Last PET scan

Had my last P.E.T. scan back in December.  And everything was clear!  So, that makes two years worth, and everything is looking great.  My doctor said she sees no reason to do any more scans.  That we will just do blood work for the next few years.  So, I think I'm over the hump. 

I'm so glad to be done with these scans.  Not that they were so bad, in particular.  But going and doing them each time, was just so nerve racking.  Because of that chance that something will show up this time, again.  That voice in the back of your mind saying: "What if they find something this time?  What are you gonna do?"  The anxiety of having to wait a week or two for the results is almost maddening.  So, thank the Lord above I made it through with flying colors.

So, now on with life, for the most part.  Other than the occasional blood check, I feel like I can finally move on.  Now I just have to deal with the after effects.  Those being the thyroid medicine and all of that.  Been finding out that my testosterone levels have been real low, which is probably what's contributing to my weight.  Which I'm still doing okay with, I'm down to 249 pounds.  But I'm just not making the gains I wanted, cardio-wise.  Not really getting any stronger, or cardio getting much better.  Maybe I'm just expecting too much?  I don't know.  But it seems that after all the exercising I've been doing all this time, I guess I just expected more.  So, if I get my testosterone levels back to where they should be, will that change?  I sure hope so. 

Not much else going on here.  Still not riding a mountain bike.  I'm missing it, honestly.  But don't know if I'll be able to ride.  With my knee, after a while of that repetitive motion, just makes it so sore.  But I did get those shots in my knee, and maybe once I get back into a little bit better shape, I'll give it a try again.  Maybe my weight is causing more problems than I expected.  Cause trying to pedal around as much weight as I'm trying to is making it that much harder, obviously.  We'll see.

So, with the P.E.T. scans being done with, another chapter in this story of my life is over with.  Feels good.  Feels strange.  Strange because this has been at the forefront of my life for so many years now.  I was first diagnosed in 2007, and it's now 2012.  Five freaking years.  On a path of life I NEVER expected to have to take.  But I've gotten through it, and still breathing.  I have a new lease on life, and am trying to make it better. 

Yet another long overdue post. Not what I expected, I suppose...

Well, yeah, it's been a while since my last update.  Not a whole lot to report either.  Haven't been riding the bike nearly as much as I thought I would.  Kinda lost the desire for it.  Plus, I've been having trouble with my knee and leg again.  My knee, it's just shot.  Have to start getting these lubricating shots again.  And my leg, it's just not getting it's strength back.  Trying to pedal a bike is just too much, the muscles in my leg just are not cooperating enough.  Walking and hiking isn't too much of a problem, but trying to pedal is too much.  O'well, so there's a summer's worth of goals that didn't happen. 

 

That's alright though, because i've been in the gym a lot more.  I have lost over 50 lbs. now since April.  And I can tell a big difference.  I feel better, my clothes are fitting better.  Having to get a size smaller pants and stuff, which is good, but can be expensive replacing the clothes I have.  But that's alright, that's a good burden.  Been doing a lot of walking, hiking, weights at the gym, and eating a lot better.  So, yeah, doing pretty much everything better.  Of course I cheat on the eating here and there, but kinda have to.  Keep from going insane.  lol  Or at least from falling off the wagon.

 

About the only other thing, I have my last (hopefully last, anyways) P.E.T. scan in December.  Doc said that as long as that one is clear, it will be the last one.  All I'll have to do for the next few years will be blood work.  God, what a good feeling! 

 

Other than that stuff, not a whole lot to report. Just enjoying life as much as I can.  Yeah, I have my down days, but who doesn't?  Some other good stuff going on also, but we'll save that for another day.  ;-)

 

And thanks for those of you that read this.  I've gotten some feedback from others, and it helps to know that I can help someone else out.  I said in my last message I wanted to get more involved with stuff, but haven't had much chance to do it.  Yeah, lame excuse, I suppose.

Mid June heat

Not a whole lot new going on.  Just working on getting in shape.  Which is coming along alright.  I really got serious about losing weight and getting in shape about the beginning of April.  I've lost 30 pounds so far, and losing more each day.  Have the right motivation now.  Some different personal goals that snapped me out of that rut I was in.  I've been riding my mountain bike more, a lot more than I before.  And I've also thrown in some hiking, for a good mix.  I'm wanting to go backpacking some also.  Probably no time soon, seeing as how there's a lot of stuff I'd need to get.  Like a good backpack, tent, boots, etc.  So, for now I've just been hiking around Kennesaw Mountain, on top of riding my bike of course.  As far as my bike, I've already had to replace a few parts due to them just not being tough enough.  lol  I've been riding at the usual places.  Blanket's Creek, Big Creek.  There's also a new place I'm going to start riding more frequently, Allatoona Creek.  It's just right for me right now.  It's 4 miles long, and it's just about the right amount of difficulty to be a good challenge for me.  Now, for most other people who ride, it wouldn't be much.  But for me, it's just right, right now.  I'm doing really good at building my fitness back up, relatively speaking.  I'm also getting better with my diet.  Been eating a lot better, and feeling better because of it.  I do allow myself to cheat every once in a while, but because I've drastically changed the way I eat, that when i do cheat, it usually means an upset stomach.  lol  Guess that's not a bad thing though.  Just my body telling me I shouldn't eat that crap to begin with.  So, not much else to report on other than the weight loss.  I'm proud of myself, and others are starting to comment that they can tell I've lost weight.  That makes me feel good about what I'm doing and what I've accomplished so far.  Barring any injuries or anything, there's no stopping me now.  :-) 

 

As for my goals this year, I mentioned before about some places I want to ride.  Haven't gotten to ride any of them yet.  At the moment, I'm just working on getting in the best shape I can so I can actually enjoy them instead of suffering through them.  But I will ride them before the end of summer.  Which, by the way is starting off way too hot.  Goodness, it's already getting up well into the 90's.  It's been so weird, because just two weeks ago, it was getting down into the 40's, and barely getting about 60 for a few days.  Freaky weather. 

 

Anyways, thanks to those who have commented and all.  The encouragement is great, I appreciate it.  I'm still struggling with things involving the whole cancer thing.  I read so much about other survivors who are real gun-ho about doing fundraisers and raising cancer awareness and all that.  And that stuff is great.  I support them 100%.  But for me, I don't know.  Part of me is still at a point that I don't want to be constantly reminded of everything I've been through.  Then there's a part of me that wants to help others out in some way.  To show them that there's others out there, to give them some hope.  I guess I just haven't found my place yet.  Don't know if I ever will.  I'm still trying to figure all that stuff out for myself.  I'm not worried about it though.  I'm just wanting to enjoy my life right now.  That's kinda the whole point of suffering through all of that crap, right?  To have a life?