New Stress Test Too Much Stress

What ever happened to the good old fashioned stress test? You know, the one where you get on the treadmill and huff and puff until the doctor either kills you or says your heart is OK. That's what I expected yesterday.

Apparently they did not get the memo that I am V-E-R-Y CLAUSTROPHOBIC! They were going to shoot me with some radioactive stuff, have me lay VERY still in a CONFINED SPACE for about 15 minutes, then jog on the treadmill, before ANOTHER 15 minutes in the confined space.

I know technology has come a long way. Heck, I work in technology. But I was not able to tolerate the image machine. Too much like the dreaded MRI for me.

I spoke with Dr. Kossman, admitting my weakness. We are going to try again next week with just the old fashioned jog on the treadmill. If I survive, I should be good for surgery. If not...well, who knows what is next...

Enjoy the Labor Day weekend. Let the football fly!

Stress Friday

At 11:00 today, I have a stress test to see if the old ticker is up to major surgery.

This is a Flex Friday for me, meaning I have a four-day weekend, including the Labor Day holiday.

Still stuck at a little over 300 pounds, so I guess I'm not breaking the 300 barrier before surgery. With my fatigue factors and set to donate more plasma next Wednesday, it is not the time to start a major exercise program. Oh well... Doubt I will have a big appetite after surgery, so maybe then. I am on a grass and bird seed diet already. :-(

Hope you enjoy the holiday!

Thursday

This has been a good day so far.

I have reasonable energy and no symptoms to complain about. Looking forward to the Labor Day weekend, the first college football game, and some R&R in prep for the big day.

Hope you are doing well today, too. Bless you.

Wednesday

Thought I was handling everything OK until yesterday afternoon.

The double whammy of hormone therapy and blood donation hit me about 3:00 PM. Wow, the bottom dropped out of my energy reserve. All I could do was go home and to bed.

Got a good rest last night and went on a scheduled ride-along with Chad in our Operations Department. I did OK, but by the time we got back to the office about 11:00 AM, I was "spent".

I'm going to get a bit of rest and hopefully get back to work before too long.

Bless you.

Tuesday

Good news, the trip to the blood bank went well.

I am squeemish, and don't like the sight of it, especially MINE! But the staff did a great job with "big baby" and it was not bad at all.

I am a bit weak and fatigued today, but now otherwise doing just fine.

Bless you for your caring!

3 weeks and counting

Surgery is three weeks from today. I feel great.

Things kick into high gear starting today. At 5:00 PM, I visit the SD Blood Bank to "make a deposit". My surgeon wants me to set aside some of my own plasma for surgery. One unit today and one next Wednesday.

Friday, I have a "stress test".

Today I am back down to 301 pounds, down from a high of 327 three months ago. While I am happy that I've lost over 25 pounds, I am frustrated that I cannot seem to break the 300 barrier. My goal is 295 by September 15.

I am so grateful to have the opportunity to get my cancer removed by surgery. Many folks do not have that option.

I am also grateful to read almost daily of new breakthroughs in cancer research.

Live this day, and every day, to its fullest!

Friday

Doing fine!

Anita appeared on the Rick Roberts Talk Radio Show again this morning. In case you missed her hour long appearance last Friday (August 15) here is the link to the podcast.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Thursday

Another great day to be alive, and I'm feeling fine.

I got upset with myself for apparently falling off my diet a bit. I seem to have hit a barrier, and then actually bounced up a couple pounds. Today I am back down to the 301 to 302 range. It's frustrating I cannot get under 300, but I'm working on it.

Hold those you love close today.

Wednesday

Still doing great. The waiting is almost over.

Enjoyed a wonderful phone call with an associate back in Mississippi who lifted my spirits. Thank God for friends who transend the years and miles that separate us.

Life is such a great gift from God. Enjoy every minute of it.

Hot Flash

Now see, you thought this was going to be some breaking news. But the only thing I have to report today, other than I feel fine, is that I am having hot flashes. I know, too much information, but that's what happens to men on hormone therapy. Actually, it is not so bad.

After the l-o-n-g wait for my surgery, things will begin to pick up next week. So if I need to get psyched up, now is the time.

I am very confident all will go well.

Well, I have a busy schedule, so on to the tasks.

Spend some time with those you love today, especially God.

Monday

Although last week was a bit stressful with things not related to my health, I made it through. I feel fine today.

