Weekend Update - 9/30/16

This has been a historical week for me. For the first time in at least the past 3 years I do not have anything (that we know of) growing inside me that the doctors are discussing whether or not they need to treat and or remove. I am a happy happy man. I am now surgery free for the foreseeable future. I am now recovering and waiting for the divot in my neck to fill in. I am still a little sore and am limited in neck movement. No driving for me quite yet. Yes, to answer some of your questions, I am following directions. I am being responsible. I feel ………. happy? relieved? hopeful? ………all of these and more. Still have a little anesthesia brain. Of course my medications are being re-evaluated and changes are afoot. All of this should work to my advantage. I am really looking forward to this. A special thank you to the folks who provided transport and visited me during this last hospital stay and to all of those who let me know they were thinking of me. This was a continued reminder that I cannot, and do not, walk this journey alone and that I am never alone. I am looking forward to seeing my oncologist again soon and to continue to get good news from my care team. Please note that this last surgery and followup will add to my medical bills. Things are stretched more than ever at this time so I am asking all to please share my story once again emphasizing that no amount is too small and that $10.00 - $20.00 is better than $0 dollars. A continuing big “THANK YOU” to all who have and continue to share their experience, strength, hope, time and resources. Your time and gifts are, as always, greatly appreciated and needed. I so look forward to the day when I do not need to ask for assistance. This continues to be a very humbling experience. ***Please note that the 12/3/15 post in my blog is one which I encourage you to share freely.*** Please read and share my story. www.gofundme.com/j55wek And read my blog at: riksjourney.blogspot.com

Weekend Update - 9/23/16

This week I have continued in “pre-surgery mode”. I continue to do my walking/“exercising” so I am in the best possible shape for my Completion Thyroidectomy, possible Parathyroid Autograft surgery on this coming Tuesday morning. Or in my words …. Out Damn Thingys. It continues to be a bit surreal to be looking at the end of surgical visits to the hospital as this has been my reality for the past two and a half years. The good thing about this is I know I will be OK afterwards. Well, as OK as anyone can be after undergoing surgery. I do expect a positive outcome with outstanding future results. I must also share that I have once again been reminded this week of certain physical issues and limitations. It has been Mr. Nasty time a couple of times this week. (Yes I said it. I am feeling it.) I am so grateful I am around to experience these as well as to complain/talk about them. I am a very fortunate human being to have the people in my life I do. Without you folks I would not be here. It is as simple as that. The hours of “mental floss” gifted to me as you have continued to listen to me along with the patience you have shown me …. I do acknowledge and am most humbly grateful for. I know there are challenges ahead and I look forward with positive expectations to meeting them. Please note: That particular financial “ouch” of the medication “donut hole” continues. Things are still stretched more than ever at this time so I am asking all to please share my story once again emphasizing that no amount is too small and that $10.00 - $20.00 is better than $0 dollars. A continuing big “THANK YOU” to all who have and continue to share their experience, strength, hope, time and resources. Your time and gifts are, as always, greatly appreciated and needed. I so look forward to the day when I do not need to ask for assistance. This continues to be a very humbling experience. ***Please note that the 12/3/15 post in my blog is one which I encourage you to share freely.*** Please read and share my story. www.gofundme.com/j55wek

