Celebrate Life

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  • dakotarunner
    dakotarunner Member Posts: 102 Member
    #22
    JR1949 said:

    Yes Stop and Smell...
    Dakotarunner, I have always heard the expression "Take time to stop and smell the roses" (or rutabagas). Since my wife and I have had our "journey" with cancer and now cancer free, that expression has real meaning.

    So everybody just roll down the window or do what I did this summer while on vacation in the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN and go wade in the clean cool water of a mountain stream....ahhhhh.

    JR

    Yeah, I know it is roses,
    Yeah, I know it is roses, but I like to look at new ways to enjoy life. Now if I can just figure out what a rutabaga looks like.

    Question for all you PC survivors here - does anyone fly an ultralight, I need some thoughts and info on it.
  • YTW
    YTW Member Posts: 67
    #23
    luckyman2 said:

    Never stop!
    My dad played the harmonica when he was in the Black Watch Highland Regiment of Canada during WWII. It kept him company during good and bad times. He taught me how to play the harmonica when I was 15 years old and layed up with a cast on my leg for an entire summer. That got me started in music... and now I also play the 12-string guitar, autoharp, bodhran, djembe... and a few other instruments. Never stop learning and challenging yourself... and most of all giving... it's why we are all here.

    Beating the beast
    Luckyman2; I will be taking my fifth and final Cyberknife treatment on Monday. I admire your attitude and will be trying to immitate it. I liked the part about your father being part of the Blackwatch in Canada. I have been married for 46 years to a Scottish lass born & raised in Dundee, Scotland. The reason that we have stayed married so long was whenever she got angry with me (often) I couldnt understand a thing she said with her accent. When I was on the fire department, I tried to teach myself the five string banjo. I would go to our spare room and practice. The guys were ready to burn the ole 5 string. I told them that they had a choice. Either the banjo or the bagpipes. They left me alone. I admire your ability to learn a few instruments. You must have the two things that I didn't in learning the banjo...Ability & talent....Keep the faith...............................Jimmy/Cleveland
  • johnnyt617
    johnnyt617 Member Posts: 6
    #24
    Thanks for being here
    I love being around positive people and decided to join the Cancer Survivor's Network finally after 5 weeks of post radical prostatectomy at UCLA Med Ctr........I got the word 10 days later that I was "cancer free" and was elated.
    I've done some life changing things in the past 4 years... I am an alcoholic and finally got sober (finally stopped my denial) 4 years ago after attending a Paul Simon concert with 3 of my wonderful 6 kids and they saw my condition and did a family intervention - helped me get into rehab and I stayed 90 days. I do what I can now to stay sober (AA meetings, sponsor, pray & meditate)...
    and I quit smoking about 2 years ago. Last year I decided to take better care of my body - I was 282# and 40% body fat (6 ft) - so I went on a diet/exercise program and lost 100# and am down to 23% body fat (I'm 64 yrs old)... so far so good!
    .. Halfway through the diet/exercise program, the doc & I decided to check my blood tests.. and found a high PSA (8) ... he recommended a urologist - re-took it and it was 10.5 - then the biopsy and then the diagnosis for prostate cancer on April 1st. He sent me to UCLA where I had the surgery on July 9th...
    I was really full of gratitude that my wife was by my side throughout the process (she wasn't real happy about the alcoholism & rehab 4 years ago)... and my wonderful kids were there to support me all the way with their love too. I didn't have any fear of the operation and I'm staying positive now.
    I'm really glad I joined this network - I've already read about 25 posts and know that I'm going to get the best information here. Thanks for being here. Thanks for your positive attitude & giving me an opportunity to share my positive feelings too.. God Bless!!!! JohnnyT
  • Skid Row Tom
    Skid Row Tom Member Posts: 125
    #25
    johnnyt617 said:

