Friday ponder: this is totally unimportant, but something I'm curious about ...

Maybe something a little fun for a Friday thread.

Among our regularly posting/reading cadre here, maybe there are twenty to thirty of us or so who would fit that description, what are the youngest and oldest ages among us?

Maybe 47, 48 or so for the youngest, and maybe high 70s for the oldest?

For that matter, am I the oldest regular member of this forum at age 76? (No, wait, I seem to remember that maybe a couple of us or so are in our 80s).

I'll bet our average group age is probably high 50s-low 60s.

Perhaps a lot of us have noticed, sometimes, the ages that people occasionally volunteer for themselves when posting here.

It's often in relation to the time in their lives when the PCa Dx occurred, or perhaps for other reasons, and maybe we just casually note it.

For my part, I'm thinking that most of us here are probably in our 50s or 60s, reflecting our likely group average age noted above, as might be expected for a more or less random group of men who have or have had PCa.

But you know what? Age really doesn't matter. Because one of the beauties of Internet forums is that people who post on them get evaluated for the quality of their posts, and not because of how old they are, because nobody knows how old they are!

On a related note, in real life, such as when I sometimes go into a store to buy something, I have noticed that sometimes (maybe 20% of the time, maybe less) the store clerk will address me in a certain condescending, prejudging way, based, I assume, on my somewhat wrinkled face and mostly white hair.

The person may speak to me slower than usual, assuming that I have age-related comprehension challenges. Or speak louder than usual, assuming that my older hearing has become substandard.

Annoying.

But, I always deal with the situation the same way, and politely. I utter a crisp, well-pronounced, incisive sentence or two, perhaps complimenting the person forcefully on his excellent job performance, or the store for its excellent reputation or such.

But also strongly indicating by entirely fluent speech that I am in complete control of my faculties.

("I must say, I have been most favorably impressed with the quality of the merchandise here, and you are doing such an excellent job of selling it, young man!")

That usually has the effect of "snapping the person back to attention" and then treating me with proper respect.

But I digress. On the matter of "range of forum ages" here, again, it's not important at all, but if you would like, post your age below, especially if you think your age may be at either the upper or lower end of what is likely our range as a group.

I'm just curious.

Thanks.

I believe I had just turned 50 when I was diagnosed with PCa after a routine PSA test came back at over 4.0. I was shocked, because I thought at the time that PCa was an “old man’s disease.” My uro told me that it wasn’t unusual for him to see patients my age with PCa, and frankly, I didn’t believe him. I now know he was right, after spending time on this forum. I’m now 54 and testing <0.01 after RP and SRT. I don’t think I’ll ever consider myself “cured”, but my outlook on life has changed dramatically since PCa. I count every day as a blessing and I don’t sweat the small stuff. I also do my best to stay healthy — eating healthier, exercising, etc.

For many years people thought I looked younger than my age. Not anymore. Some of us will remember that watershed moment when we overheard someone referencing us as "that old guy over there."

Full-time ADT probably adds about 10 years wear and tear.

Currently 75; diagnosed at 69.

Currently 70, diagnosed 4 years ago. I haven’t been talked down to by anyone due to my age. In fact, it usually goes the other way. My wife and I were traveling and stopped in a chain restaurant for lunch and I asked for the senior price and was asked to produce ID.

As I’ve mentioned on other threads, I just spent the last 7 years completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. I was quite obviously the oldest among the students and the faculty. I was fully accepted by all and on the rare occasion when age came up, I told them if they referred to me as “old,” meet me at the flagpole after class and bring their running shoes. I have an 8-mile run I’d like to take them on that might redefine “old” for them. Actually, they were wonderful, especially when I went through RALP and even when I had a leakage accident in the middle of sculpture class before I had the AUS installed.

48 when diagnosed in 2013, and still in the game & staying very active!

When diagnosed, I had just recently attended my 30th high school class reunion.

I already have my sights set on my 40th class reunion next summer, also marking ten years of survivorship since diagnosis.

When I first joined, I definitely felt as if I were among the "younger fellows" here at that time ~ along with Gunner of Minnesota, John16, KMCLARK1, & JPENN44.

Of that cadre, where treasured bonds of brotherhood formed, I am now the sole survivor.

It's hard ~very hard ~ losing a trusted & true "battle brother" ~ whose fight was your fight, as well. They understand things like no one else can.

I think of them quite often, and how valued it was to find some others in my age range when I was first diagnosed, with common threads in our original diagnosis, and subsequent treatment experiences.

Some years ago, I DISTINCTLY recall we had a newly diagnosed fellow here who was just in his 30s.

Above all else ~ whenever possible ~ continue to greet and "reach out" to our newly diagnosed members, who join us here.

Those initial greetings and words of support and encouragement and words of welcome are something that I will never forget here.

Stay strong in the battle!

Here's to the power of camaraderie, fellowship, & brotherhood!

C-Y-C-L-O-N-E ~ # Iowa State University

Post Edited (Cyclone-ISU) : 7/30/2022 7:00:23 AM (GMT-7)

61 and 55. I usually act either 30 or 75 fwiw.

I was 68 at diagnosis, and am now 74. My wife would generally complain that I don't act my age. Why should I? That's no fun. . .

I don't run any more, but I still "speed-walk" anywhere from 3 to 6 or 7 miles daily, along with (light) free weights and body-weight exercises. I think that if you think, move and speak quickly, people may perceive you to be younger. I think it also helps to be a smaller person, for some unknown reason.

76. dx at age 63.
I had a major spinal injury 5 1/2 years ago. I'm now obviously disabled and folks often ignore me, say at a restaurant... until I say something that shows I am not mentally handicapped. Then things revert to "normal."

Mel

Post Edited (compiler) : 7/30/2022 5:05:19 PM (GMT-7)

Hopelessly average, 66 at diagnosis, 70 now.
No one gives me any crap or condescending behavior as an older person. I just give them the look and they know per my wife.

67 now and 53 @ dx.

First week in an Assisted Living Center my Dad wanted out.... He said there was "Nothing but old people here."

And how I can relate to that... I moved to Florida 17 months ago. I live in a 55+ Mobile Home Park... I love my home and the area... It's like there's a constant "who has the prettiest yard" contest.... BUT - There's nothing but Old People living here.

71, Dx @ 62

69 now first biopsy was 2019
SBRT 2021
Let's see, I act in my 90,s in the morning then I get silly and revert to my teens in the afternoon and come to think of it, I cannot fathom myself being as old as I am.
My wife is very silly and so are my friends so it keeps me young.
Not sure I'll ever feel old-mentally at least.
Aches and pain? Yep that's another tale.

Wow 1953 I remember IKE and JFK and the moon landing etc
I digress

Glen