A week of Freedom

Friends,

Good Monday morning to all. I suspect everyone is still recovering from the Christmas hangover (not the drinking kind) and looking forward to seeing the new year in. Today, I am celebrating 1 week of being catheter free and progressing well in the process of returning to normal. Yesterday was a good day at church, got to lead the Sunday School lesson for the first time in about 2 months and enjoyed the services without any "attachments".

No doc visits this week, first time I've had a doc free week in two months. Next week I return to Dr. Polsky for a progress check. I am confident things are going the way they are suppose too. Once again, in the interest of being open and at the risk of being too frank, there are some things worth mentioning for the benefit of those who may be dealing with prostate cancer and/or recovering from treatments.

I wear pads to prevent wetting my clothes. There is some leakage issues (normal) and the later in the day it gets, the worse it becomes. All our muscles get tired by the end of a day. Same is true with bladder and urinary control muscles too. There is some blood in my urine but that too is expected. All in all, while not perfect by any stretch, things are pretty good and I am confident I am on track for a complete recovery and normal functionality. God has begun a healing in me and I know he will complete it! I will admit though, yesterday I watched football for about 6 hours and both the teams I wanted to win, did win (Panthers and Dolphins) and the one I hoped would lose, lost (Cowboys). Sometimes a little too much excitement cause by a great play made the pads come in real handy :-/

As I count down the last few days of 2008, I look back with gratitude for so many wonderful blessings. I have seen some of my worst days but seen even more great days....but those of you who know me already knew that too! For ALL you "special" people who have made my life so good, may God bless you all. I love YOU.

Time for this posting to find a good stopping place. I am told often how so many of you are following this blog. It always makes me smile. I am especially happy when I learn that other men who are faced with a diagnosis of prostate cancer are reading this and finding some comfort in knowing they too will be OK. And not just men, wives and daughters and sister will hopefully see this and learn that prostate cancer is NOT the end to a normal life.

Time to go. Have a wonderful Monday, it will be the last one this year! Thanks for praying for me...don't forget to pray for others who are sick and hurting, homeless and helpless, pray for our children and for each other.

"Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me"

Mike