22 December - Instructions for January 4 and so on!

I've had an e-mail from my doctor's nurse with some instructions. 
"Your surgery date is January 9.  We will need you to register at the admitting department at 6:00 am

Surgery is scheduled for 8:00 am.  You will be staying in the hospital a few days.  Nothing to eat or drink after midnight on Sunday night.  If you are on aspirin or blood thinners, please stop 7 days before.

The nurses will call you regarding the questionnaire that you filled in and any bloodwork etc that you may require."  I just had to confirm by e-mail that I had received the message.

Today there was a phone call from the hospital.  On January 4, at 10 am, I am to go to the Admitting office, then to Clinic F for blood work and Clinic D for an ECG. 

On January 9, I am to arrive at the hospital for 6 am without having liquids or solids after midnight the night before.  Surgery will start at 8 am and may take two and a half hours, give or take a bit. 

So that all sounds okay. 

4 January and 7 January 2012 - Prostate Cancer Support Group Meetings

The regular meeting of the Greater Moncton Prostate Cancer Support Group will be held on Wednesday, January 4, at 7 pm at the YMCA, 30 War

Veterans Avenue, Moncton

Topic:  Looking Ahead to 2012.  This meeting is open to prostate cancer survivors, their spouses/partners, and anyone interested in learning more about this disease. 

Everyone welcome!

 

NOTE:  We have received word that Dr. Rutledge will be unable to be in Moncton on Saturday because of illness in his family.  The Saturday morning session below is cancelled.

Special meeting on Saturday, January 7, at 10 am at the YMCA.  Dr. Rob Rutledge, a radiation oncologist and prostate cancer specialist from Halifax, will be in Moncton.  He will speak to our support group about his work with cancer patients.  Visit his site, http://www.healingandcancer.org/ for more information. 

For more information, please contact Wayne or Barb Harrigan at 386-2187 or e-mail wbharrig@nb.sympatico.ca

13 December - The Cystoscopy Experience

Today was the day for my cystoscopy.  For those of you who may never have had one, I'll give you the scoop, but it's only the scoop as it applies to the one I just had.  Everyone has a reason for this procedure.  We were at the hospital for 1:15.  We had to wait a while, but that's a good time to do the Kegel homework. When I was called by the nurse, she took my blood pressure (148/82) - this is high for me and she said "I can tell how happy you are to be here."  I don't take medication for high blood pressure and usually mine runs around 130/80.  In fact, the only medication I take is one Losec per day because of a gastric bleed back about fifteen years ago.  At that time, I was told I'd be on Losec for the rest of my days- not a big hardship.  I can't take aspirin.  She explained the cysto routine and I do remember having at least one before, maybe two.  I was told to remove all clothing except for shoes and socks and don a hospital gown and dressing gown.  Dr. Dwyer escorted me to the operating room and he had one nurse assisting.  He explained that because I was treated for urethral stricture before, it is something he should visit before the prostatectomy.  He injected some freezing "jelly" into the urethra and explained that he would check the opening- he said the problem is there, a stricture right near the opening.  Now I must add I have had no symptoms other than "aim issues", not always dependable that the stream will go where I intend.  So he inserted a couple of steel rods into the opening of the urethra to increase the path- this was not pleasant, but definitely bearable.  He said the first one is usually the worst and I agree.  Anyway, once that was over, the cystoscopy was fast and effortless.  Official description:  "You will be awake and aware of being touched, but any discomfort should be tolerable".  Plus you can watch the path on a screen and that's interesting- a guided tour, sort of.  He could show me the stricture rings along the urethra, and I could see when the cystoscope passed through the prostate and into the bladder.  In no time, he was finished and I was good to go.  Dr. Dwyer said that now that he has seen the situation, he can make an adjustment while I am sedated for the prostatectomy and once I have the catheter inserted, these other problems should be history.  That's my plan too.  Once this was over, I went across the hall to another room where I had to void the contents of my bladder.  This was okay, although there was some blood, and the nurse did an ultrasound to be sure the bladder was totally empty.  It was.  I had a cipro pill to offset any infection and we were ready to leave.  I'm warned that there may be burning during urination for the next day or so, and maybe some blood in the urine.  Drink plenty of water- that shouldn't be a problem.

