Update # 30

Well, my PSA is up to 133 from 91. It sounds high and it is but I was expecting it to be closer to 200. This cancer (I never call it “My” cancer) has always moved fast, fortunately it goes down that way too…..yeah, it’s a bully. And, it’s been just a few days shy of 8 weeks since I’ve had chemo or anything else so I’m not bummed neither is the Doc. What I am bummed about is that I’ve spent the majority of those 8 weeks at war with the insurance company, the drug company and the “special” pharmacy.

Here’s the poop! The new drug, ZYTIGA, was just approved by the FDA in May. It’s an oral drug that has been developed for guys just like me that have become resistant to the chemo Taxotere. The medication is $5,000 a month (isn’t that absurd?) and the co-pay was scheduled to be $1,300 per month. By working with the drug manufacturer I’ve gotten it down to $20 per month for 3 months. By the time 3 months are up I will know if the drug even works and then fight the fight again if needed......I’m getting good at this.

It doesn’t seem to make sense that I’m still having eating issues but I do. My mouth doesn’t burn any more, the sores in my mouth are long gone and I do have some sense of taste once I get something in there... but that’s the rub……I’ll get hungry, get that light headed feeling….but any food I think of makes me want to gag.

It’s zero fun having to make yourself eat when you’re about to throw up….once I get it down I feel better immediately…just having trouble getting my head there. I think maybe the hunger, appetite, taste and eat sensors just need to realign. I’ve gained a pound…to 179 so I’m getting nourished, it’s just challenging. (Did I hear a violin?)

I have an appointment with an oral surgeon to get an evaluation (estimate) on fixing the hole in my mouth…….I’ve mentioned this before but I have a hole where one of my back teeth used to be and it goes all the way up and into my nostril (A result of the clinical trial drug)….it tends to make certain sneezes interesting and I can drink a glass of wine and get some of it to run out my nose (a little party trick and soooo sexy) but I’ve never been able to make it whistle! I had bragged that I was going to try to learn to whistle Dixie through my nose…….but not to be.

I said in a post last summer that most people think…that if you’re tan....you’re healthy. So far I have been lucky enough to maintain a fairly reasonable appearance (everybody says “Well, you look good!” and I’m sure they’re thinking “For the shape you’re in”) this has helped family, friends and Me in the process. It can’t be good psychologically to look in the mirror every morning and see Freddie Kruger…..sometimes it just feels that way........But I’m tan so I must be healthy……right?

Please remember the upcoming bicycle ride “24 Hours of Booty” It’s a 24 hour ride through the Myers Park neighborhood in Charlotte.  The Charlotte Ride is July 29 at 7:00 pm and runs till July 30 at 7:00 pm.  There are Rides in Columbia Maryland and Atlanta as well.

This is all to raise money for cancer research and my friend Lester Osborn is sponsoring me in the race. If you would like to contribute to the cause (and thank you again for those that already have) please follow the link below and give what you can and if you’re in Charlotte, show up!  Once you click on the site click "continue".

24 Hours of Booty:

A friend of mine came up with a new nick name for me…..“Chemosabe"…… (As in the Lone Ranger).....I don’t know whether to laugh or cry…....so I’ll laugh.

Thank you all so much for the Spiritual Energy, Prayers and Support!  Bob