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
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
9 Months
Friends,
Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening. Happy Anniversary to ME ! Yep, just passed the 9 month mark being cancer free...GOD IS SO GOOD. Life continues to improve and things are getting back to some degree of normal. I am cathing every other day now and it seems to be keeping things "flowing" well. Found a web site that will allow me to purchase the same kind of catheters I use so I can have a supply on hand. I treat it (my cath kit) much like my American Express card...I don't leave home without it! It works, it keeps me out of the docs office and is really no big deal anymore. As far as erectile function...I think it is improving too. My last visit to the doc he asked and I told him it requires manipulation as opposed to the "normal" reaction associated with arrousal. Is kinda difficult to explain but that is as delicately as I can say it and .....the doc says, it is to be expected and things are progressing just fine. Full erectile function, if totally restored, could take in excess of 18 months! Once again, life is good and I feel blessed to be where I am in the process. If any brothers or families need info re: ordering catheters for home use, I will be glad to share what I have found with you. The internet is a great source for finding almost anything you need or want.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers...I love you all and know you love me. Most of all..... Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me !!
MR
Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening. Happy Anniversary to ME ! Yep, just passed the 9 month mark being cancer free...GOD IS SO GOOD. Life continues to improve and things are getting back to some degree of normal. I am cathing every other day now and it seems to be keeping things "flowing" well. Found a web site that will allow me to purchase the same kind of catheters I use so I can have a supply on hand. I treat it (my cath kit) much like my American Express card...I don't leave home without it! It works, it keeps me out of the docs office and is really no big deal anymore. As far as erectile function...I think it is improving too. My last visit to the doc he asked and I told him it requires manipulation as opposed to the "normal" reaction associated with arrousal. Is kinda difficult to explain but that is as delicately as I can say it and .....the doc says, it is to be expected and things are progressing just fine. Full erectile function, if totally restored, could take in excess of 18 months! Once again, life is good and I feel blessed to be where I am in the process. If any brothers or families need info re: ordering catheters for home use, I will be glad to share what I have found with you. The internet is a great source for finding almost anything you need or want.
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers...I love you all and know you love me. Most of all..... Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me !!
MR
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Summer is almost over..... :-(
Friends and Family,
Yes, July has come and gone and the end of summer is well in sight. Summer has been good tho', and I have learned how good life is.
I am doing well these day. When people ask how I am, I usually respond by telling them I am not 100% yet but I can see 100% from where I am! I still cath myself every other day and that is working well. All things considered, I'm just an ordinary guy who survived prostate cancer and has a pretty good life. That said, I thot I would use this posting to list some of the things I can and have done since my treatments/surgeries.....just so other men and their families know that life can and does go on after P.C.
Though I did have a catheter for 6 weeks, I don't have one now.
I can play golf most anytime I want too. (and is most always pretty ugly!)
I can fish with my children and grandchildren at the beach.
I can lay on the beach, have a beer and look like just another fat guy enjoying himself.
I can play with my grand-daughters and a can of silly string.
I can get up at 4:00am to go fishing with my boys.
I can still do the "hula-hoop" on my Wii (up to almost 2000)
I can work everyday in the heat and sun. (altho I dont like too so much)
I can go to the pool with my dear friend and her children and play for an afternoon.
I can attend church, lead Sunday School class and sing in the choir.
I can fly to Texas and spend a weekend with my brother and his wife floating in their pool.
I mow my yard (and weed-eat and trim the sidewalks and driveways)
I can go to the grocery store.
I can take my parents to the doctor.
I can be the designated "hushpuppy and french fry cooker" for a fish fry at the boss's house.
I can kneel and pray.
I can build a bird feeder for my yard.
Friends, there is not much if anything I CAN'T do now, eight months after my surgery for cancer. I know I am blessed and there are those who are not able to include some of the things I have above on their "can do" lists. It didn't all come in a day, or a week, or a month...and somethings are still finding their way back to normal. My point in saying this here and now is to let ALL my brothers and their families know that a little gland the size of a walnut is NOT your brain nor your heart nor your soul. You can be the same man and husband and father and person you were before your diagnosis and treatment. Set your own goals, plot your own course. Don't "what if" yourself into settling for less than you can be. God created every one of us uniquely different to fulfill a special purpose. Our job is to keep climbing the mountains in life...God will let us know when we need to stop!
Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me MR
Yes, July has come and gone and the end of summer is well in sight. Summer has been good tho', and I have learned how good life is.
I am doing well these day. When people ask how I am, I usually respond by telling them I am not 100% yet but I can see 100% from where I am! I still cath myself every other day and that is working well. All things considered, I'm just an ordinary guy who survived prostate cancer and has a pretty good life. That said, I thot I would use this posting to list some of the things I can and have done since my treatments/surgeries.....just so other men and their families know that life can and does go on after P.C.
Though I did have a catheter for 6 weeks, I don't have one now.
I can play golf most anytime I want too. (and is most always pretty ugly!)
I can fish with my children and grandchildren at the beach.
I can lay on the beach, have a beer and look like just another fat guy enjoying himself.
I can play with my grand-daughters and a can of silly string.
I can get up at 4:00am to go fishing with my boys.
I can still do the "hula-hoop" on my Wii (up to almost 2000)
I can work everyday in the heat and sun. (altho I dont like too so much)
I can go to the pool with my dear friend and her children and play for an afternoon.
I can attend church, lead Sunday School class and sing in the choir.
I can fly to Texas and spend a weekend with my brother and his wife floating in their pool.
I mow my yard (and weed-eat and trim the sidewalks and driveways)
I can go to the grocery store.
I can take my parents to the doctor.
I can be the designated "hushpuppy and french fry cooker" for a fish fry at the boss's house.
I can kneel and pray.
I can build a bird feeder for my yard.
Friends, there is not much if anything I CAN'T do now, eight months after my surgery for cancer. I know I am blessed and there are those who are not able to include some of the things I have above on their "can do" lists. It didn't all come in a day, or a week, or a month...and somethings are still finding their way back to normal. My point in saying this here and now is to let ALL my brothers and their families know that a little gland the size of a walnut is NOT your brain nor your heart nor your soul. You can be the same man and husband and father and person you were before your diagnosis and treatment. Set your own goals, plot your own course. Don't "what if" yourself into settling for less than you can be. God created every one of us uniquely different to fulfill a special purpose. Our job is to keep climbing the mountains in life...God will let us know when we need to stop!
Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me MR
Thursday, July 9, 2009
More Good News.....
Friends and Family,
Happy July and summer to ALL. Yes, I know it has been a long time since my last entry. Life got crazy a few weeks ago, Daddy had open-heart surgery, triple by-pass. It was a very physically and emotionally draining experience but all is well now. I didn't get much sleep for 3-4 days but ALL has turned out well, Daddy is doing good right now and I am doing just fine too. First of all, I am less than a week from celebrating 8 months cancer free and yesterday got my lab report that my blood test showed my PSA level as NOT DETECTABLE. GOD IS GOOD ! Prostate cancer can and does masticize into cancer in other parts and organs in the body not me! Not today. No signs that any little cancer cells escaped from the prostate and my system is clean of any cancer cells.
Just as the doc has promised, life is slowly getting back to normal. I am working regularly, playing golf regularly (though badly), work in my yard, have ridden a jet ski for the first time in my life and look forward to a good month with weekends at the beach.
Life does exist after prostate cancer and that message cannot be overstated. Too many men opt to do nothing for fear the cure is worse than the disease. It is my prayer that all men 50 years or older or with a family history of P.C. will get checked TODAY !
Again, I apologize for not updating my blog earlier. I will confess that when life is going OK and things are so busy, it is easy to allow my blog to slip down the priority list. I read it often and remember the bad days in the months past but also see the miracles and blessings of ALL OF YOU, your love and prayers. Thank you so very much and......
Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me
Happy July and summer to ALL. Yes, I know it has been a long time since my last entry. Life got crazy a few weeks ago, Daddy had open-heart surgery, triple by-pass. It was a very physically and emotionally draining experience but all is well now. I didn't get much sleep for 3-4 days but ALL has turned out well, Daddy is doing good right now and I am doing just fine too. First of all, I am less than a week from celebrating 8 months cancer free and yesterday got my lab report that my blood test showed my PSA level as NOT DETECTABLE. GOD IS GOOD ! Prostate cancer can and does masticize into cancer in other parts and organs in the body not me! Not today. No signs that any little cancer cells escaped from the prostate and my system is clean of any cancer cells.