13 December - Cystoscopy

My next appointment is December 13 for a cystoscopy.  Back in the '90's, I dealt with a urethral stricture which required periodic dilations.  This was not a big deal although it required visits to day surgery to have this done.  Basically it involved the insertion of rods into the urethra to stretch the passage, never the high spot of my day, but there are worse things to endure.  Dr. Dwyer has scheduled this cystoscopy prior to surgery to make sure there are no other surprises.

9 December: Urology Appointment

Today was the day we met with the urology nurse for pre-op boot camp, part 1.  We discussed a number of issues related to post-prostatectomy life.  This included a review of what is done during a prostatectomy, what the side effects often are, and how we may cope with those.  The nurse showed us the various incontinence products and made suggestions about those.  We learned about the catheter and how we should deal with it.  We had some training re pelvic muscle exercises (Kegel).  We had the choice of having these explained face to face or with hands-on techniques.  I was willing to do the full meal deal.  Over the course of my life, I've had DRE's (digital rectal examinations) by six doctors, two female and four male, so I no longer object to have my innards visited by medical professionals.  This was painless and effortless.  I now have homework for the next month, doing the Kegel home program.  Things I noted- cut down on caffeine, enjoy a cup of cranberry juice daily (I already do that), increase water intake post-surgery.  It's okay to have red wine if it doesn't bother me- happy hour can still be happy hour!
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Here's a recipe we got for "Get up and go Cookies"- (we haven't tried them yet, but we will)
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup prune puree
1 egg
1 cup applesauce
2 cups all bran cereal
11/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp cinnamon or spice you like
Optional:  raisins, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, nuts, whatever you like in cookies
In a large bowl, cream margarine with sugar.  Add egg, then prune puree, then applesauce and mix well.  Add dry ingredients.  Mix well.  Drop by spoonfuls onto 3 cookie sheets - 12 cookies per sheet.
Bake in 350 oven for about 15 minutes.  Cool on pans for a few minutes and then remove.  Freeze cookies and start with eating 2 cookies a day..
Prune puree:  a 375 gm bag- about 50 prunes.  Put in small pot with 1 cup of water.  Heat on stove top until hote.  Cool and mash.  Store unused puree in fridge.  You can add grated lemon rind while cooking for added flavour.  Or mash pitted prunes from can with some of the juice or use baby food prune puree.
For lower fat, use 1/4 cup margarine and increase applesauce to 11/4 cups.
Use 2 egg whites or egg replacement products instead of one whole egg. 
Drink plenty of water to help these cookies to work.

7 December: PCCN Support Group Meeting

At the December meeting of the Greater Moncton Prostate Cancer Support Group, we had 18 people there which we thought was excellent.  The visitors and most of the info gatherers from November were not back and we didn't expect them to be.  And this time we had just Barb and one other spouse, but we'll continue to welcome others.  Our focus was on shared stories and that seemed to go over well.  We had Graham who had surgery last year, Gord who had radiation eight years ago and has a rising PSA now, and me who followed active surveillance for almost three years and now will have surgery.  (The speakers were our steering committee men).  Because our group was smaller, men seemed quite willing to ask questions and make comments and they are just now getting to know each other a bit.  We waited until 8:15 to have our coffee break and then I rallied them back together to go over upcoming events, discuss the handout etc.  There was considerable interest in the Stride underwear samples we got in Halifax- we distributed the $3 off coupons good till the end of the month.  The men's products are not yet available at Shoppers, but the prices on line are in Canadian funds.  I talked to the Stride marketing person yesterday.  We are going to have a January meeting on the 4th, and a Saturday morning get-together on the 7th to hear Dr. Rob Rutledge.

