Hismones 11/24/25

Happy Thanksgiving week! I had forgotten about posting updates, so I must be doing reasonably well. I had a six months' PCP appointment November 3 which included blood tests that indicated typical changes during treatment: Triglycerides, Blood sugar, weight up; red blood cells, creatine down; but nothing in a danger zone at this point. PSA still undetectable (since first tested in May following radiation). On November 11, I had a follow up with my medication oncologist. He is pleased with my progress but referred me to my PCP for medication/health management. Since I've been prescribed hormone treatment for 24 months, I quoted to the oncologist that a recent study indicated 36 months on hormone deprivation showed no better survival rate than 18 months, so obviously 24 months is no better than 18. He agreed that 18 months, if PSA remains undetectable, will be a good stopping point to take a "holiday." So long as PSA remains low, no more hormone therapy after June. Yea! I still have a December 3 second opinion appointment at UT Southwestern in Dallas to confirm or consider modifying treatment. No one seems to know about my abdominal issues, so I stay near a bathroom each morning and consume 3-5 Imodium tablets. I've been having increasing hip soreness and have an appointment with a pain management specialist December 1 to consider having a spine injection (L1-L2) to determine whether the pain is originating in the back or in the hip itself. My spine surgeon's PA says they wouldn't be eager to do more spine surgery because, in combination with the previous L4-L5 fusion, I would likely lose stability. I don't need anything else to affect adversely my balance or stability, but I would like to be rid of the soreness. We are doing well enough to have enjoyed a visit with friends in Tampa FL last week. We met them by dining together on an Inspiration Cruise (Michael W. Smith) a few years ago. We subsequently visited them at their summer home in Maine and joined them for a Viking Rhine River cruise last year. They're a great couple and excellent hosts. We're planning to go together on a more extensive Alaskan cruise, including inland excursions, next summer. All in all, we're doing well. I have started the combination of exercises at home MWF and going to the Benbrook YMCA TTH to add weight training exercises. I believe the extra work on leg strength is beginning to improve my walking stability. We have lots of reasons to be Thankful for faith,family, and friends. Our girls and their families will be with us this Thanksgiving weekend. May the God of grace and comfort provide all your needs obviously and abundantly.