Just as the doc has promised, life is slowly getting back to normal. I am working regularly, playing golf regularly (though badly), work in my yard, have ridden a jet ski for the first time in my life and look forward to a good month with weekends at the beach.
Life does exist after prostate cancer and that message cannot be overstated. Too many men opt to do nothing for fear the cure is worse than the disease. It is my prayer that all men 50 years or older or with a family history of P.C. will get checked TODAY !
Again, I apologize for not updating my blog earlier. I will confess that when life is going OK and things are so busy, it is easy to allow my blog to slip down the priority list. I read it often and remember the bad days in the months past but also see the miracles and blessings of ALL OF YOU, your love and prayers. Thank you so very much and......
Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me
Monday, June 15, 2009
Ugh...trouble during the night, but a good ending...
Friends and Family,
Hello Friends and Happy June again. Man o Man was it a hot, humid one today.
Woke up this morning about 2:00am and needed to pee. Staggered into the can and tried but no pee-pee was happenin'. I immediately got my trusty catheter and within a few seconds, life was good again. Off to bed and back to sleep only to wake again about 5:00 with the same urge and the same urge and the same result (or lack of one). Once again called in the "cath crew" and life was good again. I was a bit concerned and decided to stay up and see what would happen if I hydrated myself good...coffee, juice, etc. Before leaving for work I went 2 more times and things were working well. It was a day of urgencies and frequencies but atleast I could go. I am not sure what happened or what is going on. I can feel a minor obstruction when I cath and need to apply a bit of pressure to get fully into my bladder but it works and for now..THAT IS GOOD !
I am not scheduled to return to Doc Polsky for a month and am hopeful things will get better. I am so blessed that I have been able to do this for myself. Thanks for Doc and Nicole for showing me and providing the catheters. I am getting better each time I have to do it and is almost a natural thing..the key word being ALMOST. I plan to change my routine and do my cathing in the mornings instead of at night, that way I will be up and active and in my opinion lessen the chances of any obstructions happening. No, I still don't have a medical degree but I do know my body and how it is suppose to feel and when it is not working right. Please pray with me that things will continue to move forward and improve and if they remain the same...I am still blessed, I am cancer free and know that I still have a lot of life to live. Thank you all for ALL you do for me, for your love and prayer and Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me.
Mike
Hello Friends and Happy June again. Man o Man was it a hot, humid one today.
Woke up this morning about 2:00am and needed to pee. Staggered into the can and tried but no pee-pee was happenin'. I immediately got my trusty catheter and within a few seconds, life was good again. Off to bed and back to sleep only to wake again about 5:00 with the same urge and the same urge and the same result (or lack of one). Once again called in the "cath crew" and life was good again. I was a bit concerned and decided to stay up and see what would happen if I hydrated myself good...coffee, juice, etc. Before leaving for work I went 2 more times and things were working well. It was a day of urgencies and frequencies but atleast I could go. I am not sure what happened or what is going on. I can feel a minor obstruction when I cath and need to apply a bit of pressure to get fully into my bladder but it works and for now..THAT IS GOOD !
I am not scheduled to return to Doc Polsky for a month and am hopeful things will get better. I am so blessed that I have been able to do this for myself. Thanks for Doc and Nicole for showing me and providing the catheters. I am getting better each time I have to do it and is almost a natural thing..the key word being ALMOST. I plan to change my routine and do my cathing in the mornings instead of at night, that way I will be up and active and in my opinion lessen the chances of any obstructions happening. No, I still don't have a medical degree but I do know my body and how it is suppose to feel and when it is not working right. Please pray with me that things will continue to move forward and improve and if they remain the same...I am still blessed, I am cancer free and know that I still have a lot of life to live. Thank you all for ALL you do for me, for your love and prayer and Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me.
Mike
Sunday, June 14, 2009
June 14th, Flag Day, 7 Months cancer free !
Friends and Family,
Today we should be flying our United States flags in celebration of Flag Day. I am as patriotic as anyone but the greater celebration today is for 7 months cancer free. 7 months and 2 days ago I had surgery to remove a malignant prostate. It is still a journey but I am so much farther down the road now than even a month ago. Yes, I still have some issues and things are less than 100% but I have a full, long life to look forward too.
