Oh so very close . . . and a call to refocus on what really counts.

At this point, I have now completed six weeks (30 sessions) of radiation treatments.


There really isn't much more to say about it quite frankly. It's just become part of a daily routine that will thankfully be ending in a couple of weeks.  There's really no pain involved that's directly related to the radiation - just some resulting side effects that should all clear up in the weeks following my treatment.


The only disappointing part is that I was hoping to be able to at least have 4 or 5 days of my vacation to spend time with Janet and the boys. I originally expected the last treatment to be on Wednesday, Aug. 4th during my week off from work for "vacation", but now my final treatment is scheduled for Friday, Aug 6th. - meaning that each day of my vacation time will include a near 4-hour door-to-door round trip into the city - and about two hours of hanging around the hospital.


Don't get the wrong impression.  I am fully aware that there are much worse things than what I have been dealing with  - a fact brought to light very harshly by the news this weekend of a good friends' brother being mowed down by a car while walking across the street; and by the news that the mother of one of my sons' friends suffering a stoke/heart attack and then during treatment the doctors discovered the woman has extremely advanced cancer. But, if I've learned nothing else from this experience, it is the reminder of precious and short our time with our families and friends truly is.


Our careers and jobs should be the manner by which we are able to provide food, clothes and a roof over our heads, and the means to be enjoy the people closest to us, and more importantly to help others less fortunate than we are.  We who spend 70 and 80 hours a week working are missing out are what is most important in our lives.  And those who demand these hours from us, they too need to reevaluate priorities. Much of what we toil over in our jobs is for the here and now. Something that in many cases in the bigger picture, is nothing more than vapor.


The employees that work so diligently to make a business successful need to be allowed the opportunity to make their personal lives just as successful - actually, more.  Weeknights spent working until the wee hours, or even working at home, weekends recovering from hellish pressure filled work day, and maybe two weeks off for vacation each year isn't nearly enough. Otherwise, what's the real point of it all?


Look at your kids,  your husbands, your wives . . . .  is all that comes to mind memories of time gone by?  What about the time you have right now? It all passes by in a relative "blink", and it can be interrupted, or taken away, even faster. Sometimes tomorrow is far too late, or is never given the chance to come around.

Halfway home.

I thought I'd drop in and leave a quick post as today marks the halfway point in my radiation treatments for prostate cancer. Four weeks went by pretty quickly, and I'm holding up well.

I have a few issues due to the radiation, but I've been able to deal with them pretty well.  Most of it's been related to fatigue, and some other minor physical discomfort.  All of it is pretty much what I was told, and read, to expect.


As these next few weeks approach, the fatigue may become more of a factor. I've already noticed it increasing this last week. In fact, when I went to Sloan-Kettering for a treatment earlier this week, I was asleep within 2 minutes of sitting down after checking in.  One of the techs had to wake me up to let me know to start drinking the 20oz of water I'm supposed to drink before my treatment, and again when it was my turn to change for my treatment about 45 minutes later.  The triple digit temps we've had here in the northeast this week may have had an added affect on my energy level, but I've noticed my energy level decreasing pretty early in the day these last two weeks.


Anyway, that's pretty much it for now. I just thought I should make note of yet another milestone along this long road.  Once again, thanks to everyone for their continued support and prayers.  Even though this has been one of the most difficult times in my life, your friendship and support has made this trek much easier to tolerate.  I am truly blessed with a wonderful family and some great longtime friends.


Enjoy the weekend!  Cheers!


CJP