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, April 7, 2011

Week 21 - Puzzled

Sorry for the later-than-usual posting... It was so nice, I drove to Cincinnati for dinner and a little shopping.

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A while ago, a friend at work told me how he liked to work on jigsaw puzzles.  I had an old puzzle that was of a topographic map of Yosemite National Park--no easy task to complete with all the contour lines and similar colors.

When he returned it, he gave me one of his puzzles to do.  It was a brilliantly colored image of birds in a tropical rain forest.  I started on the puzzle about 5 weeks ago, getting the border in place and some of the inner pieces put together.

Sunday evening, I decided to tackle the puzzle in earnest while I was doing a load of laundry after dinner.  The next thing I know, it was 11:00 PM and I was only about 40% done.  I returned to the puzzle Monday night after dinner and kept at it.  When it was nearly 11:00 PM again, I only had 30-40 pieces to go, so I kept at it.  I finished it shortly after midnight.

I'll have to admit that the last time I did a jigsaw puzzle was the Yosemite Puzzle when I was living in San Diego in the late 1980's.  It was fun, frustrating, annoying, and a great diversion from work, the Internet, and television.  Plus, you actually get to see what you accomplish each time you sit at the table.

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My spring cleaning bug has continued, at least on the inside.  I really need to get outside and do some work around the yard.  The weather has been a bit whacky thought--warm, cold, sunny, rainy, windy.  This weekend is supposed to be in the low 80's already.

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I'll have to admit that I've been a rather withdrawn and reflective mood as of late.  I'm not sure why.  Perhaps it's the approaching five-year anniversary of my mom's death; or some of the challenges at work; or just trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.  I don't know.  Puzzling, eh?

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BIOLOGY AHEAD

I continue to ride the incontinence roller coaster.  Yesterday and today have been two of my better days, and I probably could have gotten away without using pads.  Monday, I wasn't so lucky.

When I compare the nuisance of having to wear a pad versus dying from cancer, I'll put up with the nuisance every time.  Of course, in a perfect world, I'd be dry (in prostate cancer lingo), padless, cancer-free, have a full head of hair, and be a Powerball winner.

On the really positive side, I can pretty much sleep through the night pad-free now.  That's a good thing.  Of course, when you stay up doing puzzles till midnight, that means I only have to make it through 5-6 hours.

Tomorrow's the optometrist appointment and I'll learn if I can resume the Cialis.

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