Four-Year Anniversery At Healing Well

Didn't realize this until I woke up this morning, that yesterday (October 13) was my 4-year mark since I joined Healing Well.

I joined on October 13,2008,  less than 2 months after getting my Prostate Cancer diagnosis.  I was awaiting my surgery time.  I found Healing Well on a simple Google search, it just happened to come up first.  I lurked perhaps a month or so before getting brave enough to join.  Been here ever since, something I would have never expected or planned.  Like many, I came here scared, looking for info, looking for support.

Never dreamed I would hang around, meet so many people with the dreaded cancer, and stay to keep attempting to help the undless ranks of new people coming through the doors here, with a fresh diagnosis of prostate cancer.  Never thought I would post to the degree that I have, as I am nearing the seventeenth-thousand mark.

I have gotten much good from this place, I still feel I take more than I give.  But I like to give in return.  I have found the best way to help myself through all I have endured, is to reach out and try to help others.  I do the same thing in my real life world, always wanting to help others where and how I can.

Thanks, Peter - for your magnificent vision in setting up, and keeping Healing Well on line.

Thanks to our various moderators that have come and gone over the past 4 years, you do a great job doing a thankless task.

Thanks to all the members here at HW PC and my friends at HW CP (Chronic Pain), for all your help, prayers, support, and friendship over the past 4 years.  Its been well appreciated by me.

Not sure I could have made it through all I have, and am still enduring, had it not been for you guys collectively.

Who knows, perhaps I will be here in 4 more years, that's for the Prostate Cancer gods to decide.  I will live on as if I will.  If not, it will have been one hell of of fight against the beast we call PC.

My best to one and all,

David in SC aka Purgatory

David,

This could be seen as one of those fairly dubious honors, as James mentions.

It does one good to see folks come and go as they get better.

Being around for an anniversary is a good thing, and you've added a lot to the site. You and Sonny have been the big brothers here that I didn't have, so we'll just have to celebrate together!

It is a dubious honor to be in a situation such that you still have health reasons to be here.

The objective of 99% who come here is to select a treatment, get treated, heal, and move on. Getting to stay here for a reason has one good point, being that we are still alive, but the rest of the reasons for staying, well, you understand that.

Jeff,

It doesn't mean you posted first on that date, but look in your profile for the "Profile Created" date.

David/Purgatory,

As a new person I appreciate your knowledge and input. Thanks for being on here. It really helps those who are on this path, a path that is a difficult one.. Fortunately for many now there are more choices - choices we didn't have at the start, but we do have some now.
This place certainly would have been helpful early on as we made decisions for my husband.
On the other side, I can't imagine the pain you are going through or how you make it day to day. I keep hoping you will find answers that will at least alleviate your pain. I don't how I would even handle it if it were happening to my husband. Good thoughts for some answers and hopefully a reply from your Dr.

David, 4 years huh...yes, we've all been here for a long time, and many of us are here simply to share what we've learned over the years and to help others get through their own situations.

Many of the old-timers you mention (such as myself) are not experiencing any residual effects from prostate cancer (except for the emotional issues we often impose on ourselves). There are a handful - such as yourself - who are still fighting the beast, hence the "dubious honor". You are still fighting a fight that many here "won", and still manage to open your heart to those who come here.

Thanks guys.. I got it. I forgot it is just past 4 years ago that I had my surgery.. I guess that is good that I did not think of it on the actual date. Looks like it took me 5 months to find this great place.

Cajun Jeff

passages - thanks for the kind words, i am not the only one - but few here have had to deal with 4 years of endless problems, setbacks, and such severe chronic pain.

billy - thanks, my friend. in a way, its been a fast 4 years. incredible journey when i look back over it. now that i hit the big 60 in july, i have often asked myself, where has my life gone? its been a fast ride, but when i break my life into segments and detail, i have done so much, been so many places, touched so many lives, etc, i dont think i could complain if i were to die tonight. like most people, i didnt get everything i wanted, or do everything i had hoped, but still, its been a good and full life.

sephie - through your words, i now understand the "dubious" part, i really didnt get it. i have known you and john a long time, and you have always been there for me, a true friend. i am not winning the battle with the beast, but i am holding it off for now. i am thrilled for the many men that do beat it in their lifetime, and i weep for those warriours that ultimately lost the battle. in the end, it's probably just the way it is, when fighting a dangerous cancer.

tv, thanks and i am so glad that worked for you!

david

I'm feeling creative at the moment David, so just for you -----

Our David’s been here now for four long years,
He’s seen happiness, sadness and even some tears,
When new members join us, filled with worry and fear
David’s the first one to lend them an ear.

He’s thought of quite highly by all who he knows
For his thoughtful kind words and the concern that he shows,
But I’ve not done him justice with these words that I’ve penned
So congrats to the fine man I’m proud to call friend.

Truth be told we are somewhat like Red in The Shawshank Redemption. Dreaming of the day that we can walk away from the Healing Well community, but angst ridden about what lies outside the gate.
Sorry, sometimes I'm way too reflective and creepy at 6:00 AM
Great having you in the house David. Your unselfish contributions always light up the board.

Jim

David - you are truly one in a million. . . . Despite all that you have, and are, going through, you are still out here helping us all and all that will unfortunately come to our little corner of the world. Very heartfelt, honest and to the point original post in this thread - and as I've come to see that's just you!

You stated that "I still feel I take more than I give" - um, I bet if we take a vote out here that will be soundly reversed!

As always, my best to you, and 'thanks.'

Count me as another new-ish person thrilled that you and the other experts stick around to help the new and scared

congrats for four years of beast-staving!

Hey there David. I just wanted to poke my head inside your thread and say hello and thanks for being my friend. I never headed back south, so that is why I haven't come by again, but I am looking forward to when that day comes. Hopefully on a good sailing day. I should send you an email. Star