Did I expect things to progress quickly? Yes, perhaps only because everything until this point has been happening quickly. Overall, I am feeling better. . . more mobile, stronger, and lighter having lost 24 pounds since surgery. (I don't, however recommend, the process)
With my catheter out after 3 weeks instead of one week, my urinary recovery has been delayed and slowed a bit. It's going to take me a bit more time before I am able to regain any kind of control . . . which I am only beginning to see signs of.
I am still having some leg pains due to positioning during surgery, but it's beginning to level out and reduce, though it does flare up at times.
It's supposed to make it to nearly 70 degrees today, so a couple of long walks are in my plans. If I was able to drive, I'd head down to the Fairfield beaches or St. Mary's park and walk around down there.
I had a nice surprise yesterday with the visit by some of my "Trainiac" friends. These "trainiacs" are some of my local friends who I first met when we moved to Connecticut four years ago during my daily commute into New York. Thanks so much to Sheila, Mark, Semi, Ben and Steve for stopping by, and for the basket of goodies and the gift certificate for a dinner out for Janet and I. Your visit, gifts and friendship mean a great deal to both Janet and I.
Thanks also to my friends Mark & Tess Szamatulski, home brewing authors and shop owners of Maltose Express in Monroe, CT. When I told Mark and Tess of my cancer and surgery, and the fact that I'll need to wait on my home brewing for a while as I cannot lift anything heavy for a number of months, they made a very generous offer.
Each year they do all-grain brewing demonstrations at their shop for their customers who may be interested in getting into the all-grain brewing process. Mark & Tess have offered to brew one of my recipes - my "Enrico's Holiday Hearth" holiday spiced English ale - instead of their planned ale recipe from their newly published third book. The 10 gallon batch they are going brew during the demonstration will be split into two 5 gallon batches. Five gallons available and be served at the brew shop during the holidays as one of their two samples they keep on tap. Tess and Mark have graciously offered to keg the second 5 gallons as a gift for me so that I have some fresh home brew around the house for the holidays. A very thoughtful gift from some good friends.
If you're in the area and are interested in seeing the batch brewed, their shop Maltose Express is located in Monroe, CT. The brewing demo will be done by their staff all-grain guru Dave Fitch and is scheduled to begin about 10am on Saturday, November 14th. Just go to http://www.maltose.com for directions and more information. Just click on the EVENTS button for additional info.
As I said from the very beginning of this journey, I'm going to make it through thanks to my Christian Faith, family, friends and my sense of humor. All of which remain totally intact.
- - - - - - - - - -
As a small note, one of my goals with this blog was to help spread the word about prostate cancer and how important early detection can be. I've received email messages from as many as 15 people - some friends, mostly strangers - letting me know that the telling of my experience(s) here has provided comfort, information and has served as a call to action for many to be checked during their next doctor's visit. I appreciate the emails so very much, and I am so very happy that my diagnosis and the story I've shared may help others with an early diagnosis and to prepare others that may be facing treatment and surgery in the near future. My thanks and prayers are with you all.
Chris
<><
With my catheter out after 3 weeks instead of one week, my urinary recovery has been delayed and slowed a bit. It's going to take me a bit more time before I am able to regain any kind of control . . . which I am only beginning to see signs of.
I am still having some leg pains due to positioning during surgery, but it's beginning to level out and reduce, though it does flare up at times.
It's supposed to make it to nearly 70 degrees today, so a couple of long walks are in my plans. If I was able to drive, I'd head down to the Fairfield beaches or St. Mary's park and walk around down there.
I had a nice surprise yesterday with the visit by some of my "Trainiac" friends. These "trainiacs" are some of my local friends who I first met when we moved to Connecticut four years ago during my daily commute into New York. Thanks so much to Sheila, Mark, Semi, Ben and Steve for stopping by, and for the basket of goodies and the gift certificate for a dinner out for Janet and I. Your visit, gifts and friendship mean a great deal to both Janet and I.
Thanks also to my friends Mark & Tess Szamatulski, home brewing authors and shop owners of Maltose Express in Monroe, CT. When I told Mark and Tess of my cancer and surgery, and the fact that I'll need to wait on my home brewing for a while as I cannot lift anything heavy for a number of months, they made a very generous offer.
Each year they do all-grain brewing demonstrations at their shop for their customers who may be interested in getting into the all-grain brewing process. Mark & Tess have offered to brew one of my recipes - my "Enrico's Holiday Hearth" holiday spiced English ale - instead of their planned ale recipe from their newly published third book. The 10 gallon batch they are going brew during the demonstration will be split into two 5 gallon batches. Five gallons available and be served at the brew shop during the holidays as one of their two samples they keep on tap. Tess and Mark have graciously offered to keg the second 5 gallons as a gift for me so that I have some fresh home brew around the house for the holidays. A very thoughtful gift from some good friends.
If you're in the area and are interested in seeing the batch brewed, their shop Maltose Express is located in Monroe, CT. The brewing demo will be done by their staff all-grain guru Dave Fitch and is scheduled to begin about 10am on Saturday, November 14th. Just go to http://www.maltose.com for directions and more information. Just click on the EVENTS button for additional info.
As I said from the very beginning of this journey, I'm going to make it through thanks to my Christian Faith, family, friends and my sense of humor. All of which remain totally intact.
- - - - - - - - - -
As a small note, one of my goals with this blog was to help spread the word about prostate cancer and how important early detection can be. I've received email messages from as many as 15 people - some friends, mostly strangers - letting me know that the telling of my experience(s) here has provided comfort, information and has served as a call to action for many to be checked during their next doctor's visit. I appreciate the emails so very much, and I am so very happy that my diagnosis and the story I've shared may help others with an early diagnosis and to prepare others that may be facing treatment and surgery in the near future. My thanks and prayers are with you all.
Chris
<><
Hey Chris, I just came upon your blog. I didn't know you had cancer, I was sorry to read the news, but glad you are on your road to recovery! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Stay positive!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the blog. I will pass on the good advice of early detection. Much love, Deanne
Hello Chris,
ReplyDeleteI too just cam across your blog through linkedin.
I am so sorry to hear the news of your cancer. I am so glad to see you are on the road to recovery. My thoughts are with you. Creating for the blog for awareness is a wonderful gift you are giving others.
be well
susan elena
www.susanelena.com