Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Q - How Many Body Parts can Hurt at the Same Time? A - LOTS

It has come to my attention that the number of body parts that exude pain at any given time is gradually increasing as my age gradually increases. You may be experiencing the same thing.

A few hours of yardwork can lead to several days of sore knees, back pain a 'crick' in my neck, and hands that ache and won't respond to normal directions from my brain.

I know that all those things come with advancing age. But what about the effects of my cancer and cancer meds? According to my doctors (more than one) the pains don't have much to do with the cancer - yet. As a matter of fact my urologist told me, "What do you expect; you're 69 years old!" He always manages to say something to make me feel better (or not).

My day is usually better if I start off in the hot tub, walk a couple miles, and limit strenuous labor (involvling hammers and saws and chain saws and hauling fireplace wood) to a few hours a day - and not every day, That way I can better manage my pains such as sore knees, back pain a 'crick' in my neck, and hands that ache .

Feeling pain tells me I'm still alive - and most of the time that's a good thing.

axman

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Oh No! It's Back! Not Fair!

My PSA started to increase almost immediately after my prostatectomy in 2003. So other than the immediate shock, anger, and feeling sorry for myself, I have lived with the reality of recurring prostate cancer from the start.

In the past several months two old (with prostate cancer the 'old' part goes without saying) friends who underwent treatment five and eight years ago discovered that their PSA had started rising again. In fact their PSA had doubled every several months for quite a while. Both thought they were cured. For years their PSA had been near zero. They were sure they were cured.

When confronted with 'recurrence' they were understandably devastated. This happens to thousands of men every year - recurrence after five or ten or more years of being cancer free.

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer 'again' can be more emotionally difficult than being diagnosed the first time.

"It can't be happening again!"

"It must be a mistake!"

"I'm going to check with another doctor - one who will get it right!"

"I'm sure it will be OK when I get re-tested next month."

"OMG, I'm gonna die!!"

What can You Do?

First of all, stay calm. In the world of prostate cancer there is usually no reason to hurry up and take action. There are many treatments and the options vary depending on what treatment or treatments you had originally. Surgery or radiation or radioactive seeds might be options if they were not done previously. Hormone therapy may be appropriate. Or maybe your oncologist will recommend watchful waiting - at least for a while. There is bound to be SOMETHING you and your doctor can agree on. Don't panic. Don't rush to do something before you think it through. Keeping a positive attitude (not always easy) may be the best therapy of all.

axman

Monday, August 3, 2009

To Pee or Not to Pee...

...that is the question. Of course you recognize that line from the famous Shakespeare "Prostatectomy" soliloquy - or maybe not. But the question is relevant to anyone who has had one or more prostate cancer treatments in the past.

You've no doubt seen some of the numerous late-night TV ads for men who have trouble with urination (enlarged prostate/BPH). They tout all sorts of pills and liquids and ointments to make passing water easier. Us men who have been treated for prostate cancer have no such problems. As a matter of fact you can probably go pee any time you want - and sometimes when you don't.

After six years of various treatments - ranging from surgery to radiation to hormone pills - I have had reason to be concerned. Even though I long ago decided that living in a diaper was better than being dead without one, I did NOT want to go in that direction.

The bad news: You probably know that your likelihood of incontinence increases in the years after treatment.

The good news: There are some things you can do to improve your odds, so don't give up hope. I didn't.

For years I have done Kegel exercises (when I could remember) and that probably did help. More recently my Urologist prescribed some pills to relax my bladder. How could that help, I asked? He said that sometimes a more relaxed bladder makes it easier to control those unintended leaky moments. After a month I saw no difference, but after six months there has been a major improvement. It could all be psychological but that's OK, too. And I have a relaxed bladder - assuming that's a good thing!
axman