NationStates Jolt Archive

About a month ago, I went in for another PSA ( Prostate Specific Antigen ) test. It was almost a year since my operation, right after which my PSA level had dropped to almost zero. The PSA test this time showed a jump from 0.8 to 8.0. The doctor wanted to do a follow-up test because that was such a large jump in only a year. Last week I had another PSA test. This one showed 11.0. Now they want me to come in for several tests, such as a CT scan, bone scan, etc., to determine why my PSA is so high so quickly.

When they find the cause of this higher PSA number, they're probably going to recommend either chemotherepy and/or radiation therepy. I'm going to say "no."

I'll follow anything they want me to do except chemo or radiation. I've discovered that all those treatments accomplish is to severely debilitate the patient, with no guarantee whatsoever that it will do anything other than slow down the spread of what is already a very slow-moving cancer.

It's just not worth throwing away what time I may have left. I fully intend to live to the max while I'm still able, not waste my shortened time being weak and sick from dubious "treatments."

What do you guys think???

I'd ask the doctors what the side-effects are before making a decision. Not all chemo is as bad as most people make out, and I think the same is true with radiotherapy.

Just be aware that if it is a private clinic where you have to buy the drugs that the doctors might be trying to sell 'em to you, and that if it's on insurance they might be trying to minimise expenditure.

That said, I'd still listen to their advice, or even ask for a second opinion, before making your mind up.

Whatever happens, I wish you the best of luck.

Very sorry to hear that. :( Hang in there.

My grandfather had chemotherapy to slow down cancer. It helped for a while, but in the last weeks of his life it just made him a wreck. He was barely conscious of anything around him. It messed up his mind quite badly.

Still, it may have prolonged his life and made most of it worth living; I don't know. Hopefully other people will have more information.

Best of luck to you. We'll be thinking of you.

I vote for doing whatever it takes to keep you with us, Eut.

I'd ask the doctors what the side-effects are before making a decision. Not all chemo is as bad as most people make out, and I think the same is true with radiotherapy.

Just be aware that if it is a private clinic where you have to buy the drugs that the doctors might be trying to sell 'em to you, and that if it's on insurance they might be trying to minimise expenditure.

That said, I'd still listen to their advice, or even ask for a second opinion, before making your mind up.

Whatever happens, I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you. That's very kind of you. :)

I have just heard too many horror stories about how debilitating chemo and radiation are to be very receptive, including my two brothers-in-law. sigh.

Very sorry to hear that. :( Hang in there.

My grandfather had chemotherapy to slow down cancer. It helped for a while, but in the last weeks of his life it just made him a wreck. He was barely conscious of anything around him. It messed up his mind quite badly.

Still, it may have prolonged his life and made most of it worth living; I don't know. Hopefully other people will have more information.

Best of luck to you. We'll be thinking of you.

It's a balancing act between the desire for quantity of life over quality. Given the option, I'll go for quality every time. :)

I vote for doing whatever it takes to keep you with us, Eut.

I would too, except for the fact that I would probably be too exhausted all the time to even type a post on here. :(

Thank you. That's very kind of you. :)

I have just heard too many horror stories about how debilitating chemo and radiation are to be very receptive, including my two brothers-in-law. sigh.

Chemo and radiation therapy sucks, to be sure (my mother's going through it now), but if it can keep you around longer and possibly kick Mr. C outta ya, give it a shot. Remember, you've got that trip planned. We've still gotta have a beer together, mate. ;)

you need information.

youll have to investigate all possible treatments for a recurrance of prostate cancer. youll need to talk to men who have gone through chemo and radiation and see how they feel about it now. how bad it was, how bad the side effects really were. the trade-offs may be worth it.

prostate cancer is slow moving but you have quite a few good years ahead of you. a slow moving cancer can still kill you in 10 years. you should be able to have 20-30 more good years. no sense losing those if you dont have to.

since it IS a slow moving cancer, you have time to research and figure out just what your best course of action is. take one step at a time and deal with it as it comes. this sucks but you have already dealt with worse.

:(

Good luck.
I can't think of anything else to say.

Aaaw... That cancer is a frickin' bitch man!

Best of luck to you. Hope you beat it.

:(

Good luck.
I can't think of anything else to say.

Not much else to say, my friend. I'll eventually reach a point where I'll get pissed at it, then ... watch out! Heh! ;)

Aaaw... That cancer is a frickin' bitch man!

Best of luck to you. Hope you beat it.

Heh! Me too, dude! :D

We've all gotta go sometime, but I'd much rather choose the time and method for myself. Hell, I've been living on borrowed time ever since the night before my 25th birthday! :D

Thank you. That's very kind of you. :)

I have just heard too many horror stories about how debilitating chemo and radiation are to be very receptive, including my two brothers-in-law. sigh.

There's no doubt that chemo can be debilitating, but I don't think that's the way it is in all cases. As you said, it is a balance between quality and quantity, but don't be put off by the newspaper headlines before you know exactly what the Doctors reccommend.

Again, best of luck.:)

aw dude :(
you're the most sprightly and lively dude i know - you really seem to love life, and you're infectious (forgive the medical pun ;)) while you're loving it :fluffle: (i could say an inspiration to us all but that'd be pushing the cheese-o-meter :p)
i really hope that this is nothing serious and just like.... random weirdness or something :fluffle:

either way, best of luck man :)

Aw fuck.

This is not something to only read up on on the internet, though. Listen to your doctor, and maybe consult a second doctor for their advice, too.

Believe me, I have read up on medical stuff on the internet (including medical studies) and I'm certainly not stupid, but every single time I discussed my "findings" with one of my friends who are doctors they had corrections and additional, qualifying information. And these days, everybody thinks they are a "medical expert" because of the mighty internet - and the doctors I know all say that this "self-education" puts people in danger more often than not because they think they know all there is to know and doctors/ pharmaceutical companies/ the medical establishment are just out to make money off of them.

So, keep what you read in the back of your mind, but please, please, PLEASE don't rule out anything your doctor says just because we're increasingly having this "Eh, chemo/radiation just destroys people and they still die, I'd never let them do that to me" stereotype when it's not actually based on reality.

:fluffle:

a slow moving cancer can still kill you in 10 years. you should be able to have 20-30 more good years. no sense losing those if you dont have to.

There's no doubt that chemo can be debilitating, but I don't think that's the way it is in all cases. As you said, it is a balance between quality and quantity, but don't be put off by the newspaper headlines before you know exactly what the Doctors reccommend.

Exactly what I was trying to say.

Aw fuck.

This is not something to read up on on the internet, though. Listen to your doctor, and maybe consult a second doctor for their advice, too.

