Harry's Prostate: 2012

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Back to Good News

Entry 62
June 27, 2012

Dr. Saranchuk, my urologist/surgeon delivered the good news yesterday during my appointment at the Manitoba Prostate Centre. My PSA levels remain undetectable, six months after my last Zoladex injection. Apparently, I am responding as hoped to the anti-hormonal treatment that is now in the "drug holiday" phase.

Dan and I returned from our paddling trip in Woodland Caribou Park on my 67th birthday. The two week trip, which while challenging, was an experience we both enjoyed. Here are some of the stats as compiled by Dan along with a few pictures that I took.

"Average daily paddling/dead time from camp down to camp up is 8.25 hours. Longest 11 hours 31 minutes, shortest 6 hours 15 minutes. Both numbers exclude the last 1/2 day, 4 hours to Johnson.

Distance was 203 kilometers. Total portages 50, noteworthy rapids 3, noteworthy chutes 4, rock gardens 2. Of course all the beaver pulls as well."

Friday, June 1, 2012

Paddling Upstream

Entry 61
May 30

I will be thinking less about prostate cancer for the next few weeks. The reason? As mentioned in a previous post, I'm going on another canoe trip to Northwest Ontario. If you are interested, there is a live map of our current location . We'll post pictures when we return. I will have been on the "drug holiday" for six months by then. On June 26, 2012, I will be visiting my urologist for the update on my PSA levels. In the meantime, this appointment, PSA levels, and drug holidays will be at the far back of my mind.

My cancer was discovered right after a similar trip two years ago.

Harry and Brian checking out Harry's solo canoe

Update : Harry's Current Location: June 7, 2012

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Spring 2012

Entry 60
May 3, 2012

I would like to give a big thumbs-up to the Manitoba Prostate Cancer Support Group. The monthly meetings are very well run, interactive and informative as is the newsletter. The last meeting was particularly germane to my situation because the speaker, Dr. Darrel Drachenberg spoke about new prostate cancer therapeutics.

As planned, the hormone therapy for my prostate cancer is on hold. I had my final injection of Zoladex in November after having had those injections for the previous 9 months. I am now on a "drug holiday". I return to see my urologist in late June to determine the level of my PSA. We expect that it will climb as we know the cancer went into my lymph nodes before my prostatectomy.

Except for recovering from infrequent bouts of lethargy and a distinct loss of strength at the end of the hormone therapy, it has been life as usual in our house.

I had a busy start to the year. I've continued to add regular visits to the Reh-Fit Centre to my usual outdoor activities. Combining those with the spring cleanup at home, I am staying active.

Washing wood

All winter, just like last year, I have been looking forward to a late spring canoe trip. I have already dehydrated most of the perishable foods I will be taking on the two week canoe trip. The trip will require a flight in a float plane that will take my friend Dan and me into the northeast corner of Woodland Caribou Park to begin. We'll post links and pictures later if you would like to follow us online.

Using my iPad

On another note, I was given an iPad at Christmas. It has made it more convenient for me to access the internet in new ways. I thought I would share a few apps that are available in case you also have access to an ipad. These five are some of those that are free at iTunes:

The Journal of Clinical Oncology
Draw MD - Urology
Prostate MD
In Practice Oncology
Medscape (registration required)

Another app that costs $1.99 at iTunes is The Urogenital System (3D4Medical)
Also, there are many apps to help with healthy eating and fitness. We'll list some of our favorites on another occasion.

hstimson @ shaw.ca
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