9-27-13 Whew, what a summer!  I finally started feeling nearly normal as of around the 4th of July.  That persistent infection I wrote about in January finally subsided and I got more into the swing of things and started hiking more as part of my preparation for a week in hte Sierras in September.  Holly and I had a wonderful time in Kauai as we have been lucky enough to enjoy for the past 10 summers with T & G at the Hanalei Bay house.  I got to snorkel with the turtles at Ke'e, golf at the beautiful Princeville Makai course, fish - AND catch fish in the deep blue South Pacific waters off shore, and spend many lazy days with friends just kickin' it on the beach.
 
This summer, daughter Ryan moved out of our house and into an apartment with boyfriend, Natale.  That leaves Holly and I with the proverbial "empty nest".  We are adapting, as best as we can.
 
 Now it's time to get ready for Fall and Winter, and face some new challeges life is presenting.  Wish us luck
 
1-5-13 Happt New Year!  I know it has been over 4 months since my last update.  In a nutshell, life is good - but it continues to offer some challenges.  Highlights-
 
October = OKTOBERFISH.  We had another epic trip, my 31st consecutive trip following the first ever in the year Holly and I were married (1982).  As has become tradition; Adam, Rick, and Joe joined to make "Quadro-Finkia" for the 2nd year in a row!  See the above.  I got to re-take the same hike up the Little Lakes Valley of Rock Creek.  The beauty and serentiy of the High Sierra never ceases to sooth and amaze me.
 
November = Thanksgiving and Adam's Birthday.  Holly and I visited with the Robson Clan at sister-in-law Michelle's.  They asked (and I was happy to oblige) if I would BBQ a turkey and bring it.  I'll have to toot my own horn a little and say "it rocked!"  Adam visited from SF for a few days a couple of weeks later.
 
December = Christmas and Holiday Parties.  I golfed 5 holes (even making birdie in the 1st one) in the Delta Holiday Party golf tournament, a big step into the world of PLAY for me.  Holly and I hosted her 95 year old grandmother and the rest of the family on Christmas Eve.  Grandma Virginia, spry as ever, brought home made pies and casseroles-an amazing woman.  We spend Chrismas dinner with the Finkens at Anne and Gary's.  It was a wonderfule time.
 
Healthwise, which seems to be the big topic with me for the past 2 years or so, I recieved the wonderful news that I am cancer free!  This is based on the results of my first post-Op PSA test taken 3 months after surgery.  Whooo-hooo!  No follow-up treatment is planned at this time and I will be monitored by PSA every 6 months for the forseeable future.  In other health news, I have regained much of my physical conditioning by following a steady, 6 day a week workout regime that I was finally able to start at the beginning of November.  It involved Foundation Training (www.foundationtraining.com) 3 days,  Floor-Core-and More at LA Fitness 2 days, and walking/hiking on Saturdays.  I have made a 7 mile/1,100' vertical/10 lb. pack hike so far.
 
I continue to struggle with a persistent urinary tract infection and occasional back spasms, but remain very optimistic that I will soon have these issues behind me.
 
 
9-2-12I finally got out of the hospital on Friday evening (8/31/12), after a week, and back home resting fairly comfortably.  The cancer removal went very, very well and my doctor is extremely optimistic that I will never need any further treatment – awesome.  I went in last Friday (8/24/12) and expected to be home by Sunday 3 days later.  A series of complications and ensuing treatments happened after the initial surgery that included:
 
 
  • Very Low Blood Pressure (77/44)
    Admission To Surgical Intensive Care Unit
    Emergency (In Bed) Chest X-Ray (To Rule Out Pneumonia As Cause Odd Symptoms)
    Blood Transfusions (8 Units In Total)
  • CT Scan to investigate Internal Bleeding/Pooling 
    Second Surgery To Find And Close Internal Bleeding
    Return To Surgical Intensive Care Unit
    Bloody Nose
    Ultrasonic Imaging That Led To Discovery Of Blood Clots In Leg
    Initiation Of 6 Month Program (Coumadin)To Treat Blood Clots
    Another Bloody Nose
    Another Chest X-Ray For Rule Out Pneumonia As Cause Symptoms
    Heart Arrhythmia Discovered From Cardiac Monitoring Included In Blood Clot Treatment Plan
    Suspected Heart Attack (from detection of related enzymes)
    Echocardiogram
    Angiogram 
     
