amyth,
...aphasia where I couldn't talk or type for several days, which was really scary
Yikes! Scary, indeed.
I can't access that strong version of myself every day.
The mantra that helped me was "Just do the next thing." Then the next....
Dawn: Is that supposed to scare me? Spike: Little tremble wouldn't hurt.
'The Killer In Me'
Goodbye and Good Riddance: Hey, at least you didn't get a Peloton. (2019)
Take stock, reflect, butch, moan, vent. We are all here for it.
dcp - Jan 07, 2020 3:37:12 pm PST #104 of 140
The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.
dcp - Jan 07, 2020 3:42:41 pm PST #105 of 140
The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.
I have an update.
I finished chemotherapy on Nov. 25th, and have mostly recovered from the side effects. Â Strength and stamina are slowly coming back. I can taste ham again!
On Dec. 31st I had my follow-up CT scan and whole-body bone scan. Â Yesterday (Jan. 6th) I met with my oncologist to learn the results:
- No new tumors on my bones, and the ones already present are smaller now.
- No new tumors in my lymph nodes, and the ones already present are smaller now.
- My prostate gland is back down to normal size.
- My PSA level continues to decrease, it is now well into the "normal" range.
Next steps are basically "watch and wait."Â PSA testing will continue:Â a test in six weeks (mid-February) followed by one in twelve weeks (late March). Â If the PSA level remains low, then the next test after that won't be for another twelve weeks (so, mid-June). Â If the PSA level starts to increase, then we'll have to plan what to do about it. Â Unless and until that happens, the only treatment on the calendar is another injection of leuprolide (a.k.a. Lupron) in late July to keep my testosterone level and PSA level low.
So in conclusion, pretty good news. Â I'm not cured, and I'm not in remission, but the cancer is much subdued and we hope to keep it that way.
2020 is off to a much better start than last year.
Thanks for all the good wishes and support.
Jesse - Jan 07, 2020 3:43:24 pm PST #106 of 140
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
That's great to hear, dcp!
meara - Jan 07, 2020 6:25:58 pm PST #107 of 140
That's great news dcp!
Beverly - Jan 07, 2020 10:44:38 pm PST #108 of 140
Days shrink and grow cold, sunlight through leaves is my song. Winter is long.
Good news, dcp!
Fred Pete - Jan 08, 2020 2:35:44 am PST #109 of 140
Ann, that's a ferret.
Yay, dcp!
Laura - Jan 08, 2020 4:09:30 am PST #110 of 140
Our wings are not tired.
That is wonderful to hear, dcp.
Dana - Jan 08, 2020 6:37:37 am PST #111 of 140
"I'm useless alone." // "We're all useless alone. It's a good thing you're not alone."
Woohoo, dcp! Kick the cancer in the face!
EpicTangent - Jan 08, 2020 9:02:55 am PST #112 of 140
Why isn't everyone pelting me with JOY, dammit? - Zenkitty
Yay, dcp!
Calli - Jan 08, 2020 9:27:37 am PST #113 of 140
I must obey the inscrutable exhortations of my soul—Calvin and Hobbs
That's great, dcp!