View Full Version : Don't take your health for granted
Life throws us all a curve ball occasionally. I have to postpone my 2012 thru hike plans after recently finding out I have Stage-I prostate cancer. Thanks to regular PSA testing, it looks like my doctor caught this early. So instead of heading to Springer, I'm heading to a hospital for robotic surgery in February, and they tell me this has an excellent chance of being cured with surgery at this early stage. Many other men have been down this road before me.
The lesson is never take life or your health for granted, enjoy every day you all have on the trail, and every day with your friends and loved ones. When I hiked Springer to Damascus in spring 2010, I never doubted I would be coming back to hike the entire AT in a year or two. I didn't see this coming though! That is still my goal some day, maybe next year.
So while you're on the trail this year, no matter how tired, dirty, hot or cold you get, enjoy it, love it, you're alive and you're well enough to be hiking the AT !!
Wish me luck, and I hope to get back into shape as soon as possible after surgery, they tell me it takes a few months to recover back to your old self.
noboat
HiKen2011
01-10-2012, 19:38
I do wish you luck and I'm sure you'll be back up and running in no time! Stay in touch.
Ken
Good Luck and I hope you have a speedy and healthy recovery, you'll be back on the trail in no time.
I have two friends that have had the surgery - one, recently, and the other, about four years ago. Both are doing well.
My prayers go out to you for a speedy recovery.
rocketsocks
01-10-2012, 19:48
Here's "good luck" coming your way.I whole heartily agree wth your post.Doctors, got this one figured out,so I'm sure your gonna be just fine.
WingedMonkey
01-10-2012, 19:55
With all the recent news coverage about PSA screening, I'm sure that you have studied the situation well and your options. It does seem to have stirred up a lot of discussion.
Thanks for the reminder, we all need one every once in a while. Hope you do well, I'm sure you will.
I had a friend who had this same type of cancer - he recovered from it fully and was last seen hiking in the Grand Canyon - I bet you do fine.
Wise Old Owl
01-10-2012, 21:53
I am glad you are taking care of this - work with your doctor and get recommendations for the best doc in the area - its no longer about insurance find the right guy for the job... ask!
Sailing_Faith
01-10-2012, 22:07
Thanks for the reminder, and the encouragement. May your return to the trail be rapid, and all the more sweet for the victory you will have had over this.
Best regards. Thanks for the kind words and inspiration. My next hike is for you.
Transient Being
01-10-2012, 22:25
Thanks for the reminder, none of us are promised tomorrow. Prayers going out to you for a speedy recovery.
Glad they caught it early! You'll be fine back on the trail in no time. God bless!
ChinMusic
01-11-2012, 00:18
Hope to see you in the 2013 class with me.
Good luck and get better!
handlebar
01-11-2012, 00:54
Been there (2004), done that (robotic surgery), 7500 miles under my boots since then. Carpe diem!
Rocket Jones
01-11-2012, 07:38
Good thoughts coming your way, and I hope to see you out on the trail soon!
Be thinking about you.
Thankfully we do have PSA to get to those problems early.
Whitewater2012
01-11-2012, 10:33
Good Luck!!
Went through it myself in 2009. Life changing in some ways (just keep your humor), but quick recovery...stay positive. I’m still doing today what I was doing 25 years ago in the outdoors with zero issues. I’m NOBO in late February.
skinewmexico
01-11-2012, 10:54
My buddy had the robotic surgery last year, and never took a pain pill. Pretty amazing. I'd ask what made you opt for surgery, but it's really none of my business.
Sorry to hear about that, and good luck with your recovery! As a friend of mine who had cancer said, "Stage one cancer is the best, like the cancer is just having a little cocktail party in your bowels, and will leave at the end of the night only leaving behind a small mess in the kitchen for you to clean up."
Whitewater2012
01-11-2012, 11:14
My buddy had the robotic surgery last year, and never took a pain pill. Pretty amazing. I'd ask what made you opt for surgery, but it's really none of my business.
If you're blessed and live long enough (men) you’ll get prostate cancer. It’s all about the bet involving age, stage and time. You want to get the horses before they leave the coral.
Pringles
01-11-2012, 20:48
Best of luck to you on your surgery and a quick recovery. I hope you're back out hiking soon! Pringles
Good luck with the surgery. Here's to a quick recovery and getting back to hiking in reasonably short order.
Good luck. I wish you full and speedy recovery!!!!
this is a hiking buddy of mine....read it
http://www.amazon.com/Decision-prostate-cancer-personal-urologist/dp/069200565X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326341410&sr=1-3
Jeffrey Scott Wise
01-16-2012, 13:13
Hike with us in 2013!!! Recently had a similar scare in my lungs, after that scare, nothing will stop my date with Mt Kathadin. It also got me to quit my partyin habits, quit alcohol, smoking and well, smoking the dank....good luck sir, hope to meet you on the trail.
Slosteppin
01-16-2012, 21:09
Good luck! You are about where I was 10 months ago. My doctor said he would tell most of his patients my age not to worry about it. He told me about options. My advice starts with what someone else said: have a sense of humor. I would add pick a good surgeon and have confidence; in him and in your body's ability to heal.
I had surgery six months ago. I started hiking after 3 months, slowly increasing the distance. The only hiking problem I have is chafing between scrotum and upper legs.
I understand many hikers have this problem but it is new to me since prostate surgery.