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The hardest day of my life....

Great news. We'll continue praying for you and yours.
 
As a father of 4 young children, I couldn't imagine having to sit in front of them and explain having cancer. I have read your story several times. You have positive energy, and strength that rings clear in your words. I have shared your story with my family. I want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mike
 
I finished my final exam today at the Mayo and am headed back home tomorrow, can't wait. It's only the first week of March but I have spent more time in the US this year undergoing tests than I have in Peru working. Next stop surgery on April 23rd. Excited to get it behind me, still feeling positive about what lies ahead. My wife is my rock, I could not imagine going through this without her (married for 21 years and together for 28).

Thanks again for the prayers! Keep 'em coming.


Anyone considering an endorectal coil MRI for giggles, don't do it. Just saying.
 
Geuon, I had this diagnosis and subsequent surgery in mid-2007. I opted to retain my prostate, had 109 radioactive copper "seeds" injected into it to kill the cancer cells. Worked like a charm; presumably the cancer cells are long dead and the radioactive seeds have half-lifed until they are neutral now. My PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) numbers are very low, I am vertical, and my CJ's usually crank and run. Life is good and I have faith that your outcome will be equally good. Stay positive and know that many of us are pulling for you. Prayers for you and your family...
Bill
 
Just a quick update, I underwent my prostatectomy last Wednesday and was back in Lake Havasu by Friday morning. Recovery has gone well, little to no fatigue, some swelling, major PITA from the CO2 they use to fill the abdomen... the gas that never goes away. I had the catheter removed this morning and met with the urologist and went over the results of the pathology and the path forward. The good news is that the cancer had not spread to the sentinel (lymph) nodes nor the seminal vesicles which is extremely important. However, the cancer had reached the outside of the right lobe and had attached itself to the fatty material surrounding the prostate. Although this was removed, a thin margin could potentially remain.

The urologist has recommended that I undergo a series of radiation treatments (radiation not chemo which is a blessing) to ensure any potential remaining cancer cells are dealt with expeditiously. We are essentially dealing with any and all potential remnants from this nasty disease.

The treatment will start 3-6 months from now after I have fully recovered from last week's operation and will last for 8 weeks, 5 days a week, rradiation was expected given my high PSA's.

The results of the pathology from the sentinel nodes and seminal vesicles could not have been better.

I am winning this battle.
 
We'll keep you on our prayer list. Congratulations on the "Good" news. :wave:
 
Great to hear the positive news. I'll keep you in my prayers.


2, proofread and cleared by the NSA.
 
Great to hear you're winning and your amazing positive attitude! Praying for your speedy recovery!



 
Great to hear the good news! Take care of yourself and let yourself heal properly, I know it'd be tough for me to not try too much too fast to "get back into it".
 
Awesome news. Stay positive, being happy is the best medicine for the body.
 
Wow. I agree about your positive attitude. That is very important in any recovery. Great news and power through it.


Dain
 
Really great news!! Glad to hear it's going well. Hope you continue with a speedy recovery.
 
UPDATE!

I was just reminded by Keith that I have not posted an update in quite some time, so here it goes.

I started 7 weeks of radiation in late September and finished up in November of last year. The treatment was easy but the effects of the radiation hit me a bit harder than I expected, I dropped about 20 lbs, slept a lot, and generally did little in the way of physical activity barring a New Year's camping trip to Glamis sand dunes. By early February I started to get my strength back as well as my appetite. I had my first 3 month check up in February and received a clean bill of health. I just returned last week from my 2nd 3-month check-up and am thrilled to report that I remain "C-free," thank you very much. 30 more of years of this and I will be good to go.

I just graduated my two eldest, twins, and have been busy getting them ready for college. Last week we purchased two new vehicles for them and the movers show up in 2 weeks to de-mob them from Peru. My youngest is still on track to graduate at the end of next year. Times are a changing.

I have not done much with the Scrambler since I started my treatments as we ended up purchasing a Polaris RZR XP1000 at about the same time. Most of my money has gone into making that a more capable trail ride and the Jeep has been relegated to pavement duty for now. I still have my eye on a 5.3L conversion but the wife is less convinced.

Anyways, Keith's note reminded me that I needed to close the loop on this one. God has been good to me and my family and I have appreciated and continue to appreciate the support I get from this forum.

One day I will move back to the States and will be sure join one of the Scrambler trail rides, until then stay safe!
 
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Wonderful news - glad to hear everything is going great!

Let's see some pics of the RZR. Those are fun as much fun as a Jeep and equally as addicting to modify.
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Good to hear. Hopefully more than 30 yrs. Tell the wife you've earned the 5.3L.
 
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