Great News for this Christmas Season

The first great news is that my prostate cancer numbers (PSA) have all settled down to a very acceptable level (0.04). In September my urologist tested and the number was going up (0.09) and he siad I might have to start thinking about radiation. Karen and I went to our family doctor who recommended I get retested by a different lab. We did and the number came back lower (0.04). That took off a lot of pressure, but I still needed a recheck in December. I was checked by two labs again and both the numbers this time were 0.04. Praise God.

I'll be checked every every 6 months for the next 4 years and then yearly after that. That one 0.09 reading just didn't add up with the biopsy and didn't make sense. Things are making sense and confirmed for now.

I'm describing where I'm at now as being on the good side of the equation.

The other great news is that Christmas is coming and right after our oldest daughter, Katherine, will be married to a great guy, Nate Leach. My daughter Hilary came home from a 6 months stint as a nanny in North Africa 2 days ago and Heather turned 18 on Monday. It is busy and exciting times for the Dials.

Merry Christmas to all of you. Jeff

And the Better News is...

I should have posted a long time ago.

At the moment things are not as bad as it seemed in September. Karen and I went to our family doctor a few days after I posted just to talk and get a global perspective on what to expect. He suggested pumping up on anti-oxidants and getting big doses of Vitamin D (something recommended to all of us in the cloudy Northwest.)

He also suggested having the blood work done at a different lab just to confirm the accuracy of the results. Our appointment was on Monday and my doctor called on Friday before he went home for the weekend to let me know that the lab results were very encouraging. The PSA came back at .04 which is now moving in the good direction.

I stll need to be rechecked in Deceber (I am going to have both labs check it) and will be monitoring for the rest of my life, but at present raditaion is "on the back burner."

Guess I was so relived that I didn't want to think about it for awhile so I didn't blog it. Sorry for allyou folks out there worried about me.

I'm looking forward to a big December. Hilary is home and Katherine is getting married. Lots to live for. ;-)

The Bad News is ...

I had a follow up call with my urologist yesterday. The news was not the best.

My PSA number went up from 0.06 four months ago to 0.09. With the biopsy results after surgery the PSA number should have been zero. So the number is going in the wrong direction. Diagnosis at this point is that there still is junk in there.

They are going to recheck my PSA numbers in 3 months, but radiation treatment is highly likely.

Not news I was really expecting, but when I was first diagnosed I always wondered if it might come back. I just thought it would be a bit more than 6 months before it reoccurred. The doctor is pretty positive that radiation will beat this back and “you won’t die of this.”

I’m playing the waiting game now, which was some of the hardest parts leading up to surgery. God is good. Cancer stinks.

Milestone

If this is my journal in addition to my blog I have to leave myself a note that for the past week I have been able to use zippers for the purpose they were intended.
[Don't ask.]

A New Desigantion

A week from today I will have a new title - Father-in-law. Ben will be getting married this coming Sunday to Shannon McLemore. We are all excited about having her in our family and she says she is too. We feel so blessed that they have found each other.

Busy week ahead, but looking forward to a great day.

Nothing New in a Month?

Really nothing much new on the medical front. Had my 8 week follow up a couple weeks back and things are progressing fine. The doctor was not completely satisfied with where I was at, but I think he took it personally that I was not healing as quickly as he wanted. That's the kind of doctor to have.

Last weekend we went camping with our longtime friends the Jacobsens. It got a little wet at the end.

Upcoming events of note:

Tomorrow morning I will be sharing this journey of mine with the Men of Faith at the monthly breakfast.

Ben's Wedding in two weeks. I have my yellow vest on order so that the two dads will match. The reservation is in at the motel. I have my instructions for the rehearsal dinner. Things are moving along. Looking forward to that premium seat at the wedding.

I'll be performing at Magic Monday June 14th at Third Place Books Ravenna Seattle. Show starts at 7:00. Join us. It is mucho fun.

No Excuses Now

My six weeks of recovery are over and I'm back to normal activity. That means I can pick up my tool box again and get back to a normal work schedule. I have a good week of work lined up this week, but as the economy is slow and it is the seasonally slow time of year anyway I won' t be over stressing myself as I get back into the swing of work.

Looking forward to the next big event, Ben and Shannon's wedding in June. (Congrats Shannon on your college graduation this past weekend.)

