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Thank you Tall Allen

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 6/21/2016 10:25 AM (GMT 0)
While reading a discussion on another thread about Allen giving advice to another patient; I realised that I've never thanked Allen publicly on HW. As you can see from my signature I have an aggressive PC, had surgery, radiation, ADT and then had recurrence 2 years ago. My PSADT was about a month, during those difficult times I benefited a lot from Allen's advice. I truly believe that Allen is an asset for us in HW, he is always there to help, ready to share his extensive knowledge about PC. I find him as an invaluable asset for us. And he is so kind that he never waits to reply to you when you are feeling desperate.

In the meantime, I want to share with you the current situation of my disease. After PSA recurrence, I was put on Casodex 50 mg daily which gave an excellent response by bringing PSA down to zero in two months. Last December my MO decided to give a break and see how PSA will react. As expected PSA rose quickly from zero to 0.2 in 4 months. Then in April he started Casodex again, but this time 50 mg weekly not daily. I am doing fine and so far PSA is stable at 0.2 with this dose. Will see what the future will bring but I have to say that I am very grateful that my disease is under control with a very low dose and I'm enjoying my high testosterone levels.

Once again, thank you so much Allen, you are the best!
Posted 6/21/2016 11:28 AM (GMT 0)
Travelled, may you have many more years of low PSA tests, and keeping the beast at bay. Congrats on the great results.
And thanks for posting this comment to The Tall one

I think there are a multitude of us here, both serious cases, and "not as serious" cases (quotes intentional, almost an oxymoron.). While he acknowledges that he is not a medical professional, he certainly has taken the time to gain knowledge that is way beyond the scope of most laymen, and has been an enormous help to so many of us,newbies and veterans alike.
When I was new here, he reached out to me via email with great advice.
TA I inow you are not looking for these types of accolades, but it's well deserved. Thank you
Posted 6/21/2016 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
As far as I am concerned it is impossible to overstate the contributions of Tall Allen to this and other PCa forums.

When one of us is in LA and lets him know, he goes out of his way to meet with us in person.

Allen put me onto a combination of Provenge and SBRT to leverage the potential benefits of an "abscopal effect", something I would have never found on my own. I am doing great 19 months later.

November is the longest month on this forum when Tall Allen takes the month off to pursue another of his passions, writing novels.
Posted 6/21/2016 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
There is a term that one occasionally hears, namely, "Renaissance man." It is someone who is "… an outstandingly versatile, well-rounded person." (Dictionary.com).

While we're talking about only two areas here, PCa expertise and novel writing, I would still think the term would rightly apply to TA. Especially if, as I believe, his literary talent is as impressive as is his medical knowledge.

If it is, then TA must be one very accomplished novel writer indeed.
Posted 6/21/2016 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
I agree. I am relatively new to the site and to my diagnosis. I find Tall Allen's insights invaluable. He also gave me some hope after an initial scary diagnosis. I look forward to hearing from him more on the journey.

So thanks Tall Allen.
Posted 6/21/2016 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, you guys. I'm actually blushing reading your kind words. I've got to say that I get more out of being here with all of you than you can imagine -- the camaraderie, the mutual support, and the sharing of fears and courage, frustrations and relief, disappointments and hope. And I learn so much from all of you - what a great resource you all are! It is also a great respite for me when I prepare for the current events class I teach and despair of the world. And unlike the too-perfect universes I create in my novels, I get the much-needed shock of the real world when I come in here.

81GyGuy - I am an information sponge - mostly useless garbage, but occasionally I recall something useful. You would definitely want me on your team for Trivial Pursuit.

Traveller - I have a pretty thick hide. When the pests get annoying enough, I use the ignore button. I've only used it so far on a couple of guys who write consistently mean-spirited posts. I am very impressed that your MO (was it Howard Scher?) found this tailor-made solution for you. That's where years of experience really come into play to benefit patients.

And BTW, any of you are welcome to email me, even if I'm away for awhile.

