PCa

The Windy City

Advanced Prostate Cancer, chemotherapy, Chicago, David Emerson, PCa, the Windy City -

Being that Brad had a 5 day weekend last week, we decided in early September to make the most of it and head for Chicago.

I wish the weather would have cooperated but it wasn’t so bad. The rain was light and only bothersome as we waited outside the Shedd Aquarium. Brad had never been on the eL, in a public bus or a cab, we did all three! We visited ESPN Zone, the Hancock building, Michigan Avenue stores and enjoyed a dinner at Giordano’s. It was a fun three days away and I can’t wait to go back soon.

On a personal note, leading up to the trip I once again had been having hip and leg pain. I had spent a lot time the previous week or ten days sleeping and using a heating pad at night. It was cold and damp out the week that it seemed to be at its worst. Advil helped but the mild pain was rather persistent. When we arrived in Chicago the twenty minute walk to the hotel included a very noticeable limp on my part. Leading up to the trip I had reached the point where Advil was no longer needed but the mild pain was still lingering. The good news is by the time we walked back to the eL on Saturday, it was without a limp. Three days back at work and it’s all gone.
Mary thinks the pain may be from arthritis after having chemo, I’m not so sure. She did research on this and found instances where patients have developed arthritis after chemotherapy, specifically Taxotere. We’ll have a lengthy discussion with Dr. V on the 9th and go from there.

Fall is here. Although it’s not my favorite time of the year, the beauty of the foliage is stunning this year in KC. That is all for now.

Something new for FLHW

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, FLHW, PCa -

I am proud to announce the launch of the new and improved www.flhw.org
go check it out when you have a minute!

I owe a tremendous thanks to the site designer, Joyce Hutchings. She’s a co-worker from years and years ago at Sprint. Joyce put a lot of time into updating the site and teaching me the basics on updating it as well. I think she did a fantastic job and hope after looking it over, you agree. As I always say, the kindness of friends and strangers never ceases to amaze me, Joyce thank you very, very much!

There are still a few tweaks for me to include but as it stands, it is ready for prime time. Please poke around the site and let me know what you think!

After all this, I’m not done! Up next, it’s kind of a secret but I’ll just say “Yes, there is an app for that.”!

It didn’t suck….

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, jimmy buffet, Lake Perry, PCa -

Pardon the somewhat crass language but in the midst of yesterday’s four hour sailing adventure,
Captain Jim responded to a self posed and somewhat rhetoric question “How was your day off?”
We departed Overland Park at 9:30 AM. It was sprinkling with a thick overcast. As we traveled
west and north to Lake Perry, the clouds thinned and the rain stopped. I doubt we have many more
70 degree days in 2009, so when we backed away from the dock at 10:30, we were pleased that the temperature was already a balmy 63!
I’ll end the diatribe here by saying four hours later we were beat, but as you can see from the pictures, it was a good beating with strong winds and beautiful blue skies!
Thanks Captain Jim!
Son of a son of a sailor
By: Jimmy Buffett
As the son of a son of a sailor
I went out on the sea for adventure
Expanding the view of the captain and crew
Like a man just released from indenture

As a dreamer of dreams and a travelin man
I have chalked up many a mile
Read dozens of books about heroes and crooks
And I learned much from both of their styles

Chorus:
Son of a son, son of a son
Son of a son of a sailor
Son of a gun, load the last ton
One step ahead of the jailer

Now away in the near future
Southeast of disorder
You can shake the hand of the mango man
As he greats you at the border

And the lady she hails from Trinidad
Island of the spices
Salt for your meat, and cinnamon sweet
And the rum is for all your good vices

Haul the sheet in as we ride on the wind
That our forefathers harnessed before us
Hear the bells ring as the tight rigging sings
Its a son of a gun of a chorus

Where it all ends I cant fathom my friends
If I knew I might toss out my anchor
So I cruise along always searchin for songs
Not a lawyer a thief or a banker

But a son of a son, son of a son
Son of a son of a sailor
Son of a gun, load the last ton
One step ahead of the jailer

I’m just a son of a son, son of a son
Son of a son of a sailor
The seas in my veins, my tradition remains
I’m just glad I don’t live in a trailer

Slap!! That’s the sound of reality smacking me in the face!

