After my bladder cancer surgery in 2004, I learned everything anyone would ever want to learn about bladder cancer. Being in the nursing profession, I wondered if perhaps I was being called to share my experiences with others. I did a literature search at UAB and discovered there were no recent articles about bladder cancer. I subsequently sent an e-mail to Nursing magazine to see if they would be interested in such an article. They responded favorably. So, within a couple of months, I wrote a manuscript entitled, "Bladder Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment" and submitted it to Nursing. Several months later I received word that my article was accepted for publication, albeit the name of the article was being changed to "Bladder Cancer: Revealing News About A Hidden Threat". I was ecstatic. It took about another year for the article to be in print, but how happy I was to see my manuscript published in the April edition of Nursing2006.
Years later, after my second bout with cancer and chemotherapy, I felt led to write again. Whereas the Nursing2006 article was very clinical, i.e. how do you get bladder cancer, how is it diagnosed, how is it treated, etc., I began writing a book which delved not only into the physical aspects of going through bladder cancer, but the emotional and spiritual aspects as well. As a result, "A Place I Didn't Want To Go: My Victory Over Cancer", was born. You could say, "A Place I Didn't Want To Go..." was as Paul Harvey would say, the "rest of the story." It was penned after I suffered the rigors of harsh chemotherapy and multiple hospitalizations. Hence, I had a huge arsenal of material from which to draw.
Although my primary purpose in writing the book was to encourage others, I discovered a hidden benefit to myself after the book came out: emotional healing. For years, I had tried to put the best spin on my cancer diagnosis and treatment. Yet, in writing, I revisited the horror and shock of my cancer on paper. Of course, once published, having a book has led to some opportunities to share my cancer story. However, in speaking about my experience, the tears which I failed to shed over the years due to my cancer predicament have started coming to the surface. These tears remind me of how much damage has been inflicted to me by cancer and its treatment. It is imperative that I keep writing until the tears dissipate and I can glory in my current state.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Do You Hear What I Don't Hear?
I never dreamed that cancer would take away part of my hearing. After having major surgery for bladder cancer in 2004, I thought my cancer struggle was over. Yet, after cancer was rediscovered in my lymph nodes in the latter part of 2005, the worst part of my journey was ahead....chemotherapy.
In March 2006, I began chemotherapy with Cisplatin and Gemzar for about twelve weeks. The Cisplatin was the harshest drug and caused the most side effects. Not only did I develop severe nausea (leading to dehydration and multiple hospitalizations), anemia, profound fatigue, kidney damage, and peripheral neuropathy, I also developed tinnitus (or ringing in my ears). This made me feel like I was hearing the sound of crickets in my ears at many times during the day. Later, and even more disturbing, this progressed to partial hearing loss. I noticed I could no longer hear the numbers "beep" on the microwave, the turn indicator or the "blinker" on my car became silent, and conversations on the telephone were more difficult. I couldn't hear my pager at work and had to change it to vibrator mode. When watching TV, it became imperative to use closed captioning to follow the dialogue.
I graciously finished chemotherapy in June 2006 but, unfortunately, the side effects remain, although the peripheral neuropathy has improved somewhat. Due to the persistent hearing loss, I was forced to purchase hearing aids in 2007 but they are of little help. I mainly wear them when I'm in a crowded venue, for example, going to a concert or a movie. They help some, but my hearing is still a major struggle. For example, my wife and I attended the broadway show, "Wicked", a couple of weeks ago. It was a great, great show. Although we sat in the balcony (I couldn't afford the prime seats), I should have been able to hear the dialogue....but I couldn't. I imagine I comprehended about five per cent of what was being said. My wife laughed frequently at the dialogue, but I never did...I couldn't hear it. So frustrating. It's also frustrating having people repeat what they are saying to me. Sometimes they have to practically yell so I'll comprehend the words. I feel so handicapped.
I'm meeting with my ENT doctor in about a month to discover if there are more options to restore my hearing. But for now, my world, in a discouraging way, is somewhat silent.
