Friends and Family,
Hope everyone is enjoying the last day of 2008....mine has been good so far. We will be have some overnight visitor tonight, Kenneth and Kassady-Lynn (my grandchildren) will be staying with us. I get to spend the last day of the year with 'em and the first day of the new year too.
God continaues to bless me and my family in so many ways.
The healing process is continuing well I think. When I excert (little as it may be) myself or walk much I find I pass tiny scabs and clots. I call it "coffee grounds". It is not painful and is probably a good thing to get out of my system. I woke again this morning with a dry pad but once up and especially in the afternoon, control is much more difficult.
Re: hand issues. I will be going next Tuesday for a nerve conduction test. That should confirm whether or not there is a damaged nerve in my arm/hand that causes the pain and numbness. On the 24th I see a hand specialist. Please continue to pray this is a "temporary" thing and normal life is coming soon.
So, I hope everyone has great night, I for one will not likely see the new year arrive. Be safe in your travels. Take the time today to tell someone you love them....I LOVE YOU ALL.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.....GOD BLESS YOU ALL
"Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me"
Mike
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
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
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
Saturday, December 27, 2008
363 shopping days left til Christmas
Friends
Well, another Christmas has come and gone as we have completed our journey around the sun again. Looking back and reflecting brings many tears, tears of Joy and Sadness, many good times and some not so good. The important thing in all of it though.....WE ARE HERE. We are here, living and loving and laughing. We have been so blessed with this gift we call LIFE and I am glad YOU are a part of mine.....
Five days since the catheter has been removed and all is well so far. I am still seeing some signs of blood and a few tiny speck (probably scabs/clots) in my urine. There has not been any pain to speak of and sleep come fairly easily now. I awake during the night and feel the need to pee and that is a good thing. It indicates the nerves that tell me when I need to go are working. I have to wear pads now and as the days go on, I find my ability to control urination is significantly deminished. I seldom wake with a wet pad but about 3:00 - 4:00 in the afternoon it is very difficult to control. I believe it is getting better and I do my excercises (keegles) and am confident it will all get to normal very soon. Like I said, I do wear pads in my underwear and if I didn't tell you I was wearing anything I don't think you would know. This too I think is difficult for men to do and even more difficult to talk about but for me, it is a way of life for now and is beyond my control so I have no intentions of trying to hide anything.
I have been trying to walk around the neighborhood daily and do as much as I can around the house (cooking, laundry, etc). I do well in the mornings but I run out of steam pretty quickly as the day goes on.
My hand might be just a bit better but is not well by any means. I will be having a nerve conduction test in the coming weeks and have been referred to a hand specialist too.
I trust everyone is still enjoying the holiday season, I am. Got to spend some time with the kids on Christmas Day. Our "beach" friends are at Topsail for New Years, somethings we all usually do together. Had to pass on it this year as a 5 hours drive would be too much for me right now. I do hope and pray that ALL of you have a wonderful new year.
Remember to pray for ALL those who are sick and hurting, the homeless and helpless, for those away from home and loved ones. Pray for all our children and for each other. I Love You ALL
Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me
Mike
Well, another Christmas has come and gone as we have completed our journey around the sun again. Looking back and reflecting brings many tears, tears of Joy and Sadness, many good times and some not so good. The important thing in all of it though.....WE ARE HERE. We are here, living and loving and laughing. We have been so blessed with this gift we call LIFE and I am glad YOU are a part of mine.....
Five days since the catheter has been removed and all is well so far. I am still seeing some signs of blood and a few tiny speck (probably scabs/clots) in my urine. There has not been any pain to speak of and sleep come fairly easily now. I awake during the night and feel the need to pee and that is a good thing. It indicates the nerves that tell me when I need to go are working. I have to wear pads now and as the days go on, I find my ability to control urination is significantly deminished. I seldom wake with a wet pad but about 3:00 - 4:00 in the afternoon it is very difficult to control. I believe it is getting better and I do my excercises (keegles) and am confident it will all get to normal very soon. Like I said, I do wear pads in my underwear and if I didn't tell you I was wearing anything I don't think you would know. This too I think is difficult for men to do and even more difficult to talk about but for me, it is a way of life for now and is beyond my control so I have no intentions of trying to hide anything.
