David’s Blog

The short version

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Last week while in Boston I had updated bone and CT scans. Both were standard protocol for the trial. The results from the pharmaceutical company conducting the trial will be available when I return in early November. The official reading from the scans will determine if the dosage I am currently taking is effective, or if it needs to be increased.
The preliminary reading indicated that overall, the foci are slightly less intense and confluent than on prior imaging; this improvement is especially prominent in the ribs and spine. One’s first reaction might be that a celebration would be in order. However, there are two reasons that we are not yet in a celebratory state at the Emerson’s.  The first being, the results will have to indicate that the ‘improvement’ needs to be 30% or greater in order to continue at the current dosage. Increasing the dosage is not a bad thing, but it will come with the risk of more side effects. (Currently, I have not experienced any side effects from the treatment, except for increased fatigue, which may or may not be directly related to the medication.) The second reason being that I am not feeling any better. There are good days and OK days. AThe ratio of good to OK favors OK. I’m still not experiencing ‘bad’ days. Three Advil every six to eight hours combined with two Percocet when I go to bed and occassionaly 1 Percocet in the morning and/or during the afternoon and I get through each day.
For now, I march on as always. I have approximately ten days before I return to Boston and I plan to fill those days with a lot of living!

Friends doing their part

Advanced Prostate Cancer, FLHW, JRC Jewelry, PCF -

At this weekend’s Kansas City 1/2 marathon, this is what many of the runners saw… the race bib on Paige’s back! Paige contacted me early in the summer and said she was training for the race and wanted to raise money for FLHW. Initially she set a goal of $1,500 but by the time she finished, she actually raised nearly $2,100!

Paige, thank you for supporting our cause and contributing to the hope that we share through the research for a cure for advanced prostate cancer.  Words do not adequately express my gratitude!

Back in March I was contacted by a woman from Maryland. She explained that her brother as well as her husband were both battling prostate cancer. Mary also explained that she owns a jewelry store (http://www.jrcjewelry.com) and wanted to know if I would send her some of the blue FLHW bracelets in order for her to sell them to her customers.  Over the next few months she sold several hundred bracelets and raised a few hundred dollars. This was just the beginning!

Early in the summer she informed me that a supplier had donated a beautiful diamond and sapphire bracelet for her to raffle to facilitate further fundraising for our cause. After selling tickets through September, the picture to the left is her brother Richard drawing the winning ticket. When it was over, Mary and the customers of JRC Jewelry had raised $5,000 for FLHW!

Mary, Richard and everyone involved, all I can say is, you are all awesome! 

When being a little sad is cleansing

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, Finger Eleven, Foo Fighters, James Morrison, Lifehouse, Oasis, Train -

On a recent trip, a few songs came on my iPod that made me sad. However, because I love to listen to each of them for a unique reason, I let them play. I guess maybe sad isn’t the right word…perhaps melancholy is a more appropriate description.

As with most music I listen to, I just listen, I don’t memorize lyrics or go read what they mean. It is usually the music and feelings they evoke that gets to me. So here is a list for you to review, or comment on if you desire and maybe go buy the song yourself if you choose.
– James Morrison: The Pieces Don’t Fit Anymore
– Oasis: Sunday Morning Call
– Lifehouse: Breathing
– Foo Fighters: Times Like These
– Finger Eleven: One Thing
– Train: Drops of Jupiter

These six are just a few that rotated through this particular flight, there are many more. Each of these, for it’s own particular reason, conjures up emotions. There are times when these emotions manifest into sadness and perhaps tears. To me this is perfectly acceptable because amongst other things, having cancer has taught me to accept and embrace my emotions. God tests us on a daily basis and in a number of ways and these songs help me become more energized to fight on.

Lucky number 7

Advanced Prostate Cancer, charity, David Emerson, Faith-Love-Hope-WIn -

On Friday, September the 30th, we held the seventh annual FLHW Charity Golf Tournament. As with the six previous years the weather was perfect for the event!

The day included reunions with old friends.

It included the sharing of valuable information on Prostate Cancer screening and the need to live a more active and healthier lifestyle.

Though a few friends could not make it, we were honored with their support for the cause of better treatments and additional research for a cure. 

 We took the time to celebrate friendships…..

… and to spend time with friends and family.


