Friday, September 25, 2009

The Calendar says Sept., the temps say July!

Friends and Family,

Good Friday Morning to all. It is the end of another work week and I hope all is well in your worlds. I am blessed to be able to say "work week". It has been unusually warm this week but I know Fall and Winter are just around the corner. Wednesday was a special day, a day I will always remember anyway...it was one year since my diagnosis! I took the time to read the entries from the first few weeks of this blog, yes....I cried again reliving that time in my life. The same day, this past Wednesday, I visited a friend who's step mother had died of cancer. I could not help but ask again, "why me Lord?" Why was I spared while others are not. I probably wouldn't understand the answer anyway.

The end of PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS WEEK is here. I can say I have not heard a word on TV or radio about it. Nearly 2000 men die each month! For me, that is news worthy! I have worn my blue ribbon proudly this week but will confess too I have not talked to anyone about P.C. awareness outside my circle of friends.

So, a year ago I became a household name to many of you. As the news of my diagnosis spread, God began to hear my name on a regular basis being lifted up by people like you. To say "thanks" seems so inadequate but it is the best I can do right now. I love you all and thank you for loving and caring about me......most of all....

THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR BLESSINGS ON ME !

Friday, September 18, 2009

Prostate Cancer Awareness Week

Friends and Family,

Hello again, and greetings from a happy, healthy and recovering cancer free man. It has been almost a year since my diagnosis and coincidentally next week is Prostate Cancer Awareness Week. I would consider it a personal favor if every man friend of mine, over age 50, who has not had his physical and had his P.S.A. checked in a year....MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT DONE!!
And, if ya don't want to do it for me, do it for your family. OK! Sermon is over.

Things continue to go well and improve. Leakage has all but become a non-issue for me. When I get very tired or hear a really funny joke, it may happen but I can feel it coming on and usually head it off. This past week I (on my own) stopped taking viagra in hopes of being able to resume some kind of normal function without drugs. It is certainly too soon to tell but I remain hopeful that the nerve regeneration processes will continue without medications. I see the doc in about 3 weeks and we will have more discussion about that I am sure.

With the anniversary of my diagnosis and surgery approaching (Sept 23 and Nov 12), I took time to re-read parts of my blog. Once again I am reminded of how very blessed I am. Thank you all for your love and support and....Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Septmeber 1st

Friends and Family,

I hope life continues to treat you well. I am blessed and know it is because people like you have not forgotten me and believe it or not, even tho I don't write as much as I used too, I have not fogotten you either. It has been a very busy summer, Daddy has had two surgeries in 8 weeks but is home and on the mend now. One of the good things that happened (and there were lots) during our many visits to Greenville, NC and the East Carolina Heart Institute was stumbling across a pharmacy/medical supply business that had on hand, over the counter disposable catheters. I had searched online and found one supplier, Allegro Medical, who displayed one just like the doc had given me in their online catalog. After nearly two week from my order date I called to check the status and was told that item was discontinued. Not a very good experience and you know how I feel about customer service. Allegro Medical is not likely to get any business from me nor any recommendations. So, back to the one I found in Greenville.....it was called Healthwise. They had boxes of catheters on the shelf, no prescription necessary and 60% - 80% cheaper than any I had found online. I am going home with two boxes (60 catheters). And...since flying back and forth and having to deal with the TSA guidelines pertaining to fluid container restrictions, I needed to find some kind of sterile lubricant in packaging less than 3 oz. Hit the jackpot again, got foil packets with 1/2 oz at Healthwise.....a gross in one box for $18. I am going home all stocked up! I am cathing every other day and everything seems to be working fine for now. I do have the occasional tenderness after cathing but it is short term and I do not treat it with anything other than time. I go back to the doc next month for my routine check up and am hopeful we can reduce the dosage of viagra. Erectile function has improved, not back to pre-surgery status but much improved over the past month or so. If that is something I have to take for the rest of my "active" life, it will be a small price to pay but my goal is to be "prescription free". I don't like taking medicine and want to get off all that I can. Dont get me wrong, I am so very thankful for doctors and medicine but just want to take as little of it as possible!

So, enjoy what is left of our summer, I plan too. If anyone needs more info on my new friend, Healthwise Pharmacy, please let me know, I would love to share. Thank you for your continued love and support and prayers and Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me.

Mike