This is NOW the GFMPH Thread - 09/14 - now a great memory

JerryL - Hope you start feeling better soon.

Hope to meet you in person at GFMPH Baton Rouge week of April 16, 2015.

LupronJim

I am quite confident all 7 of the guys who attended their first GFMPH (a new record apparently) like Dave & Dorothy will strive to be at future ones. This was our second in Rochester and third in a row, sicnee we also were graced to have attended the one hosted by Snny & Sherry last March.

My wife Karen enjoys the fellowship as much as I do, so not a case of having to convince the spouse to go, once you have been there. The experience is hard to describe (short version is it is not a pity party at all, just a party) but once you have been there you will know.

Sadly we have a Monday AM flight at oh-dark-thirty, and just put a wrap on this one to get back to hotel and pack. All 3 host couples do an outstanding job as they rotate odd year Springs in Baton Rouge, even year Springs in Florida Space Coast area and every year the last week of Sept in Rochester NY area.

It's a good thing my radiation oncologist at UCLA said a little extra weight protects the bladder and rectum during radiaiton as no one at GFMPH ever loses weight that week (kind of like a cruise without a rocking boat). Good eats, good friends, can't help having a good time. Since I surely don't want bladder or rectum issues during SBRT radiation, I added more than a little just to have a safety margin:}

We add our thanks to the host couple and the entire servants team.

It takes a special couple to open their home to 50 or so folks descending on them from all parts of North America (no Canucks this time but several have attended in past).

LupronJim

Gunner, shoot me an email. If you click on my screen name you can see my email address.

Cajun Jeff

Thanks. Will shoot you and email when I get home. Today is my travel say and I'm sure tomorrow will be one of those days that I need to do 4 days of work.

LiponJim
I wish we were able to stay longer , we didn't get to talk much at all but did enjoy the Starbucks coffee you and Karen bought for Jess .

There were quite a few people I wish I could of hung out and talked with hopefully will have another chance at the next GFMPH .

Cmetalman&wife

The weather was 100% perfect in Rochester , not sure how Jeff does that ;-)

Lupron Jim
I don't think any rules were broken with that share especially since in some circles it could be considered common knowledge. ;)
Somebody had to have an assist, it just wasn't gonna be me!
Actually working on paying it forward now. G9's need to stick together and communicate. Sharing success is just as important as gathering the other data that we need to make our treatment decisions.

Weather was perfect. Hope everyone got home ok. Flights out for us were overbooked and late and the gate crew was crabby!

I didn't get around to speak with everyone either but I really enjoyed the fellowship and look forward to catching up with all at next one!!

The WorryWarts were the last stragglers and are now safely home.

Words cannot even begin to describe how totally awesome this gathering was! As Bud (Raddad) would say, it was the most gooderest of all!

I never give cancer credit for anything ... but without it, we would have never met such a fantastic group of people (now extended family).

I look forward to staying in touch with all of the friends we've made; both old and new alike.

To our kind, genuine, and hospitable host and hostess, "The Wizard" and his absolutely lovely bride...
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!


To Cmetalman.... Ummm, EXCUSE ME!

Cajun Jeff said...
Hope to see all of you in Cajun Country in April.

Save the date. April 16, 17, 18 and 19th.

Amen! It was great seeing everybody in NY. It was wonderful seeing my old and new friends there. The bonds that people make at these events are beyond description, and the very special people who keep this tradition alive are nothing short of amazing.

Thanks so much to Worried Guy and Saint Ms. Worried Guy (it's incredible the things she cheerfully puts up with) for being such fabulous hosts. They really go all out to make these events special, and to make everyone feel welcome and loved. You "Guys" are the coolest.

Cajun Jeff and Saint Ms. Cajun Jeff are also on the "coolest people ever" list. Cajun Country GFMPH is something to look forward to. I've got the dates on my calendar and I'm gonna try like hell to be there.

Mike, shoot me an email I will send you Sonny's info. He is still on the road. I will say it was awesome getting to know you. Hope you will think about April and Cajun Country. My email address is active when you click on my screen name.

Cajun Jeff

Walked in the door midnight Monday, as expected. Both flights were at risk due to weather and Chicago issues. Boarded the last leg with an elderly lady whose husband died of PCa before there were diagnostic tools. And give me grief about PSA after that.

Tuesday, off to the uro. Got scheduled for a cystoscopy next week (lots of blood these days), and started the process for a bone scan, CT, and MRI to try to find where all the pain originates. They weighed me, down 15 pounds even after the stuffing I got at GFMPH.

Laundry is done. Leaky Poor Limp Richard is cleaned up (he was bagged, so limited damage).

The mail was full of bills.

Can I put myself in reverse to Monday, and forget to go to the airport????

But the dog was happy to see me.

It was an amazing weekend, and very difficult for us to put into words the experience of it all! We made some wonderful new friends, and got closer to some of those whom we had met briefly once before. We think of our new friends daily.

Can't believe a week has passed by already, where does the time go? We are really looking forward to the next GFMPH and strongly encourage others to attend one of these, if at all possible. This forum is great, but being able to share experiences in person, adds an element that cannot be duplicated through words alone. I learned so much from the folks at this GFMPH and appreciate the openness of all involved.

A heartfelt thanks to Worried Guy and his saint of a wife, for being the most excellent hosts! They opened up their home and hearts to us, and immediately made us feel like family. Many thanks also to those whom provided the various keepsakes for us to take home and enjoy, for long after the get together.

Our best to all,