I finished the race!

That’s right- I finished the race! My final radiation treatment was completed at 11:58 am Wednesday August 21^st, 2013.

As I lay on the table one last time, I realized I was completing my treatment as I had started it 8+ weeks ago; looking up at the cross in the ceiling, flooded with gratitude that God was there, He was watching over me and that He was healing and protecting me. What an awesome God; God is so good.

Then as I was leaving I ran into the massage therapist I had had a God conversation with a few weeks ago. I had an opportunity to bless her and she blessed me with a farewell backrub. God is really good.

When I met with the cancer support nurse as part of the discharge procedure, she mentioned a number of times how I had really sailed through the treatment- “only God” I told her; she agreed. She also reminded me why my appetite had increased (I forgot she had mentioned it 10 weeks earlier). Anyway, she said I use 300-400 calories just being on the table for the radiation treatment and probably 500 or more for the boosts I received this week. No wonder Culver’s had such a strong pull this summer.

When I told her I was experiencing more fatigue the last two weeks she reminded me that fatigue is a cumulative effect of the treatment, but also that my body is healing- duh, of course. The fatigue should begin to improve in a couple of weeks. I’m doing well, glad to have finished the treatments and expecting God’s healing and strength to continue.

Thanks for caring, praying and supporting me as I walk out this journey. Keep praying for complete healing, total eradication of the cancer, and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

I’ll probably be winding down this blog next week and only post information if there’s something to post.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

Final lap!

That’s right I’m on my final lap. Today (Friday 8-16-13) I have my last “general radiation treatment”. On Monday I begin my last three “boost treatments”, where they will target the lymph nodes in the pelvic area and give them a special dose- zap them with a little extra boost to finish off the job.

On Monday Susan and I will also be meeting with our oncology doctor to map out follow up plans. Next week is my doctor’s last week in Green Bay. He has been hired by the University Medical Hospital to head up their prostate seed transplant department. I guess God lined me up with a pretty good doctor!

 I’m feeling good. I get a little tired the middle of the week, so I go to bed a little early.

 Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

Treatment Changed!

This past week they changed my treatment. Apparently that was the plan all along, but I didn’t realize it. My first 25 treatments took 20-30 minutes as the x-ray machine rotated around my body to nine different sites and shot 18 beams at 9 different angles in 18 different patterns. Each beam was 3 to 12 seconds in length. Now the machine makes one arc around my body, one beam, one angle and it takes 65 seconds (yes I timed it).

It’s great! Apparently the next 13 treatments will be like this because they are focused on the pelvic floor and before they were shooting the whole pelvic area.

Not only does it take much shorter (a real break for my bladder control), but because of the change, my symptoms are diminishing. My gut isn’t as sore and my bowels have settled down. Yea God! These treatments will last through Aug. 16^th and then there will be another change.

The last week of treatment (Aug. 19-23) will focus directly on the two lymph nodes on the floor of my pelvis. They call it a “boost”. They’ll zap the lymph nodes with a little extra boost to finish off the job. I’ll tell you more about that next week.

 

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

  

 

A Good Reminder

A friend sent me some words of encouragement this week from the song “Sometimes He calms the Storm” (see link below). Although I realize my current journey isn’t a full blown storm; sometimes I feel like it is. So the words from this song were a good reminder.
“Even in the storm I keep sailing on, knowing My Lord is in control.” “Sometimes He calms the storm, sometimes He calms His child; sometimes He holds me close as the wind and waves go wild.”
Maybe this is a good reminder for you today?

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ifqPji2Flo

PS.- don’t forget to submit your suggestions for naming “the machine”- (see previous blog for more info)

Meet my lunch partner

Here are some pictures of my daily lunch partner. We get together everyday Mon-Fri. @ 11:30 am. in a corner room at St. V’s. (St. Vincent’s Hospital)
I’d introduce you but I don’t know her/his name. Maybe you could help? Let’s name my friend. Send me your suggestions and we’ll have a contest.

I’m doing pretty well, a little tired; not sure if that’s the heat, the treatment, my schedule or a combination. I took a ½ hr. nap on Tue. and it seemed to help.
Today (7-20-13) is my 18^th treatment, 20 to go.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com 

      The machine-                                                                                Ready for treatment to start

 

        

 

The wait was worth it

An interesting development in my treatment yesterday (Monday), the radiation oncology dept. called about 10:00 am. to inform me that the radiation machine wasn’t working properly (a great confidence booster). Apparently, there are lead shields within the machine that shift to change the patterns for different treatment levels, angles etc. Well, the lead shields wouldn’t shift, probably a problem with a motor. Anyway, they told me to call before I left the office to be sure they are on schedule. I called, they weren’t on schedule; off by 15 minutes. No big deal.

I arrived at 11:45 am for my treatment. Did I mention one of the requirements for my treatment is a full bladder? Ya, I need a full bladder to be able to get the rays lined up correctly, or whatever. Each day, an hour before my treatment I drink two bottles of water. So Monday, I chug down my last bottle of water on the way to St. Vincent’s. I get there, with a full bladder, go in, put on my wonderful hospital gown with un-matching robe. They bring me into the x-ray room, get me set up, aligned on the table and the machine isn’t working. UGH! My nurse said I could lay there (with a full bladder) while they fixed it or I could go relieve myself, drink more water and wait.

Ya, I got up and took care of things. Good thing too. I drank some more, and waited, had to relived myself again, drank some more and waited, had to relieved myself, drank some more; it took nearly two hours to repair the machine and get me back in there.

But- the wait was worth it. For my delay and discomfort they gave me a $10 Culvers gift card- yea! It gets better- the flavor of the day was caramel cashew- way good. The wait was worth it.

Hopefully tomorrow everything will move smoothly; unless God wants me to have some more Culver’s custard.

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com

Week Two Treatment Update

Friday (7-5-13) will mark the end of week two of my radiation treatments (8 down- 30 to go). The routine of going every day is getting old already. I’m asking God to help me be a blessing when I’m there and not focus on the mundane routine.

I found out that the x-ray machine shoots 18 beams at 9 different angles in 18 different patterns as it rotates around my body. Each beam is between 3 and 12 seconds in length (yes I timed them).

A bit of a bummer yesterday; experienced one of the effects of the radiation- loose stools; Imodium took care of it. But I was disappointed; doing better today. Keep trusting Jesus as we walk out this journey. I’m glad God’s my GPS, because I sure don’t know where this journey is going.

I had some good family time this week with my sister and her family from Colorado and my brother and his family from Green Bay. 

 

Thanks for caring and praying. Keep praying for complete healing and protection from any and all side effects of the treatment.

PT

You may email any questions, comments, or God stories to pastor@oakbrookgb.com