PSU Tri: DNS...Cancer diagnosis... (Page 4)

well be thinking about you.  gladou were able to catch it in what sound like its very early stages.

Glad to hear the positive update for you... way to be strong and stay with it!

Great news, Fish! Thanks for the updates ... keep that good attitude and the treatments will be over before you know it!

just caught your blog & discovered the whole reason for "getting back into it"

I've got to say, you're a total bad @$$ . This thread has brought tears to my eyes. Is it weird to feel proud of someone I've never even met?

Anyway, I look forward to reading about your journey back into triathlons. Keep your chin up!

Edited by freckle face 2006-09-20 10:35 AM

This user's post has been ignored.

This user's post has been ignored.

I had a radiation appointment to review the procedure and to get insight into what was going on. It was pretty straightforward, and I think it's going to be relatively easy. For those that are interested in the deatils, I posted that report here: http://fishrcutb8.blogspot.com/2006/09/radiation-appointment.html

Then came Monday. I started this week with a bone scan, which I posted here:
http://fishrcutb8.blogspot.com/2006/09/tell-me-why-i-dont-like-mond...

I went to see an oncologist, who verified the radiation procedure, including some abnormalities I wanted reassurance on. He also agreed to be my quarterback, calling the proceudres and coordinating things, which is a HUGE load off my shoulders. The details are here: http://fishrcutb8.blogspot.com/2006/09/tell-me-why-i-dont-like-mond...

I closed the day out by GETTING HIT-AND-RUN BY A PICKUP TRUCK WHILE I WAS ON MY BIKE. Nothing was broken, just really bruised, sore, road-rashed and all that. The full report is here:
http://fishrcutb8.blogspot.com/2006/09/tell-me-why-i-dont-like-mond...

I still walked out of the ER with my chin up, an indication of my current mindset.

You've got to be kidding!  When it rains it pours I guess.  Glad to hear you're still in good spirits and the truck didn't come any closer! 

Geez o pete...the saying if it wasn't for bad luck...Hope you and your bike are OK post crash and glad the diagnosis was the lesser of all evils.  You have an amazing attitude and I am sure that helps   take care -SMO

Wanted to give you all an update:

Slow and steady wins the race. I'm wrapping up my first full week of radiation treatments today. I am tired, and somewhat nauseous, but otherwise okay. I leave work, get treated, go home and take a nap for about half-an-hour to forty-five minutes.

I am eating normally for breakfast and lunch, and midmorning and midafternoon snacks. Dinner hasn't been great for me, but I'm still trying to get something in at night. Had pizza last night because I had a craving for salt. It really hit the spot. I have lost about 13 pounds since the whole ordeal began, and am now at 190, which isn't bad (I'm 6 feet, so I'm almost at my fighting weight...Norman Stadler: BEWARE!). I'm still not going to recommend this as a way to lose weight...


Everything is healing from the bike crash. The road rash has all but disappeared, exept for three holes where I must have hit rocks when I landed. They left two holes in my forearm and one on my thigh. I'm still stiff in my left calf, and there is bruising all up and down my left side (doesn't hurt, though...or perhaps it's just relative), but otherwise I am good. Took my bike to the shop, and while he couldn't declare it totalled, he did say the damage would adversely affect the handling of the bike, and that it was not repairable. We shall see how that goes with insurance...

I still have another week and a half to go with the radiation, but the end is in sight. Thanks again for your thoughts, well-wishes, phone calls, e-mails, PMs, and especially prayers. They are soooooooooooooo very much appreciated.

Keep fighting the good fight Fishy! 

I finished my radiation last week! I actually feel pretty good...check that...REALLY good (which is to say, normal). After the radiation was over, my body spent a couple days purging it. I was still very nauseous and had some "intestinal issues", but all in all, the transition has been easy. Also, I noticed the front of my abdomen didn't have any signs of radiation, but my back got a little burned.

Next Steps
Now I begin ten years of tests and follow up. Most protocols seem to indicate five years as a massive indincator of success, but people who work with testicular cancer say ten years is the REAL cutoff for total success. Either way, I'm just glad to be through with radiation.

Thank you so much for your caring support. You Rule!


Excelsior,

Fishr/Rob

Great news! I am glad you are feeling good and pray for a speedy recovery!

Nice. Glad you're feeling good and in good spirits. You're an inspiration.

Fish-
You're an inspiration. Hope all is well with recovery. Your in our prayers. Be well.

Wow - I just caught up after initially reading your posts from a couple of months ago.  I'm really glad to hear all of the positive reports!