Another Day Another Dollar

Out and about today at work. Put in a pretty full day and ended with a short magic show and talk for the grade school kids at church. Working on a new trick to add to my summer show.

Tired yesterday. Invigorated today. I'll need to keep pacing myself still.

Looking forward to being able to pick up my toolbox next week and back to work for real.

I've been helping out at the local high school for their upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz. Great bunch of student and quality productions. (These are not the high school musicals I was in.) Great entertainment and only $8. Check it out.

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/109370

Fred Said I Need to Update My Blog

It's kind of boring right now. No new news about recovery other than I'm feeling better all the time. I am able to do more and have greater stamina. A week from Monday I'll be able to pick up my toolbox again and get back to real work. I have some jobs lined up so I'll have stuff to do.

On other fronts I will be performing at the Washington Midsummer's Renaissance Faire at the Marris Farm in Buckley, WA August 7-8 & 21-22. (I have to miss the middle weekend.) If you've never been to a Renaissance Faire give it a try.

http://www.washingtonfaire.com/

To let you know how I'm feeling I am sewing a new doublet for this year's run. Over half way done with the doublet and will finish the sleeves. Very therapeutic.

I want to add two trick this summer so I'm thinking about that too. Not sure yet what to do, but I have some time.

Great day at church today. My highlight was seeing a grandfather help baptize his granddaughter. God is good indeed.

Back in the Saddle Again

Well, I went out working the last couple days. Yesterday was just one service call in NE Tacoma. Today was seven stop route that took me through Seattle, up to Mukilteo, and back through Woodinville and Bellevue. Nothing strenuous, but it felt good to be out again.

Getting Back to Normal

Feeling pretty normal again. Not perfect, but way better than if I had the common cold. I'm good for about a half day of light activity and take it easy the rest of the day. I got in two 20 minute walks today in the sun and did not feel the strain. Still need my afternoon nap, but that works. Karen took me out to dinner tonight. That was fun. :-)

Tomorrow morning I am going to run an errand. That should constitute my half day of activity for Friday.

I'm just about half way through my recuperation period. I can tell I'll need to make sure I don't push myself too fast.

It is nice to feel normal again.

It was a Good Friday

Yesterday I went for my post-op follow up. Two good things there. The cathater is out and that makes me feel much more normal. It's the little things that add up.

The great news was that the biopsay showed that all of the cancer was encapsulated in the prostate with no cancer in "the margins". The type of cancer had not changed since my November biopsy as well. It is the the best possible senerio I chould have. If my prostate was an orange in the refrigerator, the rotten part was only in the pulp and had not reached the rind or extended to the rest of the food in the refergerator. Everything is inside the orange and we've throw it away.

At this point there is nothing left to treat. We will continue to monitor blood levels, but no treatments planned or needed. Greatly relieved.

Yesterday was the day I was looking to in my journey -- knowing for sure how far the cancer had or had not progressed. Last night at the Good Friday service at my church we sang the following old hymn:

When peace like a river attends my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, You have taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

That has been my journey. I have experinced the peace and deep sorrow. Yesterday could have brought either deeper peace or deep sorrow. Yet in all my soul is at rest.

Thank you all for your prayers, word of support, and kind thoughts. I've a few more hurdles to get over, but the big one is behind me now.

Felt Like a Breakthough Day

Actually got out a deck of cards and the cups and balls and practiced a little magic today. I must be feeling better.

Still waiting on the biopsy. Don't know if I should call and ask for an update or wait. I'm OK with waiting and maybe we can cover it at my follow up call on Friday.

Everyday and in Everyway, I'm Getting Better and Better

Things are working and I am more normal all the time. Eating normal food, cut back of the pain meds, and spend a little time doing work related stuff.

Thanks for the cards some of you have sent. Getting one today from the crew at Issaquah Glass was especially nice.

I've had the chance to keep my mom updated as well as my one sister back in DC. (My other two siblings are out traveling the world. Great opportunities for them. They might even check the blog.) Talked to an uncle with similar issues who has taken to walk together with me.

Highlight of my day was spending about an hour wandering the halls at church this evening during AWANA (kid's programming). It was just good to be out of the house talking to folks. And I got the exercise the nurse said I should get.

Slept the whole night through last night and am heading off to do the same tonight.

