That's what my life has been ever since we got word of the cancer recurrence back in late April 2021.  Many of you might remember that I originally was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer back in 2006.  At that time I had it surgically removed, and had been cancer free until this April.  As you might expect this initial news was a shock, and it just kept getting worse as we dug deeper into it - cancer found in the abdomen, then in the bones.

Many doctor visits later, we had our plan of attack, and have been marching forward ever since.  In the mean time life continued to happen - some of it expected like work and the end of the school year, but much of it spontaneous and surprising.  In that past 2 months we have experienced:

1.  Kiera's High School Soccer Team going on a State Tourney Run, eventually winning The Class 2 Championship
2.  Being installed as an Acolyte as part of my Diaconate Formation
3.  Cochran Boys weekend in Washington, MO
4.  Kiera Graduation from High School
5.  Colin and Alexis getting Married
6.  A Cochran Family Vacation to Table Rock Lake
7.  Kiera being named the Class 2 Player of the Year in the State of Missouri
8.  Some good friends hosting us on a 10-day pilgrimage to Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina - this trip was truly wonderful, a gift for both Karen and I - I will write a whole post on it sometime soon

It has been an emotional roller coaster.  The low feelings of shock, fear,  anxiety and anger intermingled with the highs of hope, peace, encouragement and love.   I think we have reached a point, at least for now, where we can dwell in the highs and fend off the lows.  I ask that you pray this continues...

Now for the treatment details....

I had my first Hormone Therapy shot (Firmagon) back in early June - it was a double dose to start the treatment.  This shot basically stops the production of testosterone, which is the hormone that prostate cancer feeds on.   With no testosterone their should be no cancer growth.  The scans I had back in late June confirm that this is in fact what is happening to the cancer inside me - it has stopped growing.  Side effects have been minimal - some hot flashes (mostly at night) and soreness at the injection site.

Hopefully this week I will start Immunotherapy.  This will be some daily pills (Cabozantinib and Abiraterone) and a monthly infusion (Nivolumab).    Your immune system attacks and kills foreign substances in your body, but cancer has the ability to hide from your immune system and grow without any resistance.  Hopefully these drugs will help my immune system notice the cancer and attack it.  Side effects can potentially be similar to chemotherapy - nausea, weakness, aches and pains.  We will have to wait and see how these drugs will affect me.

Finally I want to once again let you all know of my gratitude for the care and love you have shown me and my family - the cards, emails, texts, gifts, hugs, fist bumps, smiles.   We are living in a grace-filled bubble and feel so blessed. 

I will try to write an update next week after some time with the immuno drugs.  Until then, please continue to pray for peace in our hearts and strength in our bodies.

God Bless

Jim