urologist appointment yesterday: Ultrasound done to assess kidneys. Both look clear. Kidney stones are a concern with the urostomy. No urinary infection present. Many people have asked why the bladder was not removed. The bladder is just a burned mass, from the radiation in 2004. It cannot be removed. Bleeding from the bladder continues, daily spotting occurs when coughing or straining. Cystoscopy is still an option, at this point Roger says "NO", doctor agrees unless bleeding continues to increase, the procedure is not really necessary. Roger is happy to see urologist to prove he is still alive and share news about the Zytiga/predinsone treatment. Overall, life is good.
Roger and his sister, Becky relax by the creek
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Addition of Give Forward Widget
Two friends of my daughter and son-in-law were critically injured in the Boston Marathon bombings. There are widgets on the right hand side of the blog to take you directly to the fundraising site for each of their accounts. Please visit the site, you do not have to donate to show your support, just leave a simple message. If you are able to make a donation, wonderful and thank you!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The Emotional Roller Coaster Of Chronic Illness
The Emotional Roller Coaster Of Chronic Illness
fortunately, I do not have a job to contend with, but this article does provide information on what the emotional experience is for Roger. I try not to ride the roller coaster with him, but certainly have trouble keeping with Roger's ups and downs. Not much patience any more, and I do blow a gasket once in a while. Love to all.
fortunately, I do not have a job to contend with, but this article does provide information on what the emotional experience is for Roger. I try not to ride the roller coaster with him, but certainly have trouble keeping with Roger's ups and downs. Not much patience any more, and I do blow a gasket once in a while. Love to all.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
a little worse for wear
nearing the end of February 2013-six months ago Roger was near the hospice stage.
Today Roger is anticipating crappie season, getting the boat ready, making plans with friends to go fishing.
His greatest suffering today is cabin fever. And thank you one and all for your prayers!
Zytiga is working to his benefit, slowing and arresting the development of the cancer. This is not a "remission" , but a break. At stage IV metastatic, the cancer doesn't go away, it is in his bones, spine, stomach, bladder, brain... but growth is slowed and the oncologist is happy with the results. Roger is now back to counting years of life not just weeks and months. Roger is feeling good!
Today Roger is anticipating crappie season, getting the boat ready, making plans with friends to go fishing.
His greatest suffering today is cabin fever. And thank you one and all for your prayers!
Zytiga is working to his benefit, slowing and arresting the development of the cancer. This is not a "remission" , but a break. At stage IV metastatic, the cancer doesn't go away, it is in his bones, spine, stomach, bladder, brain... but growth is slowed and the oncologist is happy with the results. Roger is now back to counting years of life not just weeks and months. Roger is feeling good!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
January 2013
Roger is responding well to current treatment-Zytiga, Lupron (shot), Xgeva (shot). Doing very well. We are both thankful for this break in the action and measure the new year against the past year resulting in a feeling of relief! Roger is thankful for feeling so much better. I am thankful I have not been committed to a rubber room by family members. Life is good and God is great!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
December 18, 2012
Near the end of a long year. Roger is doing very well, and is much better than this time last yearCa (which is about the time the bladder bleeding started) It has been 3 years since the PSA starting doubling every 6 months, keeping in mind those were the days when the PSA levels were in the single digits. PSA now in the 30-40 range, and we (Roger, I, and the medical professionals) consider that a good sign since the PSA is rather stable, for now.
Roger has Cardio Rehab 3 times a week, and has become a flirt with the nurses, trying to "bust a move" with them all during class. (They are all female). Some days I get a chance to walk around the hospital grounds while he is in class, have a route of about a mile and a half, and sometimes time for a cup of java and/or errands.
I would love to go on and on about the daily struggles that are ongoing with medicare, health insurance, prescription insurance, billing, and such but it would turn into a PHD dissertation. Needless to say, most weeks at least 4 hours are dedicated to talking to someone, somewhere about one of the above. Maybe on another day. I keep notes about these things since I can not possibly remember every conversation at this point as to what happened when, where and how.
Enjoying this time of relative good health, and wish good health for everyone reading.
Roger has Cardio Rehab 3 times a week, and has become a flirt with the nurses, trying to "bust a move" with them all during class. (They are all female). Some days I get a chance to walk around the hospital grounds while he is in class, have a route of about a mile and a half, and sometimes time for a cup of java and/or errands.
I would love to go on and on about the daily struggles that are ongoing with medicare, health insurance, prescription insurance, billing, and such but it would turn into a PHD dissertation. Needless to say, most weeks at least 4 hours are dedicated to talking to someone, somewhere about one of the above. Maybe on another day. I keep notes about these things since I can not possibly remember every conversation at this point as to what happened when, where and how.
Enjoying this time of relative good health, and wish good health for everyone reading.
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