Believe me, I have read up on medical stuff on the internet (including medical studies) and I'm certainly not stupid, but every single time I discussed my "findings" with one of my friends who are doctors they had corrections and additional, qualifying information. And these days, everybody thinks they are a "medical expert" because of the mighty internet - and the doctors I know all say that this "self-education" puts people in danger more often than not because they think they know all there is to know and doctors/ pharmaceutical companies/ the medical establishment are just out to make money off of them.

So, keep what you read in the back of your mind, but please, please, PLEASE don't rule out anything your doctor says just because we're increasingly having this "Eh, chemo/radiation just destroys people and they still die, I'd never let them do that to me" stereotype when it's not actually based on reality.

:fluffle:

I greatly appreciate your concern, sweet lady. Thank you! :fluffle: :fluffle:

I'm not going to rely on any one source, or even on just a few. You should know me well enough by now to realize that I make decisions based on all available data, and that I don't make them casually, especially ones as important as this one.

I fully intend to listen to what my doctors tell me, and even seek out second and third opinions. I'm also considering contacting Cancer Treatment Centers of America, which is held in very high regard. So don't think I'm going into this with any major preconcieved notions. :fluffle:

Chemo and radiation therapy sucks, to be sure (my mother's going through it now), but if it can keep you around longer and possibly kick Mr. C outta ya, give it a shot. Remember, you've got that trip planned. We've still gotta have a beer together, mate. ;)

The trip I'm planning is just one more reason to not allow any treatments which will severely debilitate me, mate! :)

I'll be there for that beer, come hell or high water! :D

Espescially with prostate cancer, there's several types of very targeted chemo- and radiationtherapy that can accomplish a lot, with very minimal impact. The most obvious example is Rudy Giuliani in 2000, when he quit the Senate race because of prostate cancer. One year later, he was off getting himself named Time's man of the year because of his actions on September 11.

you need information.

youll have to investigate all possible treatments for a recurrance of prostate cancer. youll need to talk to men who have gone through chemo and radiation and see how they feel about it now. how bad it was, how bad the side effects really were. the trade-offs may be worth it.

prostate cancer is slow moving but you have quite a few good years ahead of you. a slow moving cancer can still kill you in 10 years. you should be able to have 20-30 more good years. no sense losing those if you dont have to.

since it IS a slow moving cancer, you have time to research and figure out just what your best course of action is. take one step at a time and deal with it as it comes. this sucks but you have already dealt with worse.

See my post to WYTYG above.

Yes, I have dealt with worse, which is precisely the reason I feel competent to deal with this. I'm not sure I even want "20-30 more" years. There comes a point where you have to ask if life is any longer worth the effort it takes to stay here. When I reach that point, it will be time to go.

Espescially with prostate cancer, there's several types of very targeted chemo- and radiationtherapy that can accomplish a lot, with very minimal impact. The most obvious example is Rudy Giuliani in 2000, when he quit the Senate race because of prostate cancer. One year later, he was off getting himself named Time's man of the year because of his actions on September 11.

There's always hope, true. I just don't want to make the mistake of trying for more years at the expense of less living.

I greatly appreciate your concern, sweet lady. Thank you! :fluffle: :fluffle:

I'm not going to rely on any one source, or even on just a few. You should know me well enough by now to realize that I make decisions based on all available data, and that I don't make them casually, especially ones as important as this one.

I fully intend to listen to what my doctors tell me, and even seek out second and third opinions. I'm also considering contacting Cancer Treatment Centers of America, which is held in very high regard. So don't think I'm going into this with any major preconcieved notions. :fluffle:

That's good to hear. http://www.smiliemania.de/smilie132/00001606.gif

And remember - the US isn't going anywhere, you can just as well take your road trip a year later, if it comes to that. Damn, I've been wanting to take a trip like that since I was a kid, surely you can wait another year to make me green with envy?! ;)

That's good to hear. http://www.smiliemania.de/smilie132/00001606.gif

And remember - the US isn't going anywhere, you can just as well take your road trip a year later, if it comes to that. Damn, I've been wanting to take a trip like that since I was a kid, surely you can wait another year to make me green with envy?! ;)

I have a girlfriend. Does that make you "green with envy?" LMAO!

:fluffle: :fluffle:

As has been said definitly definitly read up on it before making any decisions like this, and consult doctors about the different options and pros and cons and everything. We know you're not stupid, but still... we like you and we care! :p :)

Then, in the end, it's totally up to you and what will make you happy *nods*

I truly wish you the best of luck :) and my thoughts will be with you :fluffle:

and I 100% agree with PMs comments - cheese-o-meter or not (:p), your approach to life is inspirational, and I love it! :) However things turn out, you can be proud of yourself and the life you've lived and are living still :)

Take care of yourself :fluffle:

I have a girlfriend. Does that make you "green with envy?" LMAO!

I don't even know how you went from "road trip" to "girlfriend" but eh - somebody call the doctor, he's delusional already! :p

Eut-get that second and third opinion. Keep your positive mental attitude and fight. You beat it once before and you'll beat it again.

Best wishes, buddy- I hope you overcome it with a method that works best for you, keeps you healthy and feeling good.

There's always hope, true. I just don't want to make the mistake of trying for more years at the expense of less living.

Aye, better to be balls to the wall, than just a boring ol' lump.

:fluffle:

As has been said definitly definitly read up on it before making any decisions like this, and consult doctors about the different options and pros and cons and everything. We know you're not stupid, but still... we like you and we care!

Then, in the end, it's totally up to you and what will make you happy *nods*

I truly wish you the best of luck :) and my thoughts will be with you :fluffle:

and I 100% agree with PMs comments - cheese-o-meter or not, your approach to life is inspirational, and I love it! :) However things turn out, you can be proud of yourself and the life you've lived and are living still :)

Take care of yourself :fluffle:

As always, you're very kind and loving. That damned PM is one lucky guy! :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle:

Eut-get that second and third opinion. Keep your positive mental attitude and fight. You beat it once before and you'll beat it again.

Best wishes, buddy- I hope you overcome it with a method that works best for you, keeps you healthy and feeling good.

Thank you, bro! You're one of my heros! :)

I don't even know how you went from "road trip" to "girlfriend" but eh - somebody call the doctor, he's delusional already! :p

LMAO!!! Noooo comment! :D

Aye, better to be balls to the wall, than just a boring ol' lump.

Precisely. Incisive as always, Andaluciae! :)

Whatever you choose, Eut, I hope you still get to enjoy that trip round the States next summer. :)

See my post to WYTYG above.

