Fatigue Is Gone...Just in Time for Jet-lag!

Merry Christmas Everyone!  One of my New Year's Resolutions will be to get out a blog post on a regular basis.

One the health front...I have been feeling stronger everyday for about two weeks.  The fatigue seemed to have hit me much harder during this round of 3 treatments in November.  But, the hard fatigue that would dog me all day long has been reduced to to mainly feeling worn out only at night.  It is much easier to deal with.

On the personal front...The fatigue is gone just in time for jet-lag to set in as Nancy and I travel to Moldova for my 6th mission trip to the orphanages of Moldova!  We will be traveling with 14 others with Justice and Mercy International.  I'm very excited about being with Nancy as she experiences the wonderful kids that we get to meet during the week.  I will post to this blog whenever I have Internet access.

I'm including a blog post that I did two years ago from Moldova to give you an idea why I go to Moldova:

How does a country that I never heard of until Rolling Hills went on it’s first international mission trip in 2003, grab the heart of a church and not let go? The answer is pretty easy to figure out when you look at the pictures and comments that we post during our visits.

Today, in my first interview with a 14 year girl, I asked her to describe her best day. Immediately, tears started to flow out of her eyes and she said, “there are no best days, when you are an orphan.” I looked at Boris, my interpreter, and said that it was going to be a long day. The stories of these children’s lives continue to show a hurting group of kids that have done nothing wrong. Yet, they have to live in a world where the actions of their parents or others have brought consequences on them that they can not understand and certainly don’t deserve. Their overriding wish is to get their family back together and to be like normal children in a normal family. We provided a lot of gifts this week, but none of them were the gift that they are praying for.

I came back to Moldova with a list of things that I wanted to accomplish…interview children that need American sponsors, see in person what is happening at the Grace House, talk to Sasha and Lucia about taking in some boys for a Hope House, spend time with my Moldovan son, Igor and lastly, give out Christmas presents to children that don’t normally get a gift. I accomplished all the things on my list this year. But, what I wasn’t expecting was how God has shown me, with increased intensity, the importance of what Justice and Mercy International is doing in this country. How do we at JMI get this message out to the people who can help?

If you are reading this blog and are not sponsoring a child, please pray about starting. If not us, who will take care of these children. Their parents have are either dead or can’t afford to keep them. The orphanage that they live in gives them food, shelter and an education, but it doesn’t give them all the love they desire or need. If you sponsor someone, tell a friend about the blessing it is to you and your Moldovan child and see if they will join in with us. If you’ve never been to Moldova, pray about making one trip to see for yourself how we are brightening up these children’s lives for at least a couple of days a year in their world where there are no “best days!” You will get to put smiles on the children’s faces that don’t have many reasons to smile and you will look at the blessings in your life in a whole new way.

Running Through the Fatigue

It's been a little over a week since my last treatment.  Fatigue has staked it's claim on me again, but I'm trying to run through it.  I was able to run a couple of miles on Thanksgiving morning and then walk 18 holes at Temple Hills C.C. on both Friday and Saturday.  Saturday evening I slept for 10 hours straight, which is very unusual for me.  Monday and Tuesday morning I was unable to get up at 5:30 and set the alarm clock for an extra hour.  But today, I was able to drag myself out of bed at 5:30 and get to the office  gym for a two mile run.  I didn't run very fast, but at least I got out of bed and ran.  The run did not take away the fatigue, but at least it gave me hope that I can get up early again.  With this side effect, it just dogs me all day long.  It will be interesting to see when it stops this time after having only three treatments with this series.

I had the pleasure of speaking to a couple of guys this last week that are going through cancer treatments.  It's amazing how fast you bond with someone that has gone or is going through the same experience.  It will be good have them to lean on as we go through our treatments over the next couple of years.

Twenty seven more days and I will be flying back to Moldova for the sixth time.  I'm looking forward to seeing all my friends there, spending Cat Financial's donation for gifts and fireworks and spending time with Igor.  Anyone that would like to donate money for gifts, send me a check made out to Justice and Mercy International.

