florida

Spring and a few other things

Charity Disc Golf, David Emerson, FLHW, florida, Provenge, spring -
This might finally be the week when we put winter behind us. I say that with some trepidation, not wanting to jinx things. I planted spinach about a month ago and it is finally making some real progress, however harvest and a fresh salad from the bounty are weeks away.

We played in a rain soaked disc golf tournament on Saturday and I hope to get out a few times this week and weekend. Additionally, plans are well under way for our second annual FLHW disc golf tournament on May 9th. Details are at http://www.flhw.org/2009discgolf.htm

Since returning from Houston, I’ve really been trying to take the doctor’s advice to just get on with it. We have been really wanting to get back to Florida and may try to plan a trip for when school gets out. I could use some sand between my toes!

My next appointment with Dr. V is next Monday and for once I am not real concerned. Well maybe just a little. There is potentially some good news on the horizon for those of us with advanced prostate cancer.

I’ve written about this new drug, Provenge, a number of times over the years. My first post on Provenge was on October 24, 2006. Next week the company is scheduled to announce the results of their Phase III trial and rumor has it, the news is good. What that means is, in the best case scenario, the drug may be available in the first quarter of 2010. Available and approved or paid for by insurance are two completely different things as well. It is still good news and apparently there may be more regarding other treatments in the months ahead. Again, nothing curative, simply drugs or treatments that may extend the life of those with advanced PCa.

Do I belong here?

Advanced Prostate Cancer, disc golf, FLHW, florida, PCa -

It’s been a while since I got a little philosophical. I was thinking the other night, as I was going through the posts of a few of the prostate cancer bulletin boards, “Do I belong here?” I mean, how do I end up here? Then today I looked back through my blog and came across this from April 2005:


The words in that particular blog do not convey my mental attitude at this time. I am such a different person three years later. A lot has evolved with my condition since then. We try hard not to worry, however, as the monthly doctor appointments approach it becomes increasingly difficult. Our next one is scheduled for April 21st.

Florida and Spring Break seem like a lifetime ago, I want to go back and smell the salty sea air, watch the sun set over the ocean and walk in the surf with Mary.

A week from tomorrow is the first annual FLHW Disc Golf Tournament. Details are here. We are probably going to have a few discs left. If so, I’ll post the information here, so if you’d like to purchase one, please do – the money goes to a great cause!
Winter won’t leave us in Kansas City. Forty-two degrees and possible flurries tomorrow morning. We tee off at 7:30! We can’t let a little slow stop us now can we!!!!

Somber Easter News

anna maria island, florida, PCa, wes witcher -

Having returned from Florida last night that last thing I expected in my inbox was news like this,
on Thursday we lost another PCa brother.

Wes Witcher, 46, of Marshall, MO lost his battle with PCa, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. His obituary is here:
http://www.campbell-lewis.com/sitemaker/sites/campbe0/obit.cgi?user=wes-witcher#

Wes found my blog and contacted me a number of times last year, he was pretty well advanced when initially diagnosed. It’s sad news to wake up to on Easter morning.

Damn this disease.