Not much new going on since my last post… The effects of my last injection of Eligard should start to wear off in the next little while… The side effects of it will hopefully start to diminish in the next couple of months...sooner would be better, but that is not how it went last time, so I have no great expectations.  I will have my PSA levels checked in September, and a visit with the doc in late September to see how things are going and to set up a schedule for testing and visits.

I had a bone density scan, and had my vitamin D levels checked earlier this year… The bone scan showed no major changes since the last one a year and a half ago...that’s good news… My vit D levels are in the high normal range… My supplements must be at the right levels even though a doc or two thought I was over doing it… I will keep up the regimen I am following now…

I mentioned that I had done a “cancer research” questionnaire a while back.  Like I said then, there were some great questions… made me think a lot about how others react to the news about someone having cancer.  It has been my experience that it definitely changes how some people react around me… At first, it was just a shock...a lot of people didn’t seem to know what to say...either that, or they just didn’t want to say anything, because a lot of people seemed to avoid me… Don’t get me wrong...a LOT of people changed in the opposite way...people I didn’t have a lot to do with prior to my diagnosis became great friends and people who still keep in touch… But a lot of people I called friends before, have moved on and although I tried for a long time to stay in touch with them, I don’t hear from them any longer...unless I run into them.  Of course some of that is my fault...I don’t make the effort any longer either....part of that is because as time moved on, the things we used to share are now gone.  A number of my current friends are people I met or became more involved with after diagnosis.  At first it was hard to deal with… but friendships change over time...even when you are around people all the time.  Great friendships don’t go away...they change from time to time, but you always know your good friends are around and there for you… other friendships come and go...family and life in general seem to have a lot to do with that. 

For now, life goes on… I’ll wait for my next new “normal” to arrive… I’ll enjoy my friends and family… and hopefully get a chance to enjoy some summer weather...if it ever shows up… LOL

Until next time…

I did an online 'cancer' research questionnaire last week... there were a lot of great questions, and they got me thinking... but that will be in a future posting... For now, I'm just going to enjoy the moment...

Until next time....

This is cut from the “Mission” statement on the web site:

The “Voices of Survivors Foundation” is devoted to exploring ‘Survivorship’ and what that means to the individual ‘Survivor’, whether they are recently diagnosed, undergoing treatment or post-treatment, in a variety of documentary formats. We work independently as well as with other individuals and organizations collaboratively, on a variety of projects to further this exploration.

The face of cancer is one that the has been portrayed as that of only older people and children for so long but that face is not reflective of whom cancer truly affects. Cancer affects us all and each person who deals with this has their own definition of what being a ‘Survivor’ means.

I requested to share my ‘Voice’ and was quickly accepted… Lynn Lane, the Executive Director, founder and all round great guy is also a prostate cancer survivor… We had never met prior to the taping of our ‘Conversation’, but shared a love of cycling and both belong to the group Cyclists Combating Cancer.  We chatted briefly prior to the Taping of my ‘Conversation’, doing our hello’s and Lynn giving me the rundown of how things were going to go.... then on we went… After the taping ended, we continued our chat (only after being accidentally disconnected by Lynn when he was turning off the taping equipment… we got connected again quickly and had a good laugh about the ‘quick ending’… ) We then had a private conversation with some personal information about ourselves and our ‘stories’ being shared… It was great to finally meet Lynn and have that connection… another good friend has been made.

If you have some time, check out the “Voices of Survivors” web site… look for the ‘Conversations’ listed under “the voices” then “videos” menus.  Check out ALL of the site… share it family and friends who are affected by cancer…

Until next time....

I will admit that it hasn’t been easy… and I’m not feeling nearly as good as I was 2 years ago...or even last year for that matter… But last year took a lot out of me, and since starting back on the hormone blockade last December, the side effects of treatment have been worse than any previous time.  The last couple of months have been the worst in the 5 years, but I refuse to let that get me down.  It’s Christmas time and I’m going to enjoy it!!

I’ve always enjoyed Christmas...and this year is not any different. I have had to cut back on some things as the energy just isn’t there to get everything done...but I’m still having a LOT of fun getting ready for the holidays… I just need to steel a few extra naps to keep going… So what’s more important, sleep or a little extra baking, decorating or cleaning… SLEEP!!!  This year I have also had some help from an unexpected source… It seems that my son, Brett, has decided he wants to learn the basics of making some of the treats I’ve made by myself for years.  So this year he has helped me make chocolates and caramel… it’s been a HUGE HELP as it’s a long tiring process… He picked it up quickly and has done an amazing job.  Hopefully the tradition will carry on for years to come.

