Tuesday, February 06, 2007

On Friday, Jan. 27th, I had a biopsy because of elevated PSA reading. You can imagine how that felt. The doctor said to take it easy for two hours then I could do anything. So I went to work for two hours and then went boarding the rest of the day at Timberline.

The following Wednesday the doctor called with the results. I had prostate cancer. Ouch!! I wanted to throw up and get it out but of course thats not possible. It appears they caught it early and he recommended surgery. He also referred me to another doctor who has a very good reputation. That appointment is Feb. 26th.

The exact course of action is yet  to be decided but I want the shi*t out of me as quickly as possible. The consequences of any of the procedures are not all that great but I can live with those as the goal is to survive and thrive and of course to keep boarding.

After doing a lot of research, talking with others who had PC and talking with a few doctors it looks like in my case surgery is the best procedure. That is now scheduled for March 27th. It is called LAPAROSCOPIC RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY WITH A REMOTE CONTROLLED ROBOT. Now thats having faith!!! The procedure offers the same success as full surgery or radiation but with perhaps less side affects. I can even return to boarding sooner although was caution about jumps and bumps.
Doc said to use all the style that a 55 year old can muster.

A couple of final physicals before the surgery, one routine one at the hospital and one at the doctors office. There the young, attractive nurse said to remove everything below the waste. She then ask if I ever had this done ( a cystoscopy a telescopic inspection of the bladder and the urethra) before. Nope can't say I have done that before. First she had to clean me so I was sterile. I had to concentrate to avoid a reaction as she was washing you know what. However that excitement quickly ended when she put some numbing cream into my ureatha. I hope it was as good for her as it was for me. The doctor then came in and did the procedure but admitted the numbing agent only works to a certain point. The good new everything looked good ... no sign of stones or tumors in the bladder.

The big day (Tuesday, March 27th) has arrive and I'm pretty relax and have the ipod going. Probably going boarding 4 out of the last 6 days had something to do with that. They put the mask on and I'm put for several hours. Actually about three hours of surgery and then recovery. When I wake up I notice the catheter is in me, which is a good sign, because of the cancer has spread then they do not take the prostate out and there would be no peeing into the tube. The doctors says the next day everything looked good as the glands were clean, the cancer which turn out to be on both sides of the prostrate was clear of the walls and appear to be contained. Finally got to go home on Friday although still on that liquid diet.

Following orders and just taking it easy, drinking liquids and goings for numerous short walks as I carry my bladder bag. Got the catheter and staples out the following Monday by that same pretty nurse. Doctor showed up and said I could get dress. Immediately after standing up I pissed on the floor just like a puppy. Doc said that was pretty much normal but I would regain control in a few months. Then he discuss penis rehabilitation.  Oh great!!  After this type of surgery old Mr. Happy is not so happy. The process affects a lot of muscles, nerves, etc in that area. So I get the little blue pills and a penis pump to make sure there is no scar tissue. Who needs scar tissue. I'll just do what the doc says.

Improving each day. Started readings e-mails the week after the surgery and then a little work at home. Started back to work part time after two weeks and currently almost full time. Finally got to go boarding last Friday, April 27th. Exactly one month after surgery. Only for two hours but you got to start somewhere. The doc said it was OK as long as you stay away from the bumps and of course jumps. Probably will go again this week after we get some more snow.

Next visit to the doctors is in a month where there will test my PSA again. That will happen several times in the next few years to ensure the cancer is cured.

