disc golf

Pain in the neck

Advanced Prostate Cancer, APX, disc golf, hole-in-one, Ice Bowl -
Again, multiple meanings to the title.

First, I have been having pain in my neck, shoulders and back for the last few weeks.
The strange part is it moves around. What is most concerning to us is the fact that it is consistent.

Perhaps we’ll get some insight from today’s doctor appointment?

Meaning number #2: Me…being a pain in Mary’s neck! She put together a nice family evening Saturday night in celebration of her sister’s and my birthday’s. I don’t express my appreciation for her enough in this blog (or in person for that matter!). She does so much for me! She is the best. I am so thankful, so blessed to have her as mine!

Back to the pain; just to be clear on a scale of 1-10, we are talking 2.5, maybe 3. It is somewhat strange that after spending a weekend playing disc golf, I would have thought it would be worse this morning? Actually, it is better than it has been in weeks! Virtually gone.

Saturday it warmed up to the low 50’s so a few of us played disc golf in the afternoon. Nothing eventful, except I lost one of my favorite discs. This disc was given to me by Pete on my 40th birthday. This is the same disc I threw a hole-in-one with three years ago. I am really bummed out! Even with my name, phone number and “Happy 40th Dave” written on the bottom, no one has called!

Yesterday we played in the 21st annual Ice Bowl. The event raises money for local charities. This year FLHW was selected to be one of the beneficiaries. The weather was absolutely stellar, reaching into the high 50’s. Almost 300 players showed up, shattering last year’s record. I played well, but not sure were I placed yet. I was one of four players to make the shot (into the basket) on the ‘closest to the pin’ competition. I won a gift certificate to the Disc Golf shop, which I certainly appreciate. It was a great day, official scores and totals to follow soon.
In ten minutes I leave for the doctor. The appointment itself does not have me worried, the phone call with the results of my blood test is what does. The PSA results will not be available for 24-48 hours!!

28 Days

Advanced Prostate Cancer, chemotherapy, disc golf, texas Hold 'em, University of Kansas Medical Center -

Over the next four weeks, a lot of things in my life are set to transpire. There will be a number of milestones, appointments and decisions that will be strategically important in our battle against advanced prostate cancer.

– This weekend I will turn 45. Some say when you get older birthdays don’t seem to matter that much anymore. For me, they have taken on a whole new meaning, each one more and more important.

– Monday the 28th I have an appointment with my Oncologist. The results of that PSA test will tell us a lot about what’s going on now and what direction we take going forward.


– On Friday the 1st we are meeting with a doctor at the University of Kansas Cancer Center. Depending on the available clinical trials, this might be one option. Regardless of my PSA number we have reached a point were we almost have to make changes. A nerve racking, highly stressful decision, but one that we will make with a lot of medical and spiritual guidance.


– On February 3rd, this blog will be three years old. Over three hundred entries posted, many new friendships created, the documentation of my PC journey, as well as personal journeys shared from all over the United States and the world. The other day I received a personal note regarding the impact of this blog that touched me deeply. It affirmed for me that the original purpose for this blog is sending the message that I had hoped.

– On February 5th the FLHW Foundation is hosting the next Texas Hold ’em Poker Tournament. Details are available at the website (www.flhw.org)

– At some point early in the month I will have another bone and CT scan. There is nothing more pleasurable than having radioactive fluids injected into your veins. I guess chemo might be better but I’ll report my experience when that day arrives! The results of these tests, along with my PSA and Testosterone levels will help guide us in the next step.

– February 18th is the third anniversary of my “official” diagnosis. I typed “Yee Haaa – a day to celebrate!!!”, deleted it, then wondered, “is it really a yee haa moment”?

– There is another appointment we may try to setup with a Prostate Cancer specialist. He is hard to get in to see, and would require a few days away from work, plane rides, rental car and hotel stay. He has a fantastic track record, but we are just considering this as an option at this point, no decisions have been made.

So, that is a peak into the next four weeks. In between all of this is family life, work and of course, just a few rounds of disc golf…..that is, if it ever warms up around here!

The simple things

Advanced Prostate Cancer, disc golf -

In the the midst of a mildly chaotic life, there a few, simple things that bring me pleasure.

Of course there is disc golf. Who would have thought the first weekend in January would bring ideal weather for my second love.

Saturday morning it was 47 degrees at tee off, today it was 55. Yes, with weather like this, we played both days! Today we ventured to a park just north of downtown Kansas City. Water Works park is arguably the hilliest and one of the toughest courses in town. In addition, it has a number of fantastic views of the downtown skyline. We should play it more often, it’s quite challenging. I shot +7 which is respectable considering we’ve been playing a much shorter course in the woods all winter.

I’ll miss two out of the next three Saturdays due to early morning basketball games, but that’s fine with me. It goes without saying, a little more time with Brad is certainly more important.

This brings me to that which brings me the most pleasure, being with Mary and Brad. This weekend allowed a lot of time together. We put away all the Christmas decorations, cleaned up the yard and watched a little football. Nothing real exciting, but sometimes just being together can bring one the most pleasure.

As the cold weather is certain to settle in for the next two months, I’m really looking forward to more weekends and days like the last two.

I wrote what follows last month, as I flew back from Atlanta. It seems like the right time to include it here.

What He Became
12/7/07
It’s many years later,
he’s no longer a boy,
well on his way,
to becoming a man.

