UPDATE (August 8, 2005)

Al Warren is home again (and on the road again). A favorite teacher at First Baptist Church of Galt, California, Pastor Al Warren would love to have you join him on Sunday mornings at 9:45 for a great time of fellowship and Bible Study.

Click on the audio to hear his voice today. Better yet, come meet him in person this Sunday. Click here for a map.

August 5, 2005 - Good News!

I'll be honest ...sometimes I wish My Urologist was Yourologist.  Anyway, my Urologist called and said that there was a problem with my latest Pee-S-A test.  Panic set in right away!  He said, "We could not get a reading between .001 and .009 which is rated as a 0.  So you must have done a good job of getting rid of the cancer, as we cannot get a reading."

That's the second time he has pulled this on me, and I bit both times.  I don't know about you, but I just can never get enough of funny Urologists.

I will still have chemo through November. I will be so glad when that is over and I can get over the hot flashes night sweats and other problems.

July 26, 2005 - At Home ...Just Visiting

I am home ...for a trial visit. I have to return to Valley Gardens by 6pm or my bed will disappear!  The last time I slept on the floor here at the house it took six paramedics to move me!

I am working on walking with a cane and have used it all day since getting home.  It is very hard to get up out of a soft recliner.  Then again, why would you?

God has worked a great work in the fact that I had major surgery on my back on July 8^th, and I am now able to be at home and walking with a cane. 

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that I am wearing a girdle.  I volunteered to let Lady Catherine wear a pair of my boxers (sort of a gesture of empathy), but she declined.  The girdle really improves my waist line.  Why didn't I discover this years ago?  Turns out that I look quite alluring in purple and black.  When I am feeling better I'm planning a trip to Victor's Secret to check out the new fall styles.  Seriously, I do not understand, how women of old, wore these things.  

I have a goal to be back at Church for the service at 10am on July 31^st.  Hopefully, I'll soon be able to return to teaching my Sunday school class and resume other duties.  Please pray with me for this to happen. 

I fell on Monday trying to go up the stairs at my home.  Ken kept my head from going boom and for that I praise him. 

To make this quick, the doctors have determined that the Lower Lombard part of the spine is causing the problems.  If my white count is up to normal after the radiation then they will plan the surgery for next week.  As of now I am home bound. I want you to do the following things for me:

1. Pray for the doctors that they will make the right decisions.

2. Pray for my wife as she has to do basically all the taking care of me.

3. Remember me as I am not looking forward to being cut on and having to ware the turtle shell for 3 months.

I miss all of you.  Please do not write me an e-mail as I just cannot sit that long.  My phone works!

It has been a long time since May 1, and a lot has happened that I was not prepared for.  I became so weak in my legs I could not walk without a walker.  They still do not know after 6 weeks what has caused my hips to hurt so bad that it will not support my legs.  I was in two different hospitals in May and fell several time and in a rehab hospital for four weeks where I only fell once but I am still weak.

YEAH! I am home with a loving family to watch over me and give me good orders. 

I had special stairs made for my rear entrance to my house that will allow my arms to help support me to get in and out of the house.  Oh, the joy of Home Cooking!  I do not know what God has in mind for me and my life at this time.  A neurologist has run nerve conductive test and will try to see if he can put all the pieces together and find out what happened.  At this time he has been fighting with hospitals to get reports from the time of my stay.  It is funny how they are your records and they stall about sending them to a doctor.

While in the rehab center I was able to make friends with many of the Filipino R.N.’s and C.N.A.’s.  They called me father or preacher and I had a good relationship and they all came up to tell me that they wished me a good life as I left. I had a conference with several of them about what the meaning was in a traditional Filipino wedding ceremony. This is a story for another time.

I am going for 1½ hours of physical therapy Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I am not sure that it is doing much to help, but I cannot turn a chance to get stronger down anytime. Keep me in your prayers and I will write more as my strength and ability return.

