2011

So far this year we had planned a trip to Branson, MO for June to take advantage of a discount rate at the Escapees park in Hollister but had to cancel that because at my last physical my PSA went through the roof.  Went to the Urologist and he did a biopsy.  Two of twelve samples showed cancer, 5% in each of the two.  That means that there was a 99% chance that the cancer could have been missed, guess I got lucky in that respect.  I have prostate cancer, both the non-aggressive and aggressive kind.  I'm starting to feel unlucky now.  Doc recommended we remove the prostate.  Scheduled surgery to remove the prostate, no luck there, Doc found a lymph node with cancer and removed it, it was sent for analysis and came back positive.  Talked about it with Wife and doctor and decided to do radiation therapy.  Also decided that some form chemo was in order so I now get a Lupron shot every four months.  Now I have hot flashes, yes I now know how women feel during menopause, not fun.  Wife found a great OTC medication, supplement really, that works wonders.  85% reduction of hot flash effects, it works.  As of this writing I have five more radiation treatments to go and another Lupron shot.

Applied for VA disability back in March, after the biopsy results came in, still waiting for approval.

On a better note, I'm still positive about my prognosis and feeling ok even with the hot flashes, incontinence, and other side effects.  Ordered and bought a trailer to haul the bike and Suzuki after the radiation treatments are done, we are going up to Iowa the middle of August to take delivery and bring the trailer home.  Now we have to decide if we are going to Branson or move our residency to Texas with trip to Livingston.  Still have time to decide, October is the cut off, that's when the tags and taxes are due here in Kansas.  We will be parking the motorhome at the house so we'll have somewhere to live while we get the house ready to sell or rent.

Well it's Feb 2012 and I thought it was a good idea to update this.  We now have renters in the rental and our neighbors behind with the first refusal on our primary residence.  Our daughter is pregnant with our second grandchild, a boy that is going to be named Noah Alexander that is due to make an appearance the end of May.