He’s solid and honest,
and his life is lived,
at a pace that allows
him to understand
and comprehend
the beauty that surrounds his world.

He tasted love,
but not yet settled,
his life,
or found her, his one.

What brings me the most joy,
is his confidence and peace,
and knowing that,
his longing for me,
has passed years ago.

And I smile.

Sunday and Sundown….

disc golf, Kansas City, prostate cancer, Raph Macchio, Sundown, U2 -

Eventually two things will come to an end; first I will get through my complete iPod play list and second, we will finish painting my brother in law’s house! I would put money on the latter, I have just reached song 995 of 1,246. Yesterday morning yet another bout of irony, songs that began with “Sunday” in the title (think U2 etc.). But my favorite song of the day had to be “Sundown” by Gordon Lightfoot.

Sometimes I think it’s a shame
When I get feelin’ better when I’m feelin’ no pain
Sometimes I think it’s a shame
When I get feelin’ better when I’m feelin’ no pain

It was quite a beautiful weekend in Kansas City, 82 and sunny on Saturday, windy and 65 yesterday. It was nice enough that we played disc golf both days. Saturday we had a big crowd and played a two man scramble, yesterday there was just four of us and we played down in the woods to avoid the 30+ mph wind gusts. I held my own and squeaked by with a one shot victory over Rich, Pete and Jud.

We spent seven hours Saturday and five more yesterday painting. The house looks great we are both aiming to finish next Saturday! I’m strange, yes for a lot of reasons, but I like painting, I always have. In some way I find it therapeutic or relaxing. I’m not sure what Ralph Macchio‘s problem was?

Two, niner, zero, zilch, nill

charity, disc golf, Faith-Love-Hope-WIn, fundraiser, prostate cancer, Prostate Cancer Foundation -

Confused? Let me explain…..

Our 3rd Annual Golf Tournament was a tremendous success and I am proud to announce today that we raised over $26,000, exceeding our $25,000 goal. In addition, by adding the donations we received throughout the year, via United Way and a few other events, our total donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation will be $29,000!

I am so very proud of the effort by the FLHW Board, friends, family and many, many others. Jim P., Rich and especially Pete, what you did this year is very moving. I’m struggling for words (hard to believe, I know!!) …in less than three years, actually about 30 months, we have donated almost $68,000 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Each year the donation was matched bringing the total to nearly $136,000.

Here is one of the thoughts I shared before we began the tournament…..
“A thought to ponder. In its advanced form, prostate cancer is lethal, currently there is no ‘CURE”. As I mentioned, every 19 minutes an American man will die from the disease. To put this in perspective, one man will die for each hole we play today.”

So maybe we just did a little bit to change this to twenty minutes, or twenty one, or more!

Thanks everyone – I love you and couldn’t do any of this without you.

Rainmaker

disc golf, prostate cancer -

Last Saturday morning started with rain, much needed rain.

This put a damper on disc golf but gave Mary and I a chance to catch up on a number of chores around the house. As we worked, I fired up the iPod. After a few songs the list switched to songs that begin with the letter ‘R’. So on a rainy Saturday, it was only appropriate that songs that started with the word ‘Rain…’ were playing. Very appropriate!

Sunday morning was spent playing disc golf, of course. It was just Rich, Pete and myself at Kansas City’s “Swope Park”. A great disc golf course, near the Zoo, so you can hear the occasional wild animal sounds. I played better than I have in months, winning by four shots. I don’t beat these two very often and rarely do I get the best of both of them at the same time! Sorry gents, I had to brag this time.

Fall has arrived in KC, cool mornings, and afternoons that peak in the seventies. I love this time of year for disc golf. I guess you know what we’ll be doing next Saturday morning…….

What a Beautiful Ride

Advanced Prostate Cancer, disc golf, Gary Allan, iPod, PCa -

Sometimes I run across music that captures my mood, my mood in another time.
Right now, I’m feeling great; no back tinges, my hips are allowing me to ride the exercise bike 2-3 times a week for 15 minutes and playing disc golf is as good as it’s been in a long time!

So today, I was at work reviewing technical documents, listening to my iPod when I ran across the song below. It’s by country western artist Gary Allan. I was given a copy from my brother during a visit to St. Louis in July. I’ve listened to it a number of times, but today it meant a little more.

I’m at one of those ‘top of the roller coaster’ ride moments, things are going well, even with a Dr. appointment next Tuesday…..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Life Ain’t Always Beautiful – Gary Allan

Life ain’t always beautiful
Sometimes it’s just plain hard
Life can knock you down, it can break your heart

Life ain’t always beautiful
You think you’re on your way
And it’s just a dead end road at the end of the day

But the struggles make you stronger
And the changes make you wise
And happiness has its own way of takin it’s sweet time

CHOURS
No, life ain’t always beautiful
Tears will fall sometimes
Life ain’t always beautiful
But it’s a beautiful ride

Life ain’t always beautiful
Some days I miss your smile
I get tired of walkin all these lonely miles

And I wish for just one minute
I could see your pretty face
Guess I can dream, but life don’t work that way

But the struggles make me stronger
And the changes make me wise
And happiness has its own way of takin it’s sweet time

No, life ain’t always beautiful
But I know I’ll be fine
Hey, life ain’t always beautiful
But it’s a beautiful ride
What a beautiful ride