Hello all! It' been awhile since we've posted, which means good news all around! However, Jim went in for a PSA check-up this week and got some not so good news. The PSA level is increased again, meaning the cancer started to grow again, which means it's time for another round of hormone treatment. This is a little discouraging because the last treatment lasted for 18 months, so we thought that this one would last for 12-15 but it only lasted for 8 months. We knew there was going to be a decline in its effectiveness, but it's a bummer that it happened this quickly. However, with all of the cancer research going on in the area of prostate cancer, we know there are many other options once this one stops working!

So in the meantime, dad will deal with the hot flashes and crankiness that comes along with the treatment. The good side is that this is reaffirming his belief that all his early morning workouts and healthy eating is actually helping to stop the cancer from growing as fast so he will get back into that since the weather is getting nice out again.

Other than continuing to run around like a crazy person, mom hasn't had much medical news going on so that's all the health updates for now. In other news, Julie started a new job at the Columbus affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation so she's busy working on research funding for all those breast cancer patients out there like mom! Well, that's all for now so I better get back to studying for finals this week! Thank you all again for your continued prayers and kindness! We are truly blessed to have such amazing friends and family in our lives!

Jenny

Just checking in....

Nothing much new here health wise, which is good. Teri had checkups with three different docs every 3-6 months (thank heaven for good health insurance!!), and they say assume the cancer is gone, keep checking in case it isn't, and oh, by the way, loose some weight- have heard that message before so trying really hard to eat less and exercise more. No scans or blood tests or other indicators, just physical exams hoping to not find anything. And my hair keeps doing interesting things, which is fine with me since it looks SOOOOO much better than last year this time, especially since I didn't have any at all last year!
Jim has to work hard to find time to keep running in the cold winter weather, but he manages pretty well. His latest hormone treatment worked pretty well, as noted earlier in the blog, so now he is off it until his PSA starts to go back up, hopefully not for another 12-18 months.

So we are keeping busy thinking about and planning for Julie's upcoming wedding, Nov 3 here in Cinti, counting our blessings, hoping everyone stays healthy, and trying to enjoy every day in the middle of the business that makes up life!

Some more good news

Happy new year to all of you! 2012, like 2011, comes with good cancer news for the Deans. As good as it can be anyways. Dad had another round of androgen deprivation therapy back in the early fall. ADT comes in the form of a shot, which goes around and starves all the cancer out. We know its worked when his PSA is lowered enough to satisfy his oncologist. So, for Christmas, Santa/God gave dad a PSA reading of " undetectable ", meaning the ADT had starved the cancer down to microscopic levels. (mom also had surgery the same day for trigger finger, unrelated to any cancer treatments we think) So that means Dad can go off the ADT until his PSA begins to go up again. Thus far he has had two rounds, and both worked in just one treatment, which is great because eventually each round can become less effective as time goes on. He's gotten the best out of each one so far, and being on the treatment less also means less of the hot sweats and negative heart and bone effects. He's still running like a champ, too! Only bad news this time was that his white blood cell count was down significantly- which the doctors didn't seem worried about but he is making sure to have double checked.

Meanwhile, 7/8 of the Deans traveled to Florida for Amy's Disney Soccer Showcase. Amy was tough and had a very impressive tournament (at least in this big sister's eyes- that girl is a tank!). While there, we went to Universal Studios and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter where we sipped on some delightful Butterbeer, and reminisced about how nice it was (at least for our feet) to have a wheel chair exactly a year before while mom was on chemo. And at the same time- how absolutely not worth it all that was for a wheelchair to rest in! We are very happy that God has brought us in the direction He has since last years' trip, which seemed to kick off a new year with much better health outlooks for our parents. We loved that trip last year, but this year to be doing it with a cancer free Mom and clean PSA Dad was fantastic.

Best to all of you for a healthy and happy year!

Time for an Update

Gosh, I can't believe its been 2 months since I've posted anything here. We had a great time at the Making Strides for Breast Cancer walk - Jim and Becky couldn't walk with us as Becky was playing in the soccer State Cup final that morning, but we stayed in touch with her game through Jim's text updates - they lost in penalty kicks as we were walking down Pete Rose Way. But it was a great morning for a walk, with lots of friends joining us - I know I was pretty tired afterwards, and we came home and had ribbon bagels for brunch. Thanks to all who walked, but especially Julie Heine who joined us from Columbus for the weekend (and smiled through all the soccer games we dragged her to along the way).

A little update on Jim this time - as expected, his PSA count started rising a bit, and he received another hormone shot to kill off the prostate cancer - the doctor wants to keep the volume of it down. Jim is wishing the hormone treatment didn't come with hot sweats that wake him in the middle of the night, but he's a trooper and doesn't complain about it. The soccer schedule this fall kept him from running as much as he'd like, but he'll get back into it (I wish I could be as optimistic about getting into an exercise routine myself. I picked a rowong and cycling machine for my 30 year anniversary gift from P&G this year, and they are both still sitting in the box in the basement - one of these days......) 

I'm having a little trouble with swelling where there isn't supposed to be any - not lymphedema, but edema, and so I have to start wearing a compression vest under my clothes  - glad it's winter and its not too hot. Just a little inconvenience given everything else.

Thanksgiving was SOOOO much better this year than last - last year it was the first holiday without my mom, and I still remember my dad looking across the table at me that day (I felt lousy, and probably looked it, and was wearing my wig) and he teared up, which of course caused me to do the same. THIS year on Thanksgiving we were grateful for lots of things - though we still miss Mom everyday, Jim and I both seem to have warded off the Big C, at least for a little longer, Jim is working, and the biggest news of all - Julie and her boyfriend Shea became engaged right before Thanksgiving. After Christmas they plan to get down to some serious planning, so no date yet, but some very good news that I know Mom is enjoying from her new view - and she doesn't have to worry about what to wear to the wedding!

Love,
Teri

So Much Money!

Hello all,

We are still a few days away from the walk in Cincinnati, but have reached, and surpassed the goal of raising $1,000. I have to admit, when I saw that was mom's goal, I was a little hesitant that we would be able to raise that much. However, I don't know why I even thought that given the people that we are surrounded by. Thank you so much to everyone that has donated to the cause, we truly could not have done it without you! Your support means more than you know to mom and our whole family. As a thank you and a continuation of the celebration, we are hosting a brunch after the walk, so feel free to come back to the house. If you still would like to donate, I have listed the link below!

Thanks again,

Jenny

Happy October!

You are surely being bombarded with pink and breast cancer awareness messages already, but a quick reminder!

If you are between 40 and older, the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen Foundation recommend you get an annual mammogram and clinical breast exam. For women less than 40, current recommendations are to get mammograms only if you are at high risk based on family history or other factors. Clinical breast exams are recommended at least every 3 years for women 20-39, and every year beginning at age 40.
Here's a little summary...
For more information on what makes you at "high risk", look here.

Here is a little web tool you can use to remind yourself when to schedule a mammogram/CBE.

Mom got her mammogram that found her first cancer because a woman at work reminded her- its important!

Enjoy all the pink treats!

Come celebrate and join our team!

2011 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Greater Cincinnati Making Strides