Treatment Day 3 of 28

 Last night before bed I checked the time for the appointment today, 2:15 pm.

The morning check the time again and calculated the time I need to leave. Allow 45 minutes for the drive, arrive 30-40 minutes before the scheduled time. Leave at 1 pm.

Made my breakfast, did the morning chores. Walked the perimeter of my property, plus a bit more to get my first two miles in for the day. Started to marinate some chicken wings for lunch.

Check some things around the house and start the BBQ for the wings at 11:30. Phone rings unfamiliar number, 505 area code. I answer, it is the Cancer Center asking if I can move my appointment up to 1:30.

Quickly, recalculate the time I would need to leave, 12:15. The time to cook, eat, get ready and leave in 45 minutes. I tell her no problem. Quickly cook, eat, clean, get my stuff and leave. 12:10 pm

I arrive just 10 minutes before one and down my 16 ozs of water, then head to the waiting room. I sit down, the tech comes out at 1:08 and asks if I am ready. I said give me ten more minutes. She started to walk away, turned back and said: come in now, we can line you up on the table and wait a few until your bladder is full.

They get me on the table and line me up. then the CT Scan to fine tune the line up and focus where they are going to send the radiation. Then they start, so I assume the bladder is full, which she confirms after.

That's it for the week, I get the weekend off and then M-F for the next few weeks. Monday at 2:15 PM, for the moment.

Treatment Day 2 of 28

 Last night I decided to enter all my appointments into my calendar, with alerts to remind when to go.

I did this because the first week of appointments the times fluctuate, then they are all at 10am. I requested mornings so I could still work at the gallery. After entering them all my last thought was that the next appointment was at 1:15pm.

Forty minutes to drive there, then empty my bladder on arrival, fill it back up with 16 ozs of water, wait 30 minutes for it to refill my bladder and I am ready for my treatment.

I entered the waiting area and the tech came out and stated that I was early. I explained my drive and routine and she said your appointment is for 2:15. What, wait a minute, pull out calendar, oops. She asked when I had drunk my water, I told her about 5 minutes before. She said she would squeeze me in after the 30 minutes for the bladder to fill. I apologized, she said no problem it happens all the time.

When she came to get me she commented on my camera and asked what I photograph, I happen to be on my phone, on my web site searching for a picture to enter in a contest, so I showed her. I also told her about my mazes and where I show my work in Madrid. She said she lives in Albuquerque but drives up Hwy 14, through Madrid to avoid I25. She asked me which gallery and said she would stop by one day.

So, second treatment went very well.

Tomorrow I will go back for the next treatment. Check for time on calendar on my iPad, there is nothing there not one appointment, WTF. Grab iPhone, check calendar, all appointments are there, for some reason they are not showing up on my iPad. 2:15 today.

January 2023 Update

I haven't been traveling since returning to New Mexico in August.

Before I left for Alaska last July, I had a medical situation arise, a bit of blood while urinating. I thought it was a simple UTI. After a couple a weeks, gallons of unsweetened cranberry juice and no blood. There was blood again. I decided before leaving for Alaska it might be time to get tested. If it is a UTI, I could get some medicine to treat it.

Drinking unsweetened Cranberry Juice is a good test for Covid, if you can't taste it, you have it. That stuff will awaken dead taste cells. (just my opinion) So far, knock on wood, I have not had covid.

I made an appointment at the local clinic and the result were negative for a UTI. Unfortunately, the test showed a high probability of Prostate Cancer. They scheduled a second test, which confirmed the first test. I received the results of the second test after arriving in California on the way to Alaska.

Before leaving for California, after the first test, I told my two sisters involved, with the trip, about the condition. Swearing them to secrecy until I received a confirmed diagnosis. I told them that I wouldn't be informing them at this time, except because of the potential for something happening on the trip, I felt they should know.

On the first day in California my urine was pink and, then again, once on the second day.

I contacted a urologist to make an appointment, the earliest they could see me was in September, so I decided to continue on to Alaska.

Now there is some humor in this, after returning home. One night I went to urinate, there was blood, lots of blood and then lots more. Now I am thinking "great they are going to find me on the bathroom floor bleeding out of my dick", then I started to feel faint. It stopped, I went to the couch and rested for awhile, then drank lots of fluids. Turns out the bleeding has very little to due with the condition and has abated.

Seems because my prostrate was enlarged and I have these little cystoids in my bladder, that are like tiny "goat heads", one of them nicked one of my veins.

Meeting with the urologist for the first time, it turned out we knew people in common, so we had a nice chat. He then scheduled me for a Biopsy, CT Scan, Bone Scan, MRI, Blood tests, etc, etc, etc.

After all the tests had come in, diagnose, CANCER. Good news, caught it somewhat early. Even though the initial PSA test came back high, the biopsies were moderate.

The diagnosis came back, about, a week before my 70th birthday, since my son was coming from California and my sisters were all coming out, I felt this would be the best time to inform them, in person. I, also, informed my best friends at that time. I had my best friend in stitches as I joked about it. Laughter is the best medicine. 

