The Way Out

I was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. I am seventy years old, so this really came as no surprise. Unwelcome news, to be certain, but all of us who have reached this stage in life should be prepared for such things. I knew probably what most men know when they get the news: not much. This is not a satisfactory state to be in, so I've set about learning as much as I can, and am setting the chronicle of my journey down here.

One of my favorite stories came from the TV show, The West Wing, in which Josh is dealing with PSTD and wants to know why Leo is standing by him. Leo tells the story of a man who fell into a hole and could not climb out. He asked passersby to help, but is ignored until a friend comes by and jumps in the hole with him.

"What did you do that for?" the man said, "Now we're both stuck down here."

"It's OK," the friend says, "I've been down here before. I know the way out."

There are many other people out there who know the way out and I will be forever grateful for the guides I have found, and will encounter, on the way out. I hope to become a guide as well through the pages of this blog.


Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Twenty Down, Five to Go

It's been pretty routine so far. Today I finished treatment #20. Five to go and I'm ready for that. I've suffered few side effects, other than being separated from my wife and home for too many days, living here in Colorado Springs during the week. I could feel it today. I had a good night's sleep and still awoke tired. I sometimes nod off watching a video. I yawn more than I used to.

So, today I think I'll climb into the car and go back to my Japanese restaurant and treat myself to some good food. I'm keeping my weight pretty even, which is sometimes a problem especially on the hormone treatement program that I am also doing.

For any of you in my general situatioin, I'd say it's important to do new things. Get outside. Excercise and get your mind involved in new things and new situations. Break the path to depression.

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