Roger Johnsen

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On August 5, Roger went in for a long overdue physical. He had gotten blood tests done a couple days prior. His physical was good except for a few thing... #1- high cholesterol, which he was given medication for. #2- His PSA was high. That is a blood test that checks the health of the prostate. Normal is 4 and under. Roger was at 15.5. Dr. Haugen recommended he go see a urologist. An appointment was made and on Sept 7th, he went to Fargo for that visit. Dr. Williams talked to him about his PSA numbers, did a quick exam, and discussed risks, benefits and alternatives. He said we would go ahead with a biopsy, but first he wanted to get another PSA reading. That was done, and the number had risen to 20.17.
September 27th, a biopsy was done. Twelve samples were taken. 
Follow-up visit was Oct 7th, where we officially got the news that, yes, he has prostate cancer. Five of the core samples were positive. He is classified as stage 3. (which sounds bad, but stage 1 and 2 they don't even mess with) He discussed possible treatment options and recommended Roger see the oncologist.
Oct 11, we were in Dr Blanchard's office. He did a quick exam and went over everything up to that point. He was more detailed about treatment options, and he recommended Roger do both hormone therapy and radiation therapy. He will be on hormone therapy for a year. Radiation will be two big blasts, and then 25 days of radiation treatments, Monday thru Friday.

Fast forward to today. Today we went for his MRI and a full body bone scan. This would make sure there hasn't been any spread. 

Next step will be a surgical procedure with the urologist on Nov 19th, to have SpaceOAR gel put in place. This will protect other parts of his body that we don't want to radiate. 
On the 23rd he will have another MRI that will be for "mapping", and he'll see Dr Blanchard again.
On the 24th he will go in for the actual mapping, where they'll put him in the machine, tattoo him, and get everything lined up for radiation treatment. A simulation. 

They can't start radiation until two weeks after the SpaceOAR placement. So we're looking at December. 
 I hadn't even realized that it's been three months since this all started! It seems like things are moving along quickly. Especially now. LOTS of trips to Fargo. Two and half hour drive, roundtrip. 
It has already been quite the journey. We are totally trusting God in this, and for the outcome. He is in control. The very best thing you can do is pray. 
Other than that, we do have a go fund me page, if you feel so inclined. 
Onward and forward. Gonna beat this!!!