Reflections on sharing with other PCa men at GFMPH

Driving home from Lousiana to Ohio, I had a fair amount of time to think about what had just happened over the weekend. It was as incredible as the other 4 times I have attended.

Consider the environment :

1. A large group of men and some wives (around 30) from several areas of the country, multiple treatment options, a wide variety of current statuses from several years post treatment and undetectable PSA, to those with rising Psa's, those on HT, those on chemotherapy, one who had a PSA of 1400 at one point, etc.

2. This should have been a pretty gloomy place. Not so. Guys joking, laughing, and enjoying being alive.

3. We had a roundtable time, and each man shared his history and status. Many of us were moved to tears as we listened, but we all listened and all understood, because we knew what they were talking about.

4. How do you explain meeting a guy once, and feel as though you've known him for years ? How many of us men would talk to another guy we just met, and talk about ED, penile injections, depression, pads, etc. ? Not me. I have close male friends I go to lunch and breakfast with every week, that I wouldn't think of telling them any of that stuff.

5. One of our brothers has a wife suffering from multiple myaloma. We took up a collection and sent her flowers. It felt so good to see her text telling us how much she enjoyed them.

6. Guys were already making plans to meet in New York next September. Their wives were telling them not to miss any of these.

My point is this I guess. We can sit home and brood about our PC, or we can find guys to talk to and even help. We can take a whole new approach to our PC, and I think we will find that life can be good again. My life has changed because of my relationships I have with my friends I have made at the GFMPH . I could calk any of them at any time if I need to talk, and vice a versa.

Maybe you can't make it to Louisiana or New York. Find a group in your city. Invite some guys on HW to your house, or meet them at a restaurant.

I guarantee you your life will never be the same.

Goodlife

Goodlife,

Well stated and not much I can add as this covers pretty much it all.  Now to my PC HW brothers and sisters you have a taste of GFMPH from Goodlife, so plan on attending the next GFMPH all on this forum and some not on this forum are invited to attend.

As Goodlife said "I guarantee you your life will never be the same".

The Water Guy

Post Edited (The Water Guy) : 4/23/2012 3:32:03 PM (GMT-6)

great time in the red stick. pat, jeff, thanks for having us. and jeff you are a real cajun i ganrate sha. i enjoyed the gathering very much. missed the guys i seen last year but did not come but the new ones filled the gap. a bunch of good guys together for a good cause. pc awareness. thanks too all who came to make my weekend a great one. neil

I was a first time GFMPHer this past weekend. And let me tell you – it was truly amazing! Despite all the differences in our situations, we all share a common bond that is this disease; and that instantly brought us together like a brotherhood. A big THANK YOU to our gracious hosts Mr. & Mrs. Corvetteman for inviting us all into their home and providing us with warm hospitality. I had a great time and enjoyed meeting everyone and sharing a wonderful time together. My wife and I are already making plans to go to the next GFMPH in New York.

Corvetteman once said to me of the GFMPH experience, “it’s hard to describe isn’t it? I had to agree, but Goodlife has nailed it down pretty good in his awesome post above. Bottom line: if you can make it to an upcoming GFMPH event, don’t hesitate to go. You’ll be glad you did!!! And if you can’t, like Goodlife suggested, start a GFMPH in your part of the country.

Tigerfan

I have met a few people personally in my area, and you are right --- it is special.

New York is much closer for me....love to come to the next one...

Where in NY?

Thanks...

Well, I'm back to work for a few minutes. The emails were waiting. Tomorrow the routine begins again.

Jeff and Pat couldn't be better hosts, and it all was a weekend that was both needed and enjoyed.

And I left everyone alone on the board for DAYS.

Guys what can I say? What a wonderful fulfilling weekend this has been for both Pat and I. The Group of people that attended were so very open and warm. All the returning guys were like having our family coming in for a very special holiday and I guess it was. The warmth and true love for each other was everywhere.

Neil you rock! You were the star of the gathering. For those not in attendance, Pigeon Flyer set the crawfish traps and when we were starting the gathering on Friday morning he was in the water running the traps. He showed up at my house with 2 ice chest of crawfish and all the seasoning to cook them on Saturday.

On Saturday he was the Master of the Boil and gave everyone vision of a real cajun Crawfish Biol. I wish I could tell you that I enjoyed them but the best I could do is say the corn and potatoes were very good. I can't eat the crawfish..

Today Monday, 3 guys departed in the early hours of the day and all the company that remain are Worried Guy and his Bride. Tomorrow is going to be a really sad day for me.. GFMPH Cajun Style 2 will be over for me.

Such a very rewarding experience. Thanks to each of you that took time from your life to attend.

Cajun Jeff

Nope that was an error! Problem has been solved!

Ditto to all of the above. It was a great gathering. There were about 40% more people then last years gathering in Baton Rouge... Can only imagine what next year will be like

How to describe GFMPH - Goodlife really spoke eloquently.

My input - It is MAGIC!

Cajun Jeff and Pat – what more can be said that has not? Southern Hospitality, opening up your house and hearts as you did. I’m in awe.

When I returned home last night, after kisses and hugs with my lady bride - She said “Husband you are glowing! You have to go to the next one!”

To all our brothers and sisters who attended - Thank you so so much.

Laughter, hugs, talking openly in ways I never have.

Bud, aka RadDad
who feels a whole lot more gooder for attending

Not that I'm counting but...157 DAYS to GFMPH Yankee style - I'm going!

Terry the Water Guy - now lets not start who is going to beat who to NY just yet. But I will point out I'm a few hundred miles closer ...

I strongly sense, that I missed an uncomonly unique event this time. But I am never jealous, just happy that so many were able to attend, and to enjoy that in-person element of the brotherhood. I am still happy that I have met some of you in person, as individuals, not in groups. I mentioned the event in NY this September, and my wife surprised me, and we are toying with flying up there, and coming together. I always do better in the fall of the year, and I have been away from my beloved Yankee land for too many years now. We will see what happens between now and then.

So glad that this event went so well, and the attendence, let's say, its amazing how its grown over time. Great going, Jeff and Pat, great going.

David in SC

I failed to gain any weight so I have none of the ugly.  You can't eat enough mud bugs to gain weight as you burn more calories shellin them than what you get from eatin them.

This was still the most gooder GFMPH since the last godder one.

Post Edited (The Water Guy) : 4/25/2012 12:46:42 PM (GMT-6)

"The eagle has landed." And is now carrying an extra 3 pounds!
Quickly running the numbers through my calculator, that's a PGWDT (Post Gathering Weight Doubling TIme) of 105.0 days!
Time to burn that blubber off with an extra bit of exercise and a modicum of pie-hole control. "Hon, pass me the salad."

By the way, on the way home, these were out seat assignments: How did they know?!


Jeff