Billi Pod Blogs: Billi Pod is Back==>Let the Fight Begin - Updates

Monday==>Yes, your favorite Sunshine State blogger is back in front of his ‘puter and is now anxious to share with his loyal and faithful readers and followers just what has been going on in his life ... so ...

Let me bring you up-to-date on the health issue(s) ...

On July 27, 2006, was diagnosed with prostate cancer (Gleason: 3+4=7). My physician was Dr. Erik Goluboff, who was at that time the head of the Urology Department at Columbia University Medical School. Based on my age, my medical history and the various tests he administered Dr. Goluboff recommended “watchful-waiting” and I agreed.

I opted not to reveal this diagnosis to anyone and over the ensuing years I kept this health issue totally to myself as I routinely saw Dr. Goluboff every 6 months for a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) and PSA test. Each time the DRE results have been “no change” and the PSA results have been between 0.9 and 2.2.

I did, however, over last Christmas, disclose to my son Bill III aka The Bill that I had been diagnosed with prostate cancer back in 2006 but that it was not a factor in my decision to leave NYC.

As you know, I determined not to renew my lease and planned to leave The Big Apple not later than May 31st.

Then ... whoa!! When I had blood work done on 4/21/15 for my cardiologist, Dr. Fred Feuerbach, in preparation for my 6-month heart examination (and my last in NYC) the PSA had skyrocketed to ... gasp ... 9.0.

I had already scheduled a routine (but final) appointment with Dr. Goluboff for 5/7/15. The PSA result then was 5.0. The DRE was “no change.” I, of course, told Dr. G that I would immediately follow up with a new urologist in Winter Park.

Then the relocation process began and I become a resident of Winter Park, in a new apartment building across the street from Winter Park Village.

On June 30th I had my first appointment with my new urologist, Thomas G. Cangiano, who is with Florida Urology Associates, Florida Hospital Medical Group. Based on the history I provided, Dr. Cangiano ordered that a Transrectal Ultrasound Guided Needle Biopsy be done on July 15th and it was. 12 samples were taken. Very unpleasant. The PSA was 5.0.

On Thursday, July 30th I got the results from Dr. C.

Frankly, it wasn’t good. The Gleason for most of the samples is (4+5=9). I asked Dr. C to briefly give me a synopsis, in his own handwriting on a 3 x 5 card, to share with family, and this is what he said ... unedited ...

“Cancer of prostate is worse. More aggressive. Every biopsy had cancer. Probably spread. Need x-ray to confirm.”

“Need hormone shots to shrink & put in remission. Sent meds to pharmacy. Start today.”

I have to add that in the past 2 months I have lost 10 pounds and have almost no appetite. Otherwise, I feel fine and, as you know, I am still walking an average of over 4-miles per day.

So ... I now have the following upcoming schedule:

Thursday - August 6 - 10:00am - CT Urogram; and, noon - NM Bone Imaging Whole Body. Both at Florida Hospital in Winter Park.

Friday - August 7 - 1:30pm - Hormone shot @ Dr. C’s office.

Friday - August 14 - 9:20am - sit-down appointment with Dr. C. to go over results and agree on a treatment program, if necessary. Bill will be with me.

So, everyone ... this is where we are.

I initially thought that I wouldn’t feel like writing on this blog until after I got the results of the tests but, thankfully, after a couple of days my inner self basically said that there was no fucking way I was going to let cancer take over my life and life-style without a fight. And, the only way I could make the fight would be to do so with the friendship and support of you, my loyal and faithful readers and followers.

Therefore, regardless of the results on the 14th of August Billi Pod intends to keep timely blogging for as long as he is mentally and physically able to do so.

Yeah, some of you have been on the internet mailing list since June of 1995 and we have been though a lot together, good times and bad times, and we have just kept on keeping on ... and that’s what I intend to do ... one day at a time.

Now ... moving on to something really important ...

CONGRATULATIONS go out to my grandson Alex Falletta and his incredible wife, Gina, as they celebrate their 13th Wedding Anniversary today.

I was honored to have been asked to preside over the event in Lakeland, FL. At the conclusion of the emotional ceremony I said:

“Now that Alex and Gina have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands, the giving and receiving of rings, and the lighting of the Unity Candle, by the powers vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Florida, I am pleased and deeply honored to pronounce that they are now husband and wife.”

Yes, a lot has happened in these 13 years, including, on a positive note, Gina receiving her degree from the University of South Carolina, Alex being deployed to Iraq and safely returning, and the birth of their two darling daughters Saylor and Finley, my great-granddaughters

So ... have a great time guys ... you have more than earned it.

Moving on some more ...

Since the last posting I have still been doing my early morning walk and wander sessions. The walking stats for this past week are==>30.70 miles (average 4.38 miles per day).

On Sunday I spent the afternoon in front of my 42” flat screen TV watching baseball, including the Yankees 12-3 ass-whipping of the Chicago White Sox.

The Bronx Bombers are still in first place in the AL East by 6.0 games over the Orioles and the Blue Jays and ... oh yes ... the pitiful Boston FuckSox are still in the cellar, 13.0 games behind the Yankees.

You are welcome, Marty.

When the game was over I then Ubered to Bill’s new house, adjacent to the Deer Run golf course in Castleberry.

We spent some time working on getting the dining room and living room into shape and then we had a terrific dinner at our favorite restaurant, the Outback Steakhouse.

We stuffed ourselves. Bill had the usual sirloin steak and I had the chicken and ribs platter. AWESOME.

And, of course, on the way back to the apartment we stopped by Krispy Kreme to pick up some of those EVIL chocolate glazed donuts.

So ... Bill ... it was great being with you and I really like your new digs.

Moving on some more ...

This morning I had my usual morning walk and wander session, recording==>3.02 miles.

I have a really long errands and chores list to work on and that will take the rest of the day.

The Yankees have the day off so my plans for the evening are currently in flux.

So, those of you loyal and faithful readers and followers who have stayed with me this far ... you are now up-to-date and please remember ... together we are going to ...

KICK CANCER’S ASS!!

GO YANKEES!! GO GATORS!!