Wednesday, August 14, 2019

WE DISCUSSED A COUPLE TREATMENT PLANS FOR MY PROSTATE CANCER WITH DOCTOR BUKALA TODAY

MONARCH BUTTERFLY
Although the 'Freedo Vandito' passed it's safety inspection nearly 2 weeks ago and had the front brakes done we noticed 3 days after getting it home a squeaking sound in a wheel somewhere as well as a screeching noise when applying the brakes.  Sometimes very noticeable and sometimes hardly noticeable at all.  I didn't want to drive the van all the way back to Palmerston where the break job was done with wheels and brakes squeaking so this morning we dropped the van off at the Bayfield Garage hoping it was something minor.  And as it turned out it was minor but it still cost us nearly a hundred dollars anyway.  Bayfield Garage work order said, 'Front Shims On Both Front Calipers Hitting Rotors. Bent Tabs Back To Lock Shims.  Road Tested - Ok.'  $94.92.  The safety check which included front brake rotors was done by 'Grant's Service Center' in Palmerston Ontario!!
OUR 'FREEDOM ESCAPE' VAN AT THE BAYFIELD GARAGE FIRST THING THIS MORNING

SWITCHING TAILS TO WARD OFF FLIES
MILK WEED PODS ARE GROWING
A beautifully cool 57F start to the day so Pheebs and I rolled on over to the Hullett Marsh for a short walk.  How nice to have such a great natural wildlife area so close to us.  Didn't see any birds this morning but did catch sight of a few Monarch butterflies and a couple Frogs.
BEAUTIFUL MORNING IN THE HULLETT MARSH
A MUSKRAT TRAIL THROUGH THE WATER


Home again feeling tired I didn't do much until it was a time to head for Stratford to have a chat with my Urologist Doctor.  Now, for readers who would rather not read about boring medical stuff I suggest you click me out of here and head off to read something of more interest to you.
BECAUSE THIS LITTLE LEOPARD FROG CAN'T SEE ME IT THINKS I CAN'T SEE HIM
VERY RARE TO SEE PEAR TREES GROWING NATURALLY IN NATURE AROUND HERE BUT DID SPOT THIS ONE AT THE HULLETT MARSH
My life partner/guardian/secretary/care person and very much most bestest wife of all times of course came with me this afternoon to ask Dr. Bukala all the right questions about the right things at the right times.  I just kind of always sit there going, 'yup, Okay, sounds good, will it hurt, will I be sick, d'ya think it will rain today, what about losing my hair, yup Okay, still sounds good, etc. etc.  So here's the skinny from Doctor Bukala regarding the findings of my recent Prostate Cancer tests.  The bone scan showed no signs of cancer anywhere else in my body except something in my neck which could be arthritis.  I'll be getting an X-Ray of that in the morning at the Goderich Hospital to confirm what it is.  So here's the plan we worked out with Doctor Bukala for my future treatment.  First, he thinks I may not be a candidate for Brachytherapy because of my 'intermediate' cancer status. (Prostate brachytherapy (brak-e-ther-uh-pee) is a form of radiation therapy used to treat prostate cancer. Permanent prostate) brachytherapy involves placing radioactive seeds in the prostate gland permanently, where they slowly release radiation).  We have opted out of surgery for now and have decided to meet with an Oncologist Doctor at the London Regional Cancer Program Center in London Ontario.  They will decide there if I'm eligible for the 'Brachy' treatment.  If not I am looking at a series of 20 radiation treatments 5 days a week for 4 weeks.  Nothing mentioned about Chemo Therapy.  Doctor Bukala's office notified the London Cancer Clinic today so we should hear from them in two to three weeks regarding a consultation appointment and where we go from there.  
Also, Doctor Bukala will remove the two kidney stone stents from last Wednesday's Lithotripsy procedure on September 5th.  In the meantime he has renewed my pain meds from now till then because I still have pain in my back when I go to the washroom.  Okay, that wraps up my medical report until next time.  Now that wasn't so bad was it:))
IN DOCTOR BUKALA'S OUTER WAITING ROOM
'OH GEEEZZZZ DID I REALLY NEED TO SEE ALL THIS SCARY STUFF'

