07/23/2013
Why did Jan suddenly disappear? Here's what has been going on with me: I have had prostate cancer for over twenty years. Until this past spring I was able to hold the cancer at bay with androgen deprivation therapy. This stopped working in the spring, and my PSA rose to about 7,000 (for me 0 is normal). I went on a clinical trial, but it did not work. So, It turns out the back pain I had been experiencing since the spring was not just muscular. Much of it was cancer bone pain, and it continued to worsen until I received a docetaxel infusion on 7/8. I will get at least two more infusions in three-week intervals. After that my treatment intervals will depend on my PSA test results. This stuff is referred to as chemo-lite, but I’ve been warned that I still may lose my hair. Since I have lots of accumulated sick days at work, I plan on using substitutes as much as possible for my clinical days with my students during the fall semester, just to lighten my physical load in case the docetaxel tires me out. And planning the 50th anniversary event is beyond what I believe I should be doing right now. If anyone else wants to pick that up I would be happy to act as a consultant, as I know many of the components and important players at CCSF. My family's long-planned month in Europe was wonderful, despite the agony I experienced on the flights home. I am thankful that my pain waited until then to intensify. I will write a travelogue asap to send to you.
In the meantime - THANK YOU for your support in trying to make a 50th anniversary celebration a reality. jan
