My Friend FRANK

[Goforit]

I have the results from the endoscopy & they are negative. That was going down through the mouth. They did find one little thing a hiatal hernia, that is a non issue & many people have them. It is nothing to worry about & doesn't need treatment.

So, the next deal is the radiation simulation 06/10/10. I may pass that story on, I think that's going to be a humbling experience. I'm still amazed I didn't have any polyps. I believe in the power of prayer.

It appears all I have to deal with is the prostate cancer.

I thank all of for your support!!!
Frank

So glad to hear that Frank. I believe your positive frame of mind and your hard working attitude has helped. As you can see, your prayers are being answered.
God Bless you my friend.

[Frankie]

The latest after radiation simulation:
 First thanks for those who have an interest in my health.
It's an humbling experience to be in a room with others & being the only one naked. There we have the lone soldier, ya know what I mean? By the way the soldier was at ease, not much to stand at attention for.
The bottom line is, I found out today, my treatments start 06/22/10.
I asked for my records for 2010 & it's 166 pages, not including today. Needless to say I'm doing some catchup on my health. It's been somewhat mentally consuming, like the hot flashes I'm having, good one minute & sweating the next. Nothing like having the same personal experience women have. The Doctor said today he expects it to settle down.
OK, if you think that's too much information, don't read  any more.
The simulation involves making a cast on my legs, marking with small tattoos on both sides of my hips & one just above the soldier, a little bit of shaving involved. They put the soldier in a sort of tripod with a hole in the middle & then put iodine in the top so it drips to the prostate. This keeps the soldier upright.
My heart is tender to my disc golf friends, second to my family. I'm going to help as I can with  Darrin & Jesse with Ill. State. We also have a tournament coming up at Channahon, the end or June, Patrick's event.  J-Town,  07/09/10, the club challenge. Don't forget the stuff at Channanon. I need to get #11 ready for the Classic.
It's a no brainier for me to beat to beat prostate cancer, it was the other unknown issues.
Although I'm not remarkable, it's good for others to know the importance of getting your prostate checked.
Thank-you my Disc Golf friends, keep me in your thoughts & PRAYERS!, along with Randy Moore (Sr.) that's another story.
Frank
 

[Frankie]

I want to clear something up. I've been talking to some & there was some confusion about my cancer. It was mentioned I'm going through preventive care. Not true, I have prostate cancer. They took biopsy's & that showed cancer.The radiation treatments I'm having kill cancer cells along with good cells, & there may be side effects.
I'm doing my best not to get emotional, that helps me push myself. I want my mind, along with your prayers to overcome this cancer. I've asked this before, If you don't  believe in prayer, give me your good thoughts. I'm acting normal. We all good days & bad days.
I meet with my doctor once a week, & gives me a chance to ask questions. One question I had was why two years of hormone shots. The answer was I have high grade cancer with it being most likely that the cancer has spread outside the prostate. It's not definite but most likely. There will be more testing after a total of 40 treatments.
I was talking to a patient with a Gleason score of 7. He had his prostate removed, only to find his cancer spread outside the prostate. It appears I made the right choice based on his experience.
It helps me to talk about it & I don't mind questions.
Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!
Frank

[Frankie]

I have to pass this on!
It's 0822 Saturday morning & I've been up since 0600.
I hope this isn't the kiss of death as they say.
I feel GREAT today!!! I feel unbelievable good! Most everything I've been doing lately has been a duty or to be responsible. More like sucking it up & just doing it! I can't believe how good I feel!
Thanks for your prayers!
What a great day to be alive!!!

Frank

[kev]

THAT'S OUTSTANDING, FRANK!!

GLAD TO HEAR, AND I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK IT'S ALL THOSE GOOD PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS FOR YA BROTHER!!

LET ER RIP, SKIP!!