Yes, I have dealt with worse, which is precisely the reason I feel competent to deal with this. I'm not sure I even want "20-30 more" years. There comes a point where you have to ask if life is any longer worth the effort it takes to stay here. When I reach that point, it will be time to go.

thats why i said GOOD years. there is no sense living in misery just so you can get a mention on the today show on your 100th birthday.

but old age isnt what it used to be. my father in law just turned 80 and he is still the hardest working man i know. even with diabetes and cataracts (he just got the operation to fix that) his life is well worth living. i would hope to have that kind of quality of life when *I* reach 80.

dont forget 1-800-4cancer. they know all the cutting edge treatments and can tell you who is the top specialist in your area. its a good starting point.

How receptive are you to the idea of alternative treatments, Eutrusca? I ask you this before in case you'll dismiss...

there are some new chemos. My friend PJ had one that wasn't too harsh, as did my friends mom. Just ask your doctor about them, as I'm not sure if those were specific to their kind of cancer and other such things.

best of luck, bud:fluffle:

As always, you're very kind and loving. That damned PM is one lucky guy! :fluffle: :fluffle: :fluffle:
Hehe, thank you :p :fluffle: :fluffle:
And my "kind and loving" nature only shows to it's full extent for special people... and you're definitly special :fluffle:

Whatever you choose, Eut, I hope you still get to enjoy that trip round the States next summer. :)

Just as long as I can balance the bike, I'll be going! :)

thats why i said GOOD years. there is no sense living in misery just so you can get a mention on the today show on your 100th birthday.

but old age isnt what it used to be. my father in law just turned 80 and he is still the hardest working man i know. even with diabetes and cataracts (he just got the operation to fix that) his life is well worth living. i would hope to have that kind of quality of life when *I* reach 80.

dont forget 1-800-4cancer. they know all the cutting edge treatments and can tell you who is the top specialist in your area. its a good starting point.

Kewl! Tell your father-in-law I admire his attitude! :)

I'll call that number today! I need all the info I can get. :fluffle:

Hehe, thank you :p :fluffle: :fluffle:
And my "kind and loving" nature only shows to it's full extent for special people... and you're definitly special :fluffle:

OMG! I can't believe it! You just made me blush! LMAO! Incredible! I can't even remember the last time I blushed! LOL! :fluffle: :fluffle:

How receptive are you to the idea of alternative treatments, Eutrusca? I ask you this before in case you'll dismiss...

Very! All my life I've tried to keep as many options open as possible; I love having room to maneuver. :)

Very! All my life I've tried to keep as many options open as possible; I love having room to maneuver. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pranic_healing

There are some sites with a bit too much fluff about the subject, but a pranotherapist will (usually) be a serious professional and answer your doubts in decent ways. I have on trustworthy sources the info that pranic healing IS able to help in case of tumors. I don't know that you'll find a pranotherapist where you live, though, but you could move until the treatment's over.

Very! All my life I've tried to keep as many options open as possible; I love having room to maneuver. :)

I suppose it comes down to quality of life. If a treatment will extend your life but the side effect will be a life that isn't that enjoyable to begin with... well it is your choice of course.

I suppose it comes down to quality of life. If a treatment will extend your life but the side effect will be a life that isn't that enjoyable to begin with... well it is your choice of course.

Why I pointed out the pranic healing article. I myself haven't done a lot of studies on it, but I know its main premises, and I've seen it work. Minding, it's NOT "Lay-on-hands-and-heal-instantly", it's "It does work, much like normal medicine would, but in a less invasive way".

OMG! I can't believe it! You just made me blush! LMAO! Incredible! I can't even remember the last time I blushed! LOL! :fluffle: :fluffle:
Hahaha! :D Oh, the power.... :p You're lucky I use this power for good ;) :P
But, in all seriousness, it honestly is true :) and I'm really not one to hand out random compliments; the things I say are sincere :fluffle: :fluffle:

one last question...


are you going to get your treatments from the VA?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pranic_healing

There are some sites with a bit too much fluff about the subject, but a pranotherapist will (usually) be a serious professional and answer your doubts in decent ways. I have on trustworthy sources the info that pranic healing IS able to help in case of tumors. I don't know that you'll find a pranotherapist where you live, though, but you could move until the treatment's over.

It's garbage. If all these ancient healingtechniques were so great, why did people have life expectancies in the 30s and 40s? Why did they look at 35 the way people do now at 60?

It's garbage. If all these ancient healingtechniques were so great, why did people have life expectancies in the 30s and 40s? Why did they look at 35 the way people do now at 60?

Read the article. It's not an ancient technique per se, it's BASED on certain ancient principles. And do you have decent statistics of life expectancy for anywhere but Europe at that time?

My mother underwent chemo for lymphoma about four years ago. She was stage 4 when it started. She was pretty weak and nauseous for a while and had hair loss, but the side effects didn't last very long and she gained another two and a half years of pretty good-quality living.

Hope whatever therapy you decide on is successful.

Read the article. It's not an ancient technique per se, it's BASED on certain ancient principles. And do you have decent statistics of life expectancy for anywhere but Europe at that time?

Any therapy that claims to be able to treat everything from cancer to bulimia to poor business performance is a hoax. It's based on "chakras." Chakras are something that even people who believe in them can't actually define exactly what they are. Energy center? What the f**k is a n energy center? What kind of energy? Electricty? Infra red? Gamma rays? What is this energy radiated from? Do we have an undiscovered gamma ray emitter in our spleen? Does our stomach radiate alpha particles? Is our heart a source of ultra violet radiation? How does someone manipulate the energy field and how does that effect us? I mean that very precisely. The theories behind chemo and radiation are very easy to explain. They both kill a whole bunch of cells and if targeted right will kill more cancer clls than healthy cells. Explain to me how a practitioner of this "therapy" gets rid of cancerous cells in your body by somehow manipulating your "energy fields" so that cancer cells die and healthy cells live.

And do you have decent statistics of life expectancy for anywhere but Europe at that time?

No. I don't need them. You're not claiming that the "ancients" or whatever had life expectancies in the 69s and 70s, are you?

You know what really raises the life expectancy of a population? It's not a new method of manipulating your heart chakra. It's enclosed sewer systems. It's hygein. It's an understanding that disease is spread by microrganisms and understanding that you should try to avoid exposure to them and not worrying black spots in your aura.

About a month ago, I went in for another PSA ( Prostate Specific Antigen ) test. It was almost a year since my operation, right after which my PSA level had dropped to almost zero. The PSA test this time showed a jump from 0.8 to 8.0. The doctor wanted to do a follow-up test because that was such a large jump in only a year. Last week I had another PSA test. This one showed 11.0. Now they want me to come in for several tests, such as a CT scan, bone scan, etc., to determine why my PSA is so high so quickly.

When they find the cause of this higher PSA number, they're probably going to recommend either chemotherepy and/or radiation therepy. I'm going to say "no."

I'll follow anything they want me to do except chemo or radiation. I've discovered that all those treatments accomplish is to severely debilitate the patient, with no guarantee whatsoever that it will do anything other than slow down the spread of what is already a very slow-moving cancer.

