Milestones, fundraisers, awareness, follow-ups . . .

As we barrel headlong into the holiday season, I just want to pass a brief update.

My prognosis and remission continue as it has since my radiation treatments were completed.  There's been no increase in my PSA, and so far no indications of my cancer returning.  YEAH!

As always, thanks to all my family and friends for their support and caring over the last four years. As well as for the fundraising efforts made on my behalf through "Movember" and "No Shave November".

I went the No Shave route as I still sport my goatee after all these years.  The nearly four weeks of not shaving has produced a very white beard this time out, making look about 10 years older.

Note to self, don't grow a full beard again without using "Just for Men".  This photo was taken about a week ago, so there's much more filled in at this point.  If I can find a barbershop in the area that does shaves with a straight razor, it's coming off by Thursday.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday, and have a joyous and safe Christmas, as well as a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Cheers!

I actually FORGOT!!!!

For the first time in four years, I neglected to remember that yesterday, August 28th, marked the 4th anniversary of my cancer diagnosis at age 47.  I believe it's the first time I had forgotten about that day without some sort of blog entry or Facebook posting.

I suppose it means I've finally moved on - to a point anyway.


I was re-reading a recent email from one of my peer-to-peer counseling patients ( I offer counseling to recently diagnosed patients through Imerman Angels in Chicago), and was reviewing the staging of his diagnosis. In order to refresh my memory on the staging classifications I was doing a little research and was a bit surprised at what I found.

What I found today was quite surprising.

In my own case, once the biopsy was completed and the pathology report came back, my cancer was stated as being stage 3Tb. At that time I read a number of descriptions regarding the staging to better understand what it meant, but I guess I only looked at the specific staging information and not anything else.

What I found today - by way of staging info on the ACS web site - is that I was actually early stage 4 by virtue of all the positive results of the surrounding tissue, seminal vesicles and localized lymph node and tissue involvement.

I have to say it certainly gave me pause, and I realized just how fortunate I am to still be alive some four years later.

September is Prostate Cancer month.  Men do yourselves - and more importantly your familes - a favor and get yourself to your primary doctor or urologist and ask them to have a PSA blood test done.

I've already lost two decades long friends to this cancer, and I certainly don't want to have any more experience this in their lives.


Prostate Cancer is no joke.   Get yourself tested.

Time does fly . . . .

Greetings and salutations . . . .

It's been far too long since my last update . . .  but you can consider that to be good news for my recovery.

In just about two months I will be hitting my FOUR YEAR mark of cancer survivorship, or at least the 4th anniversary of my surgery.  I'm still confused as to when the clock starts running (date of surgery or last treatment?).  No matter what . . . I am extremely fortunate and blessed.

I continue to meet with my medical oncologist every six months for follow ups and blood work, and the occasional MRI or bone scan to just be sure that there is no hidden re-occurance of my cancer. 

So that's pretty much it on the cancer side of things -  not nearly as interesting or information ladened as my other posts.

A sign that time, and life, has really moved along . . . . 

• Janet and I celebrated our 29th anniversary last weekend (Aug. 4th) with a nice ocean side lunch.  Love you honey!

• Our oldest son Jason graduated from college in May of this year (2013), and like many recent graduates is still looking for his first real full time job (not unlike so many others).

• Evan graduated from high school in 2012, has already completed his first year in college (four year scholarship - yeah!) and will be off for his sophomore year in just a few weeks.

• Ryan will be starting his junior year in high school this fall (yikes). He a great student and works hard keeping his grades up - headmaster's list every quarter since middle school.



As always . . .   thanks to all of you for your support and prayers through out my treatment and recovery.  I couldn't have gotten through it with out your support.


Cheers!