 
All in all, everything worked out well.  My heart was found to be in excellent condition ( my doctor called the angiogram “beautiful”, noted no plaque at all, said he hoped his looked like that, and mentioned using the image oft it as his logo!) despite 30+ years on the stack testers diet of cheeseburgers 3 meal a day and Saturday Night Steak fests every week.  I guess that what they say is true and 1 -2 glasses of wine a day are good for the heart, and we can extrapolate that to 3 – 4 must be really good.
 
I am so blessed to have the love and support of my family, especially Holly who was at my side and propped me up through the whole ordeal - taking punch after punch and staying  on her feet, my Mom Pat, of course my big sister Anna (Dr. Annie if you ask me), and Ryan who grew up quickly these past few days and kept a smile on my face.  All of my family and my great freinds Ted, Grag, Phil, and Mo along with Roddy and  the rest of the Delta Team and the rest of you all, made it so that I was never alone with my pain or problems. 
 
I will be resting at home and returning to light duty over the next few weeks.  Thanks to you all for your love and support.  It is a constant comfort to me for which I am extremely grateful.
 
 
8-16-12 Good news, recovery from last years’ back surgery is progressing very well since the SES Conference.  I went into and intense, 6 week core training program soon after that, and now I have just finished a 15 week hiking program that I started back in May to prep for a planned backpack in September.  The backpack trip is off for me (see below), but I did stay on track and managed to nearly complete the progressive program.  The past 2 Sundays I hiked 7 - 12 miles, gained 2,200 - 2,700 vertical feet while carrying 22 lbs on the back.  I am stoked!
 
 More good news, I had two great vacations this summer too, a week in Yosemite and 10 days on Kauai.  The back feels good, and I am starting to think about bike rides, golf games, and skiing, although not all right away - but I can imagine them again.  Check out me on the Stand Up Paddleboard above.
 
 Now, for the an update on the other news (little bad/lots good), as I mentioned last month I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  The good news is that it is curable as it is confined to the organ and has not spread.  There were a few tense weeks following a high PSA result (11), a lump found during the “digital” exam, and a positive biopsy (8 of 14 samples were hot).  I had bone and organ scans to investigate possible spread to other body parts and they were completely clear - whew!.
 
I am on track for a "radical prostectomy" scheduled for a week from Friday on August 24 at 8:00.  I am told to expect to spend 2 nights in the hospital, and will be home for 2 weeks while re-learning to control my bladder (using a back up valve on the line that is stock, factory installed equipment for all men, since the main valve is removed as part of the fucking cancerous gland).  Most patients are able to operate normally (meaning no spill containment devices) by the end of a month or so (sorry, probably TMI).
My doctor calls it a “Surgical Cure” as opposed to “Treatment”.  The computer model using my diagnosis shows >98% survival rate without further treatment at 15 years down the road (which is a far out as the model goes).  We'll take those odds for sure.  I will be monitored for 5 years with PSA screens every 6 months to verify the success of the treatment, and not have any further radiological or chemical treatment if all goes well.
 
 
7-2-12I have lots of news to report and most of it is good.  The big news is that I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  The good news is that it is confiend to the prostate gland and has not spread to any other part of my body.  I will have it completely removed and expect to be cured and have nearly no lingereing negative effects once recuperated after a period of weeks to months.
 
As you can imagine, this news was very concerning to me and my close family and friends.  There was a series of negative announcements beginning with a high PSA lab result, detection of a tumerous node, and a positive biopsy report.  The string of negative news was thankfully broken with the very, very positive results of the CT scan on the abdominal organs and teh complete radiological bone scans. 
 
 
I am so lucky to have so many loving family and friends surrounding me, the support was overwelming.  I am so sorry to have scared so many of you, and so glad I had you  all by my side. 
 
 
Since the biopsy is somewhat invasive and disruptive the "Surgical Cure" cannot be implemented for 1 - 2 months, so I get to go through with the Yosemite and Kauai vacation plans.  I am really excited since last summer was purely recovery from the back surgery.
 