If you have sent me e-mails and I have not answered be patience as I will get to them as this is the first thing I have set down and written.

It has been a bummer for the past week and the week-end.  The Chemo has started a fight with the joints of my lower back, hip and legs, and after five rounds Chemo is ahead on all of the scorecards!  I'm thinking about watching "Rocky" one more time, but the thought of seeing him run up those stairs in Philadelphia makes me grimace.

I had to sit for the Bible Study on Sunday and had to have a chauffer, (Cathy and her Mustang - not unlike the "Little Old Lady from Pasadena"), to get me to Church. (Have you ever tried to get out of one of a Mustang with bad legs?)

The pain is the worst that I have had with all of my treatments. I cannot walk until I stand for a few seconds and let my body and legs get in sync.  The doctor gave me some pain pills but they did nothing for the pain so I quit taking them (with doctor’s recommendation).  I have chemo until November so I want to get this part under control.

I have two more radiation treatments, today and tomorrow, YEH! Ken is going to take me this morning as I am having a hard time walking.  Hopefully he'll be driving the Hummer instead of Cathy's Mustang.

Cathy said she had been trying to slow me down for years, but not this way. I am going to try to see the doctor again this morning for my hip area. I walk like the old man on the 6 flags commercials ...but darn it all, I still cannot dance.

Oh what Pain!  I got up during the night on Monday and when I stood up, a wave of pain hit my hip and legs like I have never experienced before.  You know the doctors always ask you on a scale of 1-10 how is the pain, it was 30! 

From Monday through Wednesday I thought it was from my back surgery.  I was shuffling along like a 99 year-old man with bad knees.  (If you are old enough to remember Laugh In, picture Arte Johnson shuffling along, trying desperately to catch the lovely Ruth Buzzi).  

I found that getting up and sitting down were now procedures that required great finesse. It did not get any better, so I scheduled a meeting with my back doctor for today.  Naturally, they called and canceled it and rescheduled it for a week from now.  I'm sure the next seven days, stuck here in this chair, will fly by! 

I saw my Oncologist yesterday and she set me straight about the pain.  First, there is nothing that came be done about it and it will go away.  SOON I HOPE!  She said it is the change in my testosterone level from the chemo.  She said the pain can last three weeks, or it could stop tomorrow.  Ok, in that case, I choose tomorrow! 

I cannot take pain pills because of other problems, so as she said, “You will just have to suck it up and hang in there.”  I still scream every time Lady Catherine tries to get me up off my chair!  

It is a little better today as I can sit at the computer for a little time.  (The hard part was moving the computer into the bathroom!). 

You know, I could not have made it through this without friends that cared and prayed for me.  I'm told that Tuesday will be my last radiation, and that I should start to get some of my strength back in two or three weeks.  ...But the Chemo will go to November.  Dang it all!

Yet, with a PSA of “0” I should complain?

Eleven days until I finish my radiation and I can hardly wait.  I am in my heaviest radiation and will have 9 more sessions.  It has caused my body to do away with some of the physical controls that on which we all depend! 

Note the obvious play on the word.  It will get worse during the next two weeks and then I hope the ability to be in control again will return slowly.  I am VERY TIRED.  It seems that I can never get enough rest.  The Urologist called today, (yes, on Saturday), and gave me some good news that my PSA was a ZERO.  I did not even know it could go that low!  He was very pleased and said he would have been happy with a .5.

The radiation is causing problems with my back and the pain is not easily controlled, as I cannot take regular pain reliever.  When I get down on my knees I have to pray to get back up.  Sometimes I just pray more so I will not have to try to get up.  You can just call me "Old Camel Knees"

God has been so good, with all that has been going on in my life, he has provided preachers for almost every service at the Epicenter through July while pastorob is on sabbatical leave.  Next week we should complete the list. Watch the Epicenter for information on each Sunday.  We are also sending cards out to announce our speakers for the following two weeks.  If you would like to receive a card, write www.fbcgalt@sbcglobal.net and you will be added to our mailing list.

