Day One (re-deux)

Today I began what will soon become my revised daily routine upon my arrival at GCT . . . a  trip over to E67th Street for an injection of Lupron, and soon the start of my radiation treatments.

It's a busy Friday morning here at the Radiation Treatment Center.  It appears that there are more patients waiting that would be even be possible to move through the system so early in the morning. One young patient mentioned that because it's Friday, many patients arrive early in the hope of getting an earlier start to what is probably a well deserved weekend.

Everyone is here for the same reason. As one waiting patient put it, "an early morning barbecue". I laughed out loud and commented on his good natured attitude. I hope that after two months of this routine, I'll be able to maintain a similar smile in my tone.

It's a quiet place for having so much activity. Perhaps it's the harsh reality of what stepping off the elevator and into the waiting area represents.

In the short time I've waited here, I've already met patients who are knee deep into their daily "nuking". Others, first timers like myself, seem a bit disoriented in the surroundings. Not sure to go left or right down the hallway, or what direction to look when their name has finally been called. One ray of sunshine on this cloudy day as we wait for our names to be called; a couple of patients were met with a moving wave of applause as they stepped out of the locker room. An uplifting sign that their radiation treatment has come to an end, and it's finally time to move on.

So here we go . . .  and don't worry.  I'm still smiling and making my plans for tomorrow and beyond. I've got a long life to live, and a loving family and friends to share that time with.

The ballots have been cast and tallied . . .

and the decision is . . . . .   coming right after this commercial break!


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Do you know a friend, or family member, who has been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer?  Have you been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer?  You're not alone.


One in six men will be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in their lifetime. More than 200,000 men will be newly diagnosed in 2010. Sadly, nearly 30,000 men will die this year from Prostate Cancer.  The good news is that, when caught early, Prostate Cancer is nearly 100% curable.


Prostate Cancer awareness and early testing for the disease is the key to a successful recovery, or even prevention, of more serious and advanced cases of the disease. You can help spread the word about early detection and testing.


Please join me and Pints for Prostates at the Thomas Hooker Brewery in Bloomfield, CT for an evening fundraiser to help fight prostate cancer on Saturday, June 19th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Enjoy an evening of locally brewed craft beers from Thomas Hooker Brewing and great food from Sally's Black Eyed BBQ of Hartford, CT.  Those attending will also receive a Hooker Brewing pint glass.


Event tickets are $40 per person, and are available for purchase online by clicking the ticket below. All those attending must be 21 years of age or older, and must be able to present a valid I.D.


Proceeds from the event will help to benefit Us TOO International, an organization dedicated to providing support programs to prostate cancer patients and their families. Door prizes will be given away, "Pints for Prostates" t-shirts will be available for purchase, as well as raffle tickets for a chance to win a 3-night trip for two to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, CO (prize valued at $2,500).  Raffle tickets are $10/each, or $25/for three tickets.

Our goal is not just to raise funds to help fight this silent disease, but to pass on important health information to men of how a simple blood test can help save their life. 

I hope you'll join Pints for Prostates in fighting prostate cancer. See you there!

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and now back to our program . . . . . 


OK, where was I?  Hang on  - let me scroll back up to see where I left off . . . . . .





Oh, yea - right . . . 




Janet and I met with my radiology oncologist on Tuesday regarding treatments moving forward.  (that's five doctors on my case now if you're keeping score) The situation is that with the advanced state of my cancer at the time of my surgery, and the high grade and aggressive strain I was diagnosed with, it is necessary to move forward with radiation treatments. (oh yeah!?)


First, I begin with about six weeks of hormone meds. As I've mentioned in an earlier posting, prostate cancer is fed by testosterone. The hormone meds are used to reduce the testosterone levels in order to put any cancer cells into basically a "dormant state". While in this dormant, or inactive state, the radiation should/will kill off the cancer cells that possibly still remain. Otherwise the radiation would have little or no affect on the cancer.


The full cycle of radiation treatments is going to be eight weeks - five days a week. I should be able to continue to work through the entire treatment, but I should expect to be feeling fatigued after a few weeks. The rest of the side effects should nothing more than annoying, but tolerable.

Through out the radiation treatments, and for another 30 to 60 days afterwards, I'll be continuing the hormone meds - again, in order to maintain the dormant state of the remaining cancer cells through out treatment.

You may be wondering if this will be the end of it. I certainly hope so. We will be keeping a positive outlook and attitude, but at the same time we need need to remain somewhat cautious. Due to the high grade of cancer I was diagnosed with, there is a possibility that the cancer will rear its head again over time. We have been told the radiation treatments will be somewhere between 50 and 60 percent effective in killing the remaining majority of the cancer cells. I'll take those odds.

So there you have it. I started the Casodex tablets last night, and will have my first 30-day injection of Lupron at the end of next week.  Once we know I'm able to tolerate the medication, I'll get another 60-day injection and then about a week later begin radiation.

My plan, and hope, is that I will be able to continue to work through out the eight weeks of treatments. I suspect that as I get into the latter weeks that fatigue may prevent me from doing full days and may need to stay home for a period of time.

So that's pretty much it for now.  I know it's a lot of information - and maybe more that most of you care to know. But, as you recall, this blog was all about sharing my experience that other men facing a new prostate cancer diagnosis will have a better understanding of possibly what to expect.

My true hope is that my experience will prompt my friends, relatives and anyone else that may find this blog to be tested for Prostate Cancer in their early 40's, even mid to late 30's if there's a history on the disease in their family.

Thanks again to all of you for stopping in and reading my ramblings.  My family and I appreciate all your support and prayers as I continue my fight.

Connecticut Pints for Prostates fund raising event is on!

I've now finalized the details for the event, and I am happy to announce that tickets are now available.  See the announcement and information below.

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Celebrate Father’s Day a little early and help fight prostate cancer. Bring Dad out and tell him you want him to get tested and stay healthy.

Thomas Hooker Brewing, located at 16 Tobey Road in Bloomfield, CT., is playing host to a Pints for Prostates fundraiser on Saturday, June 19 from 6:00pm - 8:30 pm

Enjoy a special tasting of fresh Thomas Hooker ales and lagers, along with great food from Hartford's Black Eyed Sally’s BBQ. All attendees also receive a great Thomas Hooker pint glass to take home.

Tickets are $40 and proceeds go to help fight prostate cancer. Tickets for the event are limited, and are now on sale online.  Just click the ticket below to order your ticket now.

Prostate cancer.  No Joke.  Get Tested.