Through all of this I continue to get stronger and have fewer effects following my back surgery.  I am 51 weeks post-op, and have been very active with excercise.  In April I commenced what I call the "6 by6" program that included work-outs 6 days a week for 6 weeks as I noted on my last post. That program paid off in a big way, bringing me to a very stron and confident self to move forward with.  Now I have adopted a training program for the summer of 2012 intended to determine if a September Backpacking trip to the Sierras is possible.  The program is built upon progressivly increasing the distannce, vertical gains, and pack weight from a baseline establisehd in April to a set of goals needed to make travel in the High Country.  I developed a 100 point scale to track my progess.  The chart above shows the plan and progress so far, and the table has the numbers.  
  
4-15-12Hey,  I'm still here!  I know it has been months since the last site update, but maybe that is just plain good news that I am getting busy.  I don't have too muc to report other than I continue to work on getting back to somekind of normal life.  I am managing a pretty normal workload, but my back is still the major theme in my life.
 
The Holidays came and went with lots of love and family time.   Brother-in-law Greg tooks some nice photos of us on Christmas Eve in our backyard.  You can see Holly and I with Adam and Ryan above and more on the PHOTOS page.   We celebrated Mom's 85th birthday in January and that is her above with her sister Aunt Adrienne.
 
Summer plans are starting to take shape.  I am now in the middle of the most aggressive rehabilitation program since my surgery 9 months ago.  I am doing 1 of three different workouts 6 days a week.  The workouts include walking (3 - 4 miles), Gym (floor, core, machines, and cardio), and Foundation (core, see www.foundationtraining.com).  I hope that this brings me to a condition that I can start building more aggressive ( and fun) activities on.
 
 We have camping in Yosemite in July, Kauai in August, and with good health progress a 7 day backpack trip in September.  Wish me luck! 
 
11-5-11Lots has happened since my last update.  I am basically back to work full time and have just finished the first of 3 straight weeks of field work.  Last week was 4 days in a row of 12+ hour shifts at Loma Linda Hospital/College where (Julie Finken works).  It was the first time in over a year that I was part of a two person crew, meaning that I actually had to work.  Well, OK Gary did do almost all of the lifting and carrying - but I made many trips up and down 2 or 3 flights of stairs and operated the mobile lab single handedly.  It marks a big step forward for me.
 
The next big news item is that I actually left Orange County and got to the Sierras for OKTOBERFISH, which I have attended without fail since 1984 (we think).  This is my first outing since surgery on July 8 and actually my first vacation of any sort in 2011 (I would ususlly have had ski trips, bike rides, backpacking, and snow hikes by now).  It was a fantasic trip, marking my 25 O-fish shirt (see the full collection via the link on the photos page) and included a landmark 25 men and boys.  Normally we have 12 - 16, so it was epic.  I had hoped to make a 5 mile hike to Long Lake which would have included ~1,000 feet of elevation change.  Doctor's orders proved to be true and I settled for a 2.2 mile hike up Rock Creek and gained only 200 feet.  It turned out to be the perfect distance and difficulty.  I was tired, but not in pain afterward - just right.  This banner year at the Fish was also marked by having a record 5 Gen2 attendees (sons of O-daddys) Including Adam on his 2nd trip.  Brothers Rick and Joe were also there as in past years, so as Moe said we had "Quadrafinkia".  Rick won the Big Fish Trophy this year for his first time in 24 trips.  Yeah Ricky!
 
We are looking forward to the Holiday season .  Come back and visit soon.
 
 
9-24-11Nearly a month since my last update.  More good news - I am doing very well.  Each week I seem to make a step forward.  This is my third week back in the office, and I have made it to a full 8 hours once finallly, but havn't made a 12 hours shift yet.  I can’t believe how tired I get, and I’m not doing much.  Maybe it’s because I am working on our “Quality Manual”.
 
