What do you do to get your mind off Prostate Cancer?

I thought we could share what we do to get our minds off our prostate problems. I use fishing to get my mind off things. I bass fish 2-3 weekends a month. I get out on the lake and forget about everything but catching bass. If anyone on the forum lives in my area and would like to fish just let me know. I fish at two private lakes. One is just outside Gulfport, MS and the other one is just outside Atmore, AL.

I find it help a lot to get my mind off my health issues.

I also read a lot. It really helps.

 

My mother-in-law called 10 seconds after I got the phone that said I hadcancer and said she was moving in, pretty much took my mind off the cancer.

Oh dutchy, I didn't know. My sorrow is deep. Please stay here. You are valuable. I've been very busy, maybe everyone else knows, but I didn't.

Regards,

Bill

Let's see what have a started doing to get my mind off of PCa.

• Started working out again 4-5 time a week.  I'm trying to get my weight below 200lbs. 

• Help Coach two soccer teams.

• Joined the board of directors for local girls Hockey Association.  Anyone want to sponsor my daughter for a year ?

• Go bike riding and walks with the kids.

• I also do the grocery shopping.  It's surprisingly very therapeutic... and you get to buy the things your wife normally would not   

I basically try and stay busy all day.  An idle mind is a dangerous thing.

 

I have to get my blood work done for my 9 month check-up this afternoon.  My goal this time is to not let the anxiety/worry build.

 

ps.. I can never really take my mind off it it... but I can manage to push it into the back corners of my mind were the voice of worry can hardly be heard.

I think the passing of time has been what has most kept my mind off of prostate cancer. Once the pathology report showed the cancer was confined, post-surgery issues with incontinence and achieving erections were rectified and five post-surgery PSA test results have been undetectable, I don't think about it much anymore until it comes time for another PSA test. However, I am always aware that I was diagnosed since I wear the blue wrist band as a way of showing support for my brothers and to help raise awareness. I don't preach about the importance of having a PSA and DRE, but if someone asks about the wrist band I'm more than happy to tell them what its about.

Jack

I really am not yet in a position to forget PCa as I have a daily reminder; my next appointment with my buddy the balloon. 

I think about all those who are in far worse shape than I am and it helps me to realize that I am so far lucky.

I have become the grill chef and now take time to purchase meal items for the grill such as meat and veggies.  I spend a long time getting my grill going, and trying to turn out something that is beyond just food but an adventure to the taste buds.

I have always wanted to going RVing but the urge is now stronger than ever to hit the road. Thinking about buying a new rig helps the mind dwell on something other than PCa. It also brings me back to PCa as I think about actually going and meeting my brothers and sisters from HW. Like going fishing with BamaCoast and his son.   

I am not sure I want to get my mind totally off cancer as that could lead to forgetting those who were here for me when I needed it.  I want to be here for others who might need me.

Richard

This is a great post. I swim 5 days a week, ride my bike (bicycle), lift weights, i started a ministry to bring awareness to people suffering debilitating disease and there caregivers, that is actually where the name livin a dream came from (livinadream.com). I do not think my mind ever forgets cancer because I am reminded daily by the side effects, but my faith in god and people has sure helped me aleviate depression.

Thanks for starting this thread.

peace and love
Dale

Dale,

You are living a dream by giving back to others and that must give you and your wife so much satisfaction. You post helped remind me of a dream my wife and I share.

When our son was wounded we spent several weeks at Walter Reed Army Hospital in DC. Despite what you may have read or saw on TV it was a great facility. The medical care was excellent but what made it so special was the tremendous volunteer network. They were truly special people.

We stayed at the Mologne House on the grounds at Walter Reed. This is were most of the wounded live while they are recovering and going through more treatment. The spirit of the wounded warriors changed our lives forever. We thought it would be depressing but these wonderful men and women lifted us up. Though most of these wounded warrior had very serious wounds their attitude and spirit was unshaken. They were looking forward to moving on with their lives and we never heard one feeling sorry for himself. They inspired us to want to give back to all of our veterans. This would be a great way to relieve the stress and also help others. We are almost at the point where we can start volunteering at the VA Hospital in Biloxi or the Fisher House at Kessler Air Force Base.

Thanks Dale, You are truly living a dream.

LIke JCL, I think the passing of time has done most for me.  Initially I was a little scared with the whole unknown and uncertainity of it when diagnosed.  Intellectually, I knew that I probably would have it, given my stats, so I approached it as a task to be completed and concentrated on doing it.  After the second or 6 months .04 psa test, I relaxed.  Now facing the 9 month one, I am still relaxed with it, no nervous, worrying or such.  As time goes by with continued improvement in the ED department and building a string of zeros and undetectables, I am beginning to forget about it.  Helping here as Moderator gives me something to do, as well and continues to focus me as to my good fortune, so no wallowing in worry and self-pity is allowed.,....

 

I've enjoyed a flower and vegetable gardening obsession for many years to keep my mind occupied, and I ran a small perennial plant nursery for a few years in the 1980's. Working with living plants, everyday going through their birth and death cycles is what keeps me both mentally and physically alive. My job is to keep both them as well as myself alive and well, and I can completely escape into nature this way. I naturally see my own body just as theirs: getting diseased, getting old, getting weaker. It's so comforting just being part of the cycle of life.

It's been alot tougher getting working this spring, as my body tries to limber up once again. I had a little depression after my diagnosis, and I noticed I was planting fewer seeds, but then spring came on bright and warm, my spirit awakens, and the cycle begins again. Last years drought didn't really kill my little babies, and they return once more.

I really think it's alot easier for us old timers to accept that cancer is part of our recycling process, and we flow with it in more relaxed ways. I have no fear of life nor death, and see no reason to.

charley/70/east tenn

Well, either I'm too stupid to worry about it, or I am in total denial. My wife worries about it all the time, but I just took the surgery as something that needed to be done. We got it done and now it's over. I have not had a particularly easy recovery, but even as I fight incontinence every freakin' day, I don't really associate it with cancer. It is like a sports injury that is taking a long time to heal. I am only angry at myself becasue I cannot turn this flippin' valve off.

I work, I garden, I coach my daughter's soccer team, I watch too much TV and wish I read more. But worry about cancer? It really has not crossed my mind.
kcragman

HI Bama. It has been over a year since my surgery. Several friends suggested I retire (again) but I have found I need to work to keep this off my mind and stay busy. But I still think about it every day. I look at Healing Well every day and respond sometimes. But, time can heal most wounds, and would like to get this totally behind me, and hope that time comes someday.

Mika