What A Difference A Week Makes!

Treatment #9 was great!  I took one pain pill before going to the doctor's office and the installation was the best of the first 9.  What a relief after last week's fiasco.

The six hours of running to the bathroom was still a brute, but this time I had very little burning.  I didn't take any more pain pills and got through the time just fine.  I was more anxious about this treatment than all the others after last week's difficulties, but God is good and it went well.

I read most of Job before going in today and it really put my situation into perspective.  Before today, my last three treatments progressively got worse, so I was fearing that I would get to the breaking point pretty soon if they continued to progress.  After today treatment I feel somewhat like Job.  We must love God regardless of what we face is a blessing or suffering.  Being tested is never easy, but hopefully in the end we will have a deeper relationship with God.

I now have 3 months to get back to normal and then on February 27th, I have my next cystoscope.  My posts may not be as frequent, but I will be reporting in from my next mission trip to Moldova, starting December 27th.  Nancy is going to be going with me this year, so it will be an exciting trip.  Then in February we will be going on a cruise, so stay tuned.

P.S. I'm amazed at the 348 page views in the first month of this blog.  Thanks for following me through my journey of not wasting my cancer.

A Week of No Running

My goal of running through a week of treatment was not realized this week.  The tough installation at the start of the week was the precursor of the remainder of the week.  Fatigue hounded me throughout and running went on the shelf for the week.

Tuesday, I made it to work on time, but was still in pain whenever I needed to void my bladder.  The evening was highlighted with sharing a meal with the Rolling Hills Community Church A6 men.  The low point was having to take a pain pill to get some relief before going to bed.

Wednesday, I was feeling better and nearly done with the pain.  I had the spring back in my step for most of the day, but by the time I got home from work I was exhausted...fell asleep on the couch at 8...in bed at 9...up the next day at 6:30 and still feeling tired.  I went to my monthly poker night on Thursday, but played very loose, so that I could go home early...all-in with Big Slick, flopped a pair of Aces and lost to a straight.

Friday, I felt better and Saturday, I walked 18 holes with an up and down round with a birdie on 18.  A lot of sleep this weekend and I'm ready to start it all over again with my treatment tomorrow at 2pm.

Treatment #8, Painful from the Start

It took three tries with two different catheters today to get the BCG into my bladder.  The procedure usually takes 5 minutes took 15 minutes to complete.  To say that it was painful is an understatement.  The first thing that I did when I got home was take a pain pill.  No two mile walk today.

The 6 hours of drinking and going to the bathroom was again a long, drawn out affair today.  I took two pain pills today and a pill to coat the urethra, but it was still a pain filled 6 hours.  I told my doctor that I was questioning if I should take them and he said that he could prescribe more if needed.  I hate to think what it would have felt like without the pain pills.

I am happy to state that I did get myself out of bed last Wednesday through Friday to run early each morning.  The fatigue didn't hit until mid-morning last week and I was usually exhausted by 9 pm.  I also was able to some how avoid the food poisoning or virus that 27 associates had in the Annual Leadership Conference meeting last week.

Thank you everyone for your prayers and concern.  Next treatment is next Monday at 2pm.

Fatigue Setting In

It's been 6 days since my first maintenance treatment and fatigue is setting in again.  While I should have known it was probably inevitable, it is still aggravating to have to go through.  I put down in an earlier post that I would try to run through the fatigue this time and while I failed to pull my self out of bed this morning at 5:25am, I am hoping that tomorrow will be different.

One of my friends at work asked me to post what I need him to pray for.  The answer is 1) Energy, 2) that next Monday's treatment goes easier without the burning and aggravation my bladder, and 3) that the cancer never returns.

