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Posted 11/27/2013 1:32 AM (GMT 0)

John T said...
... different people react to similar situations in vastly different ways. I spent 4 months in an amputee ward that contained patients with horrific injuries, and the spectrum of attitudes was all over the place. Some quad amputees talked about how they were going to start a business when they got out and others would just wallow in their grief, blaming their situation on others. It may sound a little harsh, but I realized at that point there were people that would lead successful lives in spite of their injuries and those that now had a built in excuse for failure.

Exactly right! And I take my hat off to those in the first category--guys like Louis Zamperini in the book Unbroken--although I'm not one of them.

Posted 11/27/2013 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Percy, I appreciate your long post, you should start it as your own thread, as it expresses a different sentiment than I was sharing. Nothing wrong with your personal views, that's the beauty of our individuality. We are all different.

Wish you the best.

David
Posted 11/27/2013 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
To me its really hard to discuss these issues without the permissions of bringing in topics like faith, soul, and renewing the mind.

And I almost forgot, Hoping all have a blessed Thanksgiving, lots to still be thankful for.
Posted 11/27/2013 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
I know, greetingz. because for many of us, the personal faith part is as critical a part of our overall "treatment" as any of the direct medical parts. So it's like leaving out a major portion, but I understand, rules are rules, and it's Peter's home.

David
Posted 11/27/2013 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
David there are no black and whites and no one I know is optimistic or pessimistic all the time. The way people react to news good and bad varies wildly and is not the measure of them. What they do with that news in the short term and long term is.

I admire very much how you handle your situation for this very reason.

An
Posted 11/27/2013 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
While I just gave the blood sample for my first post op PSA test, all indications are that I will be among those who fulfill the criteria for membership in this club, get treated, and move on with our lives, putting this chapter mostly behind us. Among the things I will be grateful for tomorrow are the thoughtful, caring men in this forum. I will not soon forget the many posts that started off with welcome and compassion and encouragement that slowed the spiraling panic that many of us feel (often needlessly or for the wrong reasons), without judgment. Just compassion and helpful info freely shared.
The phrase that has impacted my life, more than any others, is: Love is a Decision. Meaning that love is not a feeling or emotion. It is a decision to put someone else's needs ahead of my own with no expectation of payback. That's love, and it's rarer than many think. As I slowly came to learn more of the stories of some of the warmest welcomers on this forum, it seemed that men who were offering us such comfort were, in fact, traveling a far more complex road than mine seemed likely to be. Yet they seemed completely focused on easing the burden of others. That is love. If I drift away, what will remain in my mind is the love of the brothers who so freely focused on lessening the burden of others with no judgment. Just compassion - no matter at what stage in the PCa journey the newcomers were. Good men. I am blessed by you. Thank you all!
By Friday I won't be so mushy anymore.
Mikey
Posted Yesterday 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
thank you an, I just try to do the best I can, with whatever reality I am facing at the moment, and learn to adjust and adapt as needed. fighting things, never helps

mikey, thank you for your response, lot a good words you say. Love is a action word, not just an emotional word as you said. I think many, especially a lot in the younger generation, have no true idea off what love means, let alone what it requires.

david
Posted Yesterday 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
David,

Great comments and post. It sure puts things into perspective and helps. Being new to this site, just over two weeks post op, I must say that everything that I have been through this year I would not wish on anyone. Not being new to life's dangers, I am a retired US Army Ranger who spent over 21 years in the Infantry, and am currently a Volunteer Fire Fighter, I much rather be shot at again or blown up or fight a fire than go through any of this again, toughest thing I have done in my life, mentally and physically, getting better everyday, but it is a long hard road. Very grateful for a super supportive wife and amazing kids! thanks again. RLTW, Fight Like a Fire Fighter
Posted Yesterday 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
thanks, waorgany, and welcome here

I agree with you, my own 5 year fight has been one of the tougher events in my life's experience, especially the 5 year part, never dreamed this would be going on and getting worse, not better, but such as it is, its what I have to deal with.

I was a Volunteer firefighter for 4 years in Tamworth, NH, and I think back to the dangers I faced back then in my younger days. Getting blown off of roofs, falling through floors, back drafts, etc. Those were the days.

My greatest moment of accomplishment during that tenure, was jumping into a raging rapids of a river from the snow melt, and saved a foolish teen aged boy that ventured too far over the edge. Was walking my 3 year old daughter at the time along the river road, and saw it happen. you know how it is under those circumstances, you just act. I gave my daughter to some adults to watch, and I went in the river, we were both swept perhaps 100 yards down river, and it was hard with the drowning person panicking ,but managed to work us both towards the shore, where onlookers helped get us both out.

When it was all over with, the parents of the boy never so much as thanked me. I can only assume they were in shock at almost losing their kid. Had to walk home half frozen from being in that icy water for so long.

With my broken body, not sure I could do it again, but in my mind, I know I would try.

Good luck to you.

David
Posted Today 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. David,

Yeah you would do it again, those of us who do things like that just react to our training and do, we don't think! It is ingrained muscle memory. In '12 I was riding my motorcycle with a buddy a long ways for our fire district and saw flames coming out of the AD corner of a garage attached to this house. We turned around, three off my nylon ballistic jacket and headed in the front door once I confirmed with the neighbor running down the street that he had called 911. A family of five was in the house with three dogs, had no idea that the house was on fire until I ran into their living room after beating on the door! lucky it was unlocked or else I would have kicked it in. Fun times, but ya have to do what needs to be done. The house was a total loss, but they all made it out ok which is all that matters. Thanks for all the support, all the best.
Posted Today 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
This is such a sign of the times - FaceBook times - but so often, after reading your posts, David, I find myself looking for the stupid "like" button....
Mikey
Posted 11/30/2013 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
mikey, thanks, would be a nice feature here, a like or no-like thumb, don't know why FB doesn't have a no-like feature.

paul, have to tell on myself, when I joined the FD, my very first call - on my very first day, was to my own house. had a chimney fire going. suited up, and waited for my truck to get to my own house. they had a good laugh about that.

at my first real fully involved house fire, I was first responder, as was about 1/2 mile from my house. 2 were trapped in a mobile home. attached to the home, was a 100 lb propane bottle. after busting out the door, and getting the 2 to safety, I was afraid the propane would go. don't know where I got the strength, but I quickly uncoupled the bottle, and lifted/dragged it about 50 ft away so it couldn't explode. its amazing what adrenalin can do to a person in a dangerous situation.

I must admit, I do miss the action and responsibility of be a firefighter, but no possible way I could do it again, but have fond memories of those days, and was proud to serve my little community in NH at the time.

david
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