Miscellaneous

I ran in a local 10K (6.2 miles) event the other day. It's the first time I've run that far in years. I did pretty well, relative to my own past performance. I was still in the back of the pack, but I ran 12-minute miles, much better than the 14 minute miles I had been running up until then. I really got out of shape from just before surgery up until last month.

I usually don't eat before a long run. I use an energy gel (Carb Boom) about 15 minutes before, and if I'm going to be running for an hour or more I take another one with me. They taste pretty good--like pie filling. They're made from fruit and are fairly low in sugar compared to other gels. Just enough of a boost to do the run without getting shaky, and no stomach upset as long as I drink some water with the gel.

After running, I make a recovery smoothie in the blender that has ingredients like this--varying depending on what's in the fridge:

half cup frozen blueberries
half cup frozen strawberries
Half a banana
Cup of pomegranate juice
Cup of plain yogurt or cup of low fat vanilla frozen yogurt
Whey protein powder
a few ice cubes

OR--once in a while I have an Egg McMuffin.

Current reading list:

Nothing to Be Frightened Of (Julian Barnes)
2nd Chance (James Patterson) (tip of the hat to David E)
Moby Dick
Six Easy Pieces (Richard Feynman)

nail biting time

So I'm one month away from my next appointment with the radiation oncologist. Which means I'm less than three weeks away from the blood draw for the PSA.
I find myself Googling for anything about the effectiveness of salvage radiation that I haven't seen before. So far, nothing new.
When you look at the graphs, most men respond initially to salvage with a drop to 0.1 or below. However, for the next several years, people "fall off" the curve, moving out of the "percent progression-free" category.
Thus the return of PSA anxiety.

With luck, I'll have another "< 0.1" report and go back to living my life fairly normally for the next 6-12 months, depending on when the RO wants to see me again. And, as I've posted before, if that is the case, I plan on starting a shut down of this blog, to be complete upon the NEXT good PSA report.

I have developed a backup plan, however. If my PSA rises, I have identified a medical oncologist who specializes in prostate cancer at a leading NCI cancer center that happens to be in a nearby city. I've decided not to see the medical oncologist I consulted before. Nothing wrong with him, but he does not specialize in prostate cancer.

I feel great, and continue to train for a marathon in January.

Us Too University

This looks interesting!
Us Too! University

"Us TOO International is proud to bring you a vitally important event featuring leading experts in the area of prostate cancer issues and treatments, sharing the most current information you and your loved ones NEED TO KNOW. Topics range from emerging treatments, comprehensive treatment and care, post-treatment issues and solutions, and clinical trials currently underway.

Us TOO University Tempe will take place Friday, November 7, 2008 from 4:30-10:00pm at The Buttes Resort by Marriot. There will be free parking avaiable, free refreshments, excellent door prizes and overflowing goody bags. The night will include exhibitors with products & services and will end with time to discuss and answer your questions...."

cholesterol

One month on South Beach reduced my overall cholesterol 26% to 189. My other numbers, out of whack a few months ago, have fallen into place as well--triglycerides, HDL, LDL, glucose.

However, my white blood cell count remains low at 2.2 (normal range 4-11). My primary care doctor is not concerned. Not sure if I should be. Nothing else looks strange, although absolute neutrophils are slightly low.

Life is good on the Beach

I've lost 15 lbs. now in one month on the South Beach Diet. 30 minutes on the treadmill each day accelerates the disappearance of my belly.
South Beach also is easy on my digestive system--heartburn is very rare, and so is gas and bloating, which has been a continuing problem since radiation.
As I lose weight, I have more energy for the treadmill and for being active, and the more active, the faster I burn fat. It's a nice feedback loop.
Had blood drawn this morning for a total metabolic panel (main concern is cholesterol). Waiting room had a TV blasting, and if you don't think obesity is an epidemic in this country, you don't get out enough. Heavy people seem to be especially concentrated in places like labs, I guess because of the health issues related to weight. The chairs were barely able to hold some of these folks.
I think the country is on the verge of a health emergency from obesity. I can sympathize--a couple of months ago I was at the top end of "overweight" and heading quickly towards "obese" as defined by body mass index.
My first marathon training session will be in 3 weeks. I'm accumulating the gear now, like WrightSock running socks that are supposed to help prevent blisters.

I admit it's getting better...

...a little better, all the time.

I've lost 12 lbs. on South Beach, and I'm progressing in the 100 Pushup challenge. I've been on the treadmill a little, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to sign up with 1stMarathon, a national network that prepares newbies to run a marathon--in my case, the PF Chang's Rock & Roll Marathon in January.

It's time to get my cholesterol checked. If it's still high, it's probably time for statins. That's not a bad thing--statins seem to help with prostate cancer (if any is left in me--hopefully not) and in preventing dementia.

I've been taking fish oil supplements, 900 mg each night at bedtime. I found that the ones from GNC don't cause any aftertaste or nasty fish burps like I've experienced with other products.

Maybe the exercise, weight loss, and fish oil will have brought down my numbers, but I doubt it will be enough. I've always had high cholesterol.

Life goes on

I'm on the South Beach Diet now, and my gut is much better for it. I still have some issues post-radiation with the colon being a little over-active. It's very quiet on South Beach, except when I overdo artificial sweeteners like sorbitol (which can affect anyone if they eat enough of it). I lost 8 lbs. in 2 weeks so far on South Beach (a diet that has worked well for me in the past).

Working on the Internet 100 Pushup Challenge, too.

I have to go in before long to get cholesterol results. I have a feeling I'll be on cholesterol-lowering medication before long.

No PSA until November. At that point, if it's still less than 0.1, I'll probably stop posting to the blog and eventually shut it down, as I focus my energies and attention elsewhere and stop obsessing so much about salvage radiation.