Home Again

I took a couple days, but I am standing at my keyboard typing (it's more comfortable that way.

Things went great. The doctor was able to do the surgery with nerve sparing which means great prognosis for the removal of the cancer and one aspect of life with less possibility of changes in the long run. Final results will be the biopsy results in about a week from surgery.

It's been three days since surgery. I'm sour but not in pain. The meds help, but I'm on half doses and it is doing the job.

Laying and sleeping is the easiest, but even that gets uncomfortable. Plenty of other things to do. I am actually liking getting up and walking around.

Surgery was scheduled for 1:00 but I think it started closer to 2:00 I didn't get to my room until after 7:00. I needed to be up walking before they would send me home. I tried to get up and walk after midnight, but couldn't get past the nausea. "Slept" for 5 hours and tried again before 6:00. And got the get out of jail free card.

The hospital is a great place to spend the night if you have complications. Not great if you are trying to get some rest. I was OK with them checking vitals, changing bags, etc. What was tough was every 20 minutes more or less a set of loud tones would play "Mary Had a Little Lamb". (I am not making this up.) Sometimes it played longer and sometimes shorter. It wasn't until I talking to my daughter Katherine that she figured out it was likely a bed alarm to alert the hospital staff someone was trying to escape from their bed. (It wasn't me. I was happy where I was.) It sounded like the staff was getting a full workout that night. No wonder the nurse was happy that I could get up and walk.

Doing good and feeling better all the time.

Thanks for all your prayers and words of encouragement.

Jeff

Ready to Roll

I check in tommorow at 11:00. Guess the good news is I get to sleep in. Having a quiet evening at home. I'm ready for the wait to be over. Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts.

A Sigh of Relief

Got the results back from my stress test today and things look good. So all things are go for surgery on Friday. Spent a nice quiet evening out with Karen. Peace.

Less than a Week

Thursday was the pre-op meeting with the doctors and the hospital. Not a lot of new information, but a bit more detail.

The one surprise was when I was moving from my doctor's office to meet with the anesthesiology folks I was informed that I needed to have a cardiac stress test before the surgery. (Actually not surprising given my family history. A prudent thing to do.) The nurse got me in for the following day, Friday. The actual treadmill test is much shorter in duration than all of the running around and waiting. As far as I could tell things went well, but I'll have to wait until Monday for the final word. (Don't take a medical test late in the day on Friday if you really want the results ASAP.)

So I am back to a waiting mode. Things should be fine, but there is that element of impatience that creeps in.

Important Message to Guys!

Guys,

Make sure you ask your doctor for a digital exam when you go in for your physical. Getting the blood work and the PSA number would never have caught my cancer. If I had relied on blood work alone it may have been years before we knew.

Insist on the digital exam. You can thank me later.

Jeff

More Encouagement from the Brotherhood

I had the chance to talk to a friend who went through my same procedure within the past year. It was good to hear from someone who has been down that road. He also shared with me "the things they don't tell you" which added some new information and confirmed some things I already knew.

One of my biggest fears about recover was allayed somewhat. I'll get more details on Thursday when I go in for pre-op consultation, but several weeks ago when the nurse said not to sit up for more than 30 minutes at a time for 6 weeks, I interpreted that to mean 30 minutes a day. I think I took it further than intended.

Last week the Leadership Team (pastors and deacons) at my church (Faith) prayed over me for healing, recovery, and peace. It is humbling knowing that I cannot do everything on my own and need help both temporally and eternally. Being offered help and having the option of taking it or declining it is easy. Humbling oneself and asking for help is harder. Asking God who knows all things is not intimidating. Asking friends who look you in the eye is humbling. Thanks Team and others for rallying round.

Thursday I get the rundown from the hospital and anesthetist on what I need to do preparing for surgery and recovery. More details on what to expect. Thinks are progressing and I like being there rather than just waiting for calendar pages to turn.

At Last I Get To Do Something

Yesterday I donated a unit of blood for my upcoming surgery. Feels good to be doing something directly related to the surgery.

Two Weddings and a Surgery

You know about the surgery, but the Dial's have two weddings this year as well.

Ben will be getting married on June 20th down in the Portland area. Shannon is a lovely person and is so matched for Ben. As a dad it is a blessing see how they so complement each other. We are looking forward to Shannon being part of out family.

