Not much to report today, but since my daughter Chloe hooked up this cool blog I feel I should say something. I worked out at the Senior Center and ran my fastest two miles yet - 18 minutes, 45 seconds. I jammed with the Popephonics, the improvisational band and had a blast. I talked to Jape on the phone; he's as crazy as ever. I got emails from Hess, Mar, Paul and Kathy Crylen. Thanks everybody for the nice thoughts.
Something I forgot to mention in my first post: when I got my PSA level from Dr. Khandeeparker, it was 63. For a guy my age it should be 2. He gave me my files to give to another doctor, Dr. Shakari. I opened them up and read them. I looked on the line that said PSA level and it said 790.93. I thought, holy shit! This thing is out of control, it's really growing fast! Later when I went to the doctors at University of Chicago, they explained to me that that was the billing code, not my PSA level. Phew! A little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing.
Till next time.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Effects of medication
Some of the effects of the medication I'm taking are hot flashes, fatigue, nausea, and enlargement of the breasts. So far I've only noticed hot flashes.
The story begins...
It started when I went to get my 2nd colonoscopy this year from Dr. Charbot in late October. I had the colonoscopy on Saturday and Monday he called and told me to see my regular doctor, Dr. Lindenberger, as soon as possible. He found an enlarged prostate and my PSA level was very high. For a guy like me a PSA level of 2 is normal; 8 is dangerous; and mine was 63! Dr. Lindenberger recommended a urologist, Dr. Kandee Parker. I was thinking it sounds like a hot name (I wonder if she's pretty). It turns out Kandee Parker is Dr Ashay Khandeeparker, and he was a man. Bummer.
Dr. Parker and his son suggested having a biopsy to check for prostate cancer. I went in early November and had a biopsy performed. They found cancer in all twelve samples ranging in amount from 5 - 95%. They gave me a shot of lupron to stop the growth of the cancer and suggested a course of radiation and hormone therapy.
Around the same time in early November, Dr. Charbot explained that I had villous adenoma, a precancerous stage in the colon. He suggested having the section of the colon removed before I had any radiation for the prostate cancer. I told this to Dr. Parker, and he said he would be in contact with Dr. Charbot to come up with a game plan. I told him I was leaving to fly to Seattle to help Chloe drive back to Chicago after Thanksgiving. He said that it would be fine. I may experience some hot flashes from the medication I was taking (Flutamide) and to see him when I got back. To see highlights from our roadtrip, check out Chloe's Facebook page, or go to Youtube and search for chloezabicki.
When I got back from the trip, I had a meeting with Dr. Parker. He didn't seem to have called Dr. Charbot while I was gone. He ordered a catscan and a bone scan from Holy Cross Hospital which I had in November. I had a hard time communicating with Dr. Parker because of his heavy accent and my hearing loss so a friend of mine, Val Cavin, suggested seeing some doctors at the University of Chicago. In early December I went to the University of Chicago and saw Dr. James Ward and Dr, Russell Szmulewitz and what a difference! They explained everything step-by-step. They're not sure if it's penetrated the prostate walls or spread to the lymph nodes yet, however, they seemed to think that with a treatment of radiation and hormone therapy, there is a 65-75% chance of curing the cancer, and not just having to live with it.
They have an interdepartmental meeting on Wednesdays with the head surgeons, radiation doctor, oncologist, urologist, and they bring up your case and all of them discuss the best option for defeating the cancer. Tentatively right now I'm scheduled for a bone density scan on January 5 and nine weeks of radiation five days a week starting in late January or early February. I'm still not sure what's going to happen with the villous adenoma. I think they'll deal with it after the radiation.
I feel great. Outside of the frequent urination and the occasional hot flashes, I don't feel like I have cancer. I've been working out at the Chicago Center for Aging: I go running on the treadmill and use the machines there for strength training. I'm still playing in three bands: the Pheomoans, the Vidiots, and the Popephonics. I'm enjoying music more than ever.
I'll keep you updated as the story goes on.
Dr. Parker and his son suggested having a biopsy to check for prostate cancer. I went in early November and had a biopsy performed. They found cancer in all twelve samples ranging in amount from 5 - 95%. They gave me a shot of lupron to stop the growth of the cancer and suggested a course of radiation and hormone therapy.
Around the same time in early November, Dr. Charbot explained that I had villous adenoma, a precancerous stage in the colon. He suggested having the section of the colon removed before I had any radiation for the prostate cancer. I told this to Dr. Parker, and he said he would be in contact with Dr. Charbot to come up with a game plan. I told him I was leaving to fly to Seattle to help Chloe drive back to Chicago after Thanksgiving. He said that it would be fine. I may experience some hot flashes from the medication I was taking (Flutamide) and to see him when I got back. To see highlights from our roadtrip, check out Chloe's Facebook page, or go to Youtube and search for chloezabicki.
When I got back from the trip, I had a meeting with Dr. Parker. He didn't seem to have called Dr. Charbot while I was gone. He ordered a catscan and a bone scan from Holy Cross Hospital which I had in November. I had a hard time communicating with Dr. Parker because of his heavy accent and my hearing loss so a friend of mine, Val Cavin, suggested seeing some doctors at the University of Chicago. In early December I went to the University of Chicago and saw Dr. James Ward and Dr, Russell Szmulewitz and what a difference! They explained everything step-by-step. They're not sure if it's penetrated the prostate walls or spread to the lymph nodes yet, however, they seemed to think that with a treatment of radiation and hormone therapy, there is a 65-75% chance of curing the cancer, and not just having to live with it.
They have an interdepartmental meeting on Wednesdays with the head surgeons, radiation doctor, oncologist, urologist, and they bring up your case and all of them discuss the best option for defeating the cancer. Tentatively right now I'm scheduled for a bone density scan on January 5 and nine weeks of radiation five days a week starting in late January or early February. I'm still not sure what's going to happen with the villous adenoma. I think they'll deal with it after the radiation.
I feel great. Outside of the frequent urination and the occasional hot flashes, I don't feel like I have cancer. I've been working out at the Chicago Center for Aging: I go running on the treadmill and use the machines there for strength training. I'm still playing in three bands: the Pheomoans, the Vidiots, and the Popephonics. I'm enjoying music more than ever.
I'll keep you updated as the story goes on.
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