So, how is Leland doing on the Zytiga? He is still feeling well, doing chores, running errands, designing flyers and announcements for church and walking nearly every day. Sometimes he feels a little nauseated for a short time before eating breakfast, as the Zytiga must be taken on an empty stomach, an hour before a meal, or two hours afterward. It is easiest and most consistant to take it upon arising, then wait an hour til breakfast.
His hair is getting a little longer so he no longer looks bald, and his fingernails are about half grown out with new, normal looking nails. He keeps them as short as possible, as they are really strange looking, all white and bumpy looking from the chemo. The peripheral neuopathy seems to be gradually improving, but he still has problems doing small tasks such as picking up something flat from a flat surface or buttoning the small buttons on his collar or cuffs. Next Friday he goes in for liver function blood testing, as the Zytiga can be very hard on the liver, so it needs to be monitored.
We received the paperwork from the Chronic Disease Fund, filled out and e-mailed it in. We have a conditional grant which paid for the first dose, but now they have to examine the application to make sure we still qualify. What a blessing an organization such as this is to people struggling with these incredible co-payments. On the forum for Pca wives to which I belong, there are many others in the same situation. One lady posted from France saying that their government pays for theirs, otherwise they would not have it. In the states, Medicare Patients are excluded from most programs which help patients with these costs-hard to understand.
Special Note to blood relatives of Leland: From Dr. Stephan Strum, Medical Oncologist Specializing in Prostate Cancer:
1. Male relatives of a Prostate Cancer Patient, nephews, brothers or sons are all much more likely to also get Pca, and should be sure to have their PSA tested beginning in late 30s or by 40 years old for a benchmark level. They should also be sure to have a DRE (Digital Rectal Exam) every year. Do NOT listen to the advice currently being given not to have a PSA test done-it is wrong headed and in addition, the people on the taskforce who came up with it are not Pathologists, or Oncologists, or Urologists-none of the people on the front lines of Prostate Cancer care were consulted. Dr. Snuffy Myers, another Prostate Oncologist says he is already beginning to see the results of this terrible advice in his practice as some insurance companies are now refusing to pay for the test, and he is seeing more patients coming in with advanced Pca than before this was made public.
It is true that many men were diagnosed with a low grade Pca and overtreated, but better education and research is showing which cancers can be treated with watchful waiting and which ones need immediate treatment. It is tragic to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
2. Daughters are more susceptible to Breast Cancer. I am not sure if that warning also includes sisters and nieces, Dr. Strum did not specifically mention the Breast Cancer connection except for daughters.
Last Sunday, Del, Kathy and I went to Portland for the day to help Cherilyn get the nursery ready. They had recently moved, and were in need of help. They had washed all the tiny little clothes, but everything needed to be sorted by size, folded and put away. Del did a great job with that. Kathy spent the time working on a porta crib which needed some repair. She is very patient and persistent ,and had it in working order by the time we left. I worked on setting up the changing tables, one upstairs and one down stairs, unwrapping pacifiers, toys and equipment. Then Del and I washed everything that had been unwrapped, all the little dishes, spoons, bottles, rattles, toys and misc. stuff as Kathy finished the crib. We left them prepared to bring the baby home and be able to smoothly take care of him-at least as smoothly as can be done with a newborn! We had a great time-thank you Del and Kathy.
Cherilyn is now 37.5 weeks along, and has begun to dilate and efface, and is having contractions. So we should have a new little grandson most any day now. We will be going to Portland as soon as we get the call to support and help them, and love on that little boy. Will let you all know when it happens!
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