First . . . Happy Memorial Day to you all!
I've always thought it's kind of an odd statement, but it is one of only two official days in this country when we pay our respects to those who have given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy in this country. They deserve more whether you agree with their mission or not - they are putting their lives on the line to protect those who are unable to do so. That's a hero.
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After my simulation and mapping session in the radiology dept. at Sloan-Kettering, I am all set to begin my radiation treatments next week. It's another one of those surreal times I've experienced in the last year - one that I just can't quite figure out how I got here or even why. Sometimes it's still a bit hard to digest and accept.
All that aside, I continue to move forward. My radiation treatments begin on June 10th, and will run until August 4th . . . every week day. On June 8th, I have one last appointment before I begin the treatments. This is when the radiation oncologist determines the exact angle(s) and location(s) of the radiation dose. Once that information is set into the computer, each time I go for my treatments a laser scanner will read the six small tattoos I now have to properly align the radiation beam and apply the dose.
This wasn't quite how I saw my summer months being spent this year. . . . I really planned to spend more time with my family enjoying life just a bit more with a new frame of mind. Of course I will do this no matter what . . . just more day or one-night trips than maybe going away for a week.
At least when my radiation treatments are completed on August 4th, it will be a time to celebrate . . . our 26th wedding anniversary.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
A sad day.
Today I heard the news of the passing of a friend and fellow prostate cancer patient, Ken Sjogren. He passed away at age 44 after his nearly two year long battle.
Ken and I worked together in the late '80's in Boston, and only last May reconnected through Facebook. He had been working in California since he left Boston, and in the last 10 years or so worked as a digital artist/compositor at George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic. Ken's career lead him to work on major feature films like "Star Wars EP3", the Harry Potter films, "Pirates of the Carribbean", "The Chronicles of Narnia", and most recently "Iron Man 2".
It was not long after that I learned of his diagnosis and battle with prostate cancer. He had surgery in Boston in November of '08, but afterwards his PSA levels remained high and continued to fluctuate. After undergoing radiation treatments and nearly 8 months of hormone therapy, it looked as if Ken was in the clear - with PSA levels hanging around 1.4.
I last spoke with Ken via Skype about 5 to 6 weeks ago. He was in good spirits as always and looked as well as I had seen him in previous phone/video calls. The conversation was short, and ended somewhat abruptly.
I realize now, that the backdrop during our video conversation wasn't the one I had become accustomed to - that of his apartment in Sausalito, CA. But, it was that of his parents' home in Grafton, MA. Perhaps he didn't want to tell me that things were not looking too good.
Ken served as an amazing source of information and support when I first found out about my own diagnosis last August. Always reminding me not to attach his experiences to my own situation - that every prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment was different. He spoke a few times with my wife Janet while I was home recoverying from surgery - checking in on me, as well as how she and the boys were holding up.
I am angry at myself that I didn't make a trip to California in April to visit Ken and a few other of our friends out there. That's a mistake I will no longer allow myself to make.
Kenny, I know I said it before to you but I'll say it again. Thank you so much for your friendship, our days at Target Productions and our renewed friendship this last year. For all the strength, caring and support you showed me as you fought your own battle against this beast of a disease. I will be forever grateful to you, and will keep your memory and our friendship with me always.
Rest peacefully Ken. We'll see each other again some day.
Ken and I worked together in the late '80's in Boston, and only last May reconnected through Facebook. He had been working in California since he left Boston, and in the last 10 years or so worked as a digital artist/compositor at George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic. Ken's career lead him to work on major feature films like "Star Wars EP3", the Harry Potter films, "Pirates of the Carribbean", "The Chronicles of Narnia", and most recently "Iron Man 2".
It was not long after that I learned of his diagnosis and battle with prostate cancer. He had surgery in Boston in November of '08, but afterwards his PSA levels remained high and continued to fluctuate. After undergoing radiation treatments and nearly 8 months of hormone therapy, it looked as if Ken was in the clear - with PSA levels hanging around 1.4.
I last spoke with Ken via Skype about 5 to 6 weeks ago. He was in good spirits as always and looked as well as I had seen him in previous phone/video calls. The conversation was short, and ended somewhat abruptly.
I realize now, that the backdrop during our video conversation wasn't the one I had become accustomed to - that of his apartment in Sausalito, CA. But, it was that of his parents' home in Grafton, MA. Perhaps he didn't want to tell me that things were not looking too good.
Ken served as an amazing source of information and support when I first found out about my own diagnosis last August. Always reminding me not to attach his experiences to my own situation - that every prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment was different. He spoke a few times with my wife Janet while I was home recoverying from surgery - checking in on me, as well as how she and the boys were holding up.
I am angry at myself that I didn't make a trip to California in April to visit Ken and a few other of our friends out there. That's a mistake I will no longer allow myself to make.
Kenny, I know I said it before to you but I'll say it again. Thank you so much for your friendship, our days at Target Productions and our renewed friendship this last year. For all the strength, caring and support you showed me as you fought your own battle against this beast of a disease. I will be forever grateful to you, and will keep your memory and our friendship with me always.
Rest peacefully Ken. We'll see each other again some day.
Monday, May 24, 2010
So here I am . . .
nearly 7 months post surgery and all seems to be going as hoped for. Life continues as normal. Work has been a bit slow, but I'm staying pretty busy. Far from our usual norm of sometimes insane hours and exceedingly tight schedules.