In the end, one team came was victorious, but all of us involved as well as the cause were all winners on this day!!

From the far corners

Advanced Prostate Cancer, Boston, Cabozantinib, David Emerson, XL 184 -

As I leave for my six week check up in Boston I can feel the strength of so many of my friends and family. I also feel the support from a distance. Recently I have received quite a few emails and blog comments from locations far, far away.

Previously I wrote about a young man from Uruguay who wrote me just days after his father passed. His kind words touched me very deeply and emotionally.

I have also quoted Ivan from Australia. He has become like an old pen pal, back before computers and email. I so look forward to his emails. His prose is beautiful, encouraging and truely from the heart.

Then there was a note from Naples, Italy. Raffaele, only 24 years old, who wrote to say how much enjoyment he and his family found in my blog. I was once again dumbfounded at the reach of this journal.

Most recently I exchanged messages with Melvyn from England. His words helped in ways I cannot express.
“I think it is harder for our loved ones and don’t know how my wife copes. You have your disc golf and I have my horse – I do my thinking and a lot of praying whilst riding the quiet English countryside and thank the Lord for the blessings He has given me in life so far.”
What a beautiful picture he painted for me as I anticipate the results of blood work and bone scans, to be riding a horse through the English countryside!

A Capital affair

Advanced Prostate Cancer, Boston, David Emerson, Washinton DC, ZERO -

On Tuesday the 20th, I left for my visit to Boston at 4:30am. Though this was my first check-up after starting the latest clinical trial, it was just a check-up and only standard blood tests were run. I won’t  get a view of my scans until I return on October 11th. The Boston leg of the trip and the visit with the doctor were non-eventful.  When I finished I was then off to Washington, DC for ‘The Summit to End Prostate Cancer”. I attended the same event last year, but was more excited to return in 2011.
Aside from the opportunity to meet and speak with our elected officials (Kansas Senator Pat Roberts),

I was also anxious to finally get to meet in person a few on-line friends that I have know for years.
First was Tony from Las Vegas. We were diagnosed around the same time. He initially contacted me via email, but over the years we have talked on the phone, instant message and of course Facebook. He’s a great guy and a wonderful champion for our cause. I hope the people in Las Vegas realize what a resource they have in him!

Finally I visited with Sherry G. from New Mexico. She lost her son to prostate cancer when he was only 36. Sherry, much like Tony, is an outspoken advocate for all men. Not just those fighting the disease but also those men that should be and need to be screened.

Though tiring, it was a wonderful three days in Washington, DC. To Congressman Yoder and Sentors Roberts and Moran – please do your part and continue to fund cancer, and more specifically prostate cancer research.