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Published by longboard16: 10:49 PM Updated On: 4/30/2007 at 9:35 PM

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Goal-25 days (Granted some are full days and some are partial). 28 days so far.
11/15/05 First ride of the year and last one at age 53 (birthday tomorrow). Went to Timberline and had 32 inches of nice snow, warm day and no crowds and no wait at the lift lines. 11/28/05 Timberline again (Weekday Plus Pass is a great thing!!!) 8 fresh inches of snow overnight and again no crowds-they must have all gone to Meadows.
12/2/05 Up to Ski Bowl for some night riding. Little did I know they were in the midst of a 21 inch snow day with 8" the day before. That pow was tough riding but someone has to do it. Obviously need more work in the deep stuff - daylight would help also. Will need to hot tub!!! 12/9/05 Timberline ...sunny and warm,,,just shredding.
12/15/05 T-Line, again. Hard packed with icy spots....need some more snow which is on my christmas list.
1/2/06 First time of the new year. Timberline-Had to go as it's been two weeks, which is like having blue balls or whatever boarders get.
1/4/06 Can't get enough!!! Great day at Mt. Hood Meadows
1/14/06 and 1/15/06 Road Trip to Tahoe. Spent two days at Homewood. Saturday one of those great snow days, about 15 inches that covered up your tracks between each run and Sunday nice clear day with a view on great snow.
1/20/06 Meadows, $24 lfit tickes today, lots of new snow, visibility kinda suck but what more could a guy want....well there are a few things.
2/5/06 Super Bowl Sunday at Meadows. Crowd left about 1:00 PM which is the same time they open up Heather Canyon after doing AC work . Nice day, Especially after the crowd left. 2/15/06 Back to T-Line for the afternoon. Very nice day, cold, no wind. Practice jump after jump, albeit small ones.
2/24/06 Great sunny day at Timberline. Only wish I had got up there two hours earlier.
3/2/06 OMG!!!! When the sun came out it was awesome. Almost illegal. There should be a law against a old guy yelling shouts of joy as he goes down the hill. T-Line
3/10/06 Just spent 5 days in Texas and got back last night. Had to hit T-Line to get the batteries recharged. Good snow, good time.
3/15/06 Just had to get some night action in at Ski Bowl.
3/17/06 Happy St. Pats Day if you were wearing green on the slopes. Snowed at Timbeline all afternoon.
4/2/06 Working on improving various things, bigger jumps, going faster on steeper runs and riding switch. Still have a long ways to go but will get there. T-Line.
4/9/06Nice Day.  Sunshine in the morning and snowflakes in the afternoon....what more can you ask for. Great days on the Magic Mile and Palmer at Timerberline. 202 inches and still snowing in April.
4/17/06 spent the afternoon at t-line in several inches of new snow...oh yeah and I skip work. 4/25/06 Spent a great sunny spring day at Meadows. Snow a little sloppy in the afternoon but what the heck. Heather Canyon was good as was that rookie I made a few runs with.
4/28/06 All three Hood resorts were free today. hmmm which once to chose. Pick meadows since my pass is good till the end of May at T-line. Did not regret it, snow firmer than on Thursday, sunny skies and good music.
5/12/06 Spring day at T-line with sunny skies. More climbers/hikers than boarders/skiers. all day on Palmer and the Magic Mile.
5/28/06 A few hours up on the Magic Mile with a about three inches of new snow. Unfortunately the upper part was nasty weather, windy and poor visibility but the lower part was fine. Summer season starts tomorrow.
6/7/06 Nothing better than a sunny day and great snow up at Timberline. Just one of the benifits of living in the great northwest, so sorry east coasters.
7/15/06 Whoa, the middle of summer on a mountain of snow. YES!! Great sunny morning up on Timberline with good summer snow. If there was a downside it was pretty crowded as it is pretty much the only game in town or for that matter the USA.
8/18/06 Christmas in August is seven days away but it was summer snow on Hood today.  What better way to spend a August day but up on the snowfield. Skiers left at around 11:00 and left it all for the few boarders that were still there. This makes 10 months in a row snowboarding. Will it continue?
9/17/06 The answer is yes. Six inches of snow a couple of days ago. No one on the slopes. Must be working, cutting the grass but now boarding.

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Published by longboard16: 11:02 PM Updated On: 9/20/2006 at 10:50 PM