According to my membership list, we now have 30 prostate cancer survivors on our roster and this will be so great for an ongoing group.  We left the Y with a very positive feeling about the evening and the group

7 December 2011 - Support Group December Meeting Notice

The regular meeting of the Greater Moncton Prostate Cancer Support Group will be held on Wednesday, December 7, at 7 pm at the YMCA, 30 War Veterans Avenue, Moncton

Topic:  The Prostate Cancer Journey- Shared Stories.  This meeting is open to prostate cancer survivors, their spouses/partners, and anyone interested in learning more about this disease. 

Everyone welcome!

For more information, please contact Wayne or Barb Harrigan at 386-2187 or e-mail wbharrig@nb.sympatico.ca

1 December 2011 - Decisions, decisions!

Group message-

Today was our appointment to make the decision about treatment for my prostate cancer.  My decision was made before we went to see Dr. Dwyer.  I will be undergoing a radical prostatectomy early in the new year, most likely date being January 9.  It is major surgery and requires a six-week recovery time.  Our plan is that I’ll be well recovered in time to fly to Orlando on February 28 to spend two weeks vacation with our son Andrew, Nathalie and our three grandchildren.  That’s definitely motivation.  I feel very blessed that I have had more than two years of active surveillance without treatment and the many after effects.  I am more than prepared to do the work required to recover from this surgery and am anticipating a very interesting 2012.  That being said, all prayers and positive thoughts will be most appreciated.  I have decided to keep a simple blog during my treatment- the link is www.myprostatecancerpath.blogspot.com.  I have the approval for this from Barb, my children, and my doctor.  In this way, those of you who are interested will be able to check my progress- I’ll be the one posting the updates.

I truly appreciate your interest- I'm so fortunate to have each of you in my corner.

30 November 2011 - New Brunswick MLAs Support the Cause

On November 30, 2011, the MLAs wore the blue ties/blue scarves in the New Brunswick Legislature to raise awareness of prostate cancer.

23 November 2011 - Oh, oh!

Barb and I went for our appointment with Dr. Dwyer.  He says the results of my biopsy have changed and I am no longer a candidate for active surveillance.  There is more than 50% cancer in two of the cores tested this time, and that moves my Gleason to 3 + 4.  He says “your story has just become more interesting.”  We have until 2:30 next Thursday to decide on whether my treatment will be surgery or radiation.  Either will take place early in the new year.

2 November 2011 - Launch of PCCN Greater Moncton Prostate Cancer Support Group

On Wednesday, November 2, the newest member of the Prostate Cancer Canada Network, Greater Moncton, launched its support group at the YMCA on War Veterans Avenue.  The board room was filled to overflowing with an enthusiastic group of about twenty prostate cancer survivors, their spouses, visitors, special guests, almost fifty altogether.  Greetings were extended to our group by Mayor George LeBlanc, Y CEO Zane Korytko, Peter Mallette and Carol Murray from PCCN Atlantic office in Halifax, Stephen Patterson and Albert Murray from the Fredericton support group, and advocate Jenn Marr.  Special speaker was Dr. Neil Dwyer, local urologist, who spoke on Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer and the meaning of PSA, grades, and Gleason scores.  It was a very positive meeting and a good start for a support group.  From the group, we now have a steering committee and some volunteers.  The Harrigans have agreed to coordinate the group.  Meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Y.

Expenses for this group will be minimal each month:  light refreshments, printing and office supplies, resource materials, probably around $150 - $200 monthly.  The network will cover these expenses, but we are hopeful a local service group or business with an interest in prostate cancer will take us under their wing and help us, so network funds can be allocated to education and research.  If you know of anyone who may be interested, please let us know.