It's just not worth throwing away what time I may have left. I fully intend to live to the max while I'm still able, not waste my shortened time being weak and sick from dubious "treatments."

What do you guys think???
what do I think, it's your life. Go for it.

Prayers to you and your family... and I hope it turns out to be a false reading.

No. I don't need them. You're not claiming that the "ancients" or whatever had life expectancies in the 69s and 70s, are you?

You know what really raises the life expectancy of a population? It's not a new method of manipulating your heart chakra. It's enclosed sewer systems. It's hygein. It's an understanding that disease is spread by microrganisms and understanding that you should try to avoid exposure to them and not worrying black spots in your aura.

Nowhere in any pranic healing manual is any denial of anything medical science has ever said.

Nowhere in any pranic healing manual is any denial of anything medical science has ever said.

This thread's about our beloved Eut, not your silly alternative medicine.

Any therapy that claims to be able to treat everything from cancer to bulimia to poor business performance is a hoax. It's based on "chakras." Chakras are something that even people who believe in them can't actually define exactly what they are. Energy center? What the f**k is a n energy center? What kind of energy? Electricty? Infra red? Gamma rays? What is this energy radiated from? Do we have an undiscovered gamma ray emitter in our spleen? Does our stomach radiate alpha particles? Is our heart a source of ultra violet radiation? How does someone manipulate the energy field and how does that effect us? I mean that very precisely. The theories behind chemo and radiation are very easy to explain. They both kill a whole bunch of cells and if targeted right will kill more cancer clls than healthy cells. Explain to me how a practitioner of this "therapy" gets rid of cancerous cells in your body by somehow manipulating your "energy fields" so that cancer cells die and healthy cells live.

I never said PH could treat everything. Just like medicine, it has limitations. I am not an expert in PH. Ask one these questions, I'm sure they'll be glad to answer you.

This thread's about our beloved Eut, not your silly alternative medicine.

It's not "mine" - in fact I repeatedly said I understand only its most basic premises, much like one sees a car work but knows how to varying extents. And considering Eutrusca himself said he'd be willing to go alternative and that I know of a kind of treatment that is not as invasive as chemo and radiation - and that I also know that Eutrusca was trying to find non-invasive treatments, this post IS about Eutrusca. Now, he's a grown man. If he decides to believe it doesn't work, he won't pursue the treatment. I did not offer it as any sort of miracle here.

This thread's about our beloved Eut, not your silly alternative medicine.

Excuse me?

Heikoku asked if Eutrusca was interested to hear about, Eutrusca said he was, and then Heikoku made a short post giving the link.

If you feel you need to tell someone off for taking the thread off-track, at least have the decency to pick PsychoticDan - he was the one who came in and started the discussion.

Sheesh. :rolleyes:

Excuse me?

Heikoku asked if Eutrusca was interested to hear about, Eutrusca said he was, and then Heikoku made a short post giving the link.

If you feel you need to tell someone off for taking the thread off-track, at least have the decency to pick PsychoticDan - he was the one who came in and started the discussion.

Sheesh. :rolleyes:

So perhaps now I should have the decency to pick you for continuing it? :rolleyes:

Aw, shit. Best of luck, Eut.

So perhaps now I should have the decency to pick you for continuing it? :rolleyes:

Doing a good job of it yourself, aren't you?

Doing a good job of it yourself, aren't you?

Run along, leghumping whiner.

To get back on topic...Eut, you rock, and you can beat anything you come up against.

Okay, if this turns into a flame war and I get banned for this considering I did not flame I'm hunting each of you people down and giving you an atomic wedgie. -_-

Pattern recognition. -_-

Pattern recognition. -_-
you do know that making threats on the board is a BIG no no. I suggest changing it to Atomic Wedgies or something not so... threatening. :D

Deleting it would be even better.

you do know that making threats on the board is a BIG no no. I suggest changing it to Atomic Wedgies or something not so... threatening. :D

Deleting it would be even better.

Good idea! *gives Eut a wedgie* :D

you do know that making threats on the board is a BIG no no. I suggest changing it to Atomic Wedgies or something not so... threatening. :D

Deleting it would be even better.

I was looking for something to put there, thanks for the tip. -_-

Run along, leghumping whiner.

Huh?

Good idea! *gives Eut a wedgie* :D

I was looking for something to put there, thanks for the tip. -_-
why do I feel like I just let two kids run amok in a toy store? :p

About a month ago, I went in for another PSA ( Prostate Specific Antigen ) test. It was almost a year since my operation, right after which my PSA level had dropped to almost zero. The PSA test this time showed a jump from 0.8 to 8.0. The doctor wanted to do a follow-up test because that was such a large jump in only a year. Last week I had another PSA test. This one showed 11.0. Now they want me to come in for several tests, such as a CT scan, bone scan, etc., to determine why my PSA is so high so quickly.

When they find the cause of this higher PSA number, they're probably going to recommend either chemotherepy and/or radiation therepy. I'm going to say "no."

I'll follow anything they want me to do except chemo or radiation. I've discovered that all those treatments accomplish is to severely debilitate the patient, with no guarantee whatsoever that it will do anything other than slow down the spread of what is already a very slow-moving cancer.

It's just not worth throwing away what time I may have left. I fully intend to live to the max while I'm still able, not waste my shortened time being weak and sick from dubious "treatments."

What do you guys think???
On a scale of one to SUCKS, that sucks...alot.

I understand your hesitations. I don't know what I think. I'm not an expert, and the only person I ever knew to undergo chemotherapy did so 9 years ago. And while I dont keep up on medicine, I feel like that is probably an eternity in terms of drugs and what not. Also, she had a completely different kind of cancer.

I wish there was something I could do for you babe. As it is, just know you're in my thoughts and have all my best wishes. :fluffle:

I vote for doing whatever it takes to keep you with us, Eut. A-fucking-men.

Chemo and radiation therapy sucks, to be sure (my mother's going through it now), but if it can keep you around longer and possibly kick Mr. C outta ya, give it a shot. Remember, you've got that trip planned. We've still gotta have a beer together, mate. ;) I agree with the Geezer (Cluich) I hope you aren't planning on going out for that beer. I would feel bad for your waitress and any other girls in the bar :P The two of you would be like the perfect storm shameless old-man flirting! :D :fluffle:

Heh! Me too, dude! :D

We've all gotta go sometime, but I'd much rather choose the time and method for myself. Hell, I've been living on borrowed time ever since the night before my 25th birthday! :D
A hundred years of borrowed time??!! INCREDIBLE! :fluffle:

*Sigh* Let's get the fuck back to the topic at hand, please?

