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Benefits of PCa

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Posted 4/6/2010 7:50 PM (GMT -5)
When I was first diagnosed and started posting here I found someone that was in my area and had the same surgeon.His name is Roger, we developed an online relationship by email before my surgery, he told me about the the surgeon, hospital and what to expect in my local area. We get a lot of advice in general here on HW and that's great but there's nothing like following somebodies exact footsteps. He wanted to meet me after my surgery and that was to me an incredible act of brotherhood that we all share in this beast we call PCa. And so on Sat. morning there he was to greet me to the other side. So we have grown our relationship and a few weeks ago my wife and I went to there house for lunch and wouldn't you no it the two wives hit it off like Roger and I. So I am really greatful for Roger. We need to do it again soon.

I also made friends with another guy named Butch, although we have not met in person we share emails quite often, which reminds me I need to email you back Butch. He is from near the area that I grew up in. I would just like to thank both of them publicly. Thank you brothers. I would also like to thank Peter for HW, and our mods Tony and James. And everyone that posts here. I've made many friends here to and I don't want to leave you guys and gals out. I have not posted much lately but I check in everyday to see what is going on. For me I'm progressing fairly well, yesterday I was 8 weeks out and almost pad free except for a little stress incontinence, first psa undetectable and now get to wait 3 months for the next one.

I know many of you have also made some strong friendships. So I usally don't ramble on this much but it has been on my mind lately.

May we and our families keep up the good fight against PCa.

Neal

 

Posted 4/6/2010 7:58 PM (GMT -5)
Neal, I understand where you are coming from. I have made more reall friends here at HW since my PC dx, then I would ever have made in my "real" life. The common bond we share here is a real brotherhood, not just in words only.

WIth PC, there are so many men that are survivors, so many new men getting dx, and of course, sadly too many brothers we don't even know that pass away because of this disease. But there are a lot of us fighting this thing at any moment.

With my previous cancer battles, all 3 of them, it was so ultra rare, that there would almost be no chance of meeting anyone dealing with it, there were no support groups, no forumns like this, as at the time, I was one of only 38 known cases in American medical history, with less than 300 cases on the world. It was hard, and lonely, not even the people at the local American Cancer Society had even heard of it.

We are not alone, there's a lot of good men out there, that need what we have here.

And Neal, I consider you a real friend too.

David in SC
Posted 4/6/2010 8:06 PM (GMT -5)
Neal -
- a very lovely and caring letter. It is like the old Joni Mitchell song ... "you don't know what you got 'til it's gone..."

- one benefit of having PCa is that it can help put things in perspective and priorities. It is so easy to get angry at the wrong things and forget about what is good and wonderful in your life.

Wishing you a lifetime of zero's ( for you and the rest of the PCa HW bunch) - contentment - continence - and conquering PCa.

hugs
BRONSON
Posted 4/6/2010 8:14 PM (GMT -5)
Hello fellows you could say where all in this fight together some know more than others but thats fine we can learn from each other to arm ourselve better in the fight against PC Ithink it does us good to make new friend along life way
Long life to all
DEERHUNTER
Posted 4/6/2010 8:33 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks for sharing, our minds must be in the same place:

http://prostatecancerat42.blogspot.com/2010/04/brothers-day_01.html
Posted 4/6/2010 8:58 PM (GMT -5)
Neal, you make a good point. I am somewhat of a loner and have never been much for sharing my trevails with anyone, but the commonality of experiences here is very comforting and makes me feel connected. This board has been a source of great comfort indeed. Tim
Posted 4/6/2010 10:18 PM (GMT -5)
Neal,
I share the same story. I guy that goes to my church had surgery 1 month before me with my same doctor. When I went in for my surgery he was already waiting for me at the hospital. We see each other every Sunday and share news about our PSA, incontinence and ED.
Posted 4/7/2010 5:59 AM (GMT -5)
Neal, what a lovely post! And yes, we have all made friends here and elsewhere along our individual journeys.