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, PCa -

I’ll try not to bore you with too many details, but this requires a little background…

Last Saturday, August 22nd, I played disc golf as usual. No big deal.
Sunday, I went to Emporia, KS to play in a disc golf tournament. On the way to Emporia
my right thigh/hip started to hurt a little bit. The best way to describe this is it that it is reminiscent of the original pain from five years ago.
I brushed it off to the 90 minutes in the car, but knew deep down it must have been more. I popped a couple Advil and really thought nothing more of it. Just as the second round started, I took a few more Advil and that I thought was the end of it.
Monday I got up to catch a plane to Orlando for work. I worked out, maybe too hard, and headed for the airport. Again, three hours of sitting and my leg wasn’t feeling real good by the time I arrived in Florida, popped a few more Advil. I was able to catch a decent night sleep but Tuesday was 9 more hours of sitting in a meeting room. Not so good , my leg was reminding me who is in charge, more Advil.
This continued off and on all week, Advil about every 12 hours, but sleeping was not an issue. I took the weekend off from disc golf, which as you regulars know, was possibly the most painful part of my week!
The good news is it has now been over 48 hours since my last dose of Advil. The pain isn’t gone 100% but I am feeling way better than I was on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
I have felt this way at different times over the last four years but it has been a while. I had forgotten the paranoia, the dread, the deep feelings of doubt. You start to question the past decisions, the lack of future choices, the what if’s, the what’s next, etc.
I’m feeling better, much better now. We had an FLHW Board meeting tonight and just being able to sit with my close friends and sharing in conversation with them always helps.
Just a little speed bump? I guess we’ll find out in two weeks when we meet with the doc!

What a weekend

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, disc golf, Dynamic Discs Open, Emporia KS, Lake Perry, PCa -

Here’s what you do when you have cancer – you try to ignore it. Maybe not ignore, perhpas it’s better if I say go on without it as best you can.

Friday, I left work a little early and joined a friend on his sailboat at Lake Perry. Lake Perry is about an hour from here, between Lawrence and Topeka, KS. It was a bit windy when we arrived but we were out on the lake by 6:30 PM and were able to sail for two hours.
It was unbelievably relaxing and Jim, I’m ready to go back when you are!!
Yesterday, I played disc golf with a smaller crowd since some of the guys were out playing in a tournament. It was good to see Mark back out with us. He’s first and foremost a ball golfer but I think he’s slowly but surely getting the bug, plus his back is feeling better. Regarding my game, I just couldn’t catch Rich, falling one shot short.
Last night we had family over for dinner on the patio and then enjoyed a fire in the fire pit. We really enjoyed the evening. The weather remains unseasonably cool…it’s hard to believe it’s August in Kansas City.
Today we drove to Emporia, KS and played in a disc golf tournament. I joined Pete, Steve and Steve. I played better in the morning than the afternoon and finished in a tie with Pete for 6th place. Yet another Steve played lights out this afternoon to move from 6th to 2nd place. Sometimes it’s really fun to watch another guy you are playing with tear it up. He’s also one of those very quiet, humble guys – great job Steve H.!!
So not real exciting to read, but I hope you found it to be worth sharing. I just wanted to share with you the fact that I’m not slowing down!

How low can you go?

Advanced Prostate Cancer, Cardinals, David Emerson, disc golf, PCa -

I’ll take a few points, just the beginning of a trend!

This morning I’m off to the doctor for my monthly shot and blood tests.
As always, it’s a crap shoot but my body is telling me things are going well on this new medication. At times, I find it somewhat amazing how in tune I am with every little tweak, ache, pain, etc. that I experience. It comes from four and a half years of constant worry, constant obsession. Right now I am feeling good vibes!

