Welcome


Welcome.

When I wrote that banner above, I was just days into this adventure. I'm a pretty analytical guy, and the simple act of writing every day helped me wrap my head around the fact that I had just introduced the word "cancer" into my vocabulary, and it helped me rationalize my treatment options. It also helped keep friends and family informed on my status.

Those daily updates tapered off to weekly updates and eventually to monthly updates (which I continue to do on the 11th of every month, the anniversary date of being told I have cancer).

I've kept this blog going because I remember how helpful it was for me to hear first-hand experiences of other prostate cancer patients. I wanted to return the favor by sharing my own journey in order to educate others and increase prostate cancer awareness.

But I wanted it to be a truthful sharing of details, so you will quickly see that I didn't sugar-coat much of anything. That means that you'll find some pretty graphic descriptions of the male anatomy and biological functions in this blog.

Finally, if you're reading this as a fellow prostate cancer patient, please understand that I am not a medical professional, and you should not construe any of the content of this blog as medical advice. Each case is unique, so please solicit the advice of your own medical team.

I wish you all the best as you go through your own journey.

-- Dan

Friday, June 17, 2011

Week 31 - Bad Habits

Okay, I'm back in my bad habit of being late on my posting.  Last night was another farewell party for a coworker who's decided to pursue another opportunity, so I wasn't thinking much about updating my blog.

This is the third person (out of six in that role) that has left since the end of March.   I don't know that I need to say anything more about what's happening at work.

It actually was a pretty boring week here in the heartland.  Not much to report--not even on the biology front.  It makes me wonder if I shouldn't switch to a monthly format.

I may hold off on that until my next PSA test which is scheduled for 4 August, with the results appointment on 11 August.  Assuming everything's okay then, it may be time to just bring this journey to a close. 

Thoughts from the peanut gallery?  :-)

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Week 30 - On Time!

Yea!  I remembered to update my blog on time this week!  Woo-hoo!  Of course, it helps that I'm sitting at home instead of in some airport terminal or on the road.

Yesterday I received a surprise call from the hospital I was in.  "Will you need financial assistance to pay off your $14,000 balance?" 

"HUH?!?!?"

I'm still battling with the insurance and hospital over my second admission back in January.  Anthem says they didn't do a pre-authorization for my trip to the emergency room, so therefore they're not going to pay until they get the medical records to review.  I've been on the phone with the hospital several times over the last few months to try to get them to do that, and it hasn't happened yet.

Then when I got home today, there was a bill in the mail from the X-ray service provider marked in big bold "PAST DUE."  I had spoken with them and they put my account on hold the last time we talked, pending the resolution with the Anthem.

ARGGHHH.

And that's all that I've got to say about that.

BIOLOGY AHEAD


One of the things that happened to me after the surgery was having a near constant irritation or itching in my urethra that gave me the sensation that I had to go to the bathroom nearly all the time.  I'd make frequent trips to the bathroom even though my bladder was relatively empty.  It got to be a bit annoying to say the least.

In the last week, that sensation has been greatly reduced for whatever reason.  As a result, I'm running to the bathroom less and feeling much more confident as I move around.  I hope that keeps up.


Saturday, June 4, 2011

Week 29 - Grandson of Oops!

Man, I'm really slipping here, aren't I???

No, I wasn't traveling this week--finally.  I think I just got wrapped up in getting caught up from all the recent trips that I've made, plus work has been keeping me busy as we put the finishing touches on our first draft of our FY 2012 business plan.  In other words, I've been living in my spreadsheet.

That said, we reset our vacation calendar on 1 June, so I'm back to having 4 weeks of vacation on the books!  Woo-hoo!  :-)   Nothing planned yet, but wait...



BIOLOGY AHEAD


Not much has changed on that front, either.  Been pretty "dry" as of late, forgoing the pads for nearly a month now, except when I know I'm going to be much more active than I usually am.  I'm walking home for lunch (one mile each way) when the weather and my meeting schedule cooperates in order to help build up more control.

On the whole, things continue their slow and steady improvement.