No News Is Good News

Nothing really to report, which is good news.

I'm playing the same 'symptom - no symptom' game.  Still have some burning and pain but nothing extreme.

The fatigue and nausea are almost completely gone.  I'm back swimming 4 days a week, and while I'm not up to my peak-performance workouts I'm still managing 2500 to 3000 yards a day.  My stamina has grown by leaps and bounds over the last two weeks.  It's nice to feel myself getting stronger instead of weaker.

So, no news is not only good - it's great.

Mummies with prostate cancer

A very fascinating read.

Mummy Had Prostate Cancer

Some things don't change.  But I'm damn glad I live in the day and age that I do.

Good News Everyone! (Redux)

I went in for my three month PSA check this morning and everything is chugging along right on schedule.

My PSA dropped from 4.8 right before the procedure, to 2.09 this morning. That's great news.

We also discussed my persistent side effects. And, unfortunately, those are normal and on schedule.

So all-in-all I couldn't be happier.

I'll be checked again in three months. That will be the schedule for the next few years.

So . . . yay!

3 Months - The peak of radiation.

So, here I am at the 3 month mark.

The radiation has peaked, and should start dropping off which means my side effects should really start tapering off. Good.

I went in for a PSA test today, the first since the procedure. They will monitor the PSA every three months for the next two years. That's about the only way they have to see if the treatment was effective. The PSA levels can bounce all over the place for the first year or so with brachytherapy. So, I'm not looking for a miracle on this first test.

I'll see the Doc in a couple of days, get the results of the test, and take it from there.

I'll post when I know more.

The Problem With A Compromised Immune System

As I'm sure you'll understand I have a bit of a problem with my immune system.

This isn't something new - it is related to the Prolactinoma, and possibly the arthritis. But with the prostate cancer and the radiation it seems to be a bit worse.

Which brings me to last week.

I got, what I realize now, was a touch of the flu. But when you're sick any little thing sets of a roller coaster of turmoil. Is it the cancer? Side effects of treatment? Or, and this is the scary one, something new?

Because, you know, I just don't spend enough time thinking about my health. I would love to take a vacation for a few days. Unfortunately, it's impossible to vacation from yourself.

Well, not without anesthesia. :)

But I'm back baby! Ready to go. Now if I just had last week back . . . :)

And another week down

It's been an interesting week.

The fatigue is gone, the nausea is gone, and the other symptoms seem to each have their 'special day'. One day, I'll have a restricted urinary flow, the next . . . well, there's an analogy about a race horse in there somewhere. Use your imagination.

It's interesting. In a clinical sort of way.

The other side effects come and go. None of them are incapacitating. Just irritating. Well, and sometimes painful.

I'm also getting that feeling of 'sitting on a golf ball' that some patients have reported. That's okay, I don't like hard chairs. :)

I am very much looking forward to the next couple of months and slowly returning back to 'normal'. Whatever that is.

I had an appointment with my endocrinologist the other day. (For an unrelated condition - a Prolacinoma) I did not take the hormone therapy because this lovely little nugget I have in my noggin suppresses testosterone. I had been on bi-monthly injections until the diagnosis in April. Anyway, we were discussing when I could start the testosterone again because honestly - the side effects from the brachytherapy are irritating, but the lack of testosterone permeates every part of my life. It's kind of a double whammy.

It's not looking like he will be willing to start the treatments any time in the near future.

That sucks.

Side Effect Redeux

Well, I seem to be on a 'side effect' roller coaster.

Just when I think I've put some things behind me . . . BOOM! There they are again.

It's not incapacitating. It's just a little miserable. And annoying.

Dang will I be glad with the next few months are over.

Of course, I also know that if I could get back on the bike my perspective would be much better. I really thought I would get to catch a little bit of summer, but no such luck.

Well, that's what heated clothing is for. :)