When John was first diagnosed, he asked a priest at our church to pray for him as he just found out he had prostate cancer. The priest - Fr. Bernie - said "yeah...me too - who's your doctor?" Found out they both were going to the same uro/surgeon! Fr. Bernie was not able to have surgery due to the location of his prostate (it was too far behind the pubic bone for the surgeon) so he had radiation which was successful. Sadly, Fr. Bernie passed away on March 1 - not from PCa but from a heart condition.

As I have said before, the friends John and I have made here at HW are very special to us, and we hold you all very close to our hearts.

xxoo
Posted 4/7/2010 6:26 AM (GMT -5)
Benefits of PCa for me:

I can pee like a racehorse. Nice.
I was exposed to technical areas and resources I had no idea existed.
I met some great guys and had discussions I could never have before.
I learned about the GFMPH trick - and am not ashamed to use it.
I now have a perfect excuse to get out of doing anything I don't want to do.
I now read this site instead of the paper when eating breakfast.

Jeff

Post Edited (Worried Guy) : 4/7/2010 5:31:17 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/7/2010 6:40 AM (GMT -5)
Where else, outside of our wives and perhaps are best friends, do we share our deepest thoughts? We are brothers with a common bond and I am thankful that we are able to share with each other. Otherwise, the journey would be quite lonely and fearful.
Posted 4/7/2010 8:26 AM (GMT -5)
Ahhh Jeff my brother, I must admit i too have shamelessly used the GFMPH trick to its fullest advantage. A good benefit indeed.
Posted 4/7/2010 12:11 PM (GMT -5)

I am very much a loner - long story, but I learned early in life not to trust people.

I would never in a million, billion, trillion years have guessed that I would someday post on a chat board like this and discuss some of the things I have discussed here.

Life sure is strange that way.

Zen9

Posted 4/7/2010 7:59 PM (GMT -5)
It is amazing how something so terrible, tragic or whatever you want to call this disease we  have, that so much good could come of it. I'm sure there will be many more relationships made through PCa here at HW and other places. I think when you share a common bond it puts you more at ease, because I am also a very quiet person. Nice to hear how others feel.

Thanks,  Neal

Posted 4/8/2010 7:18 AM (GMT -5)
Neal,
I am touched by your post, and thank you for it. I am very grateful and proud to call you my friend. I love you, man.
All the best.
Roger
Posted 4/9/2010 6:40 AM (GMT -5)

t-dog said...
Ahhh Jeff my brother, I must admit i too have shamelessly used the GFMPH trick to its fullest advantage. A good benefit indeed.

Sorry, but I don't know the GFMPH trick!  What is it?

Ray

Posted 4/9/2010 8:38 AM (GMT -5)
GFMPH= Good For Men's Prostate Health,,,,examples: Hon, that 46" flatscrren HD TV would be good for mens prostate health. Hon, love making every night would be GFMPH, Hon, a 4 day fishing trip with the boys to Las Vegas would be GFMPH... smilewinkgrin
Posted 4/9/2010 9:25 AM (GMT -5)

James C. said...
GFMPH= Good For Men's Prostate Health,,,,examples: Hon, that 46" flatscrren HD TV would be good for mens prostate health. Hon, love making every night would be GFMPH, Hon, a 4 day fishing trip with the boys to Las Vegas would be GFMPH... smilewinkgrin

James,

Thanks, now I can use that phrase instead of the usual long explanation I give!!!!

Ray

Posted 4/9/2010 2:59 PM (GMT -5)

It’s like you have credibility when you talk about ED, fear of the unknown, leaking, post op pain, darn biopsy result interpretation, and such…because we have all walked... the walk.  Real friendships do take place just as posted above. I for one don’t post as often as I could, but not a sunrise takes place that I don’t check this site, and I actually feel the emotions of others who are looking for help, and I sense the genuine concern of the an individual sharing. Really fascinating things happen here on a daily basis.  You are a bunch of swell people.  

 

Hero

Posted 4/10/2010 6:08 PM (GMT -5)
Roger love you to man! This is the only board I post on or have ever posted on. I am very happy to call everyone hear a friend.

Neal

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