I write more about my struggles in my book, "A Place I Didn't Want To Go: My Victory Over Cancer" which is available on Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Place-Didnt-Want-Go-Victory/dp/0983453624/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324565593&sr=1-1
My book is also supposed to be available on Kindle soon.
In March 2006, I began chemotherapy with Cisplatin and Gemzar for about twelve weeks. The Cisplatin was the harshest drug and caused the most side effects. Not only did I develop severe nausea (leading to dehydration and multiple hospitalizations), anemia, profound fatigue, kidney damage, and peripheral neuropathy, I also developed tinnitus (or ringing in my ears). This made me feel like I was hearing the sound of crickets in my ears at many times during the day. Later, and even more disturbing, this progressed to partial hearing loss. I noticed I could no longer hear the numbers "beep" on the microwave, the turn indicator or the "blinker" on my car became silent, and conversations on the telephone were more difficult. I couldn't hear my pager at work and had to change it to vibrator mode. When watching TV, it became imperative to use closed captioning to follow the dialogue.
I graciously finished chemotherapy in June 2006 but, unfortunately, the side effects remain, although the peripheral neuropathy has improved somewhat. Due to the persistent hearing loss, I was forced to purchase hearing aids in 2007 but they are of little help. I mainly wear them when I'm in a crowded venue, for example, going to a concert or a movie. They help some, but my hearing is still a major struggle. For example, my wife and I attended the broadway show, "Wicked", a couple of weeks ago. It was a great, great show. Although we sat in the balcony (I couldn't afford the prime seats), I should have been able to hear the dialogue....but I couldn't. I imagine I comprehended about five per cent of what was being said. My wife laughed frequently at the dialogue, but I never did...I couldn't hear it. So frustrating. It's also frustrating having people repeat what they are saying to me. Sometimes they have to practically yell so I'll comprehend the words. I feel so handicapped.
I'm meeting with my ENT doctor in about a month to discover if there are more options to restore my hearing. But for now, my world, in a discouraging way, is somewhat silent.
I write more about my struggles in my book, "A Place I Didn't Want To Go: My Victory Over Cancer" which is available on Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Place-Didnt-Want-Go-Victory/dp/0983453624/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324565593&sr=1-1
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Overcoming Cancer
Welcome to my blog. Let me tell you a little about myself.
I am a cancer survivor. In June 2004, I was diagnosed with an advanced form of bladder cancer and had my bladder totally removed. My surgeon created a new bladder, a "neobladder", out of twenty inches of my small intestine. In March 2006, cancer was again discovered in my lymph nodes. I underwent three and a half months of brutal chemotherapy. During my chemotherapy, I was hospitalized five times and received a total of seven units of blood. My chances of surviving five years according to my oncologist were 15-20%.
But God had other plans. I am happy to report that as of June 15, 2011, I am officially cured of cancer. I am fully convinced that God had a hand in my diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
I have subsequently written a book entitled, “A Place I Didn’t Want To Go: My Victory Over Cancer” (the title is based on John 21:18). In my book I describe the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of going through cancer. I also list the seven warning signs of cancer, the three types of sickness mentioned in the Bible and a six step guideline for overcoming cancer. This is especially important, seeing that one out of two men in the United States and one out of three women will experience cancer at some point in their lifetime. Hence, my book provides hope for anyone going through cancer or major illness. My book is loaded with Scripture and I believe it is doctrinally sound.
My book is available on Amazon for $10 (plus shipping and handling). So far it has received pristine reviews. It can be accessed online at:
There was also a story about my cancer survival and book in The Birmingham News on Wednesday January 11, 2012. It can be accessed online at:
http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2012/01/pinson_man_chronicles_his_vict.html
I am praying for avenues to share my story as God provides. I would be honored if I could share with your congregation, men’s group, whomever, how God has brought me through cancer. I have been saved since 1975 and a member of NorthPark Baptist Church (formerly Roebuck Park Baptist Church) in Trussville, Alabama since 1983. I am also more than willing to answer any questions online about cancer recovery.
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