DVT Update

Well, thought it was high time for an update...

My DVT treatment is well underway and an amazing experience thus far.

Timeline:

7-10 days the pain in my right leg subsided and my leg shrunk back to a more normal size.

2nd week: back pain much less.

3rd week: to the day, sleep was amazing better with 2.5 hour lengths between get-up-and-pee times instead of 1 to 1.25 hours each time. So far, this has continued!

AND... back pain subsided enough to be able to turn on my sides without the usual horrible pain afterward - and no leg cramps either.

ALSO... energy levels seem up a bit.

Let's hope this continues. Oh, my back MRI showed just regular deterioration and no need for surgery.

Earlier I had 2 compressed disks, 1 herniated, calcium deposits up the spine and arthritis developing in the lower portion of my back.

Back to writing I go... until next time!



#DVT

#DeepVeinThrombosis

#deepveinthrombosis

#bloodthinner

#compressionsock

 

Another Fantastic Voyage

Now I have embarked on another 'Fantastic Voyage' upon the waves of the deep ocean of life.

Beating Prostate Cancer and completing treatments over 20 months ago was great, and having a current PSA reading of 0.13 is fantastic.

But now it is at least a year of blood thinners and a special sock to combat DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis. Blood clots in my right leg will dissolve away - but I must watch for breathing problem in case a clot or two is too large for my lungs to handle.

This situation makes every day special for me, garnished gracefully with a gentle sense of peace at being solely in the hands of Almighty God - a breath away from eternity. Though complications are supposedly rare, one never knows. Someone is always that 1 in a 1000 or 1 in a 100.

First: I experienced shortness of breath during a trip to Amsterdam October 1, 2014 and climbing 56+ steep stars to my hotel room. It felt like running 4 miles but unable to recover quickly. It was strange because I felt nothing at the end of August climbing almost twice as many of the same type of steep stairs at the Blarney Castle outside of Cork, Ireland to kiss the famous stone - I was concerned.

Upon return home I experienced breath shortness in the middle of the night and even when walking 1/2 block. I thought/hoped this was related to a minor lung infection or a minor bronchitis attack. It was not until a few weeks later that, all of a sudden, I had horrible pain in my right leg. After three more days I went to my NEW doctor and was sent straight to emergency. I had a similar swelling problem in my left leg almost a year prior and my former doctor only gave me water pills, even though a simple search at the Mayo Clinic website will reveal the dangers of a one-leg-affected occurrence like that one was.

I gained about 20 kilo during my prostate treatment (a 10-15 kilo gain is normal for average frame folk) and already have a back with at least two compressed disks, a herniated one, calcium deposits up the spine, and arthritis, so it had been difficult to lose weight.

Now I am doing my own combo-variation of the Gérard Depardieu/Supermodel/Doctor's diet variation - 4 kilos down in the 4 days since I began. So far so good.

Well, I'll continue on a write a post to see how all this goes and turns out and work on my newest book for release next year’s end… I hope.

Until next time . . .

 

 

#DVT

#DeepVeinThrombosis

#deepveinthrombosis

#bloodthinner
#GérardDepardieu
 

The Slow Return of Energy!

Since November 15, 2012 I have been renovating our home that we will move in to during May 2013.

At first my energy levels were very low and pushing myself to work long hours was very difficult. As the months passed I felt my energy levels slowly rise. At nearly five months after my last injection of testosterone blocker I am still experiencing fatigue, but nothing like what I experienced during radiation treatments coupled with the shots.

I returned to my job today and started my carrot. celery, cherry tomato, etc. lunch plan for as long as I can stand it - to get rid of some of the extra baggage I was warned I would accumulate during treatments and was so privileged to have received, ha, ha. I was told the norm is between 10 - 15 kilos conservatively - and maybe 25+. I stopped stepping onto the scale that day (January 2012) and will wait until my old work pants fit again before I return to that dreaded kilo measuring device.

The loss of testosterone precludes the body's normal fat/calorie burning mechanism and the pounds/kilos roll on...

I've been laying carpet lately and these pics reveal the bedroom that used to have old linoleum, wall-paper and nicotine beige colors (as partially visible on the door in the top pic).