Katherine will be getting married right after Christmas (and I mean right after Christmas)in the Seattle area. Nate is a super guy just out of the Air Force Academy and in flight training. You will have to ask them about their meeting and courtship. It is an amazing story.

We are so happy for both of our children and the great life they have ahead of them.

The Club You Never Wanted to Join

The Fraternity of the Prostate is much larger than one would suspect. I have had numerous men let me know of their own journeys and on going issues. As a result of my publishing my blog another guy let me know he's part of that brotherhood. Thanks everyone for the 'arm around the shoulder'.

Getting Some Support

One of the guys from church (Faith) who is also a survivor encouraged me to come to prostate support group he attends once a month at the Swedish Cancer Institute in Seattle. We carpooled there last Thursday. Eight guys were there including a retired doctor who is also a survivor. Often they have a speaker or some form of information planned. This time we just talked and shared our stories of where we have been and where we are at. One of the guys that was there had the same surgery that I will be having. While no one's story will be the same, it was good to hear from someone who had been down that path. Hearing the stories of the others assured me that given all the options the way I have chosen is the right one for me. Thanks Dave for getting me there.

Yesterday ended up being a very real day for me. Tears over what would have been a minor disappointment. A friend and sister in Christ, Shelly, was there to ask what was really going on. It started a number of conversations throughout the rest of the day (one in letter form with myself) about what's happening emotionally. Eternally I am OK, it is the here and now that stresses me out. It is hard at times and other times it is smooth sailing. If I get a little too weird ask me how I'm doing. I may need you to help me process. I need your support too.

I was reading the songs of David last night and Psalm 69:1-2 summed up where I am at: "Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me." I'm above water, but it is hard work staying there at times. Yet in it all there is assurance that my God is with me.

Medical Update

WARNING: Medical information follows. For the squeamish and you guys that don't want to think about male plumbing you have been warned! :-)

Since mid-January there have been a few things to add.

The plan is still for surgery on March 19th. (I guess that’s not an addition.)

Since being diagnosed I have been approached by several men who have walked or are walking a similar path. Special thanks to my uncle Don and Dave. Both of whom in their own ways have ministered to my apprehension and questions.

On the medical front, people are sometimes curious about why I am choosing surgery over other forms of treatment. There are about 6-7 options depending on how you categorize things. (3 styles of removal, a couple of ways to irradiate, freezing, and “diligent watching”.) At 54 waiting to see if the cancer is going to grow and then deal with it does not seem like a good option. It is in such an early stage the opportunity to deal with it is now. Radiation I would not be able to handle psychologically or emotionally. My dad died of colon cancer. And I don’t think I could sleep knowing they put large amounts of radiation for a short period of time or small amounts for an extended period of time right nest to my colon. Freezing is just too new a procedure for me. All of these options are good options for some men, just not for me.

Of the surgical procedures available I opted for the robotic Da Vinci machine. Less intrusive, but for me the precision of the machine makes it a great option for nerve sparing and blood loss.

Early in the process I Googled my urologist, Christopher Porter, and found this link which outlines one man’s journey with prostate cancer. There are some video links of both Dr. Porter explaining the Da Vinci machine and of the procedure if you are so inclined to watch.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12874131/ns/health-mens_health/

There are side effects of all the procedures, but as evaluated the bottom line was that there are side effects and what was more important was ridding me of cancer. So that is the plan.

At the moment my biggest concern is the 6 week recovery time, but I know this will pass and someday be a distant memory.

Two posts on my first day is enough. More things are happening I'll let you know about soon.

The Journey Begins

To get started here is a note I sent to my clients and suppliers mid-January of 2010 that sums up the start of this journey.

Dear Clients and Suppliers

This past December I was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer. As it is early stage cancer the prognosis is very good, but I need to move forward with treatment soon. At the moment, I am going to have surgery on March 19th. They expect 6 weeks before I resume completely normal work activity. I have made arrangements to cover both the office and the service calls while I am out of commission. I will let you know the details when I have them worked out.

Somewhere in that 6 week period I anticipate entering back into work on a limited basis, but I am going see how things are going before I know when that would be.

This is pretty serious, but the doctor is confident this is curable and my faith assures me that there are no surprises.

I will keep you up to date on the arrangements and am convinced we will be able to provide you the service you expect.

Looking forward to a healthy and prosperous New Year,

Jeff Dial