I was then given a choice of "surgery and radiation" or just "radiation". We talked about it and I decided to just do radiation. I then met with the doctor who would be my oncologist and then my hormone doctor.

When they did the bone scan there were "hotspots" which showed old broken bones (okay I am old so the bones are old, not what I mean, the breaks are old) and arthritis. One in particular concerned them, it was on the back of my head. At first they thought it might be brain cancer.

As it turned out way back in the early '70s I had been climbing a cliff at a beach in California. I was about sixty feet up when the packed sand I was climbing decided to separate from the cliff. I fell about 45 feet and hit a ledge, I had turned upside down and hit my head and shoulder, flipped over and fell the remaining 15 feet before rolling onto the beach. So I am assuming, I fractured my skull and the doctor missed it at the time, I did have a vey large bump. Of course the doctor at the time said my neck should have snapped and the only thing that saved me was I was, totally, stoned and had completely relaxed before hitting. When I started to fall I grabbed for the rope, missed, then thought if I am going to die I might as well enjoy it. I watched as the cliff receded, like a movie of someone repelling, of course I was free falling, I thought, this is cool. I was stoned, remember.

The end of October, I was given the first hormone shot. Years ago a friend had acquired hepatitis and all his friends were required to get Gama Goblin shots. At the time that was the worst shot I every had. Well this shot out did that by a long shot. I felt like I had been kicked by about four mules, for days. The best part is I get to get a shot every three months for the next two years. My ass hurts thinking about it, of course if they decide to use the other medication they give it to you in the abdomen. I was told that is much worse. 

One of the side effects of this hormone treatment is I get to enjoy "Hot Flashes" for the next two years. At first I didn't have any symptoms, that didn't last long. It is no fun stripping down and seconds later putting everything back on, repeat several times per day and night. Two years of this, wow, sorry for what you ladies go through.

At the outset I was told that without treatment I had 5-10 years to live, followed by a very painful death. I opted for treatment and was told I would have 20-30 years, still wondering if that is a good thing. Of course that is only if I am not hit by a bus or trip falling of the porch.

Today, January 11th, I went in for my first radiation therapy. I arrived at the proper time and was taken in. everything went very well. Except, while laying perfectly still, "Hot Flash", "do I say something? hold still? I need an ice pack NOW", I think to myself. I lay still and endure.

After, they take my blood pressure, way too high for the machine to read. They have me meet with my oncologist, which I will do every Wednesday after treatment. Good News, I have those same little cystoids in my prostrate, only five percent of men have them. The doctor explains that they allows him to focus and direct the radiation to a much finer degree. This means less chance of side effects, which may include, burning the rectum or bladder, which isn't big deal. The big deal is if it affects a nerve that could cause incontinence or impotency. It doesn't rule it out but it greatly reduces the risk.

This is the first of 28 treatments, everyday except the weekends. Every day a 40 minute drive each way for 15 minute treatment.

February 1st, I am scheduled for the second hormone shot.

Now they will monitor my BP to see if it comes down, as we agreed that being anxious about beginning treatment as well as, the "Hot Flash" during the procedure may have affected the readings. I ordered a BP Cuff to check it at home, which they advise doing.

Next treatment, tomorrow.

A day in the City by the Bay

 Monday August 9th

Spent the day in the, City by the Bay, I do miss the city and the fog, but not all the people and the noise.

We stopped at, Tartine Bakery, had chocolate croissant and bought some bread. When we got home they had given her the “Rustic” loaf rather than what she had ordered. It was delicious.

My sister, niece and nephew, went to see the exhibit by, Guo Pei, which she thought was at the De Young museum. It wasn’t.

We were passing by the, Japanese Tea Garden, which we had not been to in quite some time so we started there.

In the Japanese Tea Garden

Japanese Tea Garden

My sister, niece, me, nephew, 

We then went to the De Young Museum and saw the Obama Portraits. Where we found out the, Guo Pei exhibit, was at the Legion.

My sister told me to remove my mask, forgot to tell me to fix my hair.

Arriving, at the Legion we found there was a timed entry for the exhibit and we had a hour to kill before our time. so we wandered through the exhibits. Which included some of the work by Guo Pei. Including this stunning Dragon Dress.

At our scheduled time we entered the main Guo Pei exhibit. If you get the opportunity to see this GO!

The embroidery and workmanship, the use of natural and other materials is incredible.

Having done theatrical and art gallery lighting, I can say they did an outstanding job of lighting and casting shadows.

We ordered, Chinese food, for dinner from the Dumpling Depot in Sunnyvale it was very good, I will be having leftovers for lunch, which is right about now.

Checked in this morning for my fight back to New Mexico, we will be flying out first thing in the morning.

Last day in Homer and Heading to California

 Sunday, after the 6+ mile hike the day before, we decided to take it easy. 

My sister’s, “SO” is returning on Monday so we went to the grocery store and bought a few of the things she needed. We went to the, Boardwalk restaurant, for Halibut on a Stick and waffle fries. We ate half and saved the rest for dinner. Stopped by the, Pickled Pear, a food truck, to picked up some Mexican Street Corn, to have with our dinner

Returning to the house we relaxed and watched some TV.

Lola sitting in my lap while watching TV.

