Hismones 03/06/25

"Pick your battles." I told the radiation oncologist at our weekly Tuesday meeting: "I may get to have urological, orthopedic, and cardiovascular surgeries this year with no additional co-insurance costs, thanks to radiation treatments." His smile was a sort of "You're welcome." My recent ED specialist visit last week resulted in long-term recommendations for either self-administered injections or a surgical implant, to which the oncologist agreed. I'm out of commission for now due to lack of full function accompanied by pain, so I'll ask some more questions to address short-term concerns. I just completed radiation treatment 11 of 44 this morning. I'm not sure whether I have additional fatigue but there are certainly intestinal issues, so Immodium is a brand-new addition. I did learn an interesting technical fact yesterday, that the treatment machine irradiates virtually full circle, the table on which I lie being made of carbon fiber to allow the beam to pass through. In the cardiovascular arena, because of some recent dizziness, my family's strong stroke history, and previous carotid blockage identified, I had both a carotid ultrasound and CT scan in the past couple of weeks. One of the arteries is now at 52% blockage, so I'm being referred to a cardiovascular surgeon for closer monitoring with likely an endarterectomy in my future, sooner or later. And then there was the follow up visit Monday to a hand surgeon because of significant arthritis pain in my right hand. He's recommending a "remodeling" surgery to my thumb which should relieve pain and retain most function. So am I having three surgeries this year? Likely not, but probably the thumb revision in late summer. I haven't seen the cardiovascular surgeon yet and I'm not sure what the percentage tipping point is to recommend surgery rather than monitoring and medication. I'm headed to the Benbrook Y shortly for the second of my four introductory personal trainer sessions, hopefully resulting in a weekly exercise regimen that will help maintain muscle mass during hormone therapy, muscle mass loss typically being one of the side effects. Tammy continues to be a heroine, adjusting to my changes, appointments, and attempt to become plant-based in my eating. She has been researching recipes and ingredients ("These vegan things aren't cheap!"), trying a new and unfamiliar menu. I am volunteering monthly at one of my former teaching campuses for Academy 4 (4th grade mentoring) and Leaders 5 (helping 5th graders mentor 2nd graders) and begin Monday a weekly reading support for struggling students. At home, I'm trying to stay busy this week by updating cabinet hardware and working on my old (not "classic") commuter vehicle, along with daily exercise. God is good. I'm sitting in a comfortable paid-for home with plenty of food, clothing, and shelter shared with a wonderful life companion and communicating regularly with daughters who love us and each other. My six year old granddaughter visited us for the weekend. She's always been pretty distant toward me, but wanted to hug me when she left and told me she loved me. Life could be so.much.worse.