Hahaha! :D Oh, the power.... :p You're lucky I use this power for good ;) :P
But, in all seriousness, it honestly is true :) and I'm really not one to hand out random compliments; the things I say are sincere :fluffle: :fluffle:

LMAO! We ALL are lucky that you use it only for good! :D

one last question...

are you going to get your treatments from the VA?

Nope! The VA does great work, but like most governmental agencies, they are geared to the lowest common denomiator and to "traditional" treatment. I don't trust them, medically speaking.

what do I think, it's your life. Go for it.

Prayers to you and your family... and I hope it turns out to be a false reading.

:fluffle:

Aw, shit. Best of luck, Eut.

Thank you, bro. ( HUG )

Doing a good job of it yourself, aren't you?

Please stop this. :(

Good idea! *gives Eut a wedgie* :D

Eeep! [ spends the next two hours digging his shorts out of his ass! ] :D

I agree with the Geezer (Cluich)

I hope you aren't planning on going out for that beer. I would feel bad for your waitress and any other girls in the bar :P The two of you would be like the perfect storm shameless old-man flirting! :D :fluffle:[/COLOR]



Dammit, I'm not a geezer! I'm only 34! :p

But yeah, Eut and I could bring all the women in the bar to their knees -- literally. ;)

On a scale of one to SUCKS, that sucks...alot.

I understand your hesitations. I don't know what I think. I'm not an expert, and the only person I ever knew to undergo chemotherapy did so 9 years ago. And while I dont keep up on medicine, I feel like that is probably an eternity in terms of drugs and what not. Also, she had a completely different kind of cancer.

I wish there was something I could do for you babe. As it is, just know you're in my thoughts and have all my best wishes. :fluffle:

A-fucking-men.

I agree with the Geezer (Cluich) I hope you aren't planning on going out for that beer. I would feel bad for your waitress and any other girls in the bar :P The two of you would be like the perfect storm shameless old-man flirting! :D :fluffle:

A hundred years of borrowed time??!! INCREDIBLE! :fluffle:

:p :p :p

Darlin', I don't flirt unless I can back it up when a woman calls my "bluff!" :D

Dammit, I'm not a geezer! I'm only 34! :p

But yeah, Eut and I could bring all the women in the bar to their knees -- literally. ;)

Indeed! The mind boggles! :D

Dammit, I'm not a geezer! I'm only 34! :p

But yeah, Eut and I could bring all the women in the bar to their knees -- literally. ;)

:eek: That probably isn't the best smilie is it? A bit too much suggestion in it, isnt there? And I know you're only 34, Dennis ;) :fluffle:

Whatever choice you make, I wish you the best. Hang in there. You're a tough son of a gun, and no lowly cancer can bring you down. Personally, I predict you'll live to be 100. Er, wait...aren't you already past that? :p

*runs*

(Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood)

:p :p :p

Darlin', I don't flirt unless I can back it up when a woman calls my "bluff!" :D

oh wow. just....wow. :p

I'm not entirely sure what you are trying to insinuate with the word bluff, there, my friend, but i am entirely sure that i don't WANT to know! :p :fluffle:

:eek: That probably isn't the best smilie is it? A bit too much suggestion in it, isnt there? And I know you're only 34, Dennis ;) :fluffle:

Dennis? Methinks you have me confused with another geezer... :confused:

Dammit, I'm not a geezer! I'm only 34! :p

But yeah, Eut and I could bring all the women in the bar to their knees -- literally. ;)

34!? :eek:

You're ancient! :D

*is just kidding, but runs anyway*

34!? :eek:

You're ancient! :D

*is just kidding, but runs anyway*

*throws his walker at CK*

Dennis? Methinks you have me confused with another geezer... :confused:
it was a vague reference:
King Arthur: Old woman.
Dennis: Man.
King Arthur: Man, sorry. What knight lives in that castle over there?
Dennis: I'm 37.
King Arthur: What?
Dennis: I'm 37. I'm not old.
King Arthur: Well I can't just call you "man".
Dennis: Well you could say "Dennis".
King Arthur: I didn't know you were called Dennis.
Dennis: Well you didn't bother to find out did you?
King Arthur: I did say sorry about the "old woman", but from behind you looked...
Dennis: What I object to is you automatically treat me like an inferior.
King Arthur: Well I am king.
Dennis: Oh, king eh? Very nice. And how'd you get that, eh? By exploiting the workers. By hanging on to outdated imperialist dogma which perpetuates the economic and social differences in our society.

*throws his walker at CK*
LoL! I told you that you were a Geezer!

it was a vague reference:

Ah, gotcha. You win 10,000 bonus points.

LoL! I told you that you were a Geezer!

I get no lovin'. :(

*throws his walker at CK*

OUCH! *is hit square in the forehead, falls down stairs, breaks leg, ends up needing the walker*


:D

Nope! The VA does great work, but like most governmental agencies, they are geared to the lowest common denomiator and to "traditional" treatment. I don't trust them, medically speaking.

neither do i. i was just asking in case you said "yes" and i was going to have to start telling you va horror stories to get you to change your mind.

Ah, gotcha. You win 10,000 bonus points.



I get no lovin'. :(

What happened to all those women on their knees?!?

Oh, please. Everyone KNOWS that tough bastards like Eut don't get taken out by cancer. :)

I predict that on his 80th birthday, Eut will be on his hog, doing his 5th cross-country expedition and downing beers at Sturgis. And Daytona. And......

Luck to you bud. And I am with JuNii, heres' hoping it isn't cancer at all.

Personal opinion? You aren't drinking enough beer or getting laid quite enough. So do more, and more often.:D

What happened to all those women on their knees?!?

Not sure. You must've run them all off. :p

oh wow. just....wow. :p

I'm not entirely sure what you are trying to insinuate with the word bluff, there, my friend, but i am entirely sure that i don't WANT to know! :p :fluffle:

LOL! You should be so lucky! ;)

neither do i. i was just asking in case you said "yes" and i was going to have to start telling you va horror stories to get you to change your mind.

LOL! No need to do that. I've been a veteran for a long while now. We tell each other things. :p

Oh, please. Everyone KNOWS that tough bastards like Eut don't get taken out by cancer. :)

I predict that on his 80th birthday, Eut will be on his hog, doing his 5th cross-country expedition and downing beers at Sturgis. And Daytona. And......

Luck to you bud. And I am with JuNii, heres' hoping it isn't cancer at all.

Personal opinion? You aren't drinking enough beer or getting laid quite enough. So do more, and more often.:D

Hmmm! You may have a point there. [ buys a six-pack and drags The Beatuful Darkness off to molest her ] :D

{turns on video camera} Looks like Eut has everything well in hand. So to speak.

Move along, nothing to see here. Until I get the video edited anyways.

