New Hampshire

Joy Scale: 11/10
How can my joy be 11 out of 10 you ask? That's easy I'm in New Hampshire visiting my 4 Grandchildren. They always bring lots of joy to my life especially when I visit them. I am only here for four days, but that four days is full of love and laughter. This morning my Son, my Granddaughter Mhrissa, and I went along with my youngest Grandson Jacob while he delivered several Christmas wreaths to the neighbors. Jacob is a Boy Scout and he sold the wreaths to them a few weeks ago. It was a beautiful morning to walk around the neighborhood. A great morning to be alive.
The side effects of the new hormone implant haven't changed any. I still get numbness and a bit of swelling in my hands and feet. Hopefully that will go away in time. The increase in bone pain is the same. I have learned over the years that the human body is remarkably adaptable.
Until the next time I blog I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Peace and Love to All

Update

JOY SCALE: 10/10

Hi All, An update on the effects of the new hormone implant medicine known as Lupor. My bone pain has increased in the area of my two ribs behind my right shoulder blade. This area always hurts, but the pain has increased significantly since the medicine change. I've had two other side effects that are supposed to be temporary and they involve my hands and feet. Those side effects are swelling, numbness, and tingling. I was also experiencing some depression and have since returned to my happy self. So I would say overall that the change in medicines is progressing smoothly and with few side effects that I can't handle.

Enjoy the nice weather and Happy Thanksgiving just in case I don't have anything to write about before then.

Peace and Love to All

Treatment Changes

JOY SCALE: 9/10

Hi, Thursday I had an appointment at the VA for my 3 month hormone injection. The hormone was called Zoladex which is an anti-androgen. In other words the hormone stops the production of my testosterone. Prostate cancer feeds on testosterone. The injection nurse notifies me that there will be a change in my hormone meds. The VA went back to a hormone called Lupron. It is very much similar to Zoladex, but with a couple of different side effects. The side effects are swelling of the hands and feet and numbness of the hands and feet. Of course I could experience some of the other side effects such as nausea, blurred vision, etc, but hopefully I won't. The other difference is that the Lupron only needs to be injected every 6 months whereas the Zoladex was every 3 months. That doesn't make a difference to me because I live 2 miles from the VA, but for those that have to travel a long way it will be a blessing. So far I haven't felt much difference with the hormone change. Great news, my PSA is 0.02!!! Yeah.

Tonight I took my beautiful wife to a concert at the Schuster Center. All is well at the homefront.

Peace and Love to All

Honor

JOY SCALE: 9/10
Hello, Today I received the following powerful messages in my email and they served to remind me that I am not fighting this cancer alone. That special person has done much, much more than I can write in this blog, but I will share a few of the things she does. She has been there from the beginning making sure I took the proper supplements and ate the right food. She took me to every appointment and sat by my side in the doctor's office. During my appointments she would ask questions and make suggestions concerning my treatments. At home she would research prostate cancer and look for any new treatments or ideas. That special woman is my Wife and I want her to know how grateful I am that she stood by my side and took on this huge and daunting task with me. We feel like both of us have prostate cancer and we are fighting this disease together. Thank you Karen for all that you have done and continue to do. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you. I Love and Honor you.

Elder's Meditation of the Day - November 4
"The honor of the people lies in the moccasin tracks of the woman. Walk the good road.... Be dutiful, respectful, gentle, and modest my daughter... Be strong with the warm, strong heart of the earth. No people goes down until their women are weak and dishonored, or dead upon the ground. Be strong and sing the strength of the Great Powers within you, all around you."
--Village Wise Man, SIOUX
The Elders say the Native American women will lead the healing among the tribes. We need to especially pray for our women, and ask the Creator to bless them and give them strength. Inside them are the powers of love and strength given by the Moon and the Earth. When everyone else gives up, it is the women who sings the songs of strength. She is the backbone of the people. So, to our women we say, sing your songs of strength; pray for your special powers; keep our people strong; be respectful, gentle, and modest. Oh, Great One, bless our women. Make them strong today.

This is a fitting way to start off my blog. Until next time
Peace and Love to All

I'm Back!!!

JOY SCALE: 9/10
Hello All, I am going to try a different approach to writing in my blog. Back in August 09 I realized that I had run out of any useful prostate cancer information that I could pass on to you. I am going to share any new information concerning prostate cancer that I discover, but it won't be daily. I am still going to share some of my personal adventures covering my cancer treatment and my life in general. There will still be lots of humor because I like humor and much healing is done with laughter. I will still notify everyone every time there is a new blog entry unless you tell me not to. I welcome any suggestions or ideas. Remember you have cancer, cancer doesn't have you. You are in control of your health.

Peace and Love to All