I wrote this blog as I was sitting in the “clubhouse” of the RV park where we were staying in Colorado Springs. Mindy and I have had an INCREDIBLE couple of weeks.
My stress levels have dropped significantly since we were able to fix our RV slide-out issue in New Mexico. We are back up and running in the Wellness Wagon and it feels great. My advice to anyone reading this is to buy an RV, rent your house to someone, and travel the country for a year with a mission. It’s the smartest thing Mindy and I have ever done.
My prostate cancer update: PSMA scan (not FDA approved yet) was completed a few weeks ago at UCLA. There was a small “hot spot” found in my prostate bed that is, in all likelihood, cancer. Believe it or not, this is good news. With rising PSA (prostate cancer marker) since my surgery almost 8 years ago, we have not been able to detect or see where the cancer is in my body using multiple PET, CAT, ultrasound, you name it type of scan. The next step is ANOTHER biopsy at UCLA this week (I had one almost exactly one year ago that showed no cancer). If recurrent cancer is confirmed in the prostate bed via biopsy, then we will explore localized brachytherapy, which is the insertion of radioactive implants directly into the tissue of the cancer.
I feel so unstressed. At least now we have a target and a plan to attack again. I have learned the very hard way that dealing with cancer (at least my situation) is a marathon, not a sprint. I have learned through meditation and mindfulness to accept the situation, go slowly and make thoughtful, well-informed decisions about how to proceed. Equanimity is bliss, but it has to be developed. I am still learning.
Please share this blog with anyone you know who is dealing with cancer or any other chronic disease. There is always hope, and remember, YOU HAVE MUCH MORE CONTROL OVER YOUR HEALTH AND OUTCOME THAN YOU MAY REALIZE. We can help. Have them contact me if they want some thoughtful, evidence-based assistance to augment whatever treatment they choose.
Updates coming after the biopsy. Stay healthy! Bruce
PS: I feel fantastic. Here is my prescription for dealing with cancer:
1. 100% whole-food, plant-based diet with no added oil, sugar, or salt.
2. 9 hours of sleep per night
3. Meditation every day for 20 minutes
4. Stop worrying about what happened or what is going to happen and focus on the present moment, because the present moment is all you have.
5. Have a tremendous purpose (mine is helping others understand evidence based nutrition.