My doctors are finally making some progress in resolving my stubborn prostrate healing issues. Unfortunately the lack of healing appears to be due to malignant cells in the prostrate. They did a biopsy after my second surgery and found non-hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the tissue. This is not prostrate cancer but is a common form of cancer (diffuse B cell) found typically in the lymph system. In fact it is only seen about 0.1% of the time in the prostrate.
The chances of recovery are good with chemotherapy and it looks like I will start the first of 6 treatments next week. But first they want to do a pet scan and bone marrow sample to see how far the cells have progressed. They wait about 3 weeks between each treatment so I hope to complete these by mid September. Needless to say that changes my departure plans completely for returning to Tanzania, which was scheduled for mid May.
I'm feeling fine except for some increasing pain in my lower back which may be due to the enlarged prostrate, which is nearly twice the normal size. It may be pressing on a nerve. This usually does not slow me down during the day but makes sleeping difficult at night. I thought it might be another kidney stone but everything checked out okay there. I also got a good report on my colonoscopy last week. That's always good to hear since mom had polyps removed at this age (66).
I purchased a large aquarium (75 gal)a few weeks ago with the intention of waiting to buy fish until my return from TZ. It looks like I'll have more time to tend the fish after all, so I hope to be getting some African Cichlids this week from friends of the family. Getting the tank and supplies set up has also helped to keep my mind occupied. It turns out the Cichlids are from Lake Malawi which is the long slender lake that borders Tanzania on the south. I hope to read more about them soon. I have had Cichlids before but never knew much about them, except that they are unusually colorful.
Last week-end we had a wonderful family celebration for my niece Natalie and soon to arrive first baby. Who ever heard of a baby shower for 125 people? It rained most of the day so 3 tents was erected. But my sister's backyard grass is a pretty big mess now. It lasted from 3 pm til 8 pm so people were feeling no pain by that time. I sure didn't make it that long. A bunch of party animals. Of equal excitement was the announcement of Natalie's sister's first pregnancy. Bridgette and Matt are expecting in early December. Great news. Natalie and Mike are expecting in mid May near the BD of me, twin brother Jim and son Kyle (21st). We are all hoping for that day.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
April 2010 Update
I guess the big news this month is my second prostrate surgery (this week), which is called a traditional TURP procedure. It's a little different that the green laser procedure of 6 weeks ago. Let's hope it's a little more successful, since I'm due to depart for Tanzania May 14. I delayed that departure a few weeks for this second surgery. I just hope I don't need another delay; time will tell.
On Easter Sunday we had a wonderful gathering of family at church followed by even more (14 + 2 guests) at my house for dinner. The weather was great so everyone enjoyed my new brick patio for eating out. I even got to break-in my new charcoal grill; an Easter gift from sister Peg. Brother-in-law John showed me how to use the grill and Jim's son-in-law Ben brought loads of great homemade ice cream. Sister Janice brought the strawberry shortcake. It was all delicious.
Last week I got another lot of 15 used Dell laptops to take with me to Tanzania and have slowly been checking them all before packing. I think I'll only have room for 26 on the plane and one bag for cloths. They all seem to be in good condition so far. I also bought 5 external hard drives and 30 optical mouse and a digital camera to take back. Most of this is for the teachers at Kowak Secondary.
I'm really enjoying the warm weather we've had these last 2 weeks and got in my first round of golf this week before the surgery. I've been watering my new grass seeds daily and did my first weed-eating this week, so Spring has sprung. It's delightful with lots of birds and squires to watch all day. This should be a quiet week-end but next Saturday my niece Natalie will have a big baby shower next door for 200. That should be fun.
On Easter Sunday we had a wonderful gathering of family at church followed by even more (14 + 2 guests) at my house for dinner. The weather was great so everyone enjoyed my new brick patio for eating out. I even got to break-in my new charcoal grill; an Easter gift from sister Peg. Brother-in-law John showed me how to use the grill and Jim's son-in-law Ben brought loads of great homemade ice cream. Sister Janice brought the strawberry shortcake. It was all delicious.
Last week I got another lot of 15 used Dell laptops to take with me to Tanzania and have slowly been checking them all before packing. I think I'll only have room for 26 on the plane and one bag for cloths. They all seem to be in good condition so far. I also bought 5 external hard drives and 30 optical mouse and a digital camera to take back. Most of this is for the teachers at Kowak Secondary.
I'm really enjoying the warm weather we've had these last 2 weeks and got in my first round of golf this week before the surgery. I've been watering my new grass seeds daily and did my first weed-eating this week, so Spring has sprung. It's delightful with lots of birds and squires to watch all day. This should be a quiet week-end but next Saturday my niece Natalie will have a big baby shower next door for 200. That should be fun.
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