Hismones 01/05/25

Happy New Year! We just returned January 2 from a week in Kentucky visiting Tammy's family and then enjoyed a late Christmas with our girls and grands yesterday. God and family are so good, loving, and generous. I learned some important information this week from a friend who has been treated twice for prostate cancer: PSA doean't have to be so high in order to warrant checking. His never exceeded 4.x whereas mine passed 6 before biopsy and diagnosis. My results passed 4 in 2023, an increase of 2 points from 2022. Had I received a biopsy then, treatment might have been simpler. Caveat emptor! I have to get stricter with diet now. I lost weight during 2020-21 to avoid entering the diabetic blood sugar range, but have gained half of that back. Obesity significantly increases the likelihood of a second cancer later, and weight can increase during hormone therapy, so it's time to crank down. I appreciate Tammy's support and help by making healthier food choices available. Tuesday will be two weeks taking Orgovyx, and typically it's a time of reaching full effectiveness of the medication. I'm not experiencing any major side effects, but there may be a little more fatigue settling in. My current prayer is not for healing, although I believe that will take place (or at least the radiation oncologist seems to think so!), but rather to claim the Scripture from John 9, that the blind man's condition was "that the works of God might be displayed in him." I want to live and express hope and confidence in God and to help others find God for themselves. Other than Jesus, my Bible heroes are Daniel and his three friends, with a favorite passage being Daniel 3 in which they declare allegiance to God regardless the outcome. Some area churches are having new year's emphases on fasting and prayer. I am scheduling to attend services this week, but rather than a complete food fast, I plan to follow my initial weight loss diet strictly. Despite some inconvenience, I will feel better quickly. I have a treadmill test this week to verify heart health. The "gel pillow" surgical procedure is January 21, and then radiation begins soon afterward. All the best!