No field work so far, but I am scheduling myself in late October/November.  I am still in Physical Therapy 3 times a week, and usually pretty tired after and sore the next day.  Today however I am not so sore, and I went yesterday so that’s a plus.  It’s my best day so far following PT.  I see my surgeon on October 10 and expect a full release to do anything I feel like then.  I plan to slowly re-enter the normal world, and won’t take on any risky activities (bike riding, golf) for a few months as I am in terrible shape and very protective of my “new” back. 
  
 
8-28-11Lots of good news toay!  I had the MRI last Saturday (8-20-11).  The MRI Technician turned out to be one of my dearest friends for over 40 years, Vicki Clerkin (Goff)  .  That made the procedure more tolerable with an old friend talking to me through the headset.  We met with the neurosurgeon in Thursdaay 8-25-11 to reviw the results and plan the next strategies.  The Doctor said that the MRI looked good, and that I was normal.  Holly replied that she had never heared anyons say that about me before.  He recomended that I begin 6 weeks of physical therapy 2 - 3 times a week, which is exactly on the schedule set out before surgery.  Since then, I have continued to feel better, maybe some stress relief based on the good news?  I no longer have to wear the back brace (that I started calling "mini-me") but can if I need comfort or sympathy according to  the doctor.  I can go in the pool and spa, which came just in time for the heat wave we are having, and all other restrictions on activity are now "to comfort".  I am taking it slow and will rely on the  guidance ot the Physical Therpists for the next few weeks.  Barring any setbacks, I should have a full clearance just in time for OKTOBERFISH which starts on Satrurday 10-15-11.
 
 
8-19-11 My recovery continues with just a slight setback.  You probably saw the last update on my site about the cold toe.  I saw the doctor yesterday (not my surgeon but another dr. in his group).  He wasn't overly concerned but did think the symptoms and observations were worth looking into.  He believes things are most likely the result of an internal stitch being aggravated and causing some irritation.  I am going in for an MRI tomorrow (Saturday 8/20/11) to check things out.  I see my surgeon again on Thursday 8/28/11 for a regularly scheduled 6 week follow-up visit.  The normal recovery/rehab schedule would be to start 6 weeks of 3 days a week of physical therapy after that.  Hopefully that will happen, but we have to wait and see the MRI results.  If it all goes well I hope to have a full release after that, and will start back slow and easy doing the fun stuff.  I'll start with the stationary bike at the gym at first to get back into some kind of shape before taking on anything that could involve falling.  My company Holiday Party is the first weekend in December, maybe I'll be ready to try and swing a club during the golf tournament, we'll see.
 
    I do wake up pain free every morning and slowly get more and more discomfort as the day goes on.  I am watching lots of TV, as I am trying to take it real easy as the doctors recommend.  The really good news is that my left side (back/leg), which was the worst side before is almost perfect, Ahhhh........
 
 
8/13/11Five weeks and counting since surgery.  Healing progresses.  I have worked most days in the past 2 weeks, but not much each day.  My back is stronger each day.  I can go up and down stairs without using my hands, which I have not been able to do for months!  Last Monday I spent a lot of time on my feet, and have developed a little numbness in the right toe/foot.  I'll see the doctor next week to have things looked over.  The incision area on the right looks a little wierd, inflamed-ish.  Maybe the two symptoms are related.
 
7/19/11Day 11 since the surgery.   Let's recap - 1) I am alive, 2) I am not paralyzed, 3) I have a million great friends and loved ones who show they care (an dnot just say it) constnantl, and 4) Thiings are expected to improve over the next few months,
 
Things continue  to go well, all systems running normally.  I can get up and sit down un-aided and do so several times a day as ordered.  I am walkinging outside severa times a day, working up to 4 x 15 minute walks a day by the end of week 2 on Friday July 22, 2011. We walked 1/4 mile today in 14 minutes, so lotsl of room for speed improvements.  Going to try for 2 more today to set s persona best.
 
I wear a waist brace whenever I am out of bed, and it is quite comfortrable and supportive.  I also have a machine that pumps coldwater to a pad on my back when I am laying down.  Ihaven't figured it out yet but it may just work out for either frosty Maggaritas, or cooling the coil on the newMethod 202 train.
 
