Monday, Feb 26, 2018
Going away from home for a while. 

For some odd reason I thought that this year's winter Myrtle Beach would be different - that being in a warmer climate would somehow make me feel better and some of the things I've been working on would magically be cured.

Here are some improvements that I noticed while at  Myrtle Beach: 

Incontinence - while I continue to do Kegels religiously, and my leaking is better, I still have months to go before this issue is fully resolved. I have several nights where I only have to get up twice a night to pee (this may be the best I'll ever do). But every once in a while I'll be up three or more times. Luckily I can practically sleep walk to the bathroom, do my business, and crawl back into bed and fall right asleep. On those few nights that I get up a lot or can't fall asleep, a nap is in order the next day.

 I have noticed a few things: I used to "pee freely" in the morning and in the evening/at night. During the middle of the day I just leaked into the pads. But now I'm peeing pretty much around the clock, and the pads are not as full as they used be, but I change them quite frequently because I can't sitting around in my own pee - I worry about odor.  

Another thing that's kind of odd is that the "urge" to pee has slowly returned. Initially after surgery it was more of a guessing game. I guess when nerves are involved there is some healing there as well.

As far as my back, I walked on the beach a few times a week, and I did strengthening exercises a few times a week. I tried to do my stretches every day, followed up with some time in the hot tub. There were times when my back felt great, and other times when it was tight as hell. When my doctor says it will take a year to two years to fully heal, I now believe him. It's been seven months - I just have to continue to do the work. There are no shortcuts.

I think I noticed a change from taking XTANDI - loss of muscle mass. I looked in the mirror the other day and my arms and legs looked skinnier. I will need to do some weight lifting when I get back home but I may need some help from my physical therapist about what exercises to avoid. I don't think I need to lift very heavy weights to counteract the hormone's effect on muscle mass.

We have still done and seen a lot of fun stuff at Myrtle Beach this year.  I hope that if/when we come back down next year that I am not as limited physically so I can walk faster and dance the Shag!

When we get back home in early March I'll find out my latest PSA scores - this will tell us if I stay on Xtandi or have to switch hormones.