Making plans

So I'm on the verge of booking a cruise to Alaska. Along with a few days in Vancouver in the front end, and maybe afew days in Seattle on the back end. I've actually booked it, without giving a deposit, just waiting for my friends to confirm that he can get the 2 weeks off (unlike me, he has a real job).

On a positive note, in the past, I would think long and hard about spending this kind of money vs my usual 10 days in Aruba, that I've done every July for the last14 years straight. But suddenly, I find that I really don't give a rats butt about the money.

On a negative note, once we finalized the dates, the first thing i thought of is, Ive got two PSA tests between now and the trip. What if my PSA starts to rise. Crap!
I'm superstitious and almost afraid to make plans.
But no choice, I can't hit the pause button on life, so I have to take my chances on the superstitious bit.

I hate this, I know my problems are small by comparison to many, so please don't consider this complaining, just commenting. I hope and assume, it gets easier with time.

Just sayin.....

Book the trip. We can't live our lives based on "what if's."

My wife and I will be near Anchorage for a bit more than a week beginning April 22nd. Our son-in-law, a C-17 pilot currently at Elmendorf AFB just outside of Anchorage, will be taking command of an Air Force squadron at Maxwell AFB in Alabama in May, and my wife and I will be watching the three grandchildren while he and our daughter attend some Air Force training here in the lower 48.

I never thought we would visit Alaska, but this will be our 5th trip in the last two years. We love it up there.

I hope you enjoy your cruise and savor every minute of the experience.

If can, can! If no can, no can! No worries! I think i'm on to something here

Go on the trip!

I've visited about 40 countries since being diagnosed three years ago. And, I've got a lot more planned. A real 'bucket list" obsession.

And, I'm still on the "near side".

There will always be time after the trip to deal with any issues.

Prato,

You should plan to spend money on excursions while you are in the various ports. The White Pass and Yukon Railroad in Skagway is pretty much obligatory and the helicopter glacier excursions, while pricy, are well worth the money. Make sure you pick an excursion that lets you get out and stomp around on the glacier. If you click on the house icon under my name on the right you will see a photo of me exploring the Meade Glacier on a helicopter excursion out of Skagway (you can also fly out of Juneau).

Some travel insurance plans will cover medical situations.

If you are headed north, and have a balcony, stay on the right side of the ship. You can enjoy the morning scenery from your room with a hot cup of coffee (Left side (port?) if headed south).

Some cruises actually start or end in Fairbanks. This gives you a train ride through Denali NP.

Post Edited (RCS) : 3/30/2015 5:07:00 AM (GMT-6)

Hi Pratoman !

Don't be thinking about PSA scores! Just GO, GO to Alaska! I mean, didn't you just have the surgery in early January? You are still very fresh out of the hospital from the surgery for Pete's sake! GO to Alaska, don't think about it!

Have a great time!

Bill Positive

______________________________
[Sig Block revised 3-27-15]

age 70
diagnosed 8-8-14

RRP 1-12-15, Johns Hopkins.

Prostate cancer "capsule contained"
per final JH pathology report, 1-14-2015.

PSA history: 1/08 4.6; 4/08 6.4; 7/08 3.5;
12/09 2.5; 2/11 4.4; 4/12 3.2; 4/14 5.4;
8/14 5.1; 9/3/14 4.9; 10/13/14 5.7;
3/23/2015 <0.01

Pathology Report (9/12/2014, Johns Hopkins,
Jonathan Epstein) on 7/28/2014 biopsy slides.
6 cores Gleason 6 (3+3),
A. prostatic adenocarcinoma, 90%, 80%
B. prostatic adenocarcinoma, 90%, 90% ("perineural
invasion identified in this case") [Interesting the final
pathology report below found no actual "invasion"
beyond the prostate capsule, very glad of that!]
C. prostatic adenocarcinoma, 90%, 90%

1-12-15 RRP at Johns Hopkins
1-14-15 Final JHH Surgical Pathology Report
Interpretation & Diagnosis
1) pelvic nodes, left (excision); three lymph nodes and
associated fibroadipose tissue, negative for tumor
2) anterior fat pad (excision), negative for tumor
3) prostate and SV (prostatectomy): histologic type:
adenocarcinoma (conventional, NOS)

Gleason score - dominant nodule: 3+4 = 7
Tumor extent: moderate
location: (dominant nodule): left, posterolateral, apex, mid
location: (secondary nodule): [none noted]
Local extent: organ confined
Margins: negative
Seminal vesicle invasion: none
Lymphatic invasion: absent

Pelvic lymph nodes (includes all parts):
all 3 lymph nodes are negative for tumor

Extent of invasion (7th Edition, AJCC, Staging):
Primary tumor: pT2: organ confined throughout

Summary margins: negative

Go Mr. P! It's interesting how unsettled I was right after diagnosis and relieved when I had a good plan of action. Then I was concerned about side effects of surgery. Now I'm concerned about my meeting this week with the surgeon and lab test. Then there's subsequent lab tests, etc., etc. I guess the era of happy-go-lucky days are past.

We've been to Alaska by ship and we spent the summer of 2006 there in our then new motorhome - had a fantastic time. We put the coach on the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) from Haines to Prince Rupert, BC. It was a trip I'll never forget.

And I could have a 4 inside of my prostate.

At some point some of us are forced to make peace with the uncertainties of life. And some of us have been forced to face those uncertainties in ways others haven't had the opportunity or misfortune (depending on one's perspective) to have to face.

While you're psa result is an uncertainty, with your path, it probably doesn't put you at a significantly greater risk of any woman having something wrong with her at out age (or any man for that matter).

I'm with logo..."Can't never could"..

I've never heard anything negative about that particular cruise. Nothing but good.

Enjoy your trip!

You're going to love that cruise. I know a number of people who've done - everyone says good things about it.

Enjoy!
Andrew

Prato -- I just spent a week in Moab celebrating my 60th birthday. In july we'll go to Glacier. September I'll spend a week in Yellowstone. another five days or a week will be spent in the eastern sierras this fall.
In December we'll most likely go to Hawaii for a week.

plus i'll do several 2-3 day trips in between.

I got the memo. it said: "do it now"



have fun

ed

I had to smile at your post. I went through the same thought process last year before we went to Alaska. GO--you will never regret it. My wife still says the biggest side effect for me from this whole ordeal is a much more generous wallet. We did a week on land on our own and took the week cruise from Seward to Vancouver. Trip of a lifetime so do everything you can and want to regardless of price--you deserve it. Have a great time!!

P.S. Click on the little house icon under my screen name on the left. The pic is of my wife and me with Mt McKinley in background. Double click or tap to enlarge.

Tom

Glad you are taking the trip, Prato. Enjoy it.