This battle has been very humbling for me.  I went from missing only 6 days of work in 20 years to missing  6 full days and 9 half days, with more to come this year.  I went from running everyday (but Sat. golf) to missing weeks because of being too tired to get out of bed on time.  While I know that this is all part of the process, it's still hard to admit sometimes that I'm sick or battling this terrible disease.

Treatment #7

Treatment #7 was the toughest one yet.  The installation was unpleasant as usual and the day got worse from there.  It was 8 long hours, over 1 1/2 gallons of water in, 12 trips to the bathroom to get rid of the water, a lot of burning, one headache and 6 hours of being cold (when I'm as hot blooded as they come).   The highlight was a nice, brisk 2 mile walk during the 2 hour hold period.

My friend, Franklin sent me this word from his daily devotional and it puts everything into the right perspective.  Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  James 1.2.    This treatment is one of my trials.  It will not be my only trial or my last.  But, it will produce endurance and make me a better person.

Not my best day, but at least #7 is over, two more to go during this cycle (next treatment is Monday the 14th).  My prayer request is that I don't experience the fatigue that I had from the 1st 6 treatments.  

Family and friends

When I was diagnosed with cancer this spring, I learned quickly that this is a disease that effects everyone in your family.   Whether they are in your home or hundreds of miles away it is a worry for everyone on what is going to happen down the road with this terrible disease.

Nancy and Andy can monitor my progress every day (and Jessica during visits from Memphis), but my mom, who has lost two sisters to cancer was always asking me, "how are you really doing?"  So, I went home to see my mother for the 2nd time so that she can see that I'm doing great and that my appearance hasn't changed.  I was also able to see both my brothers and sister, along with my father in law and Nancy's sister, Mary and her husband, Jim.  I also met my great niece, Annika for the first time as well.

One of the highlights of the trip was taking my mom to see our former neighbors, the Simser's.  WinnAnn was diagnosed with bladder cancer this summer and recently had surgery to remove the old bladder and build her a new one.  It was a lengthy surgery, but she looked really great for only having had the surgery four weeks ago.  We've talked on the phone a couple of times since I found out we both had bladder cancer and have a new found bond that we will share for the rest of our lives.  One of the most insightful things that I heard was when Jim said in our conversation, "when WE were diagnosed." I heard the same statement one time from Phil Mickelson, when he was talking about his wife's cancer.  It really reinforced with me that when one spouse has cancer, it is really both that go through it together.  One may have the physical pain of treatments and/or surgery, but it effects the husband or wife's life just as much.

My thoughts on friends will probably take up a longer post down the road.  But, I know that Nancy and I could not get through this without the support of all our friends.  We've been blown away by the support and prayers from all my friends.  Whether from work, church or from the golf course, you all have been great. Friends ask me all the time what they can do for me and my answer has always been to just pray.  Pray that the cancer never returns and that I can endure the treatments over the next two years.

Thank you for being concerned enough for ready my blog and lend your support.  My next treatment starts on Wednesday at 1pm.  The first of a series of three treatments over the next four weeks.

BCG Treatments

My BCG treatments started on June 22, 2011.  Six treatments over seven weeks.  I spent a lot of time researching the treatments and found a great blog called, "Got Bladder Cancer?" that really helped prepare me for what I was about to experience.  

The treatments consist of inserting fluid into my bladder that has the TB virus in it.  After 2 hours, I void my bladder and then start drinking like a fish for the next 6 hours.  During the six hours, I have to add 2 cups of bleach into the toilet each time I void my bladder, so that the virus is killed before going into the sewer system.  I also disinfect the toilet seat and sides as well each time, so it is never a quick trip to the lou.    During the 6 hours I have been drinking an average of 48 ounces of fluids, so the trips to the bathroom are frequent.  The 8 hours are pretty intense and I pretty much do nothing but drink and pee, so by the end of the day, I'm wiped out.  The reason for drinking so much is that it takes away any burning when I void my bladder.