7/13/11Its been nearly a week since the surgery.  i did not talk to the doc post-op but Holly said he said it went goog or even better.  rocovery goes well, i can walk, even from the car to the house.  i am up 3 - 5 times a day for a few minutes as needed/tolerated.  Nurse Holly is working double shifts just trying to keep care of me as I deserve.  Next  apppoinment Thursday July 21.
 
7/2/11Lots of news this time.  The relief from the 3rd epidural was short lived, one day to be exact.  Plans for Physical Therapy were canceled before they were started.  I went back to the Neurosurgeon, Dr. Palmer, on Tuesday 6/28/11 and began the pre-operative process for surgery to be done on Friday  7/8/11.  Lots of exitement and anticipation as this date is really close.  Since the visit with the surgeon and his Surgical Scheduler I have had chest X-ray, EKG, Blood Work (twice), fitting for a brace, and an appointment to get a release from my family doctor.
 
Here's the good news - Dr. Palmer says that my back is crooked, but not unstable.  He sees no need for any type of fusion or braces.  He is planning a minimally invasive procedure called Paramedian Microlaminotomy for Stenosis.  It will be done on an outpatient basis, taking approximately 2 hours.   Dr. Palmer says this procedure is getting to be almost like a root canal. 
 
I am expected to walk from the car into the house afterwards, and should be able to get to the restroom and kitchen on my own.  For 2 weeks following the surgery I will wear a brace at all waking times, never sit up for mor than 20 minutes at a time, and begin taking 3 - 4 walks a day ranging from <5 minutes to 15 minutes by the end ot the 2 week period when I will have the first post-Op appointment.   During the 4 weeks following following the visit, I should be released to perfom light work as tolerated, but never lifting more than 10 lbs. and never sitting for more than 20 minutes at a time.  If all goes well I should start physical therapy after the secnond Post-Op Dr. visit at 6 weeks follong the procedure.  PT will be 2 - 3 times a week for 4 - 8 weeks.  During this time I can increase activity, of course  avoiding heavy lifting, twisting, and prolonged sitting.  They say that "Certain sporting activities such as tennis, golf, basketball, and running are restricted for 12 weeks following surgery if released by the surgeon" at the 3rd Post-Op visit. 
 
 
6/16/11  OK, I had Epidural 3 yesterday and am enjoying a nearly pain free day.  Not quite as good as 4 weeks ago but way better than any other day since I can remember.  Let' s hope it lasts.  I just returned from my visit with the neurosurgeon.  New Xrays show some scoliosis but no de-stabilization, bone density scan was good, and mostly a clean slate from the neurologist (although some more blood tests have been ordered to rule out neuralgia).  What does all of this mean?  Well, based on 1 days experience, Dr. Palmer is recomending I begin Physical Therapy 2 - 3 times a week for 3 - 4 weeks.  He wants to find out what happens when I begin movement, under a controlled environment.  If I feel good, we keep going.  If I relapse, we will look into the surgical aspect.  Dr. Palmer says that with no indication of de-stabilization in my lumbar region, surgery would likely be minimally invasive cleanout of the areas where nerves are being pinched.  Typiclly this is done on an outpatient basis, taking only about 2 hours.  The doctor says the procedure is getting to be like a Root Canal, so routine.  So it is day by day for now, I'll start PT Monday if I am still feeling fine.  Thanks for tuning in!
 
6/3/11I have had 2 of the 3 planned epidurals so far.  The 2nd one was Wednesday 6/1/11.  Each of them have brought some relief, but no total elimination of pain for any extended period of time.  I actually had a pain free day following the 1st one on May 18, but it didn't last until the next day, boo-hoo.  One more try on June 15, then reevaluation on 6/16 and we'll see what happens from there.
 
5/12/11New stuff on my treatment plan.  I saw Dr. Palmer on Tuesday May 10 (a week earlier than planned).  He disagrees with Dr. Chon about the need for Open Back Surgery and fusion.  He is recomending some more tests (more Xxrays, bone density scan, and a visit to a neurologist), a round of 3 different epidurals ~2 weeks apart, and then a reevaluation on June 16th.  Dr. Palmer thinks that the epidurals may relieve inflamation and this could leed to a relaxation of my symptoms.  If it does not, he says that he can perform a minimaly invasive procedure to install some spacers to provide the needed nerve spacing.
 
