It has been an interesting couple of weeks. To start off I want to make sure that I haven't given anyone the wrong impression about my Cancer. I have Prostate Cancer that was very aggressive. This battle I am in - is something that I will never finish until the day I die.
Now to back up a bit. On May 26th I saw my Oncologist in Minot, ND. The visit I had with was somewhat normal - she looked at my PSA level which at that time was .61. She listened to me tell her about the side effects I had just experienced. She then decided to stop all treatment and schedule a Bone Scan and CT Scan. Those scans have actually been scheduled on my birthday.
I was not sure what I thought about stopping all treatments so I decided to get a second opinion.
That second opinion would come from the Cancer Treatment Center of America based in Zion, IL (Chicago area). Now before I go on - I want you to read very slowly because it is very important for me to say this before I continue ..... If you know someone, are a Cancer Patient or a Caregiver if you live in the USA - do yourself a favor and contact the Cancer Treatment Center of America. You owe it to yourself to seek out what I will now call the best care possible.
I was scheduled to fly on Monday June 1st... with my first appointment on Tuesday June 2nd. (CTCA pays the flight of any patient) I was picked up that Chicago airport by a driver named Barry. He picked me up in a stretch limo. Barry and I talked on and off during the 1 hour drive to the hotel. Barry said to me - be prepared for your mind to be blown. Everyone you are about to meet will have a smile and they are there to make you feel better.
After my experience all I can say is that Barry was telling the truth.
I think I can take it one step further and anyone that is associated with CTCA - is there to make your day better. I stayed at a hotel called the Lotus Suites. The shuttle driver from the hotel was Robert. He did his best to make sure that everyone had a smile on their face by the time we got to the center.
CTCA is a large building that doesn't look or smell like a hospital. Everyone inside is there to help. Imagine if you will a place that has medical professionals to help you as a Cancer patient. But then also imagine being in a facility that almost everyone there is patient. I say almost because Caregivers are also roaming the hallways,. What happens though is simply amazing. If you get lost - someone is going to help you. If you are open to it - another patient is going to talk to you.
Anyway I met my Oncologist / Hematologist on Wednesday afternoon. He asked immediately if I have any issues with bleeding because part of my blood test was indicating that I could. I thought hang on - He is mentioning something new my Oncologist / Hematologist in Minot has never asked about. The light bulb of better treatment turned on. He provided me my options for treatment and answered my questions. I sat quietly for about 1 minute and then asked - what do we do next if I say yes to becoming a patient here. He said - we give you a shot and set up a schedule for treatment.
The shot was provided and my next appointment at the center is in September,
On Thurday while at the hotel I called the Scheduling people and asked if I could meet my Naturopath. Yes, CTCA is not only going to treat your Cancer but also your entire body, mind and spirit. My appointment was Scheduled for 10:00am. In this appointment she said I am glad you scheduled this - your Vitamin D is low so I am going to prescribe you take Vitamin D.
All my readers know I suffer from Hot Flashes ... well my Naturopath says - you need to reduce your sugar and caffiene (spelling) in take. I will also provide you some supplements that can help.
Now if you are a Cancer Patient or Caregiver I want you to ask yourself - when was the last time your Oncologist helped like I have indicated happened ??
I would really like to know how many people might be reading my blog... please as usual feel free to email me at info@sharksbait.org.
Now as Bugs Bunny usually said .... That's All Folks.