On a whim…..

On a whim…..

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, dennis miller radio show, Jim Moret -

Like much of what I have seen of Dennis Miller over the years on TV, his radio show is this eclectic gathering of thoughts, ideas, topics and more. It’s politics, Hollywood, authors, and just regularpeople like you and I rolled into three jam packed hours of entertainment.

At work while in between meetings, etc. I popped in to listen to the live webcast of the Dennis Miller Radio Show. During today’s second hour, Dennis had a guest author, Jim Moret. Jim has recently published a new book “The Last day of My Life” and the back story and conversation between he and Dennis had me mesmerized. After Jim’s segment ended, on a whim I called Dennis.

Much to my surprise two callers later it was Dennis and me, live on the air! I initially called to share some smart ass remark he could share regarding Sarah Palan and Bill O’Reilly. First I wanted to thank Dennis for having Mr. Moret on the show, but very quickly the conversation turned to me. It was pretty cool. I even got to promote the website for ‘Faith, Love, Hope, Win’, twice!

I sent an email asking for a copy of the call, however I doubt that will happen. If by some miracle it were to happen, I’ll post a link here.
Dennis, I know you’ll never read this, but I wanted to once again extend my heartfelt thanks for allowing my a few minutes of time on your show. If just one person visits www.flhw.org and finds information on prostate cancer, and it causes him to see his doc, then it was worth my acting without thinking….which I tend to shy away from these days.

Keep up the good work Dennis, you are a fine, fine man.

My Latest Obsession

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, Dennis Leary, Rescue Me -

So now I’m hooked, and I mean really hooked on the show ‘Rescue Me‘. It stars Dennis Leary as New York City firefighter Tommy Gavin. I got season one from Netflix some time ago and just started watching it over the holiday. Season one originally aired back in 2004 and I believe season five just aired recently. I watched my way half way through season two this weekend and am enthralled.

Tommy’s past constantly haunts him, his failed marriage, the death of his cousin on 9/11, alcoholism, etc. In the first season he saw visions of people he saved, or didn’t save from fires. This season he started having visions and discussions with Jesus. If you watch the show, it all makes sense.

So on the episode I was watching this morning, he’s talking to Jesus and they are dancing around ‘God’s Plan’. You know, why would God inflict pain and suffering on us without revealing his plan? Wow, did that hit close to home. I’ve really been living that mystery for the last five years! There has to be more to this then diagnosis, treatment, suffering, death. Furthermore, what about those in my life that are left behind? What about the impact on their ‘plan’? What about the impact on their life, their future?

Sorry to be so cerebral, so theological today. I was just obsessing a bit because sometimes, it is about me..

The beach is how far away?

Advanced Prostate Cancer, anna maria island, David Emerson, PSA -

I have to start by complaining a little about the weather. Wow is it cold here in KC! Sub zero temperatures and wind chills that will freeze you in minutes. Yes, we had a white Christmas, now I am ready for a little reprieve from the snow and freezing temperatures.

On Monday I had my four week appointment with Dr. V.My PSA stands at 111. That is up 3 points from December, virtually stable. If It had gone from 8 to 11, I’d be worried but with numbers that high, it’s as if it didn’t change.
Yes I’ve become a little complacent, but what we are waiting for is a big jump and/oran increased amount of pain. Right now, as I type this I am pain free. This leaves us,once again, living in a 28 day cycle.
At some point, hopefully months from now, we will have to make a decision on our next treatment. I’ve gone over what those choice are here time and time again so I’ll save that for another post. The choices are few and the long term benefits of most are negligible. However, we go on,heads up, stronger than ever.
As we grind through another frigid winter day I look forward to a few degrees of warmth that perhaps will come next week. I also look forward to a trip to the beach and the warmth and comfort of sand between my toes and Maryat my side. Perhaps it’s time to start making those plans…

Joe had to go!

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, Joe Engelman, Tucson -

In just over an hour I’m going to have lunch with a really, really good friend.

Our friend Joe is off to Tucson next week. It’s a great career opportunity and what is sure to be a life changing event.

I’m not sure what I’ll miss about him most? Here’s a sample of some of my blog posts that mention Joe. Disc golf on Saturday mornings will never be the same without Joe, Sadie and Pete (his dogs). My mind goes back to road trips and overseas trips with Joe.

Sweden the summer of 2006, my how three years has just flown by! Followed up by the British Open. A trip to Des Monies and Omaha in April of 2007 for back to back tournaments. Perhaps the most fun was the day Joe, Rich and I went to Marshall and Columbia Missouri and played 72 holes!

A picture from this years FLHW Golf Tournament captures his personality perfectly!

So long my friend! Be safe, stay in touch and come back often!

There is an app for that!

Advanced Prostate Cancer, Apple, David Emerson, FLHW, iPhone, MTB Mobile -

It took some time to develop, but the final version of the FLHW iPhone App is complete and ready to download. If you are using an iPhone or iTouch, click the image below to download. You can also go to the iTunes store and search for ‘FLHW’. It’s free, please go download today and let me know what you think. There is a lot of information on FLHW as well as on Prostate Cancer in general. You can also share with friends, etc. via Facebook and Twitter.

I owe all of this to a company here in Kansas City, MTB Mobile. Jeff and Andy put a lot into this little app, and they did all of it out of the goodness of their hearts. Thanks to both of you for all your hard work and persistence through the Apple approval process.

