My first follow up with my urologist was mostly good news

 As usual, I don't think it's possible to have a urologist's appointment without giving a urine sample, so I did!  I also got to show a picture of the day to the nurses and my doctor and they liked this one. It's the same one I showed at the radiation lab last week when I got my blood work done, but they hadn't seen it yet.  After taking my blood pressure, the volume of my bladder was scanned.  Once these preliminary formalities were out of the way, my urologist came into the exam room and told me he was happy at this point that my PSA level was undetectable, the lab report showed it was less than 0.05.  I was told that we will be monitoring it every 3 or 4 months for the next 2 years, but that we were definitely starting out on good footing.  Once my testosterone levels begin to rise in early November, there may be some changes in the PSA.  He was not so pleased with the fact that my bladder was not empty enough after my urine test.  This could be a sign of incomplete healing from the radiation treatments or maybe an infection, among other possibilities.  So, we set a followup appointment to measure how my bladder is doing in another month's time.  I'm not in any discomfort but I am very blessed to have such a great medical team that is paying attention to every little detail.  More to follow as the adventure continues.

The picture of the day is of a Hummingbird hovering at a spider web, a lucky shot if I ever got one!

Follow-up began today with a PSA blood test

 I drove to the radiation lab in a monsoon, something we haven't seen here in Austin for months.  I welcome the rain, but the road was slick after such a long drought.  I arrived a few minutes before my 1 pm appointment and showed my picture of the day to Isabel at the front desk as she took my temperature and got me checked in.  

The reason for my visit was to get my PSA checked via a blood test in advance of a visit to my urologist next Thursday.  My understanding is that the first reading can be almost anything from 0 to twice the reading I had before the radiation and hormone therapy started.  It is used to begin to establish a baseline for what the new normal is going to be.  I will be tested periodically for the next couple of years to try to determine what the range is that it will eventually settle into.

I had a great time, I was able to go to the back and see the radiation therapists and visit with them about their lives and of course, everybody wanted to see the picture I brought with me this time.  It was nice to hear about modified upcoming wedding plans and everybody wanted to know how well I was recovering.  I was happy to report that every side effect was getting better by the day.

Here is the picture of the day, a Black-chinned Hummingbird at the Mueller Greenway butterfly garden that I took on August 1st.  It was so cool that I was able to capture this image with the cobweb in just the right position.

The Final Radiation Treatment. Thank you, Jesus!

I can't begin to express how relieved I am to get my schedule back again after my final treatment today.  While there will be followup doctor's appointments and lab work in the months to come, the 9 week daily grind of absolutely, positively having to be somewhere every day does take its toll, particularly when it is in the middle of the work day.  

I am proud to say I was never late for even one appointment and also have a perfect record of demonstrating the joy a serious Christian should have to all I have encountered, even on days when I didn't exactly feel like it.  Just being joyful no matter what the circumstances you find yourself in can be a very powerful witness, it really doesn't require any special words or favorite Bible verses.  It does cause people to wonder why you are the way you are and that's when you can give them an honest answer, telling how much Jesus has done for you and how it's a gift that is available to all who believe.  This giving a testimony by the way you live has never failed me, even in foreign lands and in dealing with people of other faiths.  Rather than beating someone over the head with "My way is better than your way!", waiting for a sincere question works like a charm.  There is no wrong answer if someone really wants to know what makes you tick.  It does take time and relationship building.  The person may come away thinking you are crazy or a zealot, but they will know what your sincere world view is when you're done with your story.  And sometimes, being moved by the Spirit, they want to know more.

I checked in as usual, showing the front office staff my picture of the day and getting my temperature taken for the last time (I always ask if I'm going to live because it's always 96 degrees after coming in from my air conditioned truck!).  I went to the waiting room and listened for them to call for Mr. DeVore.  I tried as hard as I could and still never got them to yell out for Dave or even Mr. Dave.  They are well trained and their mothers brought them up right.  One last time showing the radiation techs my smile of the day, which is what I call the picture.  Then telling them my birthday to make sure I wasn't some impostor just wanting to get some radiation and one last time getting comfy in my body cast.  I thought it was actually a rigid cast of me from the waist down and asked at one point if I could take it home, paint it pink and use it as lawn art to moon my neighbors.  That got some laughs! It turns out it has air in it and they sanitize it, deflate it and use it for the next guy.  Oh well, it was a funny thought.  After positioning me in the radiation machine, the technicians left the room to go behind the slowly closing lead door. I laid there motionless, listening to my last song in that room, which turned out to be piano music like you would hear in a hotel lounge.  I don't know if they have a music service, I've never heard any commercials, but they do play a lot of 60's and 70's stuff for us old guys.  It makes the time go.  The piano music threw me for a loop, I was expecting Beatles or Led Zepellin.  Kind of a surreal ending note!  Once in position, I was looking up at the ceiling.  They have transparent pictures of clouds and blue sky covering the fluorescent lighting.  I really need to get them to put some of my pictures up there, the clouds never change and have gotten pretty boring after all this time. 

