Posted 10/11/2014 3:56 PM (GMT -5)
As always, what happens at the GFMPH event, stays at the event, but since we are now a 501(c)3, IRS tax code requires a brief summary in the form of meeting minutes. I am therefore including some (but not all) of the noteworthy activities and discussion items from the Sept 25-28, (actually Sept 19-Sept 30 !) 2014 meeting held in Rochester NY - the sixth NY event! As I type this, on 10/11, we still have one happy straggler.
Attendees were from Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, Louisiana, Florida, Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois and New York. Total attendance reached a new record of 50, consisting of 27 men and 23 women. All were presented with goodie bags and commemorative GFMPH T-Shirts, expertly designed and prepared by Sonny that will no doubt bring back good memories.
PCa related activities:
• Each attendee had the opportunity to share his stats, treatment, prognosis and lessons learned.
• Treatments relating to G9 and T4 stages were discussed as were potential treatments.
• The merits and demerits of the four main oral ED drugs were discussed. Seemingly unrelated side effects such as severe back pain, shoulder pain and blue vision were discussed.
• LG Medical TENS unit was demonstrated and suggested settings for incontinence and ED were supplied. Sterile contact leads were supplied to anyone interested in field testing.
• Unused and unneeded supplies were offered to those individuals who could use them.
Scientific, Professional and technical activities:
• Infrared security night vision cameras were available for those individuals with projects involving detection of wildlife or intruders at zero lux levels.
• Motion sensing equipment was demonstrated and the merits of passive IR heat detection vs optical rate of change detection were discussed.
• Genetically modified crops and plants were displayed on the stalk as well as in their processed form for potential application in other locales. Samples were distributed to interested parties.
• The merits of various wavelengths of UV light and the suitability for air and water purification, and pest elimination were discussed and results demonstrated.
• Some early arriving members participated in a detailed tour of the Monroe County Airport where we toured the the Fire, Crash and Rescue facility, Communications Center, Baggage Screening and Sorting Area, as well as the Air National Guard Helicopter Maintenance facility.
• Password protected Wifi was available to everyone.
Food and related activities:
Sonny and Sherry and the Worrywarts arrived well before the event started to help with setting up tents, lights and mowing the grounds. This year we were helped by Chef Jeff and Gene who prepared and split 2 full cords of firewood so we'd have enough to keep the three fire pits going.
Cold cuts were on hand for early arrivals so attendees could be fed as they arrived. Wednesday night dinner was a cookout consisting of chicken, hamburgers, and locally prepared Zweigel's hot dogs, and salads.
Thursday night dinner was Cajun-style jambalaya, and gumbo prepared by the Worrywarts and Cajun Jeff and Mama Pat.
The oven was kept busy by Mrs Goodlife who prepared varieties of pumpkin bars and to add to the ample supply of buckeye balls she brought. Grandpaof4 and Mrs scented the house with the delicious aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls that were a perfect addition to the daily breakfasts prepared by Sonny, 142, and the hosts with bagels and cream cheese brought in by LupronJim.
To accommodate members who needed to leave early, the official meeting was moved ahead to late Friday afternoon in the back woods where new members were invited to tell their stories. This was an excellent chance for everyone to get to know each other and trade treatment stories.
Following the meeting we all enjoyed Friday Seafood night consisting of shrimp cocktail, clams, grilled scallops and tilapia accompanied by an array of salads and fresh vegetables, prepared by Chef Jeff and Lorrie
142 lead a spectacular Scotch tasting that left more than a few people raving about the intricacies and nuances of the various blends and preparations. The raves were so positive the process was repeated on Saturday.
Some attendees took part in local activities such as tours of the George Eastman House, Jello Gallery Museum, Niagara Falls, Charlotte Beach, Zarpentine's Fruit Farm, etc.
Saturday Dinner was BBQ night where food was mesquite smoked on a smoker as big as a railroad car from Texas Bar-B-Q joint, Spencerport NY. Chef Jeff and Lorrie tended the fires while cooking the locally grown corn and vegetables, and preparing the meats including: pulled pork, ribs, and chicken grilled by Goodlife.
Campfires were held almost every night with conversations running deep and wide. During the day, potatoes and apples were launched great distances to benefit the local wildlife.
Almost 2 weeks have passed since most of you left so I will apologize up front for forgetting a few things. The WampusCats brought enough bottles of their homemade wine to give to every guy. Cmetalman and Jess distributed a wide variety of Philadelphia made Tastykakes as well as souvenir earrings and blue light key chains hand made by Jess.
A great time was had by all.
All,
I can't thank you enough for traveling such great distances and contributing so much to make this such a life changing event. I am particularly touched that so many new people took the risk and hopped on a plane or drove so many hours just to attend this gathering.
The conversations, laughs, and deep feelings we shared continue to touch our hearts and souls.
Thank you for making our lives so much richer. That is GFMPH!
Worried Guy Jeff and Barb, Hosts of GFMPH NY 2014
----------------------------------------------
I need a few attendees to approve these minutes. I'm sure I missed a few things so feel free to add.