For myself, there are many days where it’s initially difficult to get going and motivated again with the weight and fatigue that comes not only with the hormone-based treatment that I'm currently on, but now the chemotherapy treatments and related side effects and psychological effects and tricks it plays on you.
Once I get going, though, I’ve been able to keep busy, keep moving, and usually feel pretty good by the end of each day. Sometimes it's a slow and gradual transition and I need to work for it.
I've been working, walking or cycling every day, eating well, and doing regular meditation and prayer. I'm learning how to embrace the concept of mindfulness (living in the moment) and believe that all of these things combined are helping me, making me feel good and have strength, and contributing to keep my spirits way up high!
I've been truly uplifted by about a dozen books that I've read (or re-read) in the last four weeks, mostly inspiring ones written by cancer survivors and/or researchers. I've returned to some of my most memorable classics authors like Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoevsky, and also re-read a couple of my old inspirational favourites such as “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom and “Always Looking Up” by Michael J. Fox.
Inspired, I've decided to write my own book about my life and cancer struggle specifically written for my children, with the intention that they would read it as adults and hopefully gain an understanding of who their father was and how much I love them. Each chapter begins with “Dear Shayne and Anika”. I’ve really enjoyed writing it so far and plan to get it self-published in both physical print and eReader format. It's a great little project for me to work on at this time and has really helped me appreciate my life, shine a light on just how lucky I've been, and helped me to maintain a positive attitude throughout this challenge.
A special thanks to Val Tobin, a friend and accomplished writer, who is helping me navigate and understand the world of self-publishing and best practices!!
This past Thursday, May 11, 2017, I completed my second round of chemotherapy at Guelph General Hospital. There will be 6 sessions altogether each 3 weeks apart, and if all goes well, I should be done the chemo in August and at that point expect to continue with the monthly hormone-based treatment for as long as that continues to work and keep my cancer under control (as it has successfully done so far). My PSA (a measure of the level of prostate cancer via blood test) is still at a respectable 3.0 and generally within the normal range.
So far, most of the side effects of my chemo treatments have to do with fatigue and loss of appetite, but I'm trying my best to counter that with exercise (walking and cycling) and healthy eating. I'm gradually losing more hair but didn't really have much to begin with, so that's the least of my worries at this time!
I've lost about 25 pounds since last summer, and even more surprisingly, 3 inches of height! The height reduction has to do with the deterioration of my bones and spine as a result of the cancer, drugs, and spinal compression fracture which essentially started last summer. I hope to gain some weight back eventually but have no idea if I'll ever regain my height unless I can discover some sort of miraculous new stretching machine. If anyone out there is aware of anything like this please let me know!
Overall, I feel really good and am enjoying a lot of quality time with Kathryn and the kids. I have no idea what I would do if I didn't have them in my life.
Kathryn and I had a great week at the HotDocs documentary film festival in Toronto a couple of weeks ago, an annual thing for us, and saw several amazing and inspiring documentary films. It was great fun going from film to film and visiting our favourite restaurants and coffee shops in Toronto and having lots of great conversation in between.
My family and friends inspire me and keep me going and motivated each and every day.
Life is good - spring is here - enjoy every day my friends!
Where would I be without these guys ?
