It's time

I've updated my signature as Monday was my birthday.

It was four years ago that I had my IMRT treatment for PC. Since then my PSA has been dropping steadily. The side effects have been annoying, but managable. The most painful problem has been bowel issues including a bit of radiation proctitis that required some laser treatment. There is some ED that is treatable with pills. The doctor recently did a testosteron test and it came in at 308. There was some concern that it might have been lower.

Other than those conditions, my health has moved on and I am now starting to get other age related issues. Had to get orthopedic inserts for my shoes because of pain I am having there and I now get to sleep with a CPAP machine because of sleep apnea.

Life changes and the effects of IMRT slowly fade from my mind as other new non-PC things start to happen. Increasingly I find that support I need for my new problems is not here. I also find myself typing the same responses to posts, and increasingly feel the words are ineffective.

It's time.

I am still working on editing my PC poetry book. I'll let you know when that's done. I did have a woodwork project in mind that I wanted to make and give you all - if I can figure out how to do that without violating forum rules, I might still do that.

If you're interested in what I am up to, just check out my blog. I post three times over there on all kinds of topics.

Peace to you and yours,
Andrew

We know where to find you, "In the Shop". All the best to you as move on.

I don't think your words are ineffective at all. I think your voice has made a big difference to many, especially coupled with your great sense of humor. I am always comforted to find your posts here - Andrew's got this well in hand, not much for me to do but support what he said. It is also a band of brothers - we who have fought in the trenches together. Take a break if you must, but do come back. Otherwise, I may have to drive up north and come get you out of the shop myself.

BTW - 308 is pretty low. It might be within the lab's "normal" range, and old-timey doctors will say something like it's normal for a man your age. Well, F that! Can you think of any good reason why your T level shouldn't be that of a 25-year old? I can't. The right T level is the one that helps you feel most like yourself. If you feel good at that level - that's fine - but if you don't, maybe get another opinion about it. There's no good reason why you can't supplement carefully if you want to.

- Allen

Andrew, I think most of us need a break at times. And I'm sure many of us sometimes feel like we are posting the same thing over and over. But to new guys, it's not old stuff it's new, and much needed.
I join the others in hoping this is a temporary break. Take what time you need. Then get your ass back here where it does a lot of good. More than you know, (I know that from personal experience.)

Tall Allen said...
...The right T level is the one that helps you feel most like yourself. If you feel good at that level - that's fine - but if you don't, maybe get another opinion about it. There's no good reason why you can't supplement carefully if you want to..- Allen

Have been doing Testosterone Replacement Therapy for several years now. I just adjust the level as needed. Takes several weeks to get dialed in.

As to HW, take a break, take some time away and then come back for a while. It's not like you will be signing a contract.

I have enjoyed your posts and think you are an asset to the forum.

regards

Ken

Who's gonna stabilize this place? And keep perspective for us now?


Don't think you're that easily replaced (if at all Andrew).

That's why we need you back, when, it if, feasible.

Be cool

Oh my!

Andrew, all I can think to say is that I know where you're coming from. I too have been here on this forum for just about four years (goodness, has it really been that long?) and I too have felt at times that maybe I had said all I had to say and that maybe it was time to move on.

But then I realized that anytime a person is a poster on a webforum such as this one, he or she in reality has two forum personas. The first is the one that he thinks he presents in his posts, the way that he thinks the people perceive him. Maybe he feels this way has become repetitive and boring, and unproductive. But the other persona is that one that the other forum members actually perceive, and it is that of a helpful, clever and valued forum member.

“O wad some Power the giftie gie us, to see oursels as ithers see us!"

So consider the true value of the posts that you have made in the past here, Andrew, as well as the value of the ones you would be making in the future, should you hopefully decide to remain with us.

Also, how many webforums have their own poet-in-residence (and a very good one at that!)?

But if you really are intent on leaving, I have to imagine the outcry here is going to be the same as James Brown's soulful plea:

/www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxseCCoZzSc

I guess "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do," but, honestly Andrew, this place is gonna continue be a lot better with you sticking around than not.

So how about this? As some of the others have suggested, consider just taking a break from the forum for a while, and then see how you feel? Maybe a little time off will help you to realize just how valued you really are around here.

What do you say, huh?

Thanks Andrew for your support and giving of your opinions that are very important to me and this group of men who dont want to be here.SemperFi

I'm waiting for Andrew to come back and proclaim "just kidding folks!"

I guess no GOTCHYA here.

I've also noticed that I seem to be struggling with a lot of nagging health issues.

I'm not sure, but I think it is related to my SRT 5 years ago.

I had blood in my urine, but it cleared up in half a day. I am now suddenly having some diarrhea issues. Again, this could be SRT related.

We arrived in Palm Springs yesterday (the "D" started while traveling).

Nice weather and relaxing. Went grocery shopping. That was fun -- setting up a new household!

Mel

Tall Allen said...


BTW - 308 is pretty low. It might be within the lab's "normal" range, and old-timey doctors will say something like it's normal for a man your age. Well, F that! Can you think of any good reason why your T level shouldn't be that of a 25-year old? I can't. The right T level is the one that helps you feel most like yourself. If you feel good at that level - that's fine - but if you don't, maybe get another opinion about it. There's no good reason why you can't supplement carefully if you want to.

- Allen

Allen,
My PCP was concerned about my T level, but her overriding concern was with understanding why I've gained 35 pounds since the end of RT. I've not changed my diet or exercise routines so she went on a medical hunt for the reason. So far two suspects came up, the low T and sleep apnea. The question at the moment is, did the sleep apnea contribute to the weight gain or did the RT do something that triggered a loss of T and in turn a weight gain. It's possible that the low T is due to stress induced by bad sleep or by the weight gain. The plan at the moment is to treat the sleep apnea and see where that leads.

So far I do feel more energetic after three weeks on the CPAP machine and have a small weight loss. At the moment my foot is still giving me trouble so the only exercise I can get is on my stationary bike and not the 3-4 mile walks I use to do. I have to rest the foot for a few more weeks to see if the new shoes and inserts have fixed that problem.

The game plan is to see if the CPAP treatment shifts my metabolism and get my feet working better so I can do more exercise. Then we'll take new readings and see where things are. I am a bit reluctant to supplement the T until we have a better idea of the cause. If it starts to go back up with better sleep, weight loss and exercise, cool. If not then the RT did something bad and it's on to the pros and cons of supplemental testosterone.

I haven't done the research, but the question I have is what effect does RT have on T production. I didn't ask my PCP, but she indicated the that RT was a risk factor for low T.

We'll see where it goes.
Thanks for your concern and all you do here,
Andrew

ok

"Time Has Come Today, by the Chambers Brothers."

I have always thought this was a pretty good 60's psychedelic rock song, rather underrated actually.

Here's a nice Youtube long-play version:

/www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHfB63ln1Ig