It was so great hearing the good news from Robin McCall.

Today I went in to have new tattoos.  My largest one is now three by four like a cross with a circle in the area where the cross meets.  Now isn’t that cool for a 68 year-old pastor?  I received these as I started my three weeks of intensive radiation.

They are now using six radiation points instead of four.  They have tightened the beam and increased the amount of radiation.  I wonder if these six points will glow or if the tattoos are going to become like the face of a good watch at night. 

Seriously, this is my hardest three weeks so please hold me up in prayer.  I pray that I will have God’s grace to take it one day at a time and give God the glory for being alive. 

Do you realize when I was in school,  prostate cancer was a death sentence? 

I believe that God led me to the program that I am now in and that He wants me to trust my doctors as they strive to cure me.

I am looking forward to getting some good medicine from Dr. Cliff Hoff on Sunday.  He'll be preaching and we're expecting to see God bring the harvest.  Pray that God will touch lives. I urge you to bring those who need salvation and a Church home to hear this man of God. 

What a shock my Urologist  gave me (now there is an interesting picture!) today. You know I am and old man and shock is not good for my constitution ...or any other part of my anatomy the urologist might be interested in!  He told me that I will have to continue to take the chemo for six months after I finish with the radiation! (Sadly, this is no April Fool's joke).

That means that I will get a Christmas present, I will not have to take the chemo in December.

Hey, there is an upside; he told me that I should loose ten to fifteen pounds per month if I keep my calories down to around two thousand per day.  ("Lady Catherine, hold that banana split I asked you for.  Uh...er, well, on second thought, let's share it.")

My spirits are now down a little but I'm looking forward to the future.  God has a plan for the rest of my life and I want to serve him.  Our Church is going to need strong people during the next four months and I pray that I will be up to the task and the confidence that Pastor Rob has placed in me.  We each need to reach out and hold on to one another. 

It reminds me of the story of the kids that the scout leader asked to walk on the railroad tracks without falling off.  One after another they tried to balance on the track, but one by one they all fell off.  Finally, two boys held hands while they each stood on a track.  The two boys reached across and joining arms walked down the tracks.  They (together) did what no one else could do by holding on to each other.  So hold on to each other ...and me to. 

Well I have finished two weeks of radiation - only six more weeks to go.

Yes, the Oncologist was right, I am tired! Yet life and God’s work goes on.  Monday, I have my last chemo treatment, which will last a month.  Yea!

It is now Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and I still have my sweats on.  I've been looking at the treadmill, mesmerized,  since 8:00 a.m.  Personally, I recommend that any time you are looking at exercise equipment, you should wear sweats.  Just be very careful not to get any moisture on them!  Lady Catherine says I'm just being lazy, but I don't see her wearing sweats. Hah!  I think I deserve it. 

I have a wedding this afternoon at the River mill at 4:30 p.m.  It's a very cute couple and they are very much in love.  I think it would be cool if they got married in their sweats.  At least that way, they would look like the pastor who's marrying them.

Tomorrow is Easter and a friend, Tom Mogan, says that I am old enough to hide my own eggs.  He's probably right.  Now, if I can just remember where I hid that chicken! 

We must remember that Easter is not about eggs but about the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is my trust and hope in Him that keeps me going. When it gets kinda dark in my life, I turn to His light and it all becomes better.

It has been one week since I started my radiation.  I have chemo that will last until the end of April but my last treatment will be March 25. 

I had my second check-up with the oncologist yesterday and she was very encouraging telling me that it was going great ...BUT (Now I don't know about you, but it's been my experience that when I hear the word "but," I probably don't want to hear the words that follow) then she starting telling me by next Wednesday I should feel weaker.  Can you be much weaker?

Then the last two weeks of April and the first week of May they will increase the radiation to six points (what, no extra point after the touchdown??) and increase the dosage.  She said this will be the weakest point.  Oh, thanks for that good news.

