Posted 6/22/2016 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Geop,
Best news of the day, my friend ! Answered prayers and tremendous story of success ... I'm just so thankful right now !
Our stories have had many common threads over time --- I always follow your posts. You've faced everything with determination, an iron will, and undaunted courage.
Your latest post is a testament to that ... but also a hopeful testament to the power of the newer breakthrough medications and treatments that have helped both of us over time ... and the expertise and wisdom of the tremendous doctors we have across this great country of ours ...
I had an unexpected surprise last week myself --- with gratitude to my doctors and the medical power of ZOLADEX shots, a series of TAXOTERE chemotherapy treatments, followed by a prescription for ZYTIGA, my PSA registered at 0.02 last week. Just as you have experienced first-hand, that PSA reading is a far cry from where I started upon diagnosis.
I give sincere thanks for that, every single day, and am mindful of every single BATTLE BROTHER here each day ... the challenges we all face together, as brothers united here ... as well as longtime friends of mine who now also share in my diagnosis.
You have shown tremendous fortitude over time, Geop --- most powerful of all, the SHARING OF YOUR STORY ... the news of your initial diagnosis ... the daunting hurdles you have leaped over like a track-and-field runner ... the roadblocks you have driven around, as you kept driving down the highway of life ... that's courage defined. Keep leaping over those hurdles ... keep driving around those roadblocks ...
When we meet new members here ... new brothers joining our "Band of Brothers" ... we see a common theme each time ... they are reaching out, and every single one of them seems to be seeking one common element ... HOPE !
Geop, your story uplifts me ... it encourages others ...
Here's how I see your story ... with stormy seas surrounding you at the time of your diagnosis, you navigated through those storms, anchored your boat on the shore, and climbed step-by-step up a winding spiral staircase inside a darkened lighthouse ... a staircase that others might have feared to climb in that stormy darkness ... when you reached the top, through your own steely determination, you lit a beacon of HOPE for others to follow, through the stormy seas that we ALL have faced together over time.
For that, you have my unwavering support and admiration as a fellow BATTLE BROTHER ... that beacon you lit is shining through --- for yourself and now for others to follow ... I see its light from here ... from miles away, Geop. Thanks for the gift ... thanks for the light, my fellow traveler ...
Grateful for your ongoing LOYALTY to this brotherhood over time ... you have ALWAYS been a loyal friend of mine over time, right here on this forum. The news of your treatment success truly made my entire day !
Keep shining that light at the top of that lighthouse, Geop ... keep shining, my brother !
Handshake of friendship, from across the miles,
CYCLONE TEAM FAN ~ Iowa State University