:(

Not sure. You must've run them all off. :p
Me??!! Innocent lil ol' Dubsy? o:-) (holy cow! deja vu! you just keep givin me these openin's, babe. :fluffle:) Its not my fault if they can't bear the overwhelming awesomeness of your and Eut's presence.

LOL! You should be so lucky! ;):p Riiight. You just keep telling yourself that I would be the lucky one. ;) :fluffle:

Hmmm! You may have a point there. [ buys a six-pack and drags The Beatuful Darkness off to molest her ] :D
:eek: You cannot molest the Fluffle Queen! It's illegal!

:(I know ruff. I know. *humps consolingly*

About a month ago, I went in for another PSA ( Prostate Specific Antigen ) test. It was almost a year since my operation, right after which my PSA level had dropped to almost zero. The PSA test this time showed a jump from 0.8 to 8.0. The doctor wanted to do a follow-up test because that was such a large jump in only a year. Last week I had another PSA test. This one showed 11.0. Now they want me to come in for several tests, such as a CT scan, bone scan, etc., to determine why my PSA is so high so quickly.

When they find the cause of this higher PSA number, they're probably going to recommend either chemotherepy and/or radiation therepy. I'm going to say "no."

I'll follow anything they want me to do except chemo or radiation. I've discovered that all those treatments accomplish is to severely debilitate the patient, with no guarantee whatsoever that it will do anything other than slow down the spread of what is already a very slow-moving cancer.

It's just not worth throwing away what time I may have left. I fully intend to live to the max while I'm still able, not waste my shortened time being weak and sick from dubious "treatments."

What do you guys think???

I think you're right.

{turns on video camera} Looks like Eut has everything well in hand. So to speak.

Move along, nothing to see here. Until I get the video edited anyways.

*steals the video, mass produces it, sells on eBay, makes a killing* :D

About a month ago, I went in for another PSA ( Prostate Specific Antigen ) test. It was almost a year since my operation, right after which my PSA level had dropped to almost zero. The PSA test this time showed a jump from 0.8 to 8.0. The doctor wanted to do a follow-up test because that was such a large jump in only a year. Last week I had another PSA test. This one showed 11.0. Now they want me to come in for several tests, such as a CT scan, bone scan, etc., to determine why my PSA is so high so quickly.

When they find the cause of this higher PSA number, they're probably going to recommend either chemotherepy and/or radiation therepy. I'm going to say "no."

I'll follow anything they want me to do except chemo or radiation. I've discovered that all those treatments accomplish is to severely debilitate the patient, with no guarantee whatsoever that it will do anything other than slow down the spread of what is already a very slow-moving cancer.

It's just not worth throwing away what time I may have left. I fully intend to live to the max while I'm still able, not waste my shortened time being weak and sick from dubious "treatments."

What do you guys think???

Sorry that you are having problems. :( I know what it was like with my scare, which is honesltly, less scary than yours. I hope that all goes well with you. You are in my prayers, old man :)

34!? :eek:

You're ancient! :D

*is just kidding, but runs anyway**joins Cluichstan in the beating of CK.*

Hmmm! You may have a point there. [ buys a six-pack and drags The Beatuful Darkness off to molest her ] :D
*sets up cameras*

Nope! The VA does great work, but like most governmental agencies, they are geared to the lowest common denomiator and to "traditional" treatment. I don't trust them, medically speaking.
Don't I know it. We've had this trouble with Mom. Her doctor
is great, but everytime she wants to try something new, they tell her "That's not approved."

Anyway, I'd find out about how successful they thought chemo or radiation. If it didn't have a good recovery rate, I certainly wouldn't go through with it. Too much pain for a small gain in lifespan.

That's just me. Obviously, you're the only one who can make that decision.
Good luck and best wishes.:fluffle:

About a month ago, I went in for another PSA ( Prostate Specific Antigen ) test. It was almost a year since my operation, right after which my PSA level had dropped to almost zero. The PSA test this time showed a jump from 0.8 to 8.0. The doctor wanted to do a follow-up test because that was such a large jump in only a year. Last week I had another PSA test. This one showed 11.0. Now they want me to come in for several tests, such as a CT scan, bone scan, etc., to determine why my PSA is so high so quickly.

When they find the cause of this higher PSA number, they're probably going to recommend either chemotherepy and/or radiation therepy. I'm going to say "no."

I'll follow anything they want me to do except chemo or radiation. I've discovered that all those treatments accomplish is to severely debilitate the patient, with no guarantee whatsoever that it will do anything other than slow down the spread of what is already a very slow-moving cancer.

It's just not worth throwing away what time I may have left. I fully intend to live to the max while I'm still able, not waste my shortened time being weak and sick from dubious "treatments."

What do you guys think???
A friend of mine had breast cancer 11 years ago, had a masectomy, and had chemo treatments.

She is cancer free 11 years now, and is in good health.

Your choice. Doctor knows best?

About a month ago, I went in for another PSA ( Prostate Specific Antigen ) test. It was almost a year since my operation, right after which my PSA level had dropped to almost zero. The PSA test this time showed a jump from 0.8 to 8.0. The doctor wanted to do a follow-up test because that was such a large jump in only a year. Last week I had another PSA test. This one showed 11.0. Now they want me to come in for several tests, such as a CT scan, bone scan, etc., to determine why my PSA is so high so quickly.

When they find the cause of this higher PSA number, they're probably going to recommend either chemotherepy and/or radiation therepy. I'm going to say "no."

I'll follow anything they want me to do except chemo or radiation. I've discovered that all those treatments accomplish is to severely debilitate the patient, with no guarantee whatsoever that it will do anything other than slow down the spread of what is already a very slow-moving cancer.

It's just not worth throwing away what time I may have left. I fully intend to live to the max while I'm still able, not waste my shortened time being weak and sick from dubious "treatments."

What do you guys think???
Well Eut, this is a tough one. Common sense tells me you should do what the doc says. Logic tells me that treating cancer is better than not treating it. Personal experience, though, thats a different story.

My mother died when I was 5 years old. She died of Hodgkins Lymphoma, or cancer of the lymph nodes. All of my memories of her are dominated by the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The vomiting, the pale face, the weakness, the baldness, wigs, oxygen tank, bed-riddenness. After all of that, she died anyway. She was an extremely active woman prior to cancer, athletic and fit. Yet I never saw any of that. I saw only a wraith on the brink of death. Mind you, she was still a lovely person, and died surrounded by friends and family. Nevertheless, she 'died' years before they pulled her plug. You could see it deep inside her loving, wearied eyes. The shadow of death. Despite the fact that she fought to the very last day, she knew she was going to die all along.

On the flip side, I know a woman, a very good friend of my mother, who also died of cancer (breast). However she 'went herbal' and died in about the same time and level of pain, but kept her skin colour and hair. Then again some people don't get treatment at all and just 'get better'. Others fight it for years and win.