Weekend Update - 9/16/16

Some very good news this week. I met with my surgeon this week and the decision has been made to go ahead with the removal of my remaining thyroid gland and the nodules growing lustily inside it. My surgery is scheduled for the 27th of September. I am very grateful to have the doctors I have had an have full confidence in them. After all, they have saved my life. I am still in a bit of shock that for the first time in over three years I will not have anything in my body that might have be operated on and/or removed. I will also be free of “something extra” growing inside my body that, in all likelihood, would kill me. I feel like the weight of the world is being lifted off of me. My pre-surgery get ready activities continue in full swing. I am walking and exercising as I can. I can also begin to plan things again as this surgery should be a “quickie” in that I should be in and out in a day or two and the recovery time will be relatively short. There will be a period of a couple of months of possible side effects (mainly fatigue) as my medication(s) are adjusted. I was also told my blood levels can be easier adjusted now that my thyroid will be gone as the battle between my remaining thyroid and the medication will be over. In short I should do better. The future is beginning to appear much brighter and I am looking forward to it. My continued thanks to the folks in the prostate support group. The reality is I am a card carrying member of the prostate cancer club and as such there are things I must continue to do and monitor. Part of my reality is that sometimes my life is not a bed of roses. There are times in which a lot of thorns are sticking in me. I have learned that eventually the thorns do get pulled out, especially if I help do some of the pulling. I am sharing this to remind myself and others that this circle of life we all share, while at times very painful and apparently hopeless, is also at its’ base level so very beautiful and brilliant. I have found that for me to get back in touch with the brilliance of life I have to share those dark times and thoughts which occur with friends/family or somebody in order to gain some sense of perspective which has continued to allow me to return to the light. Life goes on and I am still grateful for the gift of perception. I am doing very well indeed compared to others. There but for the grace. Please note: That particular financial “ouch” of the medication “donut hole” continues. A continuing big “THANK YOU” to all who have and continue to share their experience, strength, hope, time and resources. Your time and gifts are, as always, greatly appreciated and needed. I so look forward to the day when I do not need to ask for assistance. This continues to be a very humbling experience. ***Please note that the 12/3/15 post in my blog is one which I encourage you to share freely.*** Please read and share my story. www.gofundme.com/j55wek

Weekend Update - 9/9/16

Two big events this week. The first is that I will talk with my surgeon early next week about the step(s) I need to take in regards to my thyroid. As far as I am concerned, hopefully none………..more will be revealed. A friend asked me how I feel. I will let you know next week. The other big event this week was going to my prostate cancer support group. The amount of information regarding the range of treatment alternatives can be over whelming. Good and necessary information but I have to sift through it to see what may apply to me now as well as to what may apply to me in the future. This was a reminder for me that I must not become lazy in taking good care of myself and staying informed about what current and future treatments are out there. A reminder to all the men folk to get to their doctors and have your prostate checked and get a PSA test. Did you know that African-American men are two times more likely to develop prostate cancer than any other race and they are much more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than any other type of cancer? I encourage all men folk to educate themselves about this disease and share this information with family and friends. I am beginning to feel the financial insanity of being in the “donut hole” in regards to my medications. The cost of all of them has risen significantly, if not astronomically in some cases. The diabetes meds and supplies costs are out of control. The cost of a medication I must take to deal with the radiation proctitis is also quite insane. Life goes on and I am still grateful for the gift of perception. I am doing very well indeed compared to others. A continuing big “THANK YOU” to all who have shared their experience, strength, hope, time and resources. Your time and gifts are, as always, greatly appreciated and needed. I so look forward to the day when I do not need to ask for assistance. This continues to be a very humbling experience. ***Please note that the 12/3/15 post in my blog is one which I encourage you to share freely.*** Please read and share my story. www.gofundme.com/j55wek

Weekend Update - 9/4/16

Good news this week. My PSA test was (undetectable) great. My visit to the ENT doctor found that the tests/pictures of my vocal cords/throat were good enough. Now I wait too see what happens next. My hope is nothing other than we wait and see but as you all know I have no medical degree. More will be revealed. I am looking forward to the support group meeting this week. I must also say again how important to me my visits to the hospital have been. The reason being the gift of perception. Looking at the other patients continues to give me a deeper perception of just how well I am doing. There but for the grace go I. There have been times when putting one foot in front of the other has appeared to be the impossible dream, but walk on I have. My journey continues. I continue to be a grateful human being. A continuing big “THANK YOU” to all who have shared their experience, strength, hope, time and resources. Your time and gifts are, as always, greatly appreciated and needed. I so look forward to the day when I do not need to ask for assistance. This continues to be a very humbling experience. ***Please note that the 12/3/15 post in my blog is one which I encourage you to share freely.*** Please read and share my story. www.gofundme.com/j55wek