The whole house was dripping with nicotine stains from the smoker who rarely, if ever. left the home, but smoked nonstop. Oil base paint was a must for the first coat, followed by 2-4 coats of the finish color. The plus side - always look for a plus side - is that I'm sure most insects won't tolerate a smoke entrenched environment, so... no bugs in the woodwork.

I went from 2.5 - 3.5 hours a day working time in November to 6-7 (or more) by mid April. Hoping I recoup everything over the next few months. I was told things should begin to start getting back to normal after 3-4 months, that was in January. I was also told all looks well and the doctor would see me again January 2014.

Until next time...

Keeping Busy & Focused

Ingeborg Helmersen

I have noticed in the past that many folks being treated for any variety of cancers commence upon a journey that remains virtually self-focused and eventually leads to a defeatist attitude, though verbally they display 'high hopes' for wellness - one can visually see the plastic-like emotions behind their fading hope the same as one can observe the false happiness of a salesperson.

Anne Ousland

Personally, I kept working every day and writing on my fiction stories when possible. Now I will embark on a journey of total internal remodeling project (see pics of our new small home) during the waning away of the side effects of treatment.

Bertha Torbjoernsen

I do know that years of treatment will (can wear one down - just this one year was more than enough for me. One becomes extremely tired of not sleeping more than an hour at a time throughout the nights, going every day for radiation treatments, having your 'malady' in front of your eyes instead of on the pathway behind you, etc.

Rasmus Strømme

But... my point is... make an attempt to find something to focus on. Maybe a hobby, taking up line-dancing, book binding, music, drama... anything to enjoy life, whether you have a few months or dozens of years ahead.

Rasmus Strømme

 Eventually I plan to write a short story (or Flash Fiction) piece dealing with "Numbering Our Days" and making the most of them.

Until next time... have a wonderful Holiday Season and end of year 2012!

Photo by me

The paintings are from the early 1900s and onward and by various artists – the first painting was created by my wife’s grandmother. The home in the foreground (right side) is our newly purchased home.

My Only Friend, The End...

No, not the Doors' song 'The End', but I had my final injection on Monday the 15th of October 2012.

I had a different nurse than the previous 3 injections and this one hurt. I also was well aware that it was an implant going into the stomach lining, whereas before it went so smooth I had no idea anything had been blasted into that area.

Stopped the laxative, the pills to soften the bladder wall and finished radiation all last Tuesday. Still need to use the john 2-3 times in a row (5 minutes) about every hour at night and can hardly wait for this side effect to dissipate.

Working every day and did not take any sick leave time - it's best to keep going and focus on your goals. That way you will never have time to worry about anything... if you are the worrying type. If you 'know' God is always in control, then you will be fine no matter what your experience entails anyway.

English actor Geoffrey Hughes has passed away

English actor Geoffrey Hughes has passed away

2 February 1944 – 27 July 2012

Prostate cancer has claimed the life of one of my favorite English actors. I am fortunate enough to have his personalized autographed picture hanging on the wall here by my desk. I sent him a birthday greeting a number of years ago, not expecting anything in response, but out of his big heart he replied.

I especially enjoyed him as the character "Onslo" in the British sitcom "Keeping Up Appearances" - a must see for you Americans.

An excerpt from Wikipedia:

As well as a wide range of TV and film appearances, Hughes was best known for a series of supporting roles in popular UK television dramas. He played Vernon Scripps in the British drama series Heartbeat (2001–05, 2007); Twiggy in the popular television comedy The Royle Family (1998–2000, 2006, 2008); Onslow in the sitcom Keeping Up Appearances (1990–95) and Eddie Yeats in the soap opera Coronation Street (1974–83, 1987).

R.I.P. Mr. Hughes

7.5 Weeks of Radiation

Yes, this is the place I lay down upon every week day.


Five weeks of radiation beam treatment are over with only 17 additional 'focused' zaps to go.


I have felt a lot more fatigued this past week and have that stiff pain in my neck and those nagging background headaches.


Looking forward to it all being over and the side effects to wind down - the oncologist said side effects can endure for six months.