Our oldest son Jason is back from school having completed his sophomore year in college. Janet, Evan and Ryan have another four weeks or so until this school year is finished. Janet and I went to a great show Saturday evening. Peter Wolf, solo artist and longtime frontman for the J. Geils Band, has been touring around the northeast promoting his first album release in seven years - "Midnight Souvenirs". It's Peter Wolf back to his roots of R&B, rock, funk and honky-tonk mixed in for good measure.
As you can tell, it was a great distraction - and a wonderful night out with my wife.
Where was I? . . . .
My PSA level has remained at near non-dectectable levels since my surgery, my overall recovery has been good and my doctors are very happy with my progress. Of course, there is that one issue that remains . . . the advanced state and high grade of my cancer at the time of my surgery.
I'm home from work today as I am scheduled for my radiation simulation/mapping session tomorrow. There are a few medications I need to take in preparation for the mapping scans and it's not something you want to take and be working or traveling for any length of time or distance (I think you catch my drift on this).
The session is to map out where everything is so to be able to direct the radiation only where it needs to go. I will be getting 4 to 6 small tattoos (dots about the size of a pen tip) that the scanner will use to direct the beam each time I go in for my daily BBQ over the coming weeks.
As best as I can tell, I am still scheduled to receive 40 treatments - over a period of eight weeks, 5 days a week. And then, that should be that.
Not much else going on these days. We're all looking forward to the summer months and perhaps doing some boating up on Candlewood Lake, or if I'm up for it, some trips to visit friends in the Lake Placid area of NY, and of course back home in Mass.
Don't forget . . . There are still tickets available for the prostate cancer awareness and fund raising event I have planned. It's Saturday, June 19th at the Thomas Hooker Brewing Company in Bloomfield, CT. Local craft beers, BBQ from Black Eyed Sally's and live blues music from Boston area based "The Biscuit Rollers". There will be door prizes, t-shirts, and for a $10 donation you can have a chance to win a 3-night trip for two to the Great American Beer Fest in Denver, Colorado June 19th to June 21st.
To purchase event tickets ($40 per person), please go to www.pintsforprostates.org and click on the Thomas Hooker Brewery ticket on the right side of the page. All proceeds go to Us TOO International and their support and education programs for prostate cancer patients and their families.
Thanks again for all your support . . . and I hope to see you at the event on June 19th!
Our oldest son Jason is back from school having completed his sophomore year in college. Janet, Evan and Ryan have another four weeks or so until this school year is finished. Janet and I went to a great show Saturday evening. Peter Wolf, solo artist and longtime frontman for the J. Geils Band, has been touring around the northeast promoting his first album release in seven years - "Midnight Souvenirs". It's Peter Wolf back to his roots of R&B, rock, funk and honky-tonk mixed in for good measure.
As you can tell, it was a great distraction - and a wonderful night out with my wife.
Where was I? . . . .
My PSA level has remained at near non-dectectable levels since my surgery, my overall recovery has been good and my doctors are very happy with my progress. Of course, there is that one issue that remains . . . the advanced state and high grade of my cancer at the time of my surgery.
I'm home from work today as I am scheduled for my radiation simulation/mapping session tomorrow. There are a few medications I need to take in preparation for the mapping scans and it's not something you want to take and be working or traveling for any length of time or distance (I think you catch my drift on this).
The session is to map out where everything is so to be able to direct the radiation only where it needs to go. I will be getting 4 to 6 small tattoos (dots about the size of a pen tip) that the scanner will use to direct the beam each time I go in for my daily BBQ over the coming weeks.
As best as I can tell, I am still scheduled to receive 40 treatments - over a period of eight weeks, 5 days a week. And then, that should be that.
Not much else going on these days. We're all looking forward to the summer months and perhaps doing some boating up on Candlewood Lake, or if I'm up for it, some trips to visit friends in the Lake Placid area of NY, and of course back home in Mass.
Don't forget . . . There are still tickets available for the prostate cancer awareness and fund raising event I have planned. It's Saturday, June 19th at the Thomas Hooker Brewing Company in Bloomfield, CT. Local craft beers, BBQ from Black Eyed Sally's and live blues music from Boston area based "The Biscuit Rollers". There will be door prizes, t-shirts, and for a $10 donation you can have a chance to win a 3-night trip for two to the Great American Beer Fest in Denver, Colorado June 19th to June 21st.
To purchase event tickets ($40 per person), please go to www.pintsforprostates.org and click on the Thomas Hooker Brewery ticket on the right side of the page. All proceeds go to Us TOO International and their support and education programs for prostate cancer patients and their families.
Thanks again for all your support . . . and I hope to see you at the event on June 19th!
Friday, April 16, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, April 9, 2010
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.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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.
Monday, April 5, 2010
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.
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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.
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.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
It wasn't what I was hoping for . . . .
but I'm not entirely surprised. Just disappointed.
But first, let me say . . . Happy St. Patrick's Day!
It's always interesting to be in midtown Manhattan on St. Patty's Day. The bars open at 9:30am . . . . the bag pipe bands queue up (and tune up) just outside our offices. And the insanity goes on from there.
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The results of my MRI came back yesterday, and it seems as it there is an area of soft tissue near the area called the "prostate bed" that shows signs of additional cancer. Apparently it is a small area, but it is enough to concern the oncologist.
From my early understanding it's not a huge worry, but it certainly solidifies any questions regarding radiation treatment.
I am scheduled for two or three CTs and a bone scan on Monday to find out if there is any additional spread beyond the soft tissue involvement. Based on my original scans back in September, there shouldn't be any thing to find.
Just another step in the process of getting this disease out of my life and moving forward.
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