daily check in thread for all... #82

   Thanks for all the well-wishing. Today, with a slightly different view of things, I feel better. My Oncologist called me yesterday afternoon - and I have another PSA test scheduled for 11-days from now. Our meeting on Monday went so well, then the test results on Tuesday were so deflating.

   I did spend about 40-minutes on the phone with my new mentor - a man of about my age who is even farther along in treatments than I am. He's on his 5th clinical trial - all at the University of Chicago.

   I am hearing more and more positives about that source. So ... now I have a possible future step that can be taken. Until that call, i felt i was running out of options .... and that's a hopeless place to be.

   Just one of the things I was told yesterday was from my mentor - about his Oncologist at U. of C. The PSA (reading) is a measuring stick, but sometimes it's given too much importance.

   A scan is more important. It tells more about what is going on - but with a scan comes more radiation, so scans must be given based on need and not just desire to know information.

   But, perhaps the most important factor is the persons attitude! And that is coming from a highly respected doctor. So, it seems that how a person actually feels is very important to his/her living. And, of course, it is so important on HOW that person lives. OMG ..... that's something for "depression" territory too!

   I hope everyone is finding some positives to work with ... and maybe something to put a smile on your face. It's good for you!

   Gizmo is at times a stinker - wanting attention. Hey MissJD and maybe AV - does that sound familiar? But, no matter what he gets into ... when he stops, he becomes the closest dog I have ever had. He is a sweetheart - if you can call a boy dog that!

   There is some good news about the huge Samoyed that became homeless last week. There are two possible new homes for him - and his liver problem may not be a serious as it was once thought. Hope that's also true with Jasmines kidney!

   Last week, as I started to challenge my longevity, I did get so depressed about what would happen to Gizmo when i'm gone. But, I'm feeling better about that now. My longevity may not be as challenged as I had thought - and .... there are some really good people in the Samoyed Rescue Group.

   Now .... the sun needs to come out!

Rob & Gizmo

   Myself ...... well, when do we get the update?

   Michele ...... if you think that went fast, wait until college!!!

   Karen ...... gonna go to a seminar this morning - wondering if I should wear a disguise!!!

   AV ...... wish you could have seen Gizmo playing with his GF yesterday. She tried to give him a hickey!!!

   Chotti ...... gentlemen, start your engines! Oops - wrong type of racing - sorry!

Notes:

   I have a group session this morning with the medical hypnotist. The topic is "Setting Healthy Boundaries with Family and Friends"! I wish I could record it!

   Hey ... the sun is out! Hope it's out in NY too this morning!

Have a good week-end.

Rob & Gizmo

   What a beauty of a day. Just right with a sweatshirt and wind-breaker if you're in the shade. It's about 65-degrees out, beautiful bright sky with low clouds - almost like in Florida! A little windy - but it always is here.

   We sat outside for an hour - watching walkers, dogs and bicyclists on the path below us. Giz was even calm for the last three dogs that walked by - just a little howl and no barking from him. We saw one hawk overhead - very high up - and no Canadian Geese today. Wonder why?

   Where was this weather for 6-months or more ..... down south I guess.

   The seminar this morning with the medical hypnotist was not quite what I thought. There were 17 of us there - and each of us gave our story about support we get from others - first.

   Of course, the support (and boundaries for support) were focused totally on cancer patients. So .... much of it was about friends and family who helped with anything from emotional support to physically taking someone to chemo and doctor appointments ... or who helped around the house with errands when the patient was suffering from side effects that kept the patient imobile.

   One thing that was interesting - and could apply to depression or virtually any situation was ........

1) the individual should try to do as much for themselves as possible!

2) then - when help is needed - learn how to ask for help!

3) and also learn how to decline help that's not wanted or needed!

   It was also noted that when support is very minimal from family or friends, one should find support, as needed, from most any source that can be trusted. Such as: HW, support groups, etc!

   Most of the people there were married and seem to get a good amount of family support. That's not my situation or that of several of the people here on this forum.

   But ... obviously, everyone needs some degree of moral or emotional support ..... and we should seek it elsewhere if either it's not there with the family or friends.

   I wish this could have been more beneficial in a more general sense.

   Michele ..... I did last Sunday, ask my Texas daughter if she had gotten boots yet! And her BF had to shave his highly trimmed beard for work - she didn't like that so much! But she has been aware of wranglers ... just forgot to ask her if they each have wranglers yet!

   Karen ...... do your fingers fit on that new keyboard? AND - I'm not making any nasty insinuations! I understand it's a very tiny keyboard!

No disguise needed today at the seminar. Phew!!!!

   Have a good week-end.

Rob & Gizmo