    Thanks for being here
    I love being around positive people and decided to join the Cancer Survivor's Network finally after 5 weeks of post radical prostatectomy at UCLA Med Ctr........I got the word 10 days later that I was "cancer free" and was elated.
    I've done some life changing things in the past 4 years... I am an alcoholic and finally got sober (finally stopped my denial) 4 years ago after attending a Paul Simon concert with 3 of my wonderful 6 kids and they saw my condition and did a family intervention - helped me get into rehab and I stayed 90 days. I do what I can now to stay sober (AA meetings, sponsor, pray & meditate)...
    and I quit smoking about 2 years ago. Last year I decided to take better care of my body - I was 282# and 40% body fat (6 ft) - so I went on a diet/exercise program and lost 100# and am down to 23% body fat (I'm 64 yrs old)... so far so good!
    .. Halfway through the diet/exercise program, the doc & I decided to check my blood tests.. and found a high PSA (8) ... he recommended a urologist - re-took it and it was 10.5 - then the biopsy and then the diagnosis for prostate cancer on April 1st. He sent me to UCLA where I had the surgery on July 9th...
    I was really full of gratitude that my wife was by my side throughout the process (she wasn't real happy about the alcoholism & rehab 4 years ago)... and my wonderful kids were there to support me all the way with their love too. I didn't have any fear of the operation and I'm staying positive now.
    I'm really glad I joined this network - I've already read about 25 posts and know that I'm going to get the best information here. Thanks for being here. Thanks for your positive attitude & giving me an opportunity to share my positive feelings too.. God Bless!!!! JohnnyT

    Welcome
    Nice to have you in "the club".
  • hopeful and optimistic
    hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,346 Member
    #26
    johnnyt617 said:

    Thanks for being here
    I love being around positive people and decided to join the Cancer Survivor's Network finally after 5 weeks of post radical prostatectomy at UCLA Med Ctr........I got the word 10 days later that I was "cancer free" and was elated.
    I've done some life changing things in the past 4 years... I am an alcoholic and finally got sober (finally stopped my denial) 4 years ago after attending a Paul Simon concert with 3 of my wonderful 6 kids and they saw my condition and did a family intervention - helped me get into rehab and I stayed 90 days. I do what I can now to stay sober (AA meetings, sponsor, pray & meditate)...
    and I quit smoking about 2 years ago. Last year I decided to take better care of my body - I was 282# and 40% body fat (6 ft) - so I went on a diet/exercise program and lost 100# and am down to 23% body fat (I'm 64 yrs old)... so far so good!
    .. Halfway through the diet/exercise program, the doc & I decided to check my blood tests.. and found a high PSA (8) ... he recommended a urologist - re-took it and it was 10.5 - then the biopsy and then the diagnosis for prostate cancer on April 1st. He sent me to UCLA where I had the surgery on July 9th...
    I was really full of gratitude that my wife was by my side throughout the process (she wasn't real happy about the alcoholism & rehab 4 years ago)... and my wonderful kids were there to support me all the way with their love too. I didn't have any fear of the operation and I'm staying positive now.
    I'm really glad I joined this network - I've already read about 25 posts and know that I'm going to get the best information here. Thanks for being here. Thanks for your positive attitude & giving me an opportunity to share my positive feelings too.. God Bless!!!! JohnnyT

    Johnny
    Congratulations on all the progress that you made....you can be proud.....great that you received news that you are cancer free....I've been going to UCLA for the last year and a half, and in my opinion the institution is first rate.....also the surgeons there are first rate.......you made a great choice to be treated there.

    I didn't know about the Cancer Survivor's Network.....can you tell me when they meet, and who to contact to be on their distribution list.

    Ira
  • dakotarunner
    dakotarunner Member Posts: 102 Member
    #27
    johnnyt617 said:

    Thanks for being here
    I love being around positive people and decided to join the Cancer Survivor's Network finally after 5 weeks of post radical prostatectomy at UCLA Med Ctr........I got the word 10 days later that I was "cancer free" and was elated.
    I've done some life changing things in the past 4 years... I am an alcoholic and finally got sober (finally stopped my denial) 4 years ago after attending a Paul Simon concert with 3 of my wonderful 6 kids and they saw my condition and did a family intervention - helped me get into rehab and I stayed 90 days. I do what I can now to stay sober (AA meetings, sponsor, pray & meditate)...
    and I quit smoking about 2 years ago. Last year I decided to take better care of my body - I was 282# and 40% body fat (6 ft) - so I went on a diet/exercise program and lost 100# and am down to 23% body fat (I'm 64 yrs old)... so far so good!
    .. Halfway through the diet/exercise program, the doc & I decided to check my blood tests.. and found a high PSA (8) ... he recommended a urologist - re-took it and it was 10.5 - then the biopsy and then the diagnosis for prostate cancer on April 1st. He sent me to UCLA where I had the surgery on July 9th...
    I was really full of gratitude that my wife was by my side throughout the process (she wasn't real happy about the alcoholism & rehab 4 years ago)... and my wonderful kids were there to support me all the way with their love too. I didn't have any fear of the operation and I'm staying positive now.
    I'm really glad I joined this network - I've already read about 25 posts and know that I'm going to get the best information here. Thanks for being here. Thanks for your positive attitude & giving me an opportunity to share my positive feelings too.. God Bless!!!! JohnnyT

    Welcome aboard JohnnyT.
    It
    Welcome aboard JohnnyT.