I have been trying to walk around the neighborhood daily and do as much as I can around the house (cooking, laundry, etc). I do well in the mornings but I run out of steam pretty quickly as the day goes on.
My hand might be just a bit better but is not well by any means. I will be having a nerve conduction test in the coming weeks and have been referred to a hand specialist too.
I trust everyone is still enjoying the holiday season, I am. Got to spend some time with the kids on Christmas Day. Our "beach" friends are at Topsail for New Years, somethings we all usually do together. Had to pass on it this year as a 5 hours drive would be too much for me right now. I do hope and pray that ALL of you have a wonderful new year.
Remember to pray for ALL those who are sick and hurting, the homeless and helpless, for those away from home and loved ones. Pray for all our children and for each other. I Love You ALL
Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me
Mike
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Merry Christmas
Friends and Family,
MERRY CHRISTMAS. It's 7:30 am, Christmas Day 2008 and I sit here in front of this computer wondering how I could possibly express by gratitude and appreciation for being alive and well. It is truly a Christmas miracle and I give all the credit to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
My days and nights since Monday when the catheter was removed have all been very good. I have had no issues with pain or discomfort at all. I sleep well now that I am untethered and can drive again too.
I have some "issues" I will talk about later but today I just want to say to ALL of you....
MERRY CHRISTMAS
May all your homes be filled with Peace and Joy, Health and Happiness and Love and Laughter. God Bless you All.
Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me
Mike
MERRY CHRISTMAS. It's 7:30 am, Christmas Day 2008 and I sit here in front of this computer wondering how I could possibly express by gratitude and appreciation for being alive and well. It is truly a Christmas miracle and I give all the credit to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
My days and nights since Monday when the catheter was removed have all been very good. I have had no issues with pain or discomfort at all. I sleep well now that I am untethered and can drive again too.
I have some "issues" I will talk about later but today I just want to say to ALL of you....
MERRY CHRISTMAS
May all your homes be filled with Peace and Joy, Health and Happiness and Love and Laughter. God Bless you All.
Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me
Mike
Monday, December 22, 2008
Oh by the way....
Friends,
How in the world I coulda forgotten this little tid-bit. The blood work I had done last week came back and the P.S.A. count was measured as "UNDETECTABLE". That my friends is wonderful because it indicates that no prostate cell or cancer cell were detected. I will be retested every 3 month for a while but for now let's celebrate I remain cancer free...... GOD IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD !
"Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me"
Mike
How in the world I coulda forgotten this little tid-bit. The blood work I had done last week came back and the P.S.A. count was measured as "UNDETECTABLE". That my friends is wonderful because it indicates that no prostate cell or cancer cell were detected. I will be retested every 3 month for a while but for now let's celebrate I remain cancer free...... GOD IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD !
"Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me"
Mike
OH HAPPY DAY !!!!
Friends,
OH HAPPY DAY for sure...after I had my 4th cystogram, the results showed my bladder was about 99% healed and Dr. Plosky said we are taking the catheter out. What an answered prayer. I was honestly a bit downheartened when the radiologist said there was still a very small area of leakage but not so serious that I needed to keep the catheter. Two days short of six weeks...it had gone way past a physical issue to becoming an emotional issue.
Now, I find myself in some more new territory. I have to wear a protective pad in my underwear as I am leaking as a result of losing my ability to control my urine flow. It is normal and will in time and with some therapy (doing keegles) return to normal. My homework is to practice stopping my flow while I am peeing, let go and try to stop it again. Sounds strange I know but will help to rehab and strengthen those muscles used for control during urgency. I have already started doing it and first time out managed to stop and restart two times. WOO HOO.
I go back in two weeks and we will have some discussion about what medications and therapies will be best for continued nerve stimulation and rehabilitation.