I spent Saturday and Sunday in St. Louis with my brothers. I introduced my nephews to disc golf and really hope they catch the bug. I watched a little golf with my dad and then took in the Cardinals game with my brothers. It was a great game and what a beautiful stadium! It wouldn’t be a trip without providing the family with a little tech support! Two printer, scanner, faxes in and working, one with wireless support! Note to the industry, Plug and Play is a joke!

It’s a rainy Monday, is this God’s way of telling me he is washing away the PCa cells? Perhaps. One way or another, I’ll know in about three hours.

Finally, school starts on Wednesday. Brad will be in seventh grade…I’m in shock! Where is the time going?

Prayers

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, PCa, prayers, prostate cancer -

I’m not sure if I have, or even should share the following? I figure, what the heck.

As we sat in Mass on Sunday and prayed, I stopped to think what I really was asking God for when I pray.
I don’t ask for a cure to this disease, should I? Would that be selfish?
Mostly, I pray for time. I pray for good test results. I pray for happiness.

Next Monday is huge. Monday we will find out if re-starting Keto has helped. If not, we move on, but the options are not very encouraging.

The good news is that I feel great and would guess it is working, but we’ve been disappointed before, so I try not to get to excited. As Mary has put it, we are cautiously optimistic.

So I conclude with this:
God, give me strength
Allow me happiness in he midst of turmoil,
Provide me more time,
And the sense to know how to use it properly
In Jesus name,
Amen

My mind was elsewhere

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, PCa, the Big C -

Today we played a casual round of disc golf, Pete, Steve, Joe, Steve and myself. We all played rather terribly but the weather was ideal and the camaraderie top notch as we relived this past weeks events.

My thoughts were elsewhere as I could not help let my mind wander to the upcoming week. My friend Dan has his monthly follow up, please send a few prayers his way, Another friend John has a birthday tomorrow, Happy Birthday John!! Melissa turned the big 30 today, congratulations youngster!
Most importantly tomorrow is our 18th wedding anniversary and that weighed heavily on my mind.

I had already acquired a card and gifts for my lovely bride but I could not help wonder ‘how many more?” I pray for 20 and I hope for 25. Somewhat sobering to read, my apologies, but that’s where I was at and where my mind shifts to from time to time. I don’t dwell on it too long either as I continue to try to focus on what’s right and what’s good with my current condition. I am not sure there are many 46 year old men that could play 153 holes of disc golf in seven days, much less do it with advanced Prostate cancer. Seriously, I even cam home and mowed the grass!

I’m sharing this not in the hope of receiving accolades but because that is what this blog is all about, this is how I’m dealing with it, leading and living a “normal” life to the best of my ability. I hope and pray that there are others who find it and read it and are inspired to fight on!

Dan, my thoughts and prayers are with you tomorrow. John and Melissa, peace be with you both. Mary, well I’ll have much more to say about this tomorrow!

Once again….

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, Minneapolis, PCa -

Once again a week has passed and I have failed to post an update.
I do have a slight excuse, we spent the holiday weekend in Minneapolis with a dear friend.

The weather up there was ideal, low 80’s and no humidity and not a hint of rain. We had not been there in years, literally it was before Brad was born, so we’re talking 1995? For that I would like to apologize. Good friends are hard to come by and we should have visited long, long ago.

The four days were a whirlwind of activity; Mall of America, a Twins game, Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior, Lord Fletcher’s, Wayzata, a visit by Mary’s old house, Lake Reilly, an afternoon cruise on the Lake, spending the evening sitting around the fire pit twice, way too many toasted marshmallows, smores and almost 14 hours of driving.

On another note. work is becoming more and more stressful as we get closer to the offer of a job or you’re out of a job stage. Many people I really enjoyed working with are leaving. It’s going to be a much different place, if I am extended an offer to stay.

Next week I have appointments for an updated MRI and bone scans followed the next week by my monthly Oncologist appointment. More on that in a later post.

Time is flying, but I hope it’s clear, I am taking time to enjoy a little of it!