    It is a great place to be. All different kinds of angles, thoughts, experiences and ideas abound. You and I are also members of the AA club, and I have found a great peace and strength thru it that helps me in my tussle with cancer. You have a lot of new friends here, so do not be a stranger.

    DR
  • johnnyt617
    johnnyt617 Member Posts: 6
    #28
    hopeful and optimistic said:

    Johnny
    Congratulations on all the progress that you made....you can be proud.....great that you received news that you are cancer free....I've been going to UCLA for the last year and a half, and in my opinion the institution is first rate.....also the surgeons there are first rate.......you made a great choice to be treated there.

    I didn't know about the Cancer Survivor's Network.....can you tell me when they meet, and who to contact to be on their distribution list.

    Ira

    Ira - thanks for your comments
    Thanks for your comments buddy. You're really going to laugh when I tell you to scroll up to the top of this screen and you'll read "Cancer Survivors Network" ... which this board is on. You're such a part of the family, that you didn't even realize that you're right in the middle of it all.... It reminds me of when we go back home to Boston.. there were so many things to see when we lived there and we didn't actually see them until we moved away and then brought our kids back to see our roots... I agree with you about UCLA - I had nothing but positive experiences there - all the doctors & nurses & staff were awesome, not to mention the great facility itself. I was lucky & blessed for sure!!! talk to you soon... God Bless - Johnny T
  • johnnyt617
    johnnyt617 Member Posts: 6
    #29
    dakotarunner said:

    Welcome aboard JohnnyT.
    It
    Welcome aboard JohnnyT.

    It is a great place to be. All different kinds of angles, thoughts, experiences and ideas abound. You and I are also members of the AA club, and I have found a great peace and strength thru it that helps me in my tussle with cancer. You have a lot of new friends here, so do not be a stranger.

    DR

    Thanks!
    Thank you, too Dakota for your great and positive comments. I too had the tools of the AA program at my disposal which definitely gave me lots of strength & hope as I went through my process. I never feared because I'm in such a good place with God and my family now... I don't in any way however, minimize just how lucky and blessed I am. I'm very very grateful for my health and the life I have today. Talk to you soon... God Bless Johnny T
  • mrshisname
    mrshisname Member Posts: 186
    #30
    johnnyt617 said:

    Thanks!
    Thank you, too Dakota for your great and positive comments. I too had the tools of the AA program at my disposal which definitely gave me lots of strength & hope as I went through my process. I never feared because I'm in such a good place with God and my family now... I don't in any way however, minimize just how lucky and blessed I am. I'm very very grateful for my health and the life I have today. Talk to you soon... God Bless Johnny T

    Haven't been around in awhile
    I haven't been here in a while but love love love this thread. My husband and I have had the best summer since his DaVinci procedure on 4/27. It is amazing - I had a bowel obstruction resulting in 2 surgeries in January of this year and one in August of last year, he had the DaVinci, and he also lost his job. But we are more in love than ever (coming up on 29 years) and have gone camping so much this summer in our rv. We are living each day to the fullest and we wouldn't have it any other way!
    "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
  • JR1949
    JR1949 Member Posts: 230
    #31
    johnnyt617 said:

    Thanks!
    Thank you, too Dakota for your great and positive comments. I too had the tools of the AA program at my disposal which definitely gave me lots of strength & hope as I went through my process. I never feared because I'm in such a good place with God and my family now... I don't in any way however, minimize just how lucky and blessed I am. I'm very very grateful for my health and the life I have today. Talk to you soon... God Bless Johnny T

    Welcome Aboard
    Welcome aboard, Johnny. Glad to have another member.
    Thank you for sharing your story. That is what this CSN is all about. You can't find a better group of people who will share their story and answer your questions and just give an "ear" to what you need or have to say.