- Allen
Posted 6/21/2016 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the post and the update. I too have relied on TA and he was very helpful in arming me with questions I took to my doctor. Also, the studies and his contributions are immeasurable.
Posted 6/21/2016 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Allen is a much-appreciated source of current information and resources about prostate cancer. I notice, though, that he never posts links to studies in my favorite scientific publication, The Journal of Irreproducible Results.

www.nytimes.com/2014/01/21/science/new-truths-that-only-one-can-see.html?src=rechp&_r=1

Post Edited (Tim G) : 6/21/2016 3:01:22 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/21/2016 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
You are right Allen, Howard Scher is my MO.
Posted 6/21/2016 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Tall Allen helped us too, as we were sorting through various treatment options after my husband's diagnosis. There is a high learning curve when this diagnosis is given and this site is so lucky to have someone as knowledgeable as TA to give advice. I feel that we were very lucky to be recipients of his great advice. My husband is a Gleason 9 with a variety of depressing statistics and 3 years out he is going strong, latest psa was .1
Thanks for starting a thread to recognize Tall Allen. He deserves it! Thanks from us, too!
Posted 6/21/2016 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Allen has been very generous with his time and invaluable advice when I reached out to him via email.
Posted 6/21/2016 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Tall Allen

I too, say a well deserved big thank you. Your knowledge base is spot on every time you write something. You have helped me make informed decisions. These decisions in turn have the potential of saving my life.
I, like many others here, owe you a lot. Now, if you could help me walk on water I will move you up to a higher pedestal. Wait, I think that position has been taken - it might be lifting you up too much- maybe you can just show us where the rocks are! That is enough for those of us on this uncharted journey.

An appreciative brother who really does admire and respects you.
David
Posted 6/21/2016 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Tall Allen, A Yooper, and others on this amazing forum saved my life! This is the least I can do to join in and say thank you so much for what you do and continue to do.
Posted 6/22/2016 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
TimG...disingenuous....you should beblush resist devil
Posted 6/22/2016 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Put me down in the Tall Allen fan club. He is the best. Thank you Allen for always being there and helping us out.

Jerry L
Posted 6/22/2016 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
I too am a fan of Tall Allen. He has e-mailed me before and i've always found his advice helpful and very thought provoking. If I don't have time to read all the forums on prostate cancer I just go through Tall allens comments and that is worth its weight in gold....
Posted 6/22/2016 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
Count Gary and myself as elite members of the TA fan club. This forum, and Allen specifically, have kept me sane through many long weekends when Gary was struggling with one issue or another, and the Dr office closed. He also guides men to the right clinical trial. Searching for one can take hours, and he keeps abreast of all the current studies, trials and medications. I don't know how he finds time to read all of our threads! smhair
Posted 6/22/2016 7:47 AM (GMT 0)
Whenever someone posts a query about their treatment, I always wait to see TA's comment. Then I know the guru has spoken and the OP has the best advice available.

I give TA's opinion more weight than my local Uro.

Thank you TA, You really are the most valuable resource on The HW PCa forum.
Posted 6/22/2016 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Not only does TA offer outstanding knowledge and outstanding wisdom in the application of that knowledge, he displays a dedication to this forum that is extraordinary given his benign condition. (I posted something like this when the topic first appeared yesterday, but it seems to have disappeared.) Many thanks, TA.
Posted 6/22/2016 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
I also have appreciated his well thought out information that includes scientific backup. It has helped with ideas of what to ask the doctor. Thank you!
Posted 6/22/2016 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Allen for all the contributions to all the members.

Akai
Posted 6/22/2016 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Like John 16 I'm fairly new here, and like Montanan my husband is a Gleason 9 with depressing statistics. I've been reading several PCa forums since his December diagnosis, and find Tall Allen's advice on this forum to be most helpful. It is a relief to know I have somewhere to go with my questions where I will get such excellent support and advice. Thank you, Tall Allen.
Posted 6/22/2016 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Tall One:

It is very nice to see this well-deserved thread!

Folks, I have met Tall Allen on 3 occasions. He is a modest/humble soft-spoken gentleman, and of course we all know how knowledgeable he is.

Allen, I have appreciated your advice.

I'd elaborate, but I suspect this thread is making you...uncomfortable?

Mel

P.S.: Allen is tall...but not outrageously so!
Posted 6/22/2016 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Tall Allen.
Larry E.
Posted 6/22/2016 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't been posting for awhile, but I can't pass up the opportunity to express my thanks to Tall Allen. I first met TA at the 2014 PCRI conference, and again by chance at UCLA. That plus several emails and TA's forum posts helped me move forward with my treatment plan. Knowledge does relieve anxiety, and for that knowledge I'm very grateful to Tall Allen.

Max Vision (formerly Super Max)
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