Update # 23

Ya know, you can't say the words "I told you so" without following it with the word "but".  "But" if you look back to my January 19th Post ("Is this for Real?") when I first went off the hard core chemo, my PSA rose for the first time since this process started and they said "Oh! 3 points is like no movement".  Then it was 3 more points and then 10 and then 30 and this last time the PSA was 75.  Well now it's 100, and I start back on the Taxotere next Tuesday.


It doesn't take a rocket scientist, or apparently, a doctor to tell that the fish we had just clubbed on the beach was getting away!!!!  I for one am relieved.....I'm anxious to get back in the fight!  Should have done it last month when I wanted to and it was 42!   Damnit!


I'm going to have to start with what they call the "full dose".....the most amount they can give you without body parts falling off!  Obviously the side effects are worse but the good news is that without the trial drug in the mix it may not be as bad as I remember (I heard giving birth was that way too).  Either way it's going to kick my ass.....but guess what...I'm going to be kicking it right back!  After my first treatment in December of 2009 (yeah..'09) my PSA dropped 100 points....Wouldn't that be sweet!


The FDA has approved a new chemo drug that is oral and will be available in May or June.  The Doc says if I don't respond too well to the Taxotere (It happens, the beast can morph) then I'll probably go on that.


During the course of this Journey I've described the chemo treatment room, the waiting room and all us slugs in it.  I've discussed the unpleasantness of the drug effects....the effects on me but also on my family and friends.


Well here's another ugly truth about cancer, or any other extended illness.....the financial drain!


Did you know that the majority of the bankruptcies in this country stem from serious medical issues?


The cost of health care in this country is obscene!  I'm not an Obama Care advocate (I think the economy should have gotten that focus) but at least it's across the finish line and with some tweaking maybe we can get out of this mess.  Every other type of insurance is competitive across state lines but not health insurance ........Huh! 
I have good insurance....it should be, at $1,000 a month, $5,000 deductible and co-pays.  But that's better than paying for the treatments.....they average $20,000 per treatment.....I've had 22....do the math.
Oh and let's throw in the mix that the patients usually can't work!  Catch 22, it really sucks!

I've tried to keep up.....paying the bill as it came in.....I was worried about my credit score...and then it dawned on me....You'll never see this on some body's tombstone:

RIP
Born: 1957
Died: 2011
Credit Score: 690

Lately Ive had a lot of what I call....Karma moments.  I used to tease my sister and women I knew about their cycles and the "moods".....now here I am in a 3 week cycle with "moods".....I know people that will use less coffee in the pot to save money and I used to think "that's not going to help!"  well....maybe it does?....Sometimes in the cycle I have to struggle to get up from a chair...just like my parents....and sometimes I even walk Like they do.
I assure you I will never take any  level of income or good health for granted.

So....here we go again and as Ronald Reagan said "There's no Substitute for Victory!"

Keep the Spiritual Energy and Prayers coming!  I'll check back soon!  B.