Basically, if this cancer is going to kill you, it will. You can marginally improve your chances with the shockingly debilitating chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments (and die inside anyway) or you can just take the morphine and go out with a psychadelic bang. Who knows, maybe you'll kick the fucking bitch of a disease anyhow, in which the whole experience will have been awesome months long morphine trip. Cancer sucks, theres little you can do about that.

Your old anyhow, right? Ask yourself if you are satisfied with your life thus far. If so, I think you should probably let go and enjoy what little may be left, and consider anything more to be a bonus. If this doesn't kill you, something else will, and most probably sooner rather than later. Write a novel, sleep with an asian, buy the sports car, do all that. Besides, if you subscribe to any one of the various religions that have popped up in human history, then you can take respite in the belief of some form of afterlife.

Most importantly, get the fuck off this forum. You've been a rare face recently, most probably for the same reason I am suggesting you should be an even rarer one. Just post a weekly thread stating you are still alive and well, and possibly some missleading title about an unrelated partisan political issue. When they stop coming we'll get the hint.

Hmmm! You may have a point there. [ buys a six-pack and drags The Beatuful Darkness off to molest her ] :D

o.O

I don't appreciate the sentiment.

That cancer doesn't stand a chance!

Poor cancer...such a violent death. :(

:p








Get better, damnit! :)

Eut,

Couple of questions for ya.

1. If you do not recieve the treatments, and the cancer indeed returns, and manastises, you will die, correct?

Im thinking theres some people on this shitburg planet that would rather not see that happen.
Friends?
Family?

2. What other options are available for your particular kind of cancer?
Is radio, and chemo the only options?

I can only imagine what your thinking, and a man can do worse than choosing the way he'll go out, but think like a soldier...
Anything you gotta do before you stand down?

What about that road trip next summer?

If you dont get the treatments, are you gonna be around for that?

Better to delay the trip for a few months than to not be here to enjoy it, right?


I know it may be hard for guys like you, *cough* stubornoldgoat *cough*, but you got some time left, and putting up with a few months of crap, may just let you enjoy the next few years.

Make sense?

Hmmm! You may have a point there. [ buys a six-pack and drags The Beatuful Darkness off to molest her ] :D

:eek:

Not funny nor appropriate - not at all really. Shape up, Mac! :mad:

It's garbage. If all these ancient healingtechniques were so great, why did people have life expectancies in the 30s and 40s? Why did they look at 35 the way people do now at 60?

They didn't.

Life expectancies were low because of high infant mortality, if you made it past five there was a good chance you'd make it into your 60s or later, so long as accidents, war, famine and untreatable diseases didn't get you.

Kinda the same as today, except we've crushed infant mortality rates, have ways of treating previously untreatable diseases and famines are almost unthinkable in the west.

Thank you. That's very kind of you. :)

I have just heard too many horror stories about how debilitating chemo and radiation are to be very receptive, including my two brothers-in-law. sigh.

It all depends, obviously. My friend's dad had the radioactive "seeds" implanted and he seemed to do very well.

Still here five years later, and still very active.

1. Its not my fault if they can't bear the overwhelming awesomeness of ... Eut's presence.

2. :p Riiight. You just keep telling yourself that I would be the lucky one. ;) :fluffle:

3. :eek: You cannot molest the Fluffle Queen! It's illegal!

LOL! :D

1. Oooooo! What do I win? :D

2. Well, you would be, but I would be too. See? It's a win-win situaton! :D

3. Oh? That's never stopped me before! :D

I know ruff. I know. *humps consolingly*

Cancer is such a bitch.

*sets up uber secret stem cell research lab*

I think you're right.

:fluffle:

Sorry that you are having problems. :( I know what it was like with my scare, which is honesltly, less scary than yours. I hope that all goes well with you. You are in my prayers, old man :)

Thank you! You're in mine too ... I'm praying that you will never call me "old man" to my face! [ shudders to think ] :D

Don't I know it. We've had this trouble with Mom. Her doctor
is great, but everytime she wants to try something new, they tell her "That's not approved."

Anyway, I'd find out about how successful they thought chemo or radiation. If it didn't have a good recovery rate, I certainly wouldn't go through with it. Too much pain for a small gain in lifespan.

That's just me. Obviously, you're the only one who can make that decision.
Good luck and best wishes.:fluffle:

Thanks, sweetie. Incisive and wise you are, as always! :fluffle:

A friend of mine had breast cancer 11 years ago, had a masectomy, and had chemo treatments.

She is cancer free 11 years now, and is in good health.

Your choice. Doctor knows best?

Good for her! I always like to hear success stories.

Yes, my choice, but "Doctor knows best?" Hmmm. I'll just say "sometimes" and let it go at that. :)

I'd ask the doctors what the side-effects are before making a decision. Not all chemo is as bad as most people make out, and I think the same is true with radiotherapy.

Just be aware that if it is a private clinic where you have to buy the drugs that the doctors might be trying to sell 'em to you, and that if it's on insurance they might be trying to minimise expenditure.

That said, I'd still listen to their advice, or even ask for a second opinion, before making your mind up.

Whatever happens, I wish you the best of luck.

I feel New Burmesia's opinion to make a lot of sense.

It all depends, obviously. My friend's dad had the radioactive "seeds" implanted and he seemed to do very well.

Still here five years later, and still very active.

Same applies to my wife's uncle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachytherapy


What's the social security system you're under like? What's the mean quality of medical treatment? In short: where do you live?

Wish you lots of strenghth and best of luck.

Well Eut, this is a tough one. Common sense tells me you should do what the doc says. Logic tells me that treating cancer is better than not treating it. Personal experience, though, thats a different story.

My mother died when I was 5 years old. She died of Hodgkins Lymphoma, or cancer of the lymph nodes. All of my memories of her are dominated by the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The vomiting, the pale face, the weakness, the baldness, wigs, oxygen tank, bed-riddenness. After all of that, she died anyway. She was an extremely active woman prior to cancer, athletic and fit. Yet I never saw any of that. I saw only a wraith on the brink of death. Mind you, she was still a lovely person, and died surrounded by friends and family. Nevertheless, she 'died' years before they pulled her plug. You could see it deep inside her loving, wearied eyes. The shadow of death. Despite the fact that she fought to the very last day, she knew she was going to die all along.

On the flip side, I know a woman, a very good friend of my mother, who also died of cancer (breast). However she 'went herbal' and died in about the same time and level of pain, but kept her skin colour and hair. Then again some people don't get treatment at all and just 'get better'. Others fight it for years and win.