2009, you were good to us!

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, Faith-Love-Hope-WIn, FLHW, Prostate Cancer Foundation -

2009, where have you gone?

It seems like just a few weeks ago we were wrapping up 2008.

Today we closed the year for the Faith, Love, Hope, Win Foundation by making our annual donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. I am proud to announce that for 2009 our donation is the same as 2008, $32,000!

To raise that much money, in the midst of this economy makes me so proud of all that have helped throughout the year. Two poker events, a disc golf tournament, the greenhouse event and of course the golf tournament.

I’m a little speechless right now. In just four and a half years FLHW has raised over $132,000!!

We couldn’t have done any of it without the help of all the players, sponsors, friends and family.

God bless you all.

Lucky Sevens

charity poker, David Emerson, FLHW, Prostate Cancer Foundation, PSA, texas Hold 'em -


Monday the 7th we held our 7th FLHW Texas Hold ’em Poker Tournament. We started these in 2006 as another way to spread the word about Prostate Cancer screening as well as to allow people that may not play golf to come out for a good time and to help support FLHW.

Over the past three years the poker tournaments have raised approximately $10,000 of the overall $132,000 we have raised for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. I was rather proud when I added this up on Monday before the tournament.
At this week’s event we had 42 players and raised slightly more than $1,500! It was really great to see a number of first timers. I hope they enjoyed themselves and will come back for future events! The room and tables were packed! In the end Brad took first and Tim second.

I really enjoyed the evening and am looking forward to our next poker event in February!

Also on Monday I had my monthly doctor visit, Lupron shot, PSA test and quarterly Zometa infusion. The meeting with Dr. V was rather quick. My PSA rose to 108.8. We decided to maintain the current regimen through the holidays. I am feeling great and the other tests were in the normal range. When I return next month, on January 4th, as long as I remain pain free and my PSA remains somewhat stable, we will just continue on. (All of the pictures are here).

Hold ’em or Fold ’em?

David Emerson, disc golf, Johnny's Tavern, texas Hold 'em -

Mary, Brad and I saw the movie “The Blind Side” last night. What a fantastic movie. I sure wish Hollywood would produce more movies like this instead of some of the junk they churn out. I highly recommend this movie. It is based on a true story. Sandra Bullock turns in a very good performance and Tim McGraw is quite surprising as well.

Even with the cold weather we are experiencing, I played disc golf both yesterday and today. Yes, it was about 28 degrees yesterday and 33 today when we started, but with very little wind it was beautiful, perfect weather for a round. More importantly, I played pain free and remain that way 10 hours later. Next weekend will be my last opportunity to play with one of the regulars before he moves to Tuscon. I’m a little sad to see him go. He will be missed a lot.

Tomorrow is day 28 which means it’s time to go see Doc V. I’ve been feeling really good since a week after my last visit, however we just never know what’s going to happen.

Finally, tomorrow night is another event for the FLHW Foundation. We will be playing a Texas Hold ’em poker tourney at Johnny’s Tavern in Overland Park. Click here for details, for those of you in town I hope you can make it!

Alphabet soup

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, James Patterson, PCa, Sue Grafton -

I think I have mentioned here before that I like to read. My primary authors these days are James Patterson and Sue Grafton. I like the murder mystery writings of both.

I am just getting into the Alex Cross series from Patterson and only have one of his ‘Women’s Murder Club’ series to finish.

As for Sue Grafton, for those of you not familiar, she has written 20 books in the Kinsey Millhone ‘alphabet series’, “A is for Alibi….M is for Malice”, etc. I have read all but “I is for Innocent”. I can’t seem to find it at any of the used book stores and may have to resort to the library.

I stumbled upon Grafton on Spring Break 2008. We were in Anna Maria Island and after day five or so I had already finished “The Kite Runner” and another book I had brought along. I remember standing in Walgreen’s trying to find something, anything to read. It was there I found “J is for Judgment” and was immediately smitten with Kinsey Millhone.

The books all take place in the mid to late 1980’s and without going into detail, Kinsey is some kind of character, pun intended. She likes peanut butter and pickle sandwiches, drives a beat up 1947 Volkswagon Beetle. She is pretty much a loner. I could go on, but as I finished the book tonight, this sentence had deep meaning,
I hadn’t known him long, but some people simply effect us that way. Their sojourn is brief, but their influence is profound.

I add this as a footnote to the many, many men and women I have come to know over the past 4+ years. So much has changed, so much remains the same, and so much is still a mystery.

In case I don’t post before Thursday, may all of you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving wherever and whomever you spend it with this year!

Sometimes….

Advanced Prostate Cancer, David Emerson, PCa -

There are times when I sit here and I wonder to myself…. “I have cancer…really?”

I don’t want you to think I’m depressed, it’s really the opposite. My leg/hip pain is all but gone and I’m feeling really good physically.

Maybe that’s why at this particular time I’m questioning the reality of my condition.

I spent last weekend at my brother’s property. He deer hunts with a few guys from St. Louis and I sit in the house and read books, watch college football and cook and overall just relax. This is the same place I wrote about in 2006 and in September of 2008. I would like to find more time to get up there. It’s incredibly beautiful.

I’m really looking forward to Thanksgiving. I’m even trying to lose a few pounds as we approach the date. Looking forward to wonderful food and spending time with family. Again, more time to relax, and spend time with those I love.