Again I ask, it can get weaker yet????

She said my recovery to my “normal self,” (an assumption on her part??) will take about 6 months. That is, of course, if I do not have any of the side effects from the radiation. Ugh! Don’t even go there. 

She told me the worst of the side effects and I promptly forgot them because I am not going to have them!  God, Lady Catherine, a group of praying Church members (I only refer to them as "serfs" when they misbehave) and I, have decided that they are not going to happen. 

Just think, by Christmas I should be back to my Bah, Hum Bug self. 

I met with my oncologist this morning and I feel that she was honest and upfront with me on what to expect during the next 8 weeks.  She said that after two weeks I would start to feel weaker and more fatigued than now.  If this keeps up then I am going to have to have a footman to open the doors for me.

My blood count will drop, which will increase the risk of infection, but they will track it weekly and, if needed, take action.  There will be a permanent bone density loss in the pelvic area.  This can lead to fractures or softening of the bone.  The radiation can cause scaring on the internal passages of the body which could result at the worst case in lost of some functions. 

To think  ...a few months ago I was stressing over what cat food was the best.  (Turns out my favorite was "Fancy Feast with Gourmet Gravy," which Lady Catherine also likes ...though she prefers hers over rice). 

Well, there is some good news.  I now have three new tattoos!  How many 68 year-old pastors can say that?  (The body piercings remain a confidential matter between Lady Catherine and I).  To clarify, the "tattoos" are used as check points when setting up the machine.

My oncologist feels that we will work together and beat this prostate cancer.  Sounds good to me, just having difficulty determining which days the doc wants to take my chemo treatments!

I have my first radiation on Thursday at 1pm.  I still have one more chemo at the end of March and that is something to look forward to; not the chemo treatment itself, but the fact that it is the last one.

I feel that your prayers and God’s grace will see me through this!  Thank you to all those who are praying for me and my family!

There is a lot on my plate during the next few weeks.  We are starting a new Bible Study at 9:45 Sunday morning March 13^th.titled, “The Church.”  I hope to finish developing the next series of lessons in April so that our class will be ready start on them the first of May.

We have a GOOD Bible Study Group and would like to invite you to join us if you are ever in the shadow of the epicenter.  If you are not in Galt, CA, I will be happy to send you an Adobe Acrobat copy of the pupil’s book that we are using for the next 6 to 8 weeks.  If you have question about the lessons you may e-mail me and I will reply as I am able to do so, or will refer them to one of my assistant teachers.  I might add ...by the time I finish with the radiation I will also have completed six weddings and one baby dedication.

Poor Sis (Lady Catherine),

It is a shame that such an articulate woman is buffaloed (is that the right spelling?) by a machine.  Remember,     Computers are our friends.  Now, say that over and over.  Let yourself become one with the computer.  He, he. 

After all, if you were more involved with the computer, I would not have to wait for Al to make a blog page to write to you.  Why, we could communicate daily, rather than wait for Al and me to be on the computer at the same time to instant message with you in the background. LOL

Love you Sis, come into the 21st century with us.  It is a nice place.  We can go skipping down the road of computer bliss together.  Besides, you have a lot to say and what better place to say it than on the internet. 

Love you a bunch,

Lady Linda

Today has been a downer to say the least.  It is afternoon and I still have not gotten dressed. I know what you are thinking ...slacker.  No, I have just lost my get up and go.  I have looked everywhere for it but it seems to be lost. The chemo has really taken a lot out of me and today seems the worst.

Tuesday I meet with the oncologist (Oncologists are physicians who study, diagnose, and treat cancerous tumors), and will set up the times for the radiation.  I have been given a glass of iodine solution that I have to mix with fruit juice (just so I can get it down) and drink it before going in.  Wow, I could of had a V8!  

They will use a scan to set the points of radiation ...or so I think.  I want to ask her if there is not something that will give me back some zip.  Note I did not say zippidy do da.

