March 2013

I was feeling pretty good after posting on here last November. I even went to Disney World in December. I did rent a wheel chair inside the park just because I could not keep up (speed-wise) with my crew without it. Disney does NOT give preferential treatment to people in wheel chairs. Too many were abusing the privilege.

After Christmas and New Year, I got another bout of that bronchial infection I mentioned last time. It took some time to get it properly diagnosed and treatment started. In the meantime, I kept getting weaker and weaker. Finally, in early February, I got on the antibiotic again.

About the same time, my PSA was beginning to double each month. By Feb., my doctor in Virginia had told me he was changing my medicine. My Feb. PSA was 16.3 (the highest I've ever had). So, on Feb. 8, I began a new medicine called Xtandi. This medicine was approved late last year by the FDA for men with metastatic prostate cancer who have failed chemotherapy. That fits me to a Tee. After a month on the medicine, my PSA was 20.1. Still rising, but not doubling in a month, so it's better. My doctor expected it to take several months to show significant results.

By the time I started the medicine, I was still feeling weak. It has continued to even now. My heart rate was jumping up to 112 bpm just walking from one room to another. I would have to sit and rest. It has been very frustrating. My local Doctor sent me for heart tests to rule out heart disease. All tests came back normal. I praise the Lord for that.

For the past few days, I've felt better and have been able to push myself a little bit each day without being so out of breath. My heart rate isn't so out of control. I think my medicines have all finally begun to agree with one another. I do believe some of what I experienced was drug interactions. Not the new cancer medicine, but the antibiotic and some of my other meds plus the stopping of a steroid.

I'm thankful for all who continue to pray for me and just want you to know that God is still working a miracle in me. Thank you for your faithfulness.