Halibut on a Stick

Bea and Esther attempting to crawl in my lap to say goodbye.

Monday, Scotty, Lisa’s SO informed us his flight was canceled and he was rebooked for the next day. The airline booked him a room and gave him meal vouchers, he was going to go back to his mom’s house. Being the East Coast was sweltering and he had no A/C at his mom’s, well sorry mom, he stayed at the hotel.

We went to the airport and she dropped me off. Unfortunately, my hat was left in the car.

I went to check in and asked if the flight was on-time, I was told it was, in a belligerent tone. I then said I had one bag to check to San Francisco and one to gate check to Anchorage. I was informed by the agent that “she” would not “gate check” my bag because it was not a mobility device or car seat. I informed her that every time I had flown with them I had no problem gate checking a carry-on with thousand of dollars of photography equipment. She informed me “SHE” would not do it, thank you #RavnAir in Homer. I had her check the bag to Anchorage, figuring I had an hour and a half to retrieve it and make my flight.

At 8:45, she went to the gate to start the boarding, except there was no plane. It was late, she walked away after 15 minutes of standing there. The plane, finally arrived, no announcement, at about 9:20, thirty-five minutes late. We were supposed to depart at 9:15, needless to say we didn’t depart until 9:55. That left me with less than a hour to collect my bag, go through security and get to the departure gate. 

My bag came quickly, security was very quick, and my gate was just about the last one on the concourse. I made it as they were finishing boarding. The bag that I checked all the way through did not. My AirTag showed it still in Anchorage.

I filled out a form at baggage claim in San Francisco, as the agent was entering the information, my phone alerted me that my bag was in Seattle. A second later she finished entering the information and it told her my bag was in Seattle. The, only, good part was the agent at #RavnAir didn’t charge me for my bags.

My, sister, picked me up and we went to her house. Her husband and I watched a James Bond movie.

Then it was time for bed.

Here are a few shots from my #iPhone12ProMax that I took as we were passing over San Francisco.

San Francisco 

Golden Gate Bridge

Bay Bridge

Basket Making, Bears and Salmon

 Friday, I went to a Basket Making class at the Pratt Museum in Homer. My sisters were suppose to be there but one was ill and the other went back to California early.

The funny thing is I met a women a couple of days before at the Two Sister’s Bakery, then she came into the toy store and showed up at the basket class. 

The class, as the teacher stated, was not going to involve a lot of technic, but rather our primal memories to build our own unique basket. She had collected grasses, willow and spruce branches, shells, rocks, feathers and many other natural items. She started us with the spruce and sea grass to start our baskets and gave us hints and ideas as we build them.

Mavis Muller led the class, you can see her work here.

Also google her name to see her work.

https://www.facebook.com/BurningBasketProject/

Starting to work on our baskets.

We each randomly, like pickings card from a deck, choose a base to start our project.
I picked the Swan.

The baskets created by all of us.

My basket.

Me with my basket.

On Saturday, my sister and I drave up to Copper Landing to watch the salmon run and bears. Although, we saw fresh tracks and scat, we did not see the bears, a mom and her cub by the size of the tracks.

Bear Track with sister’s shoe

We ran into a Park Ranger, Tom, at the Falls, said hello and chatted for a few minutes. He thought my sister was someone he knew. As we were walking back he was standing at path that went off into the woods. He asked if we had some time, he would take us to the salmon weir, where he counts the salmon coming upstream. We trusted he wasn’t a serial killer and off we went. The bear tracks, pictured above, were on the path he guided us on. We walked for about a mile stoppping at a few scenic places to take pictures. He explained what he did when we got to the weir. His cabin that he been calling home for 18 summers was across the river. We continues up to the Lower Russian Lake, then into the bushes to gather a few blueberries the bears had missed. We didn’t stay long as we knew the bears were nearby. It was a great side trip that we won’t forget, hopefully we will see him again.

Me, Tom and Lisa at Lower Russian Lake

Sister Returns, One Leaves

 Monday was spent awaiting the return of my sister from her trip. The flight was delayed over two hours due to weather. Then she had to get the connection to Homer, that flight was delayed, fortunately, and she was able to make her connection, otherwise we were looking at like driving up to Kenai to pick her up. After she finally arrived we went out to dinner and had a nice meal at the local seafood restaurant on the Homer Spit. 

Unfortunately, the next morning she woke up sick and ended up staying in bed all day and my other sister decided she didn’t want to stay and rebooked herself to leave this morning, Wednesday. Tuesday we sat around and just chatted and took care of her. This morning I took my sister to the airport and I am now at the toy store that my sister owns. Because we closed it for two days to do things and because of her illness we were unable to do that. Since she is still not feeling well I’m covering the store for a couple days so that we are not closed for four days which would not be good. I will cover the store again tomorrow and hopefully Friday, Saturday and Sunday she will feel better, then she and I can go do some things.

So if you’re in Homer stop by, The Captain’s Toy Chest, and say hello. 

Hopefully, I’ll have some new things to post and pictures to post in the next few days until then have a good day and thank you for visiting.

After dinner a flock of Seagulls on the Spit.