urologic disease.

It can occur in persons of any age. Most men with this condition are young (average age less than 40 years) and have symptoms ranging in duration from 1-24 months. Blood in the ejaculate that persists for more than 10 ejaculations or 2 months requires further evaluation by a urologist or genitourinary physician. Often, the condition is self-limiting within 2 months.

The patient's blood pressure should be checked because severe Hypertension is associated with this condition, and may have a similar basis to the association of Hypertension with nosebleeds. Other conditions that could cause blood in the ejaculate include:

*Lesions of the urethra that bleed and contribute to the ejaculate, such as polyps, warts and strictures.

*Infections of the urethra (urethritis) which may be sexually or non-sexually transmitted. Urethritis has long been recognised as a cause of bloody semen, especially in younger men.

*Inflammations of the prostate, such as prostatitis.

*Other conditions of the prostate such as bleeding after a prostate biopsy (which resolves on its own), Prostate cancer, prostatic varices, prostatic stones. Blood in the ejaculate of men older than 50 years is occasionally a harbinger of Prostate cancer.

*Cysts, infections and malignancy of the seminal vesicles (a pair of male accessory sex glands that secrete most of the liquid component of semen).

*Systemic diseases, most important of which is severe Hypertension as previously mentioned. Others in this category include bleeding disorders, chronic liver disease and Lymphoma".

The most obvious culprit? "Blood in the ejaculate of men older than 50 years is occasionally a harbinger of Prostate cancer".

That's another item to add to my 'discuss with the Urologist list!

On that note; I am seeing my Urologist this Thursday for another LHRH implant and the results of my latest PSA blood test.

Oh, and by the way ... my ejaculate is still blood stained! I know because ... I asked my wife!

Ponderings ...

I've been back at work for nearly three weeks now and much has happened. Firstly, I feel so much stronger! This is of course, very welcomed news for my wife and I. Although officially, I'm still looking at a prognosis of 3-5 years. I am pleased to say however, that the way I feel, belies this!

On 8th February, I'm due to have my next PSA (blood) test. This will hopefully show that my PSA reading has fallen even further.

I began this journey (with cancer) on 27th September last year with a PSA reading of 84.8!! This was later confirmed, and weight was added to the gravity of my circumstances; when I was found to have a 'Gleason Index' of '9' (out of 10) thus indicating that my particular cancer was the most 'aggressive' kind!

Now after two months of continuous 'hormone therapy' I'm beginning to find more reason for hope.

Firstly, the (many) side effects that I was suffering, have for the most part, abandoned their quest and left me with ... of all things ... more energy! Almost to good to be true, but I'll take it!

Secondly, I have begun to lose weight - slowly. This I attribute to two things:

(1) A very healthy (and strict) diet.

(2) A lot of exercise (mostly at work).

A Weight Lifted

Now, with the weight of the adverse side effects 'lifted', I am not so constantly reminded of my condition. This means I have actually been able to trully forget that I could only have 3-5 years to live and dare to embrace ... LIFE ... again.

And so, over the past couple of weeks, I have had time to ponder what the future might look like.

I may for instance:

Find myself once again in Ministry. A position has beckoned and we have begun the process of determining if this is the way forward.

Or, I may find myself heading up the English Department of a Medical University in Chile. Here too a position is beckoning!

Of course, there is always the possibility of a 'wild card' i.e. something from 'left field' may suddenly intrude and demand our attention.

Smart Money

Right now however, the 'smart money' is on the Chile option! Why you ask?

Well ... the first possibility, while it contains an opportunity for my 'faith' (in 'Church' i.e. the 'church system' and 'Christians' - there are christians and there are Christians!) to be restored; it also contains a risk. If this is not the correct path, many are likely to be hurt; myself included. I'm not sure that I'm sufficiently healed to take the chance - for ALL concerned! (See Heart Unburdened)

The second possibility however, well ... that is 'where my heart is'. The risk associated with this? I may disappoint those dearest to me!

I ache with an intensity, I've not known before; my 'calling draws me one way; but my heart wages valiantly against it'!

But the heart (the bible declares) is deceitful above all things! Who can really trust their heart; especially when so much is at stake? I am afraid that the wounds of the past still affect my present judgement and my confidence!

The third possibility; well who knows?

But, one thing I do know; come June we will have an answer. Should all other options remain unresolved; we head off to Chile!

Why?

Well ... my 'job' will soon contain increased responsibilities, which my body will not be able to 'keep up with' - at least not for long, without adversely affecting my health. And without the job we can no longer afford to live where we currently reside.

Therefore a 'move' would be imminent.

Added to this; with so much uncertainty surrounding our future, we need:

(1) Closure regarding our past; and

(2) A sense of direction (i.e. some certainty) regarding our future.

We are no longer willing (or able) to live without these ... come what may!