Once my treatment was done, I had gotten dressed and made the obligatory mad dash to the bathroom, the staff surprised me with a going away celebration.  Not really a surprise, I knew it was coming, a client of mine had gone through the process at this clinic a few years ago and spoiled it, plus I had suspected several other completion parties during my 9 weeks when I could hear clapping and cheering.  As I rounded the corner to leave the clinic for the last time, at least for treatment, there was the staff, just as I thought, clapping and cheering.  They handed me a bell to ring as much and as loud as I could.  I told them after ringing it with vigor that now I also needed hearing aids!  I was informed of what my next steps would be, blood work and followup visits with my urologist in 1 month and with the radiation oncologist a month or two later.  I was given a bag of goodies, including a diploma and a lucky horseshoe to remind me of them.  When it was my turn to speak, I thanked everybody and told them I had something for them as well.  A printed out thank you note and a different picture for each of them.

I gave a copy to each of the folks at the clinic that I know by name along with a personal thank you written on it and each person got a different one of my nature photos that I printed out myself as 4x6 images.  The ones I never met also got an envelope with the generic thank you and their own picture.  I made 15 of them, figuring about 12 to 15 staff members work at the clinic.  I told the doctor that I thought about a dozen people worked in his practice, but that I had made 15 packages just in case.  He said a total of 15 worked there.  I think a God thing happened!  I gave him the extra ones for those that couldn't be there and we said our goodbyes.

Following is the text of the open letter to everyone in the urology practice that has treated me:

I thank the Lord for each one of you!  For some of you, mostly the front-line staff, I have been able to bring a smile to you daily with my nature photography.  I am fully aware that there are many more folks behind the scenes doing lab work, designing treatment plans, determining radiation dosages, doing necessary back office tasks and assisting in and performing the various outpatient procedures I’ve needed leading up to my sessions at the radiation oncology center.  The professionalism you have all exhibited has been outstanding.  Regardless of the situation, you have made me feel like I am the only person in the world at that moment.  This is something I strive to do in my own business endeavors, it takes a conscious effort and a natural heart for serving people.  Well done everybody!

As some of you know, I have written a blog detailing my journey with you.  It does not include the name of the medical practice or any of your own names, but I would be glad to share my experiences privately with anyone who asks me or wants a reference from you.  The main goal in writing this blog has been to encourage others, both men and women, to get annual checkups so problems can be detected while they are still treatable.  A major passion in my life is nature photography, so I have brought in a picture a day to each of my 45 radiation sessions and other appointments and you have been eager to see them.  At first, I was suspected of bringing in National Geographic photos, but I pointed out that my copyright watermark is on each of them!  These pictures of the day are at the end of each blog post and in a Google album I made just for you.  Please feel free to follow my photography on Facebook, where I am Dave DeVore.  I have posted at least one picture per day there since January 1^st of 2015 and I credit this discipline for my steady progress.  I currently have over 2000 FB friends and there are many more that look at my work daily, so please friend me or you can just stalk me from the shadows!  I have a professional photography web site at www.photoartbydave.com where it is free to look at my images from central Texas and around the world, including photos from my 19 trips to Kenya.  I have split my time there between leading missionary teams in the slums of Nairobi to correct vision problems for free and instructing anyone in nature photography who wished to stay for 4 or 5 days after our vision clinic was over, always at the best game parks in the world.  It has been quite an adventure!

My blog can be viewed at http://davesexcellentadventures.blogspot.com and the link to the Google photo album I have kept while I have been with you is at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/e7TJALr9jSDha94K6

You have all become an important part of my life during these last 9 weeks and I will truly miss you.  I look forward to bumping into you during follow up visits and maybe out in real life.  It may be hard to recognize each other since we’ve been masked this whole time!  My hope is that when you think of me, you’ll remember that joyful Dave guy with the pictures who always tried to bring a smile  with a kind word or a bad joke.  We have laughed a lot together, it promotes healing, both physical and spiritual.  Please send me an email if you would like an electronic version of this document to make following the web links easier for you.  Blessings to each of you, you have been a huge blessing to me.  Amen!

Dave DeVore, info@photoartbydave.com or cell or text: 512-815-5045. 

The last picture of the day, for this phase of my relationship with the clinic anyway, is of a Black-chinned Hummingbird sipping from a Texas Red Yucca plant at the South Mueller Greenway butterfly garden.

44 Down, 1 to Go!

I was in and out pretty quickly today for my radiation session.  I met a guy who was on his first day and he wanted to know how I had held up as I am nearing the end.  He had already had some surgery previously and was not a candidate for the Lupron shot since he has diabetes, so I told him there was nothing unbearable and to keep a good attitude.  I also told him there was no comparison because in my case we caught it early during an annual physical, I haven't had surgery and I was getting the Lupron treatment.  I think he felt comforted to see that I appeared to be in pretty good shape and joyful as I finish things up.

