Colleen, Jay and I will take off from River House in Plain about noon today and head back across Stevens Pass to my little cabin on the South Fork of the Skykomish River. It has snowed on the pass the past 2 days so the drive back could be interesting. Colleen and Jay's rental vehicle is a new Ford SUV that is all-wheel-drive so as long as we take it slow and easy we should be fine. Just goes to show you though that the winter of 2011 is here.
The weekend could not have been any better. Yesterday we went for a drive around the valley and stopped in at a local joint for some wine tasting. Never done that before as I am more of a whiskey man than a wine drinker. However, it was fun and educational all the same. Ended up buying 2 bottles to take home and share with the family. We went on a couple of short walks in the woods and 1 short walk in the hamlet of Plain itself. All good. My strength is returning but I definitely have a long way to go before I can say I am 100 %. When we got back to River House I had to go lay down and take a nap.
We shared a lot of pictures and stories and just generally reconnected after a long period of not seeing each other. We renewed our commitment to stay in touch via phone, e-mail and text messaging.
Looking forward to getting home and the next 3 days off before going back to work. Not looking forward to that but I need to get back in the saddle and I think overall it is necessary to complete the healing process.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Riverhouse
My sister Colleen and her husband Jay flew down from Anchorage 2 days ago. They spent one night at the Dutch Cup Motel in Sultan. The 3 of us then drove over Steven's Pass to the little community of Plain, WA where Colleen's longtime friend, Mary, has a house on the banks of the Wenatchee River. There are actually 2 houses on the property, the main house called River House and the guest cottage called Beach House. Colleen, Jay and I have not spent any quality time together in a very long time so I am relishing each and every moment we have together. Both of the houses are right on the banks of the Wenatchee River which flows past in its perpetual quest to join Mother Ocean. We awoke to a light dusting of snow covering the deck and the surrounding grassy yard. The property is protected by sentinels of cedar, ponderosa pine, hemlock and spruce trees.
I am still recovering from my prostate surgery so am very limited in what activities I can participate in but I am happy to stay here by the river while Colleen and Jay go on runs. It gives me quiet time to think of all of the things I have to be thankful for.
We talked late into the night sharing stories, looking at old pictures and relating events that have taken place since last we got together. Jay prepared a great meal of roast pork, root vegetables, broccoli and salad. Delicious!
We'll be here till Sunday afternoon at which time we'll head back over a snowy Steven's Pass to Gold Bar. They'll drop me off at the cabin and then will head to the airport for their 9pm flight back to Anchorage. A whirlwind trip to be sure but I am extremely happy they both were able to make it down.
I am still recovering from my prostate surgery so am very limited in what activities I can participate in but I am happy to stay here by the river while Colleen and Jay go on runs. It gives me quiet time to think of all of the things I have to be thankful for.
We talked late into the night sharing stories, looking at old pictures and relating events that have taken place since last we got together. Jay prepared a great meal of roast pork, root vegetables, broccoli and salad. Delicious!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
A Walk In The Woods
I was able to go for 2 short walks today. Felt so good to get outside feel the cold Fall air on my face. I was able to wear jeans for the first time since my surgery. I almost feel like my old self again. I am certain that CJ and the kids will be glad to hear that. I am so grateful to each of them for their total loyalty and support during this time. Not easy since I am not the best of patients and required a lot of care for awhile. The importance of family has always been a priority for me but this time period has really hammered that lesson home.
The Saga of Prostate Cancer Was Far From Over
The day after finding out I had prostate cancer CJ and I went to see my doctor. The appointment lasted only about 20 minutes but it would be a time that would impact my life forever. I had three options: do nothing, radiation therapy or remove the prostate. After about a week of discussing the issue with several family, friends and my primary care doctor I decided to have my prostate removed. Why did I choose this route? At 52 years old I am in decent physical shape and can hold up to the rigors of surgery. Ten years from now who knows what shape I'll be in, possibly not good enough for surgery which would leave me with: do nothing or radiation therapy. Opting for the surgery to remove the prostate now gave me the best shot of getting rid of the cancer all together in one fell swoop. But, if for some reason it did not, I would still be able to follow up with radiation therapy.
