Mika's journey

Hi everyone.

I have not had much to report on my journey of late and only responding to other posts. I read the posts every day I am home. I talk with Lee and Buddy in person often and I am sad to see them move away from the forum. But I understand and know they will be busy travelling.

I was asked to participate in the Relay for life a couple of weeks ago and I agreed to take part in the survivior's walk. Whe I arrived at the site I became real nervous after I arrived and saw people I know who have suffered greatly with cancer. People with no hair, on walkers and wheel chairs and carrying oxygen along with them. My first thought was, I was not worthy of walking in the this walk with them because I had not suffered like of a lot of those other people and people here on this forum. I did the walk and was uneasy the entire time. It took me a couple of weeks to get over that. After the walk I did see a guy in my community who I talked with a few weeks earlier when I found out he had PC. I talked with him over the phone for at least an hour and convinced him to get a second opinion. I felt better when he told me he got that opinion and was starting radiation in about a week.

It will be the first anniversary of my surgery (May 29, 2007) tomorrow and I can't believe it has been a year since I had my prostate taken out. My PSA's as of now have been less than zero and I have another one set for July. I pray like most of you that it will be zero too. My pad use was never more than two a day even when I walked a lot. I kept using the pads for months longer that I really needed them because I had grown to be dependant on them. I am pad free now, and the only other complication I have is ED. My wife and I have been able to deal with that for the most part. I read tonight on another post that it would be great to have day when I did not think of PC and hope that day will come soon for me. I want to thank all the friends I have made at this site especiallly Lee and Buddy who have been fortunate to meet with and break bread with from time to time. Jet Guy was able to fly to an airport near us and we met face to face with him and that was a great experience, and hope to see him again sometime. Some of you other guys and gals are such an inspiration to me and I hope and pray the best for you especially Les and Tony. Keep your chins up guys. I one day will get a corvette Les but it will be a red one. Another motivating thing for me was the birth of our grandson last July and it will soon be his first birthday. Bill, I hope I can see him as much as you are able to see your grandson some day. We did see him last night and he is growing so fast I can't believe it. Well, I see that I am rambling too much so I just wanted to bring you guys up to speed with my journey, so everyone take care and I'll see you in the funny papers!!! That one reminds me of my dad. He was such a funny guy. I wish I could have been more like him.

Mika

Dear Doting.

Thanks for all you do, and being our friend

Mika

Mika,

Lately things have been moving so fast on here I miss way too much! I was moved by your post and appreciate so much your openness here.
When Don & I go to Moffitt Cancer Center for his 3 month PSA & shot, every single time he looks at those around us who are going through such difficulty and feels guilt for ever complaining. You had a great opportunity to talk with another pc guy and he was encouraged enough by that to seek that second opinion...you made him think. I'm sure that felt pretty good, yes?

On the topic of grand kids - Our granddaughter just turned one last week and oh, my, do we love that baby girl! He wants to be here as long as he can for her...she gives Don so much and she doesn't even know it!

I'll be thinking of you (and Jim) on your next PSA's and 2 ZERO's is what we're looking for!

All the best to you Mika,
Susan

Mika-

Thanks for thinking of me. I'm trying to get ready psychologically for my trip to Houston a week from tomorrow and, to be quite honest, it's not easy. I had a rather big disappointment when I was there this past February and I can't think of any reasons why this time should show any improvement. I know that doesn't sound like the Les of the past several months, but I am, if nothing else, honest.

I am truly happy for all of you who report undetectable PSAs and diminishing SEs. You (we) are all a great bunch of folks and deserve nothing less. I haven't given up by any means, just going through a little blip on the journey and I'm confident that, like last time, I'll get over my funk a few weeks after the trip, even if news is not good.

BTW - an Atomic Orange Corvette drives almost exactly like a red one, so If you ever find yourself near NW New Jersey, you can try mine out and see if you like it.

-Les