Well, it’s only 5 sleeps away now… so it’s time to start the last minute shopping list… just food shopping… the gifts are bought, wrapped and hidden… hopefully not so well that I can’t find them LOL

Ahhh, Christmas… I LOVE IT!!!

Until next time....

My PSA’s went down to 0.4 from 1.1 about 4 months ago… I was hoping to get off of the hormone deprivation for a while again, but the numbers just aren’t right for that at this time.  So it will probably be a few more rounds before I get another break. We’ll try to get the PSA’s down as far as they will go before the next break… so it could be even longer.  Oh well, it’s always good to get in touch with my feminine side… LOL

So the news was good, which is always great! 

On another note… I hope some of you have taken a look at my previous post… I talked with Scott this evening and he is working hard to keep up with all the phone calls and emails he has been receiving… He is excited with the response so far and is hoping that this project will continue to open lines of communications for everyone that is affected by suicide.  Continued success Scott!

Until next time…

Check out this video:

From Scott’s web site Collateral Damage…

“Collateral Damage: Images of Those Left Behind by Suicide,” will be a book of portraits, a website and gallery exhibition, telling the stories of people who have lost loved ones through suicide. When I was 16, my father took his own life. Although I have always been honest and open about how he died, I often felt I was left to deal with my pain and recovery in solitude - my grief paralyzed by the social stigma associated with such an act. Even now, 27 years later, I still have so many questions.

Through this book of images, I hope to find some answers and at the very least, start a long, overdue conversation.

I hope you take the time to check out the You Tube video and then check out Scott’s site… Help him out if you can…

Until next time…

Before doing the Relay for Life back in June, I started helping a young lady with her cross Canada bike ride efforts. She is doing the ride to raise money for a medical clinic in Uganda… The medical clinic will continue to have the basic health care that they currently provide and will also include the services of a Maternity Ward. The Maternity Ward will provide women with prenatal care and a safe clean environment where a qualified midwife can help them through the difficult time of child-birth. The organization she is working with is Buiga Sunrise She is currently in Ontario… should be in Sudbury or beyond right now… I went out for a “training” ride with Tara before she left, and rode with her again when she was in the area… I actually rode 146.7 km’s that day… I was good up to the 120 km mark, but wanted to make it all the way home… I made it, but was exhausted… Tara, on the other hand, was not even working as she made her way in to Lethbridge… Youth, and having been on the road for 2 weeks already, made for an easy ride for her…

I’ve also been out on the bike a few other times this summer… I’ve now had 7 or 8 rides and have gone about 200 km farther than last year… Unfortunately, the weather and a few other things have caused me to take a break from riding… but I’ve got the bug again and am looking forward to a few more rides this year…

July took me back to the Cancer Centre for my injection of Eligard… My next PSA check is right away… in fact, some time this week I will head over to the lab… I see the doc September 1st… If all is still going well, I should be getting another break from the Eligard… really looking forward to that as the side effects are getting worse… but since I am still getting up in the morning, and able to enjoy some great walks and bike rides, it’s worth it!

Last week I heard back from the WCB about my Medical Panel Hearing and their findings… once again my claim was denied.  The good thing is that there seems to be another appeal available… My third “FINAL” appeal… we’ll keep fighting!

Until next time…

If you would like to pledge me, just go to my donation page here.

Only one week to go… so the plans are to get plenty of rest between now and then.  But plans often don’t come together… all we can do is try!

Until next time…

Life has been quite hectic for the past 3 months... and we've taken some time off to recover and rebuild, so I haven't updated the blog for a while.

All is well... at least as well as can be expected. Nothing new with the health issues yet... My energy levels are up and down as the weather changes, but for the most part I'm feeling pretty good. We still haven't heard from the WCB... but it's only been 4 months this Friday since my last hearing... I am hoping to hear by the end of June.... if not, it probably won't be until September... just the way things go!

I'm really enjoying the warmth lately... I always feel better when the sun is shinning! I've been getting out more and have even managed a couple of 15km bike rides... one more ride and I will have done more riding than all of last year... I do plan on many more bike rides this year... I just have to get used to the saddle again. Slow and steady.

Until next time...