On Oct 14, 2011 I checked in to Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle for the surgery. I was accompanied by CJ and my daughter Jessica. At check in CJ was given a device that would allow the doctor to contact her after the surgery. There was a big flat screen television in the waiting room. On it were all of the patients scheduled for surgery that morning. CJ and Jessi would be able to monitor that board throughout the hours of the surgery. The operating staff update the board at periodic steps throughout the surgery so CJ and Jessi could could follow the progress of the surgery as it happened. Very cool.
The surgery was supposed to last 3-4 hours. It took 6+ hours which caused CJ some tense moments. In the end the surgery was a success. My prostate and 12 lymph nodes were taken. The lymph nodes were to be biopsied to ensure the cancer had not spread. I was eventually reunited with CJ and Jessica in my room on the 6th floor. I was supposed to spend a single night in the hospital. That evening a couple of nurses tried to get me on my feet and to possibly walk a bit. After a short time I collapsed onto the floor. Both of my shins, from knee to ankle were completely numb. Both my calves were fine as were my feet. Puzzled looks were shared all around. The next morning after I had broke my fast I tried again to stand and walk though my shins remained numb. I was given a walker to help support me. I walked out into the hall and walked up and down the hall three times. On the 4th trip I collapsed again. Same problem. More puzzled looks.
As it turned out the numbness was caused during the surgery. My legs were supported by constraints at both knees. There are nerves on the inside of the legs, at the knee. The tightness of the constraints coupled with the extended time of the surgery caused excess pressure on those nerves which resulted in my shins being rendered numb.
I was kept a second night in the hospital. The following morning I could feel the pressure of the sheets on my shins. I had a feeling of relief that I can't adequately explain. I was able to walk, with the aid of a walker, without falling. This allowed me to escape the hospital at about noon.
At my follow up appointment with Dr. Han the following Monday I found out that the cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes. Hugh sigh of relief! I also had my staples removed. Time to go home and heal.
On Oct 14, 2011 I checked in to Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle for the surgery. I was accompanied by CJ and my daughter Jessica. At check in CJ was given a device that would allow the doctor to contact her after the surgery. There was a big flat screen television in the waiting room. On it were all of the patients scheduled for surgery that morning. CJ and Jessi would be able to monitor that board throughout the hours of the surgery. The operating staff update the board at periodic steps throughout the surgery so CJ and Jessi could could follow the progress of the surgery as it happened. Very cool.
The surgery was supposed to last 3-4 hours. It took 6+ hours which caused CJ some tense moments. In the end the surgery was a success. My prostate and 12 lymph nodes were taken. The lymph nodes were to be biopsied to ensure the cancer had not spread. I was eventually reunited with CJ and Jessica in my room on the 6th floor. I was supposed to spend a single night in the hospital. That evening a couple of nurses tried to get me on my feet and to possibly walk a bit. After a short time I collapsed onto the floor. Both of my shins, from knee to ankle were completely numb. Both my calves were fine as were my feet. Puzzled looks were shared all around. The next morning after I had broke my fast I tried again to stand and walk though my shins remained numb. I was given a walker to help support me. I walked out into the hall and walked up and down the hall three times. On the 4th trip I collapsed again. Same problem. More puzzled looks.
As it turned out the numbness was caused during the surgery. My legs were supported by constraints at both knees. There are nerves on the inside of the legs, at the knee. The tightness of the constraints coupled with the extended time of the surgery caused excess pressure on those nerves which resulted in my shins being rendered numb.
I was kept a second night in the hospital. The following morning I could feel the pressure of the sheets on my shins. I had a feeling of relief that I can't adequately explain. I was able to walk, with the aid of a walker, without falling. This allowed me to escape the hospital at about noon.
At my follow up appointment with Dr. Han the following Monday I found out that the cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes. Hugh sigh of relief! I also had my staples removed. Time to go home and heal.
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