KEV

[Frankie]

There are not a lot of big deal things going but I thought I'd pass some things on.
Shawn Harmon insisted about driving me up for a couple of treatments. He said I'm not working & he wanted to help me of which I'm very thankful & honored.Shawn has a good heart.
Needless to say is we talk on the way (he took me there for my 16th & 17th treatments) & we talked about the Disc Golf Community, along with my passing. I brought that up. What's real important is a strong, positive, mental attitude to beat these issues, & give thanks for the support  from my Disc Golf friends. That's huge my friends!!!
I'm going through the normal side affects, sleep, frequent urinating, being tired.
I ask questions every treatment & I always leave encouraged with the posotive answers.

[Frankie]

I want to start this post for my prayer warriors.
I get to the hospital around 0630, & usually get inside a little before 0700. A RN said you're here early again. My comment was I hate traffic& leave early. She asked where I was driving from & I told her Morris. She said that's quite a drive & added I might be eligible for travel vouchers. I am! They are refunding me for 20 trips. Unfortunately I'll miss out on 17 others but that's OK.
Thanks for your prayers!

The Doctors say I'm doing great!
I don't know what there standard is but I'm running about 80 to 85% I'm doing OK & maybe better than most but I don't know what the others do after their treatments.
Fourteen more treatments.  Aug. 17th I get my diploma & I'll put that in the scrape book I got from Laureen, with many of your pictures. My spirit is extremely high & much of that is from my friends.
It is a battle & I have no doubt I'll beat this part. It's going to take some time to know for sure. Like I mentioned before I have two years of hormone shots. After that they will continue tests to confirm the treatments.
They're case studies they use & with my numbers, these treatments will cure my cancer.
From what they tell there is an outside chance cancer may have spread outside the treatment area, that's why it's going to take some time to know for sure. I thought the time frame would be the two years of hormone shots. I need to be on my own for a while after the shots.
Again, Thanks so much for your prayers!

[Frankie]

I want to start out with this board gives me a place to vent & welcome & praise the the support I'm getting. I'm a little down right now with a friend said it's only cancer.  A tear comes to my eye when i think of what I've done  in helping with Ill. State. I forget his name Bingham or Bangham was huge for getting the tees ready. It's sad but in an instant all that work is history. Thanks again Dean Bingham, I know his name, Bangham is for his putts.
Getting back to my point, I'm battling a high risk range of cancer. That level doesn't come from me it's from the doctors. That saddens me to think about dying. A friend mentioned it's only cancer. Well I'm at 8 with the top being 10.
That's a long way from one. I would think it's reasonable to think my situation is 24/7.
My guess is that it doesn't seem I'm struggling. I'm trying to do the mind over matter thing.
 The bottom line for me is the prayers, Thank You!
You people are very important to me other than he idiot that said it's only cancer.

I wanted to delete this when I woke up this morning But Randy Moore has my back & responded. I was having a bad evening last night. Some things that are going through my mind is the passing of Debbie Lewis. Breast cancer is curable as prostate cancer is. They said they got it only to find out they didn't, it spread & she died. I think of that when I see the post In Memory of. The good news is I usually wake up between 2 to 5 times a night. Last night I slept to 0400 without waking up.
I'm really doing well, they're just some glitches once in a while.

[Goforit]

I want to start out with this board gives me a place to vent & welcome & praise the the support I'm getting. I'm a little down right now with a friend said it's only cancer.  A tear comes to my eye when i think of what I've done  in helping with Ill. State. I forget his name Bingham or Bangham was huge for getting the tees ready. It's sad but in an instant all that work is history. Thanks again Dean Bingham, I know his name, Bangham is for his puts.
Getting back to my point, I'm battling a high risk range of cancer. That level doesn't come from me it's from the doctors. That saddens me to think about dying. A friend mentioned it's only cancer. Well I'm at 8 with the top being 10.
That's a long way from one. I would think it's reasonable to think my situation is 24/7.
My guess is that it doesn't seem I'm struggling. I'm trying to do the mind over matter thing.
 The bottom line for me is the prayers, Thank You!
You people  are very important to me other than he idiot that said it's only cancer.

