Exactly one month on Orgovyx for advanced prostate cancer. One pill a day. Summary at the bottom!
Mindy and I just returned to Freeport from Hawaii, then California. Our whole family was in Hawaii, and it was fantastic. California was to pick up some forgotten items and, of course, a blood test.
Mindy and I listen to a lot of Rich Roll podcasts while touring in the Wellness Wagon. Recently I listened to Rich interviewing Guru Singh, a rock star AND a Buddhist monk. He highlighted what he does to become a better person, and I liked what he brought up as his most important actions or non-actions for being a better person. I’ve been trying to follow these tenants:
- Don’t criticize others. Sometimes I think I have made a whole life career out of this. It happens very quickly when the ones we are speaking of aren’t around. I consider myself to be an expert comedian. Trying to be funny can easily slip into being less than kind to others. No more. I’ve had too much pain and suffering in my life, and I don’t want to extend suffering to others. From now on, I try to keep my criticism to situations, corporations, and groupthink. I’ve got too many flaws to spend another second looking for faults in others.
- Be tolerant and don’t blame the world or others for my problems. It’s so easy to deflect personal responsibility and blame our issues on the world in general. My new motto is “I am responsible for my happiness, health, and well-being.” The buck stops with me. If I have no control over a situation (Covid comes to mind), I no longer spend any time or effort railing on something that I have no control over. I just let it go.
- Take no offense. Everyone is pretty much trying to live their lives as best they can. No one other than myself is spending a lot of time plotting against me. At work, driving, and in social situations, people are not out to get me. I just let it all go.
- Seek the good in others and let them know it. This tenant makes me think of my wife, who is a pro at finding the best in people and then complimenting them. It always feels good to get a compliment, and it doesn’t cost anything to give them out when deserved. Mindy, you are a great wife, and it’s time you get the recognition you deserve.
- Count your gratitudes every day. This has been a real boost for me mentally. I now take a few minutes when I wake up and right before I go to bed to list all the great things that are a part of my life. I found this habit to give me an optimistic, fresh outlook on life.
None of this comes naturally to me, which is why I believe practicing the above disciplines has assisted in improving my emotional state while dealing with cancer. It’s never too late for self-improvements.
Precisely four weeks in with Orgovyx. My PSA has dropped to 1.6 from 10.1, so the drug is doing its job lowering my testosterone. Just seeing the number go down is empowering and gives me a boost of confidence.
The only downside is………low to no testosterone. I have noticed a distinct downshift in my overall energy level since starting. I don’t think it’s as pronounced as when I was on Lupron, but it’s there. I simply try to work out harder to counteract.
I have also gained a few pounds. Wake up weight on my exclusive WFPB diet has always been around 130 lbs. Just four weeks on Orgovyx, and I have added 4 pounds to that number.
I also noticed what I think is a more active immune response to just about everything. Bug bites swell up much worse, and I have dryer lips than usual. Not a big deal but worth noting.
My sex drive has also taken a hit, as expected. Having said that, with a bit of extra effort, it all still works! I can’t say the same for my two experiences with Lupron.
That’s it for now. Please share this blog with anyone you know who is dealing with cancer.
Thanks, Bruce