Without a doubt this has been the best Christmas gift I could have gotten. Thank you all for your prayers on my behalf. God continues to show up and show off in my life. I Love You ALL
"Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me"
Mike
OH HAPPY DAY for sure...after I had my 4th cystogram, the results showed my bladder was about 99% healed and Dr. Plosky said we are taking the catheter out. What an answered prayer. I was honestly a bit downheartened when the radiologist said there was still a very small area of leakage but not so serious that I needed to keep the catheter. Two days short of six weeks...it had gone way past a physical issue to becoming an emotional issue.
Now, I find myself in some more new territory. I have to wear a protective pad in my underwear as I am leaking as a result of losing my ability to control my urine flow. It is normal and will in time and with some therapy (doing keegles) return to normal. My homework is to practice stopping my flow while I am peeing, let go and try to stop it again. Sounds strange I know but will help to rehab and strengthen those muscles used for control during urgency. I have already started doing it and first time out managed to stop and restart two times. WOO HOO.
I go back in two weeks and we will have some discussion about what medications and therapies will be best for continued nerve stimulation and rehabilitation.
Without a doubt this has been the best Christmas gift I could have gotten. Thank you all for your prayers on my behalf. God continues to show up and show off in my life. I Love You ALL
"Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me"
Mike
Sunday, December 21, 2008
3 Shoppings days til Christmas
Friends,
What a beautiful day in Charlotte today....a welcome change from the recent rainy days. Today was another good day at church, I even went to Sunday School. By the end of service I was so ready to come home. The cath bag I use on road trips has to be strapped to my leg. Well, it managed to work it's way loose, lots of ups and downs in church caused it I suspect. Anyway, it was loose and pulling on my cath....the only thing holding it in was the balloon in the bladder. Needless to say I was anxious to get home.
What I thought was an infection starting earlier in the week has not gotten worse. I think it is some "natural" secretions that just happen to become noticeable because of the catheter. It doesn't hurt and with this thing coming out tomorrow, I am confident everything is gonna be OK.
I suspect the coming days will bring many new challenges. With the catheter out there is an expectation of urinary and erectile disfunction. While I love that so many people have been a part of my journey here, my #1 goal is to inform others and their families about Prostate Cancer and treatments. So, I intend to frankly discuss how "things" work, never trying to be crude but always trying to be real and factual. Enuf said 'bout that!
Only three more shopping days til Christmas. I think I am about as ready as I can get. Left hand is not any better, maybe even a bit worse? Going to the ortho doc on Tuesday with a hope that some kind of new treatment will help.
Merry Christmas to you all. May the joys and love and peace of the season fill your homes and hearts.
More tomorrow...til then.... I Love You All.... Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me MR
What a beautiful day in Charlotte today....a welcome change from the recent rainy days. Today was another good day at church, I even went to Sunday School. By the end of service I was so ready to come home. The cath bag I use on road trips has to be strapped to my leg. Well, it managed to work it's way loose, lots of ups and downs in church caused it I suspect. Anyway, it was loose and pulling on my cath....the only thing holding it in was the balloon in the bladder. Needless to say I was anxious to get home.
What I thought was an infection starting earlier in the week has not gotten worse. I think it is some "natural" secretions that just happen to become noticeable because of the catheter. It doesn't hurt and with this thing coming out tomorrow, I am confident everything is gonna be OK.
I suspect the coming days will bring many new challenges. With the catheter out there is an expectation of urinary and erectile disfunction. While I love that so many people have been a part of my journey here, my #1 goal is to inform others and their families about Prostate Cancer and treatments. So, I intend to frankly discuss how "things" work, never trying to be crude but always trying to be real and factual. Enuf said 'bout that!
Only three more shopping days til Christmas. I think I am about as ready as I can get. Left hand is not any better, maybe even a bit worse? Going to the ortho doc on Tuesday with a hope that some kind of new treatment will help.
Merry Christmas to you all. May the joys and love and peace of the season fill your homes and hearts.
More tomorrow...til then.... I Love You All.... Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me MR
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