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

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Day 78 - Organizing


There really isn't much to report today.  I spent a good portion of the day just organizing things around the house--clearing all the post-surgery stuff from the bathroom; filing medical bills and statements; taking the trash out (for the first time in three weeks!); running a load of laundry.

After having a good incontinence day yesterday, I shed the full-blown Depends and opted for the guards in the underwear today.  No problems so far; just the occasional stress incontinence.

I shared (in spreadsheet chart format, of course) my drainage numbers with the surgeon today.  He was pleased that they're moving in the right direction, but wants to keep the drains in through the weekend and to call him Monday morning. 

That's okay, I guess. They're more a nuisance than anything else, but if they help get all that bad "juice" out of me--along with the antibiotics--I can tolerate them for three or four more days.

He asked how the incontinence was going and when I told him that I was in underwear with guards, he was pretty amazed given that the catheter came out two weeks ago tomorrow.  He was very pleased with that, so that's a reassuring sign.

So that's about it.  The last of my W-2's arrived in the mail today, so maybe I'll begin working on my taxes while I'm still sporting the drains this weekend.


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