Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Visit to the local Cancer Clinic…

Today was a scheduled visit to the Cancer Clinic to see my Urologist about my blood tests from a week and a bit ago… My PSA’s dropped from 14.9 to 1.1 over the past 3 months… That is great news, as it shows that the cancer is still reactive to the treatment… Things are looking good right now… the doc is already talking about taking another break from treatment… probably by Fall… Next visit with him is in 6 months… next treatment is in 24 days…

For those of you curious… NOTHING from WCB yet… probably won’t hear for another month or six… LOL Right now it just doesn’t matter… MY PSA’s ARE BACK DOWN!!!! 

Until next time....

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Another Waiting Game…

I went to Calgary on Friday morning to have my “Final” hearing with the WCB… this time a Medical Panel… Thankfully I wasn’t alone at this hearing.  I had a lawyer and the Fire Chief with me… I think we did a pretty good job of making our case.  My lawyer made some excellent points and I too got my say… at least they seemed to understand what we were saying… and accepted the information without any arguments.  Now it’s just a waiting game to see if we were able to convince them that my prostate cancer was PROBABLY caused by my being a fire fighter… At age 46, without the risk factors normally associated with prostate cancer, I am sure that my job had a large part in my cancer.  I hope they see it that way too!!

Now I just have to wait for their decision… but how long… weeks… or months???

Until next time…

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Goodbye 2008… Welcome New Year!

Well here it is… the end of 2008.  It’s been quite the year around here.

All in all we had a pretty good year.  A lot of ups and downs… some major medical issues… we lost some family members and good friends.... but we also had a lot of great times with family and friends.  We have a LOT to be thankful for in 2008. At times it didn’t seem like it, but we really do.  We’ve managed to make it through another year… we’ve skirted some medical emergencies… we’ve got great family and friends… I’ve survived 4 years with prostate cancer and we are continuing the fight against all cancers…

We are looking forward to 2009 and hope you are too…

From our home to yours…

Have a Safe, Healthy, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Until next time....

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Here We Go… PSA Rising…

Well, I just got back from my doctors visit to find out the results of my latest PSA test… They went UP again… from 6.7 to 14.7… this time in 2 months instead of the usual 3.  Testosterone levels were at 9.8, down slightly from the last one.  So, from the quick visit at the doctors office it was straight over to the cancer centre to start treatment again.  A 4 month Eligard injection and a two week supply of Casodex. 

It’s now time to prepare for all the “fun stuff” that goes along with the treatment… On the bright side - I won’t have to shave every day!!

Until next time....

Sunday, November 23, 2008

We Mourn The Passing…

This past weekend has brought my entire family to another major turning point in our lives…

At 3 AM on Saturday, November 22 my father passed away from lung cancer.  He was 82 years young and full of life until shortly after his diagnosis in July of this year.  He wanted so bad to beat this disease, but he never really had a chance…

I learned an awful lot from my dad when I was growing up… Although what I learned was never openly taught, I learned by watching how he lived his life… how he treated people and was willing to help when and where he could, even though he didn’t have the means to do much. He was a strict disciplinarian, but still very easy to have fun with.  We spent time camping, fishing and visiting relatives.  We almost always had a great time… Over the years, he took on the task of grandpa to his childrens children… a task he took great pleasure in.  He enjoyed watching them do whatever activity they were doing… taking them fishing… playing games… or just spending time with them.  And the kids loved him… they had him tied around their little fingers… They had many great times and laughs together.

Thankfully, I had plenty of time with him prior to his passing.  He lived with us for almost 3 weeks after his radiation treatments… at first he was full of energy and still very independent. We had a lot of time together each day… but he found it very hard to open up to me about his disease and the prognosis… mostly because he didn’t want to add to my burden as I continue my battle. But over time he became weaker and was finally moved into Palliative Care at St. Michael’s Health Centre in Lethbridge.  We visited frequently and he enjoyed the company, although he really wanted to be at home.

All his children visited with him Friday night… I recieved a call shortly after 3 AM that he had passed away peacefully…

We are going to miss you dad…

Until next time…