Treatment
Yesterday was Humpday and tomorrow is TGIF. Today, Thursday, will forever be remembered as Lupron Day–the start of another leg of this journey.
It’s interesting how we remember things. It’s easy to remember celebratory dates like family birthdays and anniversaries. We remember those occasions that have passed and anticipate those to come. The more unusual, perhaps heart-stopping occasions strike us somewhat differently. For instance, although very young, I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when news of each Kennedy assassination (1963, 1968) reached me. I also remember the phone ringing and hearing my wife telling me to turn on the television news on the morning of 9/11.
The dates of my cancer diagnosis, 04/13,and prostatectomy, 06/04, remain similarly ingrained in my mind. As if I need reminding, my new debit card recently arrived with the expiration date of 04/13! MaryEllen suggested that I could order a new one and no one at the bank would care. But, struck by the bizarre coincidence, I decided to keep the card as issued. So many things in my life seem to run in parallel. We were married on the same date of the same month as both sets of our parents many years before. My grandmothers–both 86 at the time of their deaths–died within hours of each other. We could only think it was so practical and thoughtful of them to not want to inconvenience friends and family twice.
I am uncertain how I will ultimately view my entry into a world without testosterone, a fuel for prostate cancer, for two to three years. But I am positive that the fact that it began on a Thursday–Lupron Day for me–will forever stick in my mind.
In the past two weeks I have heard of and read about a wide range of experiences from men who have entered this therapy before me. The stories are as diverse as the men themselves, ranging from registering every possible side effect including hot flashes, sore breasts, mood swings and fatigue, to those who report feeling few, if any side effects. This morning I lingered in front of the bathroom mirror and made a mental inventory of my body shape and hair, and wondering what changes might occur in these features. Never had I imagined that I would someday be thrust into reverse puberty! I cannot predict what the treatment will be like for me, but I accept it willingly, not wanting to experience the side effect of electing non-treatment. I will do the same with radiation therapy when it begins on September 20.
Yesterday, I was amazed once again by how oddly life works when I received a copy of a new book, Hot Flashes in a Cold World, by Alan Roberts, M.D. It chronicles Dr. Roberts’ experiences through radiation and hormone therapies. The letter that accompanied the review copy was written by his wife, Janet Roberts and addressed to Dear Sir/Madam,at Prostate Cancer Foundation. Mrs. Roberts had no idea who I was, never read my blog or had the slightest inkling of my present circumstances, yet the book landed on my desk the day before I was to start my own androgren deprivation therapy. I read through it easily last night and learned more about the process. I ask, what were the chances of that?
I carry Dan Fogelberg's music on my ipod. I hope to also carry some of his insight and wisdom.
I was talking earlier this week with Jean Fogelberg, the wife of music legend Dan Fogelberg who died of prostate cancer in 2007. She is a tireless supporter of PCF’s mission to find cures for this cancer. Jean told me that Dan was a Leo (like me) with a lot of fire that was cooled by the Lupron treatments. She remembers Dan telling her once that every man should go on hormone therapy for a month, just to see what it’s like to not have every decision be driven by testosterone. He also said it gave him new insights into women: their emotional natures and hot flashes. This morning Jean sent a message with her best wishes and the suggestion that I do something nice afterward so the day isn’t all about the shot. It is excellent advice that will add a positive dimension to Lupron Day. While I am not sure how the possible side effects of my treatment will play out, I am counting on it being effective. And, I hope that my experience will lead me to similar wisdom and insight as my fellow Dan, Leo and patient.
It’s interesting how we remember things. It’s easy to remember celebratory dates like family birthdays and anniversaries. We remember those occasions that have passed and anticipate those to come. The more unusual, perhaps heart-stopping occasions strike us somewhat differently. For instance, although very young, I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when news of each Kennedy assassination (1963, 1968) reached me. I also remember the phone ringing and hearing my wife telling me to turn on the television news on the morning of 9/11.
The dates of my cancer diagnosis, 04/13,and prostatectomy, 06/04, remain similarly ingrained in my mind. As if I need reminding, my new debit card recently arrived with the expiration date of 04/13! MaryEllen suggested that I could order a new one and no one at the bank would care. But, struck by the bizarre coincidence, I decided to keep the card as issued. So many things in my life seem to run in parallel. We were married on the same date of the same month as both sets of our parents many years before. My grandmothers–both 86 at the time of their deaths–died within hours of each other. We could only think it was so practical and thoughtful of them to not want to inconvenience friends and family twice.
I am uncertain how I will ultimately view my entry into a world without testosterone, a fuel for prostate cancer, for two to three years. But I am positive that the fact that it began on a Thursday–Lupron Day for me–will forever stick in my mind.
In the past two weeks I have heard of and read about a wide range of experiences from men who have entered this therapy before me. The stories are as diverse as the men themselves, ranging from registering every possible side effect including hot flashes, sore breasts, mood swings and fatigue, to those who report feeling few, if any side effects. This morning I lingered in front of the bathroom mirror and made a mental inventory of my body shape and hair, and wondering what changes might occur in these features. Never had I imagined that I would someday be thrust into reverse puberty! I cannot predict what the treatment will be like for me, but I accept it willingly, not wanting to experience the side effect of electing non-treatment. I will do the same with radiation therapy when it begins on September 20.
Yesterday, I was amazed once again by how oddly life works when I received a copy of a new book, Hot Flashes in a Cold World, by Alan Roberts, M.D. It chronicles Dr. Roberts’ experiences through radiation and hormone therapies. The letter that accompanied the review copy was written by his wife, Janet Roberts and addressed to Dear Sir/Madam,at Prostate Cancer Foundation. Mrs. Roberts had no idea who I was, never read my blog or had the slightest inkling of my present circumstances, yet the book landed on my desk the day before I was to start my own androgren deprivation therapy. I read through it easily last night and learned more about the process. I ask, what were the chances of that?
I carry Dan Fogelberg's music on my ipod. I hope to also carry some of his insight and wisdom.
I was talking earlier this week with Jean Fogelberg, the wife of music legend Dan Fogelberg who died of prostate cancer in 2007. She is a tireless supporter of PCF’s mission to find cures for this cancer. Jean told me that Dan was a Leo (like me) with a lot of fire that was cooled by the Lupron treatments. She remembers Dan telling her once that every man should go on hormone therapy for a month, just to see what it’s like to not have every decision be driven by testosterone. He also said it gave him new insights into women: their emotional natures and hot flashes. This morning Jean sent a message with her best wishes and the suggestion that I do something nice afterward so the day isn’t all about the shot. It is excellent advice that will add a positive dimension to Lupron Day. While I am not sure how the possible side effects of my treatment will play out, I am counting on it being effective. And, I hope that my experience will lead me to similar wisdom and insight as my fellow Dan, Leo and patient.