Good News!

Ron had his first PSA test and follow-up visit with his docs on Wednesday. We were relieved, thrilled, and most thankful for the results. His PSA level was 0.03.. the docs seemed to be as pleased as we were. Additionally, they were thrilled with his healing and recovery progress. Ron doesn't need to see his docs until the end of December. At that time he will have another PSA test. PSA tests will be part of his life from now on!

The next step is for Ron to meet with a radiologist to discuss the pros and cons of radiation treatments. His doc recommends radiation for the following reasons:
1. Ron is YOUNG!! (so says the very young doctor!!)
2. The cancer was aggressive and there was a lot of it.
3. The cancer had migrated to the outside margin. Radiation will make sure none of the cancer cells "jumped the mother ship" to attach themselves to a new body part.

Obviously, the final decision is up to Ron. The radiologist the doc wants Ron to consult with is an expert on all things radiation related.

Our blog will be on vacation until we have any news! Or unless we get bored and decide to post non-cancer related family news.

Thank you again for your thoughts, prayers, cards, emails, phone calls and words of encouragement during this challenging time.

Cindy and Ron

«Early morning view of St. Al's, on the Gonzaga campus..

Next week, there are 2 major events (that I know about)--

Monday, it's back to work at GU, and Wednesday we're off to the doctor's office for my first post surgery PSA test!

The obvious objective here is for the test to come back with a value of ZERO. If the value is more than .1 or .2, it starts to look like not all of the cancerous tissue was removed. At any event, we will find out more about the next medical step... the surgeon already indicated that because of the pathology of the removed tissue, the fact that the diseased tissue was at the margins, radiation will be the advised follow up treatment. This will consist of daily office visits for several weeks of playing electromagnetic pincushion.

Most of the pain is a memory. I keep the Ibuprophen handy for incision pain (I'm off the 'hard' stuff.) The main work for me is retraining the bladder to empty all the way and not leave oil in the pipeline.

This past week I felt like I was in driver's ed, as Cindy allowed me to slip behind the steering wheel of her Subaru. Maybe next week she will let me start the car! (joke).

Those of you that have contacted me, I appreciate the kind words. In the case of a co-worker of Cindy, a plate of GYNORMOUS peanut butter cookies.

Until later, this has been the ronald.

Post op pathology

Wednesday was the day I returned to the doc’s office for removal of the catheter, and an update on the pathology on the materials removed during surgery.
Evidently the cancer was aggressive, and the concern now, is whether or not it has spread to regions outside the prostate; there might be a 50% chance that it has. He said the latest science would indicate the best course of action is to follow the surgery with a round of radiation in a few months.
I also scheduled my first post-op PSA test for September 30; It is the hope of every post op guy that their new PSA number will be close to zero; close monitoring of the PSA will continue for the next two years, I suspect.
There might be not much to report on this blog in the next couple of weeks, but if there is, this will be the place to read about it. Feel free to posts your own comments, and sign up for update notifications on the wiget in the right column.

What's next?

Ron is getting stronger by the day. He is feeling much better, sleeping better, and able to eat normal food.

We have an appointment with the docs on Wednesday (August 25th.) Ron will have a post-op check and they will remove the catheter. The pathology report should be back at that time as well. This will tell us what happens next. It is our hope and prayer that the cancer was fully contained inside the prostate gland so that radiation won't be necessary.

More later....

robotic surgery demonstration

First Full Day at Home after Surgery

The photo is one that I took at Mt Adams last week, it was from a series of shots early in the morning, and put together in Photoshop.
Last night was the first night at home post surgery. It was a difficult night, partly because I did not know what to expect from my body. But I am told that my experience is fairly typical. It is amazing how, for a normal person, the digestive system does "what it does" since birth, but in the traumatic changes brought about by surgery, some of these functions seem to be confused, and need to be retrained.
I have tried to talk to others that have been through the same procedure, to compare my experience so far with theirs, and to try to get a sense about what is ahead. I'm a little nervous, but given the fact that I am in God's hands, and I feel that I had the best care any person could have in the northwest, I am confident for an overall good outcome.

I would also encourage you to post responses to any of these notes, as you think of encouragements or personal experiences others can benefit from.

Home at last!

Ron was able to come home this morning. He is a bit exhausted from all the excitement that goes along with checking out of the hospital. He is eating regular food and we just took a short stroll in the sunshine. Now he is resting. You will hear from him soon!