My six treatments went very well for the most part.  I was expecting the treatments to get worst with each one based on my research.  My doctor said that some times they get worst and some times they get better.  For the first five treatments they got a little better each time.  The last treatment went the other way and was the toughest of the six.  While I drank the same amount of water and lemonade as the previous treatments, I had to void my bladder about 5 more times than normal during the 6 hours.  My bladder was definitely not liking the BCG and was trying to empty itself as often as possible.

My only side effect from my first series of treatment was fatigue.  I was always tired for about two months.  Instead of getting up in the morning at 5:30 to go run 3 miles, I would hit the snooze and stay in bed for another hour.  I didn't miss any work (other than treatment afternoon) but I was always tired.  I'm a person that does not like to nap for more than 15 minutes or I would feel lethargic the rest of the day.  During my treatment weeks, I could take a Sat. or Sun. afternoon nap for a couple of hours and feel better.

I named this blog, Running Against Bladder Cancer, because as I get ready to face three more rounds of BCG treatments, I plan on trying to continue my running this time and fight through the fatigue.  I always felt that I was too tired to run during my June and July treatments, so it will be interesting to see if I can pull it off.

The BCG treatments cycles will be going on for two years and happen every three months.  Each cycle will be for 3 treatments, one a week.  Between the cycles, I face the Cystoscope.  It always my doctor the ability to look inside the bladder and detect the smallest of cancer much earlier than using a CT Scan.  It is not a pleasant procedure, but I found one pain pill and one valium makes it tolerable.

So, I'm 8 days away from my next treatment.  I need everyone's prayers that the treatment doesn't get any worst and that the fatigue is manageable again.  I'm actually looking forward to getting back in the grind of the three treatments and having the same results of no return of the cancer.

Start From The Beginning

My journey of Running Against Bladder Cancer started the summer of 2010, when I returned from from my Sunday afternoon 5 mile run and I had blood in my urine.  It was a normal hot summer day in the Nashville area and I reasoned the blood was because of the heat and humidity.  A couple more days of running and still blood after each run sent me to my doctor.  I was treated for a urinary tract infection and given some medication.  My research on WebMD showed about 16 reasons for the blood and 14 were bad.

After a few months went by and the blood returned and my doctor ruled it was from dehydration from running.  I started running indoors and with a water bottle.  I ran in the Nashville Germantown Octoberfest 5K in Oct. 2010 and finished in 21:40, averaging 6:59 a mile, which was my goal to beat 7 minutes.  A vacation, then sprained ankle and I was done running until the new year.  No more blood showed up for the rest of the year.

2011 started with a couple of weeks of running and then the blood showed up again (only right after a workout).  My doctor asked me to bring in a sample of the bloody urine, but then the blood stopped.  Must be better.  Then in February after a day of no running, the blood was back, but I justified that it was after a day of golf and being on my feet all day.  Later in the week on Saturday, no running, no golf, but multiple blood in my urine.  I called my doctor and got referred to Dr. Tissot, my Urologist.

My visit to Dr. Tissot included a CT Scan that showed a spot in my bladder and an appointment for a Cystoscope.  That procedure revealed a very suspicious looking tumor and a surgery the second week of April.

Surgery day came and everything went smoothly thanks to the good personnel at Williamson Medical Center Hospital and two days later a diagnosis of T1 Bladder Cancer.   You never want to hear those words that you have cancer and it is a game changer in how are going to live your life.

One month later on May 9th, I was back in surgery with Dr. Tissot removing parts of my bladder muscle to make sure that my cancer had not progressed into the muscle.  If it was in the muscle then conventional treatment is to remove the bladder.   A few days later and Dr. Tissot sat down with Nancy and me for the results.  "You had cancer and now we are going to work to keep it coming back" were the words that I will always remember.  Now I wasn't battling for my life, but trying to "keep my original parts" as my doctor explained.

My treatments are called, Bacille Calmette-Guérin or BCG.   You can look it up in the Internet, but it is a chemo type treatment that has the solution put into the bladder to boost the immune responses and reinforce the lining of the bladder.