Surgery is four weeks from today, and I think I am now ready mentally and spiritually. Things will pick up next week as I have to set aside some of my own blood, get a stress test, and star the last round of doctor visits.

I cannot adequately express my genuine thanks for all the prayers and words of encouragement.

Bless you all, or as we say in the South, Bless ya'll.

Thursday

Wow. What a crazy past few days.

I had a break in at my Casa de Oro office. The burglar(s) literally knocked a hole in the wall from the vacant office next door and stole all my computer equipment in that office.

Then, the story about our fiasco with United Airlines made the Union Tribune yesterday. It set off a bit of a firestorm, and has been picked up nationally by numerous blogs and RSS feeds.

Anita and I were scheduled to speak on the Rick Roberts talk show in San Diego at 8:00 this morning, but that got cancelled at the last minute and will probably air at 7:00 AM tomorrow (Friday).

And oh yes, I am feeling fine. Surgery is one month from tomorrow!

May God bless you today!

Tuesday Update

I feel fine today.

I took a bit of a break to finish the 2008 MISAC award application for Otay Water District. It is quite an undertaking to complete the audit. Last year, we won the highest award offered to municipal I.T. Departments in Califiornia. I put the three binders in the mail yesterday afternoon, and feel a huge relief.

Sunday, I completed my regiment of Casodex. For two months, I took this daily medication to stop the growth and spread of prostate cancer. Now, I am off the medication.

Today I weighed 305, down considerably from my all time high. I would like to lose ten more pounds, but may not make that in time for surgery.

I am a bit behind on my communications, and may not catch up as my office at Otay is being rebuilt today. So I will be technologically challenged.

Have a wonderful day and know that every good and perfect gift comes from God.

Terrific Thursday

Had a tiny setback yesterday with nausea and fatigue. I still attended the ERSI Geographic Information Systems conference at the San Diego Convention Center. Wow, I must have walked over a mile just looking at the displays. The exercise did me good!

Hope you have a Terrific Thursday.

May you experience God's love and grace today.

Wednesday

Today is the first day in a while I have not been 100%. But no complaints; I am far from feeling ill. Just a bit of weakness and slight nausea which should go away as the day goes on.

I have a busy schedule, so this report will be brief.

From Laughingbird.net:

"May sin rouse your anger,
but never let anger cause you to sin."

Continued Well Being

I'm feeling so much better, I decided to call off the surgery. (Just kidding!)

I know I sound like a broken record, but at least the news is good. I am feeling so much better.

I enjoyed a LONG (4-day) weekend, and took off yesterday to handle some personal errands. So today is back to work.

So many of you are praying for me, and I want to assure you I am praying for you.

Claim the blessings of God for your life today.

Monday

I continue to feel very well. Surgery is six weeks from today.

I got on the scales this morning and weighed 306. That is down from a high of 327 at my doctor's office, so I have now lost over 20 pounds, and feel it!

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and prayers.

May God bless you this day!

Saturday

Another beautiful day in paradise. Slight headache and a hot flash (no laughing please) are all I have had to deal with today. Actually, I feel the best I have felt in six months.

Having TWO days off (back-to-back) has given me time to get some things done I have been putting off. Also I am getting my home office set up for my recuperation.

Surgery is six weeks from Monday. The reason it is so far off include (1) a very busy surgery schedule for my urologist and hospital, (2) time for the hormone therapy to reduce my tumors, and (3) time for me to lose as much weight as possible. The incision will be eight to ten inches long, and I will heal better if there is no "beer belly". (And I don't drink beer.)

Anita and I talked yesterday, and I told her I am a more apprehensive about the surgery than I am the cancer at this point. In many ways, I wish I could get it done now, and get on the road to recovery. But as I have preached for years, "Be anxious for NOTHING"! That's where faith comes into reality.

Thank you all for your prayers and caring.

Flex Friday

The side effects of my hormone therapy are relatively minor. Probably the most significant effect is fatigue. By the time I get home l can hardly hold my head up through dinner, and usually go straight to bed.

Thank goodness for a good night's rest. Today is my "Flex Friday" (I work 9 hour days and get every other Friday off).

Today I am setting up a new computer at home attached to my new HD television. This is a gift to myself, and will make it easier for me to keep up with this blog and do light work remotely as I recover from surgery. Plus, it is awesome!

May God give you a full measure of grace and peace today.