HEADING OUT WITH A BRIGHT EYED PHEEBS EARLIER THIS MORNING
HEADING HOME WITH A SLEEPIER PHEEBS AN HOUR LATER

We were home today shortly before 3 and had a very happy little doggy waiting for us at the window.  Not often we leave the Pheebs at home for any reason but when we do she is perfectly fine.
GROANER'S CORNER:((  Bumper Stickers::
- "Time is the best teacher; Unfortunately it kills all it's students!"
- "According to my calculations the problem doesn't exist."  
- "Pride is what we have. Vanity is what others have."
- "How Can I Miss You if You Won't Go Away?
-"Warning: Dates in Calendar are closer than they appear."
- "Give me ambiguity or give me something else."
- "Why is 'abbreviation' such a long word?"
- "I like you, but I wouldn't want to see you working with sub-atomic particles."
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On the first day of college, the Dean addressed the students, pointing out some of the rules:  "The female dormitory will be out-of-bounds for all male students, and the male dormitory to the female students. Anybody caught breaking this rule will be fined $20 the first time.  "He continued, "Anybody caught breaking this rule the second time will be fined $60. Being caught a third time will cost you a fine of $180. Are there any questions?  "At this point, a male student in the crowd inquired: "How much for a season pass?"
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18 comments:

  1. I really like that picture of Kelly and you! Hoping that is arthritis. I, for one, will be hanging with you in the days ahead. Will be interesting to see what the other people say re that treatment option.
    Thank you for keeping us in the loop. We care about you.

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  2. Yippie on the bone scan! Believe me, I was worried about that one, Al. One way or another with the radiation, I’m sure the good doctors in London will take care of you. Kudos to Dr. B for the handoff to them. :)

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  3. Al, thank you for sharing your medical journey with us. You may be saving other lives by giving the details as you have. Many men (and women) do not have the courage for checkups, or for deciding on a plan of action for their condition.

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  4. When something else goes wrong, I tell myself I am truly fortunate to have lived this long. And I say this as I look over at my big ragdoll Paddy sleeping on my bed next to my computer. Like Pheebs with you, he is never far from me. Surely it's not because I'm the one that feeds him... Al, it looks like you still have time left. Yes.

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  5. Glad to hear such good results from the bone scan. I think you're on your way to beating this thing.

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  6. My dad died opted for the radiation. Now this was decades ago so it's has to be better now. The seed's were not available then. I just always figured I would go with the surgery using the robot if I get it.

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  7. Loved all your photos but especially the first and the last--so incredibly clear and vivid! Sounds as if you both have everything under control--thanks for keeping us all in the loop!

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  8. The 20 radiations sounds like it's bad but it's not. The time goes fast. Just get an early time every day and go out for ride and coffee after. You will feel the same walking in as you do walking out.⅝

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  9. What a wonderful variety of interesting flowers! Love the butterflies and frogs too. Do keep us posted on your progress. Hope the kidney stone issue is resolved soon!

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  10. The results of the bone scan sounds good. I hope they get you in soon and take care of this cancer. And your Dr. gets your stints removed also. You'll be ready for anything they throw at you Al. You have the best caretaker right at your side.

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  11. Nice to get things taken care of quickly and move forward cancer is nasty, but the treatmnets today are forever moving forward. Good luck with the bone scan.

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  12. You sure get great medical care up there in Canada. You will do fine.

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  13. The plan sounds good with some options. You might have to boost the allowance to you assistant though. :) That Pheebs is one great dog.

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  14. Sounds like a good plan..You got this!!!

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  15. The good thing is that you have a plan. I don't like that you have to wait another 2 -3 weeks to get another consult. Why didn't they request that a week ago when Dr. B already had the scan results? Sometimes all these appointments back and forth and waiting for another, etc, take months, allowing the cancer to keep growing. I am a firm believer of once you have a diagnosis then start the treatment ASAP. Sending positive thoughts your way.

    Hopefully you will have time for a wee shake down trip in the new RV in the near future.

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  16. Yep. Was with my sister the whole time from beginning to end of her life for breast cancer. It was an aggressive type cancer they told us. I'm glad you're under good care and with your other half to ask questions and care for you. I'm a firm believer to take all the treatments early on and be proactive in scheduling appointments consecutively...sometimes there too much delay between appointments. Take care and positive thoughts sent your way.

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  17. Hope the whole sequence of treatment goes according to plan!

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  18. My own doctor did not recommend the radioactive beads. My good friend did have them implanted and it resulted in a malpractice lawsuit that was settled out of court. Turns out the urologist implanted two of the beads in his colon wall, not the prostate. That resulted in destroying his colon wall. He has had bowel movement problems and incontinence problems ever since.

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