As the list of medications increase, the point is quickly reached where abstinence from alcohol is recommended or even required. What was the final drink that you had?
The liquor would keep. As would the wine and case of Wisconsin hard cider in the basement. That last beer in the fridge would not: Arrogant Bastard Ale.
I popped it open and poured it into a pint glass. I perched on the top step of the front porch to experience the neighborhood transitioning from dusk to night. This is my favorite place to sit and wait for the arrival of the butterflies of the night -- bats! A bit too chilly and maybe not enough insects for them to be out, but the North Star was in its usual place, just peeking over the top of the maple tree. It took a while to to make out the Big Dipper, since the sky had to darken enough to make up for the city lights. After she got back from walking one of the dogs, my oldest daughter joined me and we had a nice conversation that wandered from topic to topic. She went inside to finish some homework and I remained. If I closed my eyes, the traffic on the distant busy streets almost sounded like soft waves washing against the shore which brought back memories of our summer vacation on Lake Michigan. Memories of my final drink.
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A couple of years ago I generally stopped alcohol and caffeine as they seemed to be some triggers for some heart rhythm problems I was having. Since then I've had the occasion to say things like, "I remember wine" or "I remember coffee", in casual conversations about food and drink, eliciting a few chuckles of sympathy.
I have found that every once in a while it's satisfying enough for me as a treat to pour only about 1/2 inch of red wine into a glass and to take tiny sips of it along with bites of a nice Italian food meal, especially. The taste and aroma come through just fine. "Close enough", for me.
You've got my mouth watering for calzones. Prosciutto, provolone, a little ricotta, with some thinly sliced tomatoes and sweet onions that have both been slightly carmelized. All wrapped in a warm crust with some homemade sauce . . . .
With a splash of water. Ever try Schlafly Tasmanian IPA? I would travel for a true final final drink (and some reasonable pub fare and I know a few people in the area):
My mother-in-law went into an Irish pub and asked for some whiskey. The bartender asked if she wanted it on the rocks. She said no. He then said "Right you are ma'am, there's too much water in it already if you ask me!"
A fabulous tale.... well told... images to the mind... if you are not a writer, there is one within you yearning to break free..... Have not yet had my last drink... special occasion coming and will have a few champagnes... then...nothing.... I do miss bourbon and a premium cigar on the back porch...watching the deer or the wild turkeys in the distance while the sun sets on a reddish blue sky in the hills of West Virginia... Thanks for sharing your Ale Tale...
Thank you....the views are incredible off our hill...Auntie is 90? God bless her...that is great... I live off I70....at least for now... the wife wants to move to FLA at some point...or we may have a winter house there and stay here in the summer...we'll see...
Beautiful words. Now, if you can turn that into a one sentence paragraph, we'll have another Marcel Proust on our hands. And, BTW, think of it not as your last drink, just the last one for some as yet undetermined period of time. Absence makes the thirst grow fonder. Be Well - cujoe
I've cut way back on alcohol which I think is a good idea for all of us advanced folks. But I can't say my final drink has occured yet. I'm guessing it will be sometime when I'm in hospice.
I have had to cut back since starting Xtandi. It doesn't seem to like it if I have more than 2 or 3 beers. But I am still able to knock back a couple of cold ones when I get home to the lake after work. I suspect my last one will be a day or 2 before I die. I suspect when I lose my taste for beer, it will be the sign that the end is near.
This disease takes so much from us. I say if you love an occasional drink or beer, why not? Everything in moderation. We still need to enjoy the journey.
I'm with Schwah. For the sake of our health, we should watch our diet, exercise, and reduce alcohol but I'm not going to deny myself the occasional dessert, lazy day in front of the tv, or pint of beer.
I wholeheartedly agree. We also need to live and enjoy life. Small and brief digressions or vacations from the regimens we follow are not going to kill us. That’s the way I look at it.
I met my Oncologist in the pub a few months ago. “I’m only here because alcohol lowers your testosterone levels” I quipped. He replied “ yes, after about 10 pints!” Quick as a flash I retorted “well give me a chance, I’ve only been here 15 minutes”.
What a great story......as this disease progresses we begin to lose the things we love. However , it is better to lose those things and still be able to see the view off of my dock with my Golden or the view from your porch...Going to a large cancer hospital like MD Anderson and a smaller one like Duke when I see the children with the chemo trees walking the halls with a smile on their faces it makes me feel small when I throw myself a pity party....Cheers to O'Douls ....take care Blue Skies Sky King
I have chosen to look at much of this not as losses to mourn, but as revisions to my life that will require some adaptations -- my_life_rev17 (sorry, I'm an engineer). That "final drink" moment was available, beer or not. When my wife chose to give up alcohol during all three pregnancies, I chose to support her and did the same. Although I really liked O'Douls Amber, I mostly had Pabstt NA due to a prolonged period of unemployment. I was able to be Mr. Mom for a few years and gained a new appreciation for what parents do for their children. Thank you for piloting the flights.
Miss my evening beer, have already decided on my final good bye drink, have a fresh bottle of Jameson , going to get a carton of smokes and enjoy the last few. Can’t do it yet as I am going to fight the monster as long as I can. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Sorry to hear you had to spend your last moments, your "final drink" quaffing some Arrogant Bastard. The reviews of this beer put in a category I choose to avoid. Thanks for sharing the moment.
I’m on Xtandi, Lupron, Xgeva, and Megace. We have a drink every night at 5. Never ever been a problem and never noticed any affect from it. I’m going to enjoy my last 18-36 months my oncologist has said I have.
I asked my oncologist about alcohol...she said no problