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I am still alive - just passing by for old times sake

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 7/8/2022 4:53 PM (GMT -8)
Saw my prostate cancer oncologist a few months ago. I was dx. I believe in 8/2008?, had failed open surgery in 11/2008(?), Salvage Surgery in 11/2009 (?). My PSA has been checked every 6 months by the same doctor and lab ever since. It's been all over the place. In April, it jumped from 34 to 46. This is nearly 14 years post surgery. Doctor ran full gambit of scans and nuclear med, can find nothing. Said it makes no sense to him. We agreed to once a year now, he's convinced me that I won't ever die from PC. I will be 70 next week, hard to believe. I was 56 when I started this journey.
My worse fight is the one I have with my Agent Orange related Parkinson's with Lewy Body Dementia getting worse. Parkinson's is truly a hateful and cruel illness with no hope of any improvements or cure. I am now Stage IV. I average 1 1/2 to 3 hours of sleep per night, and have constant nightmares and hallucinations (visual, olfactory, audio, etc.). I stay confused much of the time.
Just wanting any of the old school to know that yes, Purgatory is still alive, barely, and fighting, for what, I am not so sure of anymore. Sometimes, the only thing worse than dying, is having to live.
Posted 7/8/2022 6:57 PM (GMT -8)
David it is great to hear from you. It has been a long and winding road for you. Take care and blessings to you and your family.
Michael
Posted 7/8/2022 8:21 PM (GMT -8)
David thanks for checking in. Members have been asking about you in the recent past, so it’s good to hear from you.
Very said to hear that Parkinson’s is getting the best of you. You are a true fighter. Sorry you have to go through this.
Posted 7/8/2022 8:23 PM (GMT -8)
So happy to hear from you, David! I had hoped for better news, sounds like life is quite overwhelming and confusing with all you have going on. Best wishes for some quiet, enjoyable times of clarity, happiness, and peace. Always, Lynnwood
Posted 7/8/2022 8:51 PM (GMT -8)
David, your stamina and attitude continue to amaze me. I'll keep praying to PP for you. Old Sailor
Posted 7/9/2022 1:16 AM (GMT -8)
We love ya man..... Good to hear from you.
Posted 7/9/2022 5:57 AM (GMT -8)
David, so sorry to hear that your Parkinson's is progressing...a cruel disease indeed. Nevertheless it was nice to hear from you. I think maybe you were the first "Elite" member on our forum...maybe the only one! Wishing you only the best...please stop by here from time to time as we miss you.

Jim
Posted 7/9/2022 6:44 AM (GMT -8)
Whenever I start to wonder about how to keep going on I think of your inspiring example. Thank you thank you.
Posted 7/9/2022 9:06 AM (GMT -8)
David,
No one will ever match your dedication to the Forum.

All my best to you.
Posted 7/9/2022 9:12 AM (GMT -8)
David -

Glad you could check in with us. You have a bunch of guys here who have come to appreciate the hard journey you have had to travel, and the trials you have had to endure, and admire you for how well you have handled everything.

Sorry to hear that the ills you have had are still an issue, along with the challenges that life has thrust upon you, but not at all surprised to hear that you are still dealing with them, successfully, I am sure, as you have done so well in the past.

As for your thought that you're becoming unsure whether there is any point to going on, let me offer you a good reason why there is.

You have proved yourself to be such an extraordinary model of courage and grit in the face of such horrendous medical issues, that many of us here have seen in you what determination and resolve can do to keep one's faith and to overcome.

That's the legacy you have provided for many here, and one that they find admirable.

I do hope the issues improve as much as they can, and that your posting here again becomes active and read by many.

But please do continue to post here as you are able, and remember that you have forum colleagues here who very much look forward to hearing from you.
Posted 7/9/2022 10:09 AM (GMT -8)
You are a warrior & comrade, David, in all senses of the word.

You carried the torch here, before many of us were diagnosed.

We continue to think of you here ~ all of us ~ collectively.

I hope that you continue to draw strength for each day.

Your story and example inspires us.

I hope you can continue to check in here often ~ and will drop a line when you can.

Strength for today ~ and keep the beacon lit, within you ~

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University
Posted 7/9/2022 1:32 PM (GMT -8)
Good to know you are still with us. Aside from the Pca, you've got a lot on your plate. I'm sure that many here are glad to hear from you. Stay vertical and take care.
Posted 7/9/2022 11:05 PM (GMT -8)
Good to hear from you. Wish you all the best !!!!
Posted 7/10/2022 4:17 AM (GMT -8)
Hi, David. So very much sorry to hear of your travails. I was dx. formally in 12/09, but I joined HW a few months earlier to get a "heads up" on what I fully expected to be a dx. of PC. Sadly, I was not disappointed but thanks to you, Sonny, and so many others on HW, I at least had a plan in place so when my mind went blank when I got the devastating news I still had that plan. I immediately set up consultations with surgeons and RO's. I thank you and HW as I was not in any shape to be that organized after receiving the news (if I did not already have that plan in place).

Anyway, I know we had our differences too. But we were certainly similar in terms of our txs (and, sadly, failures). Anyway, thanks so much for letting us know your status. Do please keep us informed, as best you can.

Mel
Posted 7/11/2022 8:04 AM (GMT -8)
David,
Thank you for being here for your brothers!
You are an inspiration, an inspiration to me specifically!
Drop in as you can, we do care very much for you!
Take care brother!
Frank
Posted 7/11/2022 8:27 AM (GMT -8)
Hey David! Another OG here glad to hear from you. Others have posted my thoughts, but let me reiterate. You are an inspiration! We need you to continue. I'm about to post my update, please respond. Sending strength from the Space Coast nowadays. Keep on keeping on buddy.
Posted 7/11/2022 12:02 PM (GMT -8)
David: I was just thinking of you the other day and the old crew on Healing Well. Good to hear that PC won't be the final culprit. Hope you can find some answers to your PD issues. As always, prayers and best wishes.

chuck
Posted 7/11/2022 3:15 PM (GMT -8)
You are a warrior, Brother.

Godspeed.

NJ Fred
Posted 7/11/2022 6:22 PM (GMT -8)
Very glad that you checked in with an update. Those of us who have known you for many years continue to think of you and yes, even pray for you, from time to time. Hang in there, my friend.
Posted 7/12/2022 9:22 AM (GMT -8)
I hope you will stop by many more times!
Posted 7/23/2022 2:50 PM (GMT -8)
Thank you for all you have contributed.
I hope you can fight off this new challenge.
You are strong.
I'm 69 and my mind is not as it was so I use crossword puzzle,s and Sudoku to try and make it Sharp. I've heard that they help the mind's elasticity. I'm sure chess and playing Bridge will do that as well.
I'm sure you've looked into nutrition etc.
Use whatever you can to hold back progression.
I'll pray for you. Not sure if you are spiritual but it can not hurt.

Glen
Posted 10/8/2022 4:17 AM (GMT -8)
Hi David,
Thought I'd pop in last night and the first person I thought of was you.
You were and are still an inspiration to all on here.

I remember some while ago that I thought your Pca journey was like a game of chess!
Seems you have now reached "Checkmate"!
I can only wish you all the very best as you continue your battles with all your ails.

Keep on keeping on brother. 👍
Chris.
Posted 11/3/2022 3:49 PM (GMT -8)
David,

Incredibly great to hear from you. That you are alive and still in the fight is both amazing and blessed news.

You are a fighter and a tough and brave man. So glad to hear that you are still with us.

Best wishes.

Steve
Posted 11/4/2022 6:24 AM (GMT -8)
David
I just posted after 3 years and you were the first poster I looked for, hoping you were still around. So great to see you still posting.
Posted 11/4/2022 3:26 PM (GMT -8)
I remember when I first joined that you were one of the more active members on this site. I was 53 when diagnosed and so, so scared. You were one of the first members to ease my mind a little. Reading your story gave me a tremendous amount of hope and here I am almost 10 years later still on this site. I don't post much because others have so much more insight than I do, but still make it a point to visit every now and then. I don't know if I would have the strength to endure as much as you have but glad you are still with us. I think of you often and am glad to know that you are still here. Take care.
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