and I think to myself...

It has been seven days, one whole week since Roger's last visit to an ER.  We still celebrate when he pees, and do a victory dance when the urine is clear, or when a small clot has passed.  Roger is still tired and weak, but maybe finally on the mend.  For the next week and 1/2, he still has to refrain from doing too much, actually from doing much of anything, not supposed to lift anything over 5 pounds, that eliminates a lot.  Today, he is in good spirits.  I know because he is back to obsessing.  Obsessing is his hobby.  I'm still getting used to his hobby.  I'd rather he build birdhouses, or paint.  Today's hobby project was a new couch, a sectional to be specific.  By 5 pm, I tell him, okay, let's go.  He found one he liked sometime in November and has talked about it for the last two months on and off.  And so it came to a head today when he asks a new and different question about the furniture every hour.(and yes there are that many questions to be answered) By 5:30 pm, we are out the door.  And yes, found it again, and on sale. And so now, we will be having old furniture taken away, and new furniture delivered.  What his next project will be is up in the air.  But for now, my old Roger is back, feeling better, and today was a beautiful day.
And I think to myself
what a wonderful world.

At one of our visits to the ER

ET at the ER

Update from December 21-present

So this is bound to be lengthy, and will take a while, as my notes are all over the place, and sometimes missing. This latest adventure in cancer began with a visit to Roger's family doctor on December 21.  Roger began having blood in urine with an occasional small clot.  Mind you he was seeing little clots for about 2 weeks before this, but not on a daily basis.  By the 21st it was becoming an everyday, every pee occurance.  At the office visit on Dec. 21, it was determined the blood was not from a urinary infection, and forwarded a referral to the urologist.  After a few calls to the urologist, Roger gets an appointment for Dec. 29.  Urologist doesn't take long to determine the need for a catheter, and the whole process begins.  Doctor has to use the rod like things to dilate the urethra, before he can finally put the catheter in.  Doctor does this with out medicating Roger, and I can see (I am still in the room) this is quite uncomfortable, and somewhat painful.  I make a note to make sure to carry some of the pain medications with me at all times, and/or make sure Roger takes something for pain before we step inside any and all doctor's exam room.  With the catheter in, we head home with a prescription for stronger pain meds than he had been given before.

3 days later with the intention of going through the past three weeks, I realize I will never finish this post.
It is 3 weeks, 6 runs to the ER, 2 Hospital stays, 1 surgery/cystoscopy/cauterization of prostate, 4 visits to urologist office, several trips to various pharmacies.  We are both at home this morning.  Roger has been catheter free for 5 days, still passing clots/blood but seems to be clearing.  Instructions to take it easy for another 2 weeks, and drink copious amounts of water.  Roger is tired and weak and sick and tired of being sick and tired.  I'm just tired.  together we are cozy at home with our wood stove keeping us toasty and that's good.

January 23, 2012

Quick trip to ER at 4am this morning. Catheter used to drain bladder, took catheter out, then headed back home. Roger sleeping now, Pat took cat nap.

medical info on PC treatment

Evolution of Treatment Options for Patients With CRPC and Bone Metastases: Bone-Targeted Agents That Go Beyond Palliation of Symptoms to Improve Overall Survival - Cancer Network:

'via Blog this'

January 17, 2012

still passing clots, as long as he is able to pass the clots Roger will not go to urologist, cause he knows what will happen there (the catheter), nurse advocate from United Healthcare suggests drinking lots of water and not waiting too many more days, maybe consulting the urologist by Friday if this continues. Roger agrees to that, anything to avoid the cath monster. Pat is pushing the drinking water, Roger obliges.

January 6, 2012

Roger is still in hospital.  Was ready to be discharged.  Removed catheter, but bladder just filled up, no urine, so new catheter was put in.  Waiting for blood in urine to clear up, will be a couple of hours before we know if Roger can go home today.  He will be going home with a foley cath.

Short update Jan. 1, 2012

Roger taking it easy today, feeling as good as one can with a catheter. Urologist on Tuesday for scope to find source of blood. Bone strengthening shot at Oncologist on Friday. Will update blog later in week. A happy new year on wish list.