Prostate Conditions Education Council Hosts 22nd Annual Awareness Week

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Sorry, I’m a little late in posting this message. There is still time for a free screening at several locations throughout the US, the details are below.
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Prostate Conditions Education Council Hosts 22nd Annual Awareness Week, September 18-24;
As the most common cancer and second leading cause of cancer death among American men, it’s important to be aware of the resources currently available to detect prostate cancer.  While experts continue to explore the benefits of prostate cancer screenings, the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test and Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) remain the safest routes to detecting the disease in its earliest stages – when it’s most treatable.    This year the Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC) – a national organization committed to men’s health and a leader in prostate cancer screening – continues its 22-year tradition of coordinating free or low-cost screenings to encourage men to protect their health as part of its national Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (PCAW).  This year’s PCAW takes place between September 18-24 with screenings available at hundreds of sites across the country.  Men can find the sites by visiting http://www.prostateconditions.org/screening-site-finder or calling 866-4PROST8.
“In many men, prostate cancer is an aggressive disease that is most successfully treated when it is detected early on,” said Dr. E. David Crawford, Head of the Urologic Oncology Department at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and Founder/Chairman of the PCEC.  “As the research community explores various methods to detecting the disease, I continue to encourage men to play an active role in their health by looking to those trusted sources of prostate cancer testing – the PSA and DRE.”      During PCAW, men are offered a baseline PSA blood test and a DRE administered by a trained professional.  Many screening locations also offer testing for cholesterol and testosterone, as many factors play into overall men’s health awareness and a man’s risk for prostate cancer. 
PCEC recommends that after 35 years of age, all men should work with their doctors to determine a screening schedule that is right for them.   Not only does PCEC encourage yearly screenings after the age of 35, but also overall health awareness to lessen the risk of prostate cancer.  Every year PCAW brings additional attention to the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer by dedicating “Six Days of Prostate Cancer” to key points for men to keep in mind as they pay attention to their health.  PCAW screening sites are also equipped with a variety of free informational materials that will help guide men in improving their overall health condition.  “PCEC is extremely proud of our commitment to improving men’s health,” said Wendy Poage, president of PCEC.  “Since the first PCAW in 1989, the program has helped to screen nearly 5 million men in the United States, and this number continues to grow both at home and internationally.”  
PCAW’s overwhelming success in the United States has not only helped to safeguard the lives of American men, but has also influenced prostate cancer detection initiatives abroad.  In fact, this year will mark the first prostate cancer screening event in Japan where free or low-cost screenings will be made available to more than 100 men at the Showa University Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.  “Japan is a country where prostate cancer incidents are on the rise, and screening rates are low.  It’s critical that we recognize the importance of early detection and the role that screening can play,” said Dr. Takashi Fukagai, coordinator of the prostate cancer screening at Japan’s Showa University Hospital. About Prostate Cancer Awareness WeekThe Prostate Conditions Education Council organizes hundreds of free or low-cost screening sites annually for more than 125,000 men across the United States and internationally. 
To date, the program has resulted in nearly 5 million screenings.  To find a PCAW screening site near you and for more information on prostate cancer, please visit http://www.prostateconditions.org/screening-site-finder or call toll free 866-4PROST8.  You can also join in the conversation by searching for the Prostate Conditions Education Council on Facebook or 4prost8health on Twitter.   About Prostate Conditions Education CouncilA national organization committed to men’s health, the Prostate Conditions Education Council (PCEC) is the nation’s leading resource for information on prostate health.  The PCEC is dedicated to saving lives through awareness and the education of men, the women in their lives, as well as the medical community about prostate cancer prevalence, the importance of early detection, and available treatment options, as well as other men’s health issues.  The Council – comprised of a consortium of leading physicians, health educators, scientists and prostate cancer advocates – aims to conduct nation wide screenings for men and perform research that will aid in the detection and treatment of prostate conditions.  More information is available at http://www.prostateconditions.org/. 

Focus, from another continent

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, FLHW, XL 184 -

In my mind I have been contemplating several variations of this post for a few weeks. I received a note from a friend and in it this person referred to me as a hero. At first I wanted to grab a keyboard and proclaim “I am no hero”. For whatever reason, I just want to share, and hopefully benefit others with the my life experience. I don’t think I can carry the weight of that label. This clearly was not their intention, but those four letters stuck with me.

Life got the best of me this week and between work, doctors appointments and family activites I was not able to take the time to sit down and address this topic. Good thing because today I received a wonderful note that put it all in focus. DG, a young man from Uruguay sent me the note below. I have included it here with his permission.


Dear David, I followed your site and fb for a couple of years because my dad have pc.
2 days ago he lost his fight, six wonderful years fighting shoulder with shoulder with a exceptional father.

I write this mail to say how much helped us yours histories, your knowledge and your courage.
Maybe i dont wrote you before because my english (with the years is making worst and worst) but I still keeping reading your post every day, sharing your happiness and sadness, and this was keeping me pushing and pushing until the end.
 
I had the lucky and pride of keep my dad in my arms during her last travel with mom,my brother,my wife and my little daughter (Her princess ) in our home.
Now is time to rest for dad and for us.
Please keep fighting, i will keep reading

I cried, seriously. Perhaps it’s the rainy morning. Maybe it is recent news about PCa brethren facing tougher times ahead. Maybe it was the wonderful, complete day I had with Mary and Brad yesterday. What ever it was, his words touched me in a way I definitely needed at this time.

I also sit here and wonder why, two days after he lost his father, DG would write to me. Why? Maybe becasue this blog is more far-reaching and meaningful than I sometimes give it credit for. I am honored to use this medium to reach out to those touched by cancer. I’m just a guy with Prostate Cancer that, at the beginning of my journey, decided to share my battle with cancer publicly. If doing so reaches nearly all four corners of the world and I can bring just a little bit of peace to one man, one family, then we all are blessed.

DG, you and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
I dedicate the following prayer to your Father:

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.
Amen. 

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