Pinky's Journey with Prostate Cancer

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 1995. This was just 2 months after going through a divorce which I didn't want after 37 years of marriage.

The decision on whether to have surgery or external radiation was difficult for me to make. My partner of 37 years was not by my side to help with the decision. My children were not local so their imput was from a distance which is not like having a face to face conversation. I at that time had never spent any time in a hospital or had any surgery. I was terrified of the surgery and so opted for the radiation. My doctor that I was seeing was not of any help. Your options are surgery or radiation. I didn't know about support groups or the thought of getting a second opinion. Because of this experience I now volunteer with a local cancer group.

Because of being afraid of the surgery, I choose the external radiation. The procedue itself was painless. It was the hour drive to the cancer center and then another hour drive to get back home. This was an 8 week program done during January, February and March, winter time and I had to make the drive by myself Here is why a second or third opinion is so important. I would probably have found out that there were some options available to me. Seed implant, cryoablation, maybe proton beam. This is another reason why I got involved and now volunteer.

There have been so many changes that I have gone though since the radiation treatment. I don't know if all the changes are side effects of the radiation treatment.

I finished my treatment in March 1996. I was cancer free until July 2000 when my 6 month checkup revealed that the cancer was back. I then had my first Lupron shot which seemed to be the best course of action. Each shot lasts for 4 months and I usually get 2 shots. I am then good for about 2 years and then get another series of 2 shots. Side effects are hot flashes and low energy levels. The celebration of finishing treatment didn't last long. I live every day with the though cancer in my body, where will it raise it's ugly head next.

After about two years of self pity, depression and medical treatment I finally wised up and decided that life was too short and you need to live each day to the fullest. I got involved with a local church which was a great beginning. I'm sill involved with this same church and what a great group friends. Then on June 8, 2002 I went to the Round Up Athletic Club to inquire about a weight loss exercise program and met this wonderful trainer, Michele (Cooke) Malcolm who started an exercise program for me. This then led to my introduction to the SPIRIT PROGRAM and another wonderful trainer, Deb Shampine, who worked with me for a year. I also started with a massage program and continued to have a massage once a month for a year. The SPIRIT PROGRAM provides free exercise, massage and yoga for a year for cancer survivors. This is funded by a local cancer group, Cancer Community Renewal Project. I am now a board member and help lead the fund raising events and volunteer for other cancer related projects. Because of Michele (Cooke) Malcolm, Deb Shampine and the SPIRIT PROGRAM new avenues opened up for me. I joined a bicycle club (Pendleton On Wheels) and started snowshoeing. These new activities opened up a whole new set of friends for me. To this day I still volunteer with the cancer group and the bicycle club. So now I have to think back and give thanks to GOD for he had and has a plan for me. Go through a divorce, cancer treatment, feel sorry for myself and then come out on the other side to volunteer, share my experience and try to help others who may be going through this dreaded cancer journey This is my story and I thank GOD that each morning when I get up I am still on the right side of the dirt.