Today I am supposed to sing in church, a song I have done 2 or 3 times but today it has a very special meaning. "Drinking From My Saucer", a song recored by Michael Combs, tells my testimony very well right now. I am truly "drinking from my saucer 'cause my cup has overflowed."
Please continue to pray for each other. You may have a friend that is dealing with issues that he or she just cannot talk about out loud. Perhaps your heart is heavy and you needs your friends to pray for you. Pray for the sick and hurting and their families. Pray for our children and our nation.
TODAY is a great day! Let's all try our best to live it out loud! I love you ALL and thank you for loving and caring about me.....and Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me.
Mike
Today we should be flying our United States flags in celebration of Flag Day. I am as patriotic as anyone but the greater celebration today is for 7 months cancer free. 7 months and 2 days ago I had surgery to remove a malignant prostate. It is still a journey but I am so much farther down the road now than even a month ago. Yes, I still have some issues and things are less than 100% but I have a full, long life to look forward too.
Today I am supposed to sing in church, a song I have done 2 or 3 times but today it has a very special meaning. "Drinking From My Saucer", a song recored by Michael Combs, tells my testimony very well right now. I am truly "drinking from my saucer 'cause my cup has overflowed."
Please continue to pray for each other. You may have a friend that is dealing with issues that he or she just cannot talk about out loud. Perhaps your heart is heavy and you needs your friends to pray for you. Pray for the sick and hurting and their families. Pray for our children and our nation.
TODAY is a great day! Let's all try our best to live it out loud! I love you ALL and thank you for loving and caring about me.....and Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me.
Mike
Thursday, June 11, 2009
"....like flossing your teeth"
Friends,
Hope everyone is having a great summer so far. I am I think, working hard and playing some and thankful for each day I rise from a warm, dry bed in an air conditioned home, having running water to wash my face and food to have a meal...so many in our world, even our communities are not so blessed.
Health wise: I am OK, just when I thot it was safe to say I am just about 100%, there was an issue. I knew I was not peeing like I should be and had been. My stream was significantly reduced from even a week or so earlier. SO.....off to see Doc Polsky and Nicole. Felt certain I knew before I heard him say the words that I would need another dilation. Sure enough, that is what we did (no valium) and home again and peeing great! It was uncomfortable but not painful. The doc is so good and genuinely regrets any time he has to do something he knows is unpleasant for me. Nicole is ever so sweet, very respectful and kind and treats me like I am her favorite patient....a treatment I suspect all their patients get! Anyway, I am doing good now, cathing every other day or as I need too. I told the doc it is like flossing your teeth, doesn't hurt and only take a couple of minutes but not something I like to do or want to take the time to do. Well, I am still not flossing my teeth like I should but I am going to be cathing on a regular basis.
Thanks for your prayers and your love. Please continue to pray for all of us who have had cancer, for our families, for those still battling cancer and other illnesses, for the wonderful doctors, nurses, and care givers. I love you ALL....
Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me
Mike
Hope everyone is having a great summer so far. I am I think, working hard and playing some and thankful for each day I rise from a warm, dry bed in an air conditioned home, having running water to wash my face and food to have a meal...so many in our world, even our communities are not so blessed.
Health wise: I am OK, just when I thot it was safe to say I am just about 100%, there was an issue. I knew I was not peeing like I should be and had been. My stream was significantly reduced from even a week or so earlier. SO.....off to see Doc Polsky and Nicole. Felt certain I knew before I heard him say the words that I would need another dilation. Sure enough, that is what we did (no valium) and home again and peeing great! It was uncomfortable but not painful. The doc is so good and genuinely regrets any time he has to do something he knows is unpleasant for me. Nicole is ever so sweet, very respectful and kind and treats me like I am her favorite patient....a treatment I suspect all their patients get! Anyway, I am doing good now, cathing every other day or as I need too. I told the doc it is like flossing your teeth, doesn't hurt and only take a couple of minutes but not something I like to do or want to take the time to do. Well, I am still not flossing my teeth like I should but I am going to be cathing on a regular basis.
Thanks for your prayers and your love. Please continue to pray for all of us who have had cancer, for our families, for those still battling cancer and other illnesses, for the wonderful doctors, nurses, and care givers. I love you ALL....
Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me
Mike
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