I start the epidural treatment on Monday May 16.  I already had the Xrays and a bone density scan last week. 
 
I am excited about the possibility of a less intense treament plan and an easier recovery, and very much confused.  I'm going to follow the new dr. plan for now, but have postoned rather than canceled the surgery wi Dr. Chon.    Wish me luck! 
 
Here's some FAQs about MISS:
 
How long will I be in the hospital?
In general, minimally invasive spine surgery decreases the hospital stay by one-half.  In a typical endoscopic discectomy, the surgeries are performed in the same day, and the patients go home shortly after surgery on the same day. 
For various types of lumbar fusion surgery, the patient typically goes home in 2-3 days, where previously they stayed in the hospital 5-7 days.  Furthermore, the immediate post-operative period is marked by much less pain when using minimally invasive techniques. Return to top.

When can I go back to work after minimally invasive back surgery?
The decision to return to work should be individualized to the patient, as well as the patient’s occupation.  For patients with sedentary jobs, such as office work, a minimally invasive discectomy would allow that patient to begin part-time work within 1-2 weeks.  For a larger surgery such as a fusion, this may take 4-6 weeks.  Again, return to work is much faster using minimally invasive surgery vs. standard open surgery but this decision is individualized to special needs of each patient. Return to top.

How long is the recovery?
Most patients are able to get up out of bed and start walking shortly after surgery, usually on the same or following day.  For the first 6 weeks, the activity level is limited to walking and normal daily activities. 
Most patients are encouraged to avoid heavy lifting, frequent bending, twisting or turning or climbing during the first 6 week period.  After 6 weeks, patients begin a physical therapy and exercise program to achieve rapid recovery and strength.  By 3 months a gradual increase in normal activities as well as the institution of low impact sporting activities can be started. At 6 weeks, all activities are begun, including sports. Return to top.

After surgery, how long will my pain last?
On average, patients who have had minimally invasive spine surgery are discharged in half the time of traditional surgery and the pain usually follows this rule. Each procedure will have a differnent rate of recovery. Return to top.
 
 
4/24/2011 - Happy Easter Everyone!  Yesterday I had the epidural injection  (http://esurgeon.com/scripts/content/conservativeoptions/epidural_spinal_injections.html?doctor=chon) and so far so goog.  Severe leg pain almost gone, maybe a little funny feeling or numbness this morning - but definitly no sharp pain.  Woo-hoo.  Still waiting to finalize a date in the first week of June 1st, 6th, or 8th).  Follow the links here to see the planned procedures in the event that the neuro-doc doesn't have a better (minimally invasive) idea.
 
(http://esurgeon.com/scripts/content/playmovie.html?filename=laminectomy&returnpath=surgicaloptions/lumbar_laminectomy.html&doctorname=Jae H. Chon, M.D.&doctor=chon)
 
(http://esurgeon.com/scripts/content/playmovie.html?filename=plif&returnpath=surgicaloptions/posterior_lumbar_interbody_fusion.html&doctorname=Jae H. Chon, M.D.&doctor=chon)
  
4/19/2011 - I made an appointment for an epidural injection to relieve some pain symptoms.  It is set for this Saturday April 23. 
May 16th is the date for the Neurosurgeon (Dr. Sylvain Palmer) 2nd opinion on the treatment plan from the Orthopaedic surgeon (Dr. Jae Chon).
I have surgery set for the first week of June.  I hope to be back to light duty in early-mid July.  . 
 
4/3/11 - See the xray image of my back.  It is supposed to be a straight line.  I am waiting for an appointment with a neurosurgeon for a second opinion regarding an option to the fusion recomended by the othopeadic surgeon I have been seeing.  Stay tuned!!
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Welcome to my site.  Be sure to visit the PHOTOS page to see the latest/greatest and find links to Photo albums.
 
  
 

Here I am at Piute Pass (11,500') in September(left), 

My Mom and her 5 kids (center), and with a 101 lb Ahi Tuna on Kauai in July.
Don't Forget to Check me out on Skype for a video chat sometime - bob.finken