I had/have a family history of male side sudden death heart attacks in their early to mid 50's. At age 53, I was healthy, had devoted 10 years to maintaining as heart healthy a lifestyle as possible. I did work in a chemical factory, however, and was really worried that that would off set any healthy living choices I made. Luckily, I had spent a long time getting myself in a financial situation where I could retire when I decided to. I gave up a lot of new cars, boats, etc for that security, but it was all worth it when I pulled the trigger at age 53 1/2. My company made us an offer I couldn't refuse, and the market was are an all time high, so I retired early. Best decision, except for marrying my wife, that I made in my life. Of course, this was exaclty 1 1/2 years before the Enron and assorted financial meltdowns, followed by the 9/11 and the resulting financial collapse. While it was all melting down, I was living life as a retiree. I did suffer financially from it all, I will admit. I never once have suffered a quality of life issue because of it. I was amazed how much we could live on, compared to what a full employed family thinks they need or requires to maintain their family quality of life. Most people can live on a lot less. WE willingly and gladly sold our 4 bedroom home, downsized to a little 2 bedroom home on a corner in the city. Downsized? I mean DOWNSIZED! Try figuring how to put a 2100 sq. ft. house in a 856 sq. ft. house, with a lifetimes of accumulations, most of which is too sentimentaly attached to get rid of. BUT, get rid of it we did. It took a few years, but we now live comfortably with a much smaller home, budget and a slower, more rewarding lifestyle. I can honestly say that I have never regretted our decisions, not once, even during the darkest time. I have been able to enjoy life, spend time with family, to grow emotionally, spiritually and to be a friend to others. When I got the PCa diagnosis, I figured it was just life delayed catching up with me. I'd been very lucky with my health, and a good surgeon could take care of that. Well, maybe yes, maybe not. We will see.
AS my pastor says- I said that to say this: AS we grow older, we have less opportunities to put off our wishes, our dreams, or plans until tomorrow. Not just with G6 or G9 PCa, but with lots of things in life. There's lots of ways to die, either by disease, accident or other. That's a surety we all face. Each year offers us less odds that we will continue to live as we have in the past, more the odds that something can/will happen to alter our life.
I can't and won't tell others what to do. Lots of folks have their entire life and personality in who they are and what they do, as far as their careers are. They are content to work until 65 or even beyond, satisfied to still be a producing member of society. Others are easily able to retire, slow down and take some time to discover things they have missed during their adult years. Reconnect with their family and friends, do new things, live life...Each of us needs to decide what is best for us and our family. I can't add anything except to say life is short, so choose wisely, my friend. (Yeah-from the Dos Equs commercial...
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