    JR
  • hopeful and optimistic
    hopeful and optimistic Member Posts: 2,346 Member
    #32
    dakotarunner said:

    Yeah, I know it is roses,
    Yeah, I know it is roses, but I like to look at new ways to enjoy life. Now if I can just figure out what a rutabaga looks like.

    Question for all you PC survivors here - does anyone fly an ultralight, I need some thoughts and info on it.

    I wonder, are you asking about model, or
    glider type? Either one sounds like a great thing to do.
  • shane59
    shane59 Member Posts: 86
    #33
    JR1949 said:

    Welcome Aboard
    Welcome aboard, Johnny. Glad to have another member.
    Thank you for sharing your story. That is what this CSN is all about. You can't find a better group of people who will share their story and answer your questions and just give an "ear" to what you need or have to say.

    JR

    The best weekend
    Hi all Long time no chat from downunder in Australia . went to my daughters saterday night 2.5 hour drive well worth the effort spent many hours chatting and catching up ,my 2 awsome grandkids 2.3 years and 1.1 years take my hands and lead me to the toy room guide me to sit on the mat and proced to help me remember yes remember how to play cars well I tear up just talking about it somtimes. I will never forget there is myself and my wife on the floor like 2 little kids having the best fun money could never buy a memory that I will cherish forever. Then at 3.30 am in the morning drove my daughter and son to the Toowoomba markets spent 6 hours just talking while helping them sell there flowers I had a weight removed from my shoulders to see how much in love they are .As a parent no one is usually good enough for your daughter, And as for my Wife she is the best thing that ever happened to me we are growing closer together every day we just appreciate every moment we have .This prostate Cancer may be a pain but it changes your life or at least mine for the better Thanks Shane
  • BRONX52
    BRONX52 Member Posts: 156
    #34
    shane59 said:

    The best weekend
    Hi all Long time no chat from downunder in Australia . went to my daughters saterday night 2.5 hour drive well worth the effort spent many hours chatting and catching up ,my 2 awsome grandkids 2.3 years and 1.1 years take my hands and lead me to the toy room guide me to sit on the mat and proced to help me remember yes remember how to play cars well I tear up just talking about it somtimes. I will never forget there is myself and my wife on the floor like 2 little kids having the best fun money could never buy a memory that I will cherish forever. Then at 3.30 am in the morning drove my daughter and son to the Toowoomba markets spent 6 hours just talking while helping them sell there flowers I had a weight removed from my shoulders to see how much in love they are .As a parent no one is usually good enough for your daughter, And as for my Wife she is the best thing that ever happened to me we are growing closer together every day we just appreciate every moment we have .This prostate Cancer may be a pain but it changes your life or at least mine for the better Thanks Shane

    AUGUST HAS BEEN A GOOD
    AUGUST HAS BEEN A GOOD MONTH. NOW AND THEN I FEEL PRETTY DOWN ABOUT THIS WHOLE PC THING AND ITS ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS. BUT CERTAIN EVENTS MAKE IT ALL GO AWAY AND I DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. THIS AUGUST THREE EVENTS MADE MY PC TAKE A BACK SEAT. FIRST--6 MONTH PSA TEST WAS UNDETECTABLE- HOORAY!! SECOND-- THE VA APPROVED MY AGENT ORANGE CLAIM-- THIRD AND MOST IMPORTANT I SPENT THE WEEKEND IN THE HOSPITAL----NOT FOR PC BUT TO WELCOME MY NEW GRANDDAUGHTER INTO THE WORLD. SHE WAS STUBBORN BUT FINALLY ARRIVED ON AUGUST 30TH!!! SHE MUST HAVE KNOWN THAT I ENJOY VISITING VEGAS A FEW TIMES A YEAR BECAUSE SHE WEIGHED IN AT 7LBS 11OZ---A 7-11 BABY. ITS NICE TO FORGET OUR PC PROBLEMS IF ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME, AND AUGUST HAS CERTAINLY MADE ME CELEBRATE LIFE A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY. THOUGHT I'D SHARE THIS WITH MY PC CLUB MEMBERS TO SHOW THAT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE CAN BEAT DOWN THIS PC BEAST AND ENJOY LIFE LIKE WE SHOULD !!! DAN
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #35
    BRONX52 said:

    AUGUST HAS BEEN A GOOD
    AUGUST HAS BEEN A GOOD MONTH. NOW AND THEN I FEEL PRETTY DOWN ABOUT THIS WHOLE PC THING AND ITS ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS. BUT CERTAIN EVENTS MAKE IT ALL GO AWAY AND I DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. THIS AUGUST THREE EVENTS MADE MY PC TAKE A BACK SEAT. FIRST--6 MONTH PSA TEST WAS UNDETECTABLE- HOORAY!! SECOND-- THE VA APPROVED MY AGENT ORANGE CLAIM-- THIRD AND MOST IMPORTANT I SPENT THE WEEKEND IN THE HOSPITAL----NOT FOR PC BUT TO WELCOME MY NEW GRANDDAUGHTER INTO THE WORLD. SHE WAS STUBBORN BUT FINALLY ARRIVED ON AUGUST 30TH!!! SHE MUST HAVE KNOWN THAT I ENJOY VISITING VEGAS A FEW TIMES A YEAR BECAUSE SHE WEIGHED IN AT 7LBS 11OZ---A 7-11 BABY. ITS NICE TO FORGET OUR PC PROBLEMS IF ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME, AND AUGUST HAS CERTAINLY MADE ME CELEBRATE LIFE A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY. THOUGHT I'D SHARE THIS WITH MY PC CLUB MEMBERS TO SHOW THAT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE CAN BEAT DOWN THIS PC BEAST AND ENJOY LIFE LIKE WE SHOULD !!! DAN

    Congrats on your new
    Congrats on your new addition to the family!
    Larry
  • BRONX52
    BRONX52 Member Posts: 156
    #36
    lewvino said:

    Congrats on your new
    Congrats on your new addition to the family!
    Larry

    THANKS LARRY--IT'S NICE TO
    THANKS LARRY--IT'S NICE TO PUT PC ON THE BACK BURNER WHILE WE ATTEMPT TO ENJOY THOSE SPECIAL MOMENTS IN OUR LIVES-----DAN
  • JR1949
    JR1949 Member Posts: 230
    #37
    lewvino said:

    Congrats on your new
    Congrats on your new addition to the family!
    Larry

    Congrats
    Congratulations on your new addition to the family and thanks for sharing your story.
    JR
  • Swingshiftworker
    Swingshiftworker Member Posts: 1,017 Member
    #38
    My Celebration of Life
    Now that I've started my CK treatments, which should be done by next Wednesday, I can share what I'm planning to do to celebrate my life.

    First, I'm going to spend 2 weeks touring Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara (and regions in between) in October, which just happens to coincide w/my 60th b-day.

    In December-January, I'm planning to go either to Hong Kong or Paris for 2 to 4 weeks (and maybe longer) over Xmas and New Years.

    In May, I'm thinking of driving to the Arctic Circle in my 4x4 and off-road trailer for a month or 2 to explore remote regions of Canada, the Yukon and Alaska along the way. BTW, for this trip, I'll probably take ferries north to Juneau and Valdez via the Inside Passage and then drive to the Circle and then back to the US.

    These trips are just the beginning of my retirement and post PCa treatment travel plans, which I hope will take me to many interesting and beautiful places all over the world in the coming years.

    I'll take the celebration (and appreciation) of life (over death) any day! ;)
  • Feb2010
    Feb2010 Member Posts: 51
    #39
    CELEBRATE
    I try to celebrate each day by thanking God for each time I wake up and watch the sunrise,
    each time I see the sun sets and paint the clouds...
    I won't have my post Proton Radiation PSA test until December, but I have faith that it is already take cared of. Let's carry on the celebration...
  • griff 1
    griff 1 Member Posts: 114
    #40
    lewvino said:

    Congrats on your new
    Congrats on your new addition to the family!
    Larry

    larry
    i picked your post to reply to to put this at the top. i got my 3 month test back today and a big fat zero. i have had a bad attitude lately and that is not good it wears you down. i need to get positive now that my surgery is over and this test. i am going camping with my kids this weekend. i have twin boys and a 11 year old girl who thinks she is in charge. ha ha anyway that will be a good celebration for sure. i hope everybody is doing good, there are some great people on this forum and i hope the best to all. griff

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