Today's picture is of a Blue Grosbeak that I got out by Lake Austin in May.  It is still around, but this is the best picture of him I've gotten so far this year.  I'm not done yet, now that I won't have a hole in the middle of my day, I'll be able to spend a little more time hunting him down!

Let the Countdown begin! 3...2...1! Finished this week!

I was talking to a friend over the weekend and they remarked how quickly my treatment plan had gone by.  I said "Maybe for you!" and we had a hearty laugh.  I really couldn't have picked a better time to get cured since travel is still pretty well out of the question and I have been able to work from home.  I've been blessed in so many ways it's hard to know where to start.  The outpouring of love and prayers from my friends has been humbling and has been a great help to me.  Thank you everybody for that.  The wonderful attitude of everyone at the clinic has made me look forward to seeing all of them each day.  One of the radiation techs told me the other day that saying goodbye after the last session is a bittersweet experience for her, because oftentimes friendships develop.  I would expect no less from people who have dedicated their careers to helping others in less than ideal circumstances in their lives.  They help patients overcome their fears, they put a positive spin on everything and are loving with the facts when less than pleasant procedures become necessary.  I can't say enough about what a difference it makes to be cared for at such a hospitable medical practice.

At my appointment today, I already had to say goodbye to one of the radiation techs who will be off for the next couple of days.  I thanked him for all of the good care he gave me.  He said I would be back in 4 months to see the doctor and that I really needed to say hi to everyone.  I promised I would, but only if I could bring a picture with me.  He agreed!

The picture for the day is of a Black-chinned Hummingbird framed by a Texas Red Yucca.  These little ones have become a favorite subject of mine lately and I'm getting as many pictures of them as I can before they are gone on their inevitable migration.

The end of week 9!

I got in and out right away today for my last radiation treatment of my last full week.  Three more to go next week and then I will have a series of blood tests to look at PSA levels over the next 18 months or so to see exactly where I stand.  I want to thank everybody for the prayers for healing so far and would like to ask that you continue, since there won't be a clear answer as to the effectiveness of my radiation and hormone therapy for some time to come.  I do know that based on catching my cancer early, the results of my biopsy and the statistics on the course of treatment that was chosen, the odds are overwhelmingly in my favor, but there is no greater factor than having the Great Physician in your corner.  Have a great weekend everybody!

The picture for today is a sunrise over Lake Travis that was taken from my boat near Commander's Point.  The Great Blue Heron in the foreground took direction well and provided a perfect silhouette and reflection!

Beautiful morning on Lake Georgetown and my last Doctor Day at the clinic

Even though I had to get up at 4:30, it was worth it to see the sunrise over Lake Georgetown from my boat.  I was on the water by 6 am, sunrise was around 6:40.  What a peaceful time of day.  I didn't see much in the way of shorebirds, other than a half dozen Great Blue Herons flying by before dawn and a couple of Cormorants as I left.  No Great Egrets, no Spotted Sandpipers or Killdeer.  Even though I didn't hear any Painted Buntings, I spotted one on the shore up river, drinking from the perfectly calm water with golden early morning light on him and a really good reflection.  I'm hopeful some of those shots will turn out.  On my way back to the dock, I did encounter a large number of Purple Martins hanging out on the dead stickups.  I had seen this a couple of years before.  I don't know if some of them roost there or not.  We have a very large colony of them that come in to roost a couple of miles from my home in the trees in a mall parking lot.  I need to get over there to catch them coming in at sunset before they are gone.  I was off the water and packed up by 9 am to make sure I got home in time to get ready for my next treatment.

I got to the clinic a little early because there is a questionnaire that you need to fill out each week about side effects and any questions you may have for the radiation oncologist during the post-treatment meeting.  The radiation session went as usual and I got to see the Doctor right away.  He was very please with my last 5 treatments and I got another Green Check Mark.  Woohoo!  I asked him about how soon the side effects of the radiation and particularly, the Lupron injection, would subside.  The radiation takes about a day of recuperation for every day of treatment.  I've had 45 treatments, with weekend off during the 9 weeks, so I already have about 20 recuperation days racked up.  This means that in 2 weeks to 2 months the problems that the radiation caused should be gone.  I got the Lupron shot in late April and it shuts off the testosterone for 6 months, so in late October or early November, my body should start producing it again.  He said some guys get back to close to normal in a couple of months, others take longer.  There are medications and other procedures for any of what I call the 3 "I"s, incontinence, impotence and the need for Immodium.  I'm hopeful the new normal will be close to the way I was before all of this.  And the Doctor did like the picture of the day and I reminded him he had been short-changed, the staff will get 45 of them and he only sees 9 of them, one for each Doctor Day.  More on that next week when I surprise the staff on the last day.

The picture for the day is of a Black-chinned Hummingbird at the South Mueller Greenway near the old Austin airport, in the neighborhood that I lived in for 23 years.  I took this picture on Tuesday after my appointment, since it is only 5 minutes away from the clinic.  I spend 20 minutes or so there after some of my appointments in the hopes of getting shots like this one.