Vent my friend! You have come a long way. Keep up the good work Frank! I am amazed at your ability to fight off the evil forces. When I pulled up at Illinois State and saw you weed whacking before the tournament, it made me smile. Your not going anywhere my friend! Your a fighter and a winner, and a World Champion!

[Frankie]

My treatments are finished & I'm doing real good. I have some typical side effects, low energy & urinating.The radiation causes some swelling. The treatments build on each other, so the two months treatments will take two months to go away. I'm not going through the horror stories I hear about. One thing I hear about is burning while urinating. One person was telling me he grabs the towel rack while going it hurt so much. Others told me they just went home & slept all day. I can't say I'm not tired, but nothing like others.
Something disappointing is we won't know the results from these treatments for 3 months. I'm sure I'll be fine. It's going to take that long for he radiation to leave & to get accurate test results. I see the Dr. again for this Nov. 17th.
After that I'll be tested every 6 months for the rest of my life. My guess is because the Gleason score was so high.
You're support & prayers is HUGE to my mental attitude. I can't write that loud enough! I'm discovering I'm on many prayer lists & that's extremely humbling.
Thank-you so very, very much!!!

Frank

PS
I will be taking hormone shots for two years. Along with that I'm taking 2000mg of calcium & 800mg of vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis. The hormone shots take away my testosterone. I'm also taking 40mg megestrol, twice a day, that helps with the hot flashes. Add to that terazosin hcl 2mg for urinating. Urinating & diarrhea are a big deal. I can take something for the diarrhea but the reverse happens.
I want to also add I'm glad for the side effects, it's telling me something is going on. If that wasn't happening it would make me wonder about the treatments.

[Goforit]

You da man Frank. The Moore family is happy for you! Keep up the good work my friend. You have battled and should stand proud. Way to go!

                                           

[Frankie]

This is a mini update. I had blood test last week & got the results yesterday Tuesday. They were good. The concern for me is what the psa would be & that was 1.14 a far cry from 13.82. To be clear, under 4 is good, but I was expecting near zero or maybe .25. The tests are more than psa, like Cloistral, the good was 170 & the bad 90.the limits are 200 & 130.
It been three weeks since my last treatment. My sleep is still inconsistent. I'm only getting up 2 -3 times a night to urinate in stead of 4 -6. One day over the weekend I slept until 0800 & the next 0300. As I mentioned before, the Nov. test is a big deal. Everything should be normal by then.
I'm really doing good, it just is going so slow. Thanks again for your support!!!

[Goforit]

Most people your age Frank sleep like that normally. Sleeping in is also a common thing in life. You my friend have done a superb job of beating this thing! Those numbers are awesome and I'm thrilled for you! Keep up the good work Frank. It's pretty safe to say that those prayers you have been asking for have been received. So deserving!

                                      

[Frankie]

Today is a day that I haven't felt better in a long time. The thought of dying of cancer has been a big deal to me. The Gleason score of 8 has been my concern.
I slept through the night last night, I think a little Jack helped. I realize having cancer is old news, but for me it's a daily reality. It has made my struggle much easier because of so many that care. Believe me, it's easy to say I quit. I can't quit with the love & suppot I'm getting.
I might add to keep you thoughts & prayres for Randy Moore Sr. He has been a 4 year struggle.

[Frankie]

Well.......This has been a long anticipated week for me that's coming up. It's like a 5 year old waiting for Christmas Day. Needless to say I'm extremely anxious. They take blood tomorrow Mon. the 15th & I meet with my Dr.  Wed. the 17th. I'll learn how the treatments did. This mental process has been on my mind since April.
Hey! Check this out
http://www.values.com/inspirational-stories-tv-spots/99-The-Greatest
I posted this on titled Foundation for a better Life. It's encouraging to me. If you don't have struggles in life, it may be cute. For those who may have struggles, it gives a positive point of view.