Basically, if this cancer is going to kill you, it will. You can marginally improve your chances with the shockingly debilitating chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments (and die inside anyway) or you can just take the morphine and go out with a psychadelic bang. Who knows, maybe you'll kick the fucking bitch of a disease anyhow, in which the whole experience will have been awesome months long morphine trip. Cancer sucks, theres little you can do about that.

Your old anyhow, right? Ask yourself if you are satisfied with your life thus far. If so, I think you should probably let go and enjoy what little may be left, and consider anything more to be a bonus. If this doesn't kill you, something else will, and most probably sooner rather than later. Write a novel, sleep with an asian, buy the sports car, do all that. Besides, if you subscribe to any one of the various religions that have popped up in human history, then you can take respite in the belief of some form of afterlife.

Most importantly, get the fuck off this forum. You've been a rare face recently, most probably for the same reason I am suggesting you should be an even rarer one. Just post a weekly thread stating you are still alive and well, and possibly some missleading title about an unrelated partisan political issue. When they stop coming we'll get the hint.

"Old" is a state of mind more than anything else. Emotionally, psychologically, mentally, and yes, physically, I'm anything but "old." However, I have led what most people would consider to be an "interesting," even hair-raising life. I'm quite prepared to let go when the time for letting go arrives. That, however, ain't yet! Ah still gots me sum livin' ta do! :D

No drugs. No. I have kept myself from drugs my entire life and have no intention of relying on them at the end. If pain gets to be more than I can bear ( and I've experienced some incredible pain at times in my life ), then I shall strap explosives to my body and find a group of terrorists somewhere ... turn the tables on 'em! Mwahahahaha! :D

Leave General? :eek: I will have to leave it when I go on my Bike Run for Veterans next Summer, but will most probably be back. I'm in the process of writing up a list of things my younger son will handle when I die, and one of them is a list of Websites, Forums, etc., he will need to contact to notify my friends that I have passed on to that Great Paradeground in the sky! I'm also going to do a video for all my family to view. It's called "Revenge From The Grave!" Mwahahahaha! :D

I'm not religious at all, although I do lean toward believing that something of who we are continues after we die. I pray and meditate, but organized religion leaves me cold ... too obviously a scam in most cases. Heh!

It saddens me to learn that you had to face all that about your mother at such a young age. To my way of thinking, it makes another good argument against leaving one's family with nothing but sad memories of you in a semi-vegetative state. I want them to remember me as vigorous, mentally alert, fiesty, and ( without being too obvious about it ) sexually active. :D

I want to die like I have lived ... full of pee and vinegar, and standing on my own two feet! :)

o.O

I don't appreciate the sentiment.

Then I withdraw the statement. My apologies! :(

Chemo is like nuking a city to kill a few terrorists, wish there was a better way to treat your cancer.

That cancer doesn't stand a chance!

Poor cancer...such a violent death. :(

:p

Get better, damnit! :)

LOL! :D

I say live out your life! Would you rather have a long, dull life? Or would you have a short, exciting one? THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT! SO GET OUT THERE OLD MAN! HAVE FUN!

thought you would get your old field knife and kill the cancer yourself eut

I say live out your life! Would you rather have a long, dull life? Or would you have a short, exciting one? THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT! SO GET OUT THERE OLD MAN! HAVE FUN!

LMAO! KEWL! I am and will continue to do so, for as long as I'm able. :D

thought you would get your old field knife and kill the cancer yourself eut

I just might, if I could find it without causing too much damage! :D

"Old" is a state of mind more than anything else. Emotionally, psychologically, mentally, and yes, physically, I'm anything but "old." However, I have led what most people would consider to be an "interesting," even hair-raising life. I'm quite prepared to let go when the time for letting go arrives. That, however, ain't yet! Ah still gots me sum livin' ta do! :D I agree. I do not plan on being 'responsible' now that I am an 'adult' and engaged. I will play my videogames forever danmit. On the flip side, my best mate Paddy is more of an old man then you'll ever be, by the sound of it, yet he is only 20.

No drugs. No. I have kept myself from drugs my entire life and have no intention of relying on them at the end. If pain gets to be more than I can bear ( and I've experienced some incredible pain at times in my life ), then I shall strap explosives to my body and find a group of terrorists somewhere ... turn the tables on 'em! Mwahahahaha! :D Geez Eut. Cancer fucking stings man. Morphine is just a drug, like Caffine, alcohol, paracetemol, THC, LSD, and others. Surely you have tried some of those before, why not Morphine? It's just like alcohol, well just like 30 bottles of beer in a hypodermic needle, but anyhow it is damn useful when you are writhing in pain.

Leave General? :eek: I will have to leave it when I go on my Bike Run for Veterans next Summer, but will most probably be back. I'm in the process of writing up a list of things my younger son will handle when I die, and one of them is a list of Websites, Forums, etc., he will need to contact to notify my friends that I have passed on to that Great Paradeground in the sky! I'm also going to do a video for all my family to view. It's called "Revenge From The Grave!" Mwahahahaha! :D The video sounds nice. My mother left me one of those, and it grows ever relevant as I age. Now I am 20 and each time I watch I walk away with something new. If there is indeed an afterlife, you should commit all of your efforts into posting from beyond the grave. Let us all know which religion was in the end correct. Probably the Egyptians or something wacked like that... You better read up on world/historical religions so you'll know whats going on when you are thrusted into Asgard, or Elysium, or while you are standing in front of a black greyhound having your heart weighed by some dude in a funny hat.

I'm not religious at all, although I do lean toward believing that something of who we are continues after we die. I pray and meditate, but organized religion leaves me cold ... too obviously a scam in most cases. Heh! Hear hear. *Buys Eut an e-beer*

It saddens me to learn that you had to face all that about your mother at such a young age. To my way of thinking, it makes another good argument against leaving one's family with nothing but sad memories of you in a semi-vegetative state. I want them to remember me as vigorous, mentally alert, fiesty, and ( without being too obvious about it ) sexually active. :D Haha, well besides the bedriddenness, she was a firecracker. people used to walk in to hewr room crying with sadness and leave crying with laughter. Literally, they were in stitches. You know the dress code she mandated for her funeral? Floral dress, Hawiian if possible! Haha crazy woman. Seriously though, I agree with you. Whilst she kept in high spirits and *never* once let anyone know of her pain, it was just a terrible shame watching the Chemo lay waste to her.

Still, if you are seriously not ready to go, then I would have to reccomend giving the shitty fucking therapies a shot, at least until they can tell you that it isn't worth it anymore. I can't believe they are still peddling that crappy treatment 15 years since my Mum died. With the rate medical knowledge has been increasing we really should have something better than that.

I want to die like I have lived ... full of pee and vinegar, and standing on my own two feet! :) (Doesn't quite understand but feigns comprehension and amusement) :p