I thought I'd stop by and leave a quick update . . .
Today will be my 13th of 40 scheduled radiation treatments, and all seems to be going well. I've been experiencing a few minor side effects from the treatment to date, but overall I'm doing well and I'm looking forward to when this will all be over and behind me.
Honestly, the biggest issue is just the daily routine of running over to Sloan-Kettering's radiation center for my treatment, then dodging what seems to be a daily rain storm on my way to the subway at 68th & Lexington Ave. to head back to Grand Central Station to grab the train home.
But, I know that things could be a lot worse.
Each day I sit in the waiting room, I see some familiar faces of those men and women who are receiving radiation, and chemotherapy, treatments for various types of cancers. Those going through the double whammy of chemo and radiation look so tired and weak most days that I feel very blessed to be in the situation that I am in and that it's not any worse.
I've spoken to some other men being treated for prostate cancer. Some of them, like myself, have had surgery and are going through radiation as an adjunct treatment to increase the chances of killing off any remaining cancer cells. Others, whose cancer was caught much earlier than mine, are under going radiation and hormone therapy in order to shrink their tumor in hopes of avoiding the surgical route. This wasn't really an option I had available to consider.
We share our situations, and offer our support to one another like members of an unlikely, and unfortunate, brotherhood. To date, I'm still the youngest member of the group that I've met. A somewhat unwelcome distinction that I just have to deal with.
Even after all this time - some 10 months since my initial diagnosis - I still find it somewhat surreal. As I lay down on the table while the RapidArc radiation system rotates around me, I stare at the ceiling wondering "how in the world I did I get here?" The impact that this cancer has had on my life, and that of my family, so far would have to be considered to be pretty minimal, but impact it does.
I'm unable to work a full 10-hour day at my office because of my radiation schedule, and as such I'm not being placed on any major projects. Of course, it's something that at a certain level I appreciate my employers for, but at the same time I have eight hours of boredom to face each day I walk into the office. Add to that the now very routine process of heading over to Sloan, waiting for an hour or more, getting my treatment, then making my way back to GCT for my train. (and yes, I know I said that twice . . . . hoping that the feeling of my boredom gets to you by its repetitive nature)
This weekend is the July 4th holiday. An indication of how quickly the summer passes us by. I have taken a vacation day this Friday, and it is my understanding that we have Monday off (it's never a guarantee around my office that we would have a long-weekend off) and I am looking forward to spending it with my family. Monday will be one of the few days I won't have radiation treatments, and I am hoping to take my sons out fishing this weekend - though I may have to wait until next weekend as it looks like boat we go out on is booked up already.
I have always loved spending time with Janet and our three boys, but it's amazing how much more I look forward to doing with things with my family since this diagnosis came about. It's one of those times where I'd like to turn the clock wayyyyy back and do a lot of things very differently. I am praying that all of these treatments will give me the chance to do just that, and make it up to my wife and family.
Happy July 4th weekend to you all! Be safe and have a great time with family and friends.
Cheers!
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