Happy Birthday Kimby!!!!

Today is Kimberly's 28th birthday. We went out last night to a nice dinner and she is off having her hair done this morning. We took this picture right before we went out for dinner.

Take care
Josh

Tattoo Who?

So, yesterday I went to the radiology oncologist's office for pre-radiation planning. I was really unsure what was going to happen. Basically, they have to correctly assess the tumor with a CT scan and then create a template of sorts with markers on my body for the radiation to be targeted specifically in that area. They first have me lie on a CT scan table on my stomach. They then position me correctly and slide a bag of sorts between my legs and the table. This bag is slowly filled with a liquid which slowly warms and solidifies. This creates a mold for the radiation table for me to sit on for my entire treatment regimen. It ensures that they have the correct positioning each time. I was impressed with this step and it made alot of sense.

The next phase involved the CT scan. It seemed like it took a little longer than a normal CT scan. There were red laser lights in the room which I believe positioned the correct marking points for the radiologists. That is really incredible to think about. What a really cool machine/computer combination. Well to maintain the marks you have two options. One option is to have the magic markers on your body. Well, technically, everyone has these. They explained the problem is that these often wash off after prolonged periods of time. So, I agreed to received three tattoos. So, I can now proudly say that I have three tattoos; and they were done by hand...prison style. Oh yeah!

Anyway, the radiology oncologist is really great! He seems as eager to get started as I am. It is a team approach and my ultrasound is not until Tuesday, but if it were up to him I would be starting radiation on Thursday.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend! Finally...college football. We had to give up mine and Kimberly's football tickets. We fetched a good deal for them, but I am really going to hate missing the action when savior Saban loses one. I hope those fans don't burn him at the stake. They are really pumped around Alabama, and as an Auburn fan I have to say that it looks like the atmosphere will be kicked up a notch in late fall on the plains.

Peace
Josh

Podcasting Anyone?

Hello Everyone. Thought I would try something new today. I will update about the doctor's appointment later. I decided to try and do a little podcasting. I figured since people were visiting the site, they might be interested in hearing some music or some ramblings by me or Kimberly. Who knows, maybe we can gather some interviews and add on here.

Anyway...try out the new feature and let me know what you think. Just some music and a few of my thoughts of thanks to everyone at the end. But alas, you will have to listen to some good music to get to the end. Take care and I hope everyone is doing alright. The first episode can be heard below, just press play.

Peace
Josh

Episode 1

Still Waiting

Still waiting here, ready to get started. I meet Thursday with the radiology staff for them to mark me up. I am not certain what this entails exactly. I know the purpose is so they can target the radiation to the specific area they intend, but I am lost on the marking. Are they going to put physical marks on me for them to use as a guide or are they creating a template of sorts to superimpose when I am receiving the radiation? Anyway, that will get taken care of tomorrow.

I hope everyone is doing alright in their lives. I am liking the blog so far. It is serving a few purposes, one of which is a forum for me to process this experience. It really seems overwhelming at times, and I am sure it will get harder as time passes. The hard part is knowing that this is not just a cold or even an extended illness like the flu. This will take much work to heal, but I am ready. I really feel like with the help of God, my family, and my support network that the goal of being cancer free is certainly attainable.

Take care everyone and I will post about the radiation marking process on Thursday.

Josh

Sperm Banking

Kimberly and I went to the reproductive endocrinologist on Friday. The main reason for our visit was to discuss in detail the procedure for saving sperm and to also conduct a specimen analysis to make sure everything is okay on my part. Our visit was met with a little apprehension of the unknown. Initially they have you complete a bunch of forms. The next step is to collect a sample. I thought I had some good jokes working over rectal cancer, well I only added to the material at this visit. Quite humorous to say the least. Too bad I am not going to visit this place on April fools day...too many ideas, too many. Anyway, everything was alright. In fact, I am proud to say that my swimmers would make Michael Phelps look like a 3-year old with floaties struggling to get back to the shallow end.

Well, hopefully this next week will fly by quickly. Waiting for treatment is about the drive me insane. I know there are procedures that have to take place, but patience is not something I have when it comes to the prospect of ridding my body of cancer. The good news is that some of my friends will be visiting over the next few weekends. First up is the Marston clan. Pat, Jeff, and Jamie will be traveling up to stay with us and spend some time hanging out. We plan on watching Saban's return to the SEC on pay per view (boy it was tough giving up our tickets this year...sigh!) Kimberly's birthday is the same day, so the plan is to cook out and relax. The next weekend we will be visited by my friend Wade. He is flying in from Charlotte and coming to spend a few days with us. His step-brother lives in the area and I was hoping we could go down and visit him. He is a cancer survivor and also a new dad. I have not had a chance to meet the newest addition to his family.

Thanks again for the continued thoughts and prayers. There are no words to describe the gratitude that Kimberly and I feel for the support we have received.

Peace
Josh