We appreciate the interest from Moncton and area (anyone within driving distance is more than welcome).  As I said at the meeting, this is not a team any man would choose to be on, but once we are, hopefully our group will provide a community of support for survivors and their loved ones.  Next meeting, December 7, at the Y.

1 November 2011 - Websites

Websites to check out-

Prostate Cancer Canada Network  (English and French)

Prostate Cancer Canada Network Virtual Support Group

Canadian Cancer Action Network

Atlantic Cancer Research Institute

ProCure  (English and French)

I Have Prostate Cancer (English and French)

Healing Well - Prostate Cancer

The Prostate Centre at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto

The Prostate Centre at Vancouver General Hospital

The Prostate Centre, Victoria

His Prostate Cancer

Male Care

Prostate Cancer Research Institute (PCRI)

Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Us TOO International

Canadian Cancer Society


Any to add?

26 October 2011 - CBC Interview

Barb and I were interviewed on this morning's CBC Information Morning program.  
Go to

www.cbc.ca/informationmorningmoncton/2011/10/26/doing-the-grim-math-on-prostate-cancer/

12 - 15 October 2011 -PCCN Leaders' Conference, Halifax

Barb and I attended the PCCN (Prostate Cancer Canada Network Leaders’ Conference in Halifax.  Support groups from across the country sent reps for three days of sessions.  At the opening banquet on the 12^th, the speaker was Premier Darrell Dexter.  On Thursday at noon, we had Olivia Chow as speaker.  There were also helpful sessions on a number of other topics.  We went to McAskills in Dartmouth for dinner on Thursday night.  Friday there was a wine and cheese at the Atlantic office of PCCN.  We left for Fall River on Saturday afternoon.

11 October 2011 - Biopsy #5

Barb and I were up at the hospital by 7:30 for my fifth prostate biopsy.  This one seemed to go much better (or was it the two Tylenol I took just before?), not as uncomfortable as last time.  It will probably be a month before I get results.  Dr. Dwyer has agreed to speak at the launch of our support group on November 2.

8 - 12 September 2011 -Prostate Cancer Research Institute Conference- Los Angeles

Barb and I flew from Moncton to Los Angeles to attend the Prostate Cancer Research Institute conference.  The conference was a very positive experience, lots of expert speakers talking at our level and plenty of resources.  I attended twelve sessions in two days, plus three small support group sessions on active surveillance.  We both learned a lot, met many interesting people.  There were about 800 in attendance, mostly from the US, but we did meet other Canadians, and some from beyond.  Dr. Laurence Klotz was recognized as the international authority on active surveillance. 

19 June 2011 - Fathers Day Walk for Prostate Cancer

Barb and I arrived back from an escape to Iceland the evening of June 18.  On Father’s Day, Barb, daughter Meredith and I went to the Dalhousie University campus in Halifax for the Safeway Walk/Run for Prostate Cancer Research.  Our friends, Keith and Sue Cameron, met us there.  It was a beautiful morning (until the rain at the very end of the walk) and we were pleased to be there.  My total fundraising efforts brought in $1410 for the cause.

27 April 2011 - Active Surveillance continues (for the time being)

Appointment with Dr. Dwyer for my blood work results.  My PSA is 2.3.  He did a DRE, found no change since the first time he saw me nearly two years ago.  Because he feels there isn’t enough difference between where I am and where I might require treatment, he plans to schedule another biopsy for September or October.  He said that based on stats, 35% of active surveillance patients will require treatment, 65% won’t.  He wants to keep me in the 65%.  All I can do is maintain a healthy lifestyle so that if I did require treatment, I would be able to handle it well.  The biopsy in the fall will determine our next plan of action. 

24 February 2011 - Blue Tie Event, Moncton

Attended the Blue Tie Event at the Royal Oaks golf course in Moncton.  It was interesting, a fundraiser for prostate cancer research.  Met Peter Mallette, former ATV newsman, who is now the Atlantic rep for Prostate Cancer Canada.