On a very serious note, I have lost a very good friend this week but I know that she is in a much better place.  We love you Vida!

Al

They say the way your Monday goes so goes the rest of the week.  I pray not!

I had an epidural at 10:30 a.m..  I might add that I had to wait for an hour for the procedure.  They could not find a blood vein so they did it with a local.  No problem and it did not hurt ...Much!

Then I went for my chemo and arrived early and got right in and had the procedure and got home about 2pm.  Went to sleep and slept until 4:30 and felt that I had not slept at all.  It was all I could do to keep my eyes open until we went to bed.  Then I could not get to sleep.  Sheesh!!

About 2:30 a.m. I gave up watching  infomercials and went to sleep in my chair.  By the way, if you don't normally stay up late but would like to know more about the Bun & Thigh Rocker, the Turbo Cooker, Steam Buggy, the Thuderstick Pro Mixer, or Epil-Stop and Spray, please don't hesitate to e-mail me.

I finally went back to bed at 5 a.m..  It is now 2 p.m. and I am finally going to take a bath and get dressed.  Seems my Herculean strength got up and went! 

Oh, before I forget, the next time I write I will be well on my way to being a millionaire (assuming the home course in real estate arrives).  Just think how I will be able to help the children in Liberia!

Last week, the doctor had me take a new PSA test (Prostate-Specific Antigen is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland.  The PSA test is used to measure the level of PSA in the blood).

He called last night after 7:30pm on a holiday if you can believe that!  (From now on he will be known as "Doc Holiday"). 

He said my PSA was down to .67 ...so the chemo was working. 

I will still have to take the next two sessions of chemo and the two months of radiation but that was good news. 

   This week I went to the Spine Doctor after my MRI's and he said that I had problems with L-4 and 5 vertebrae.   For those unfamiliar, the L stands for lumbar, the lower portion of the spine.  Here, check it out.

These little rascals are putting pressure on the spine that is causing my left foot and ankle to feel numb.  It is also what is causing the pain in the lower back.  Believe me, I wouldn't wish this on any of you.  Here's a short article about simple exercises you can do to help avoid back problems.  These exercises can be done by 90 year-olds!

The doctor is doing another Epidural on the 29^th AND I get my third chemo shot on that day as well.  On top of all that I have been having severe pain especially when driving or when I get up in the morning in my left shoulder. 

I sleep on my left side and I thought that was doing it but he said I have band of arthritis that is rubbing the rotator cup area.  He gave me a shot of something today to relieve the pain for a while.  He said it can be fixed with an arthroscopy surgery after I finish with my radiation.  

If it is not one thing then it is two of something else. You know I thought that I am was going to be tested like Job but I don’t have any fields, daughters, donkeys, sheep, camels, servants, and my wife (see right hand column for more details) is stronger of faith than Job’s was. 

...So I guess it is just my clean living that is causing all this STUFF!  If you believe that I have an island called Manhattan I would like to sell you.

I have been, using and old phase, “feeling kinda low.” I had developed a spot on my leg that kept growing and decided to go to the Doctor to have it checked out.  He took on look and said, “Go see a dermatologist.” Then he asks how I was doing.  Told him “kinda low” and he said that the Chemo was affecting my body in so many ways that was the reason.  He said it would affect my sleep and my ability to focus.  He said there were many other side effects such as sight and ability to reason.  So see now I have a solution when I make dumb mistakes.  It’s not my fault but the Chemo’s fault.  I have been trying to find something I could blame my mistakes on all my life.  He did give me a capsule to take each day to help overcome these effects but REMEMBER it take two to three weeks to take effect.  So ...don’t blame any mistakes on me for at least three weeks.

They gave me my second Chemo shot today.  In two week from now I have to go an have test make to make sure the Chemo is containing the cancer.  I hate needles like a passion.  The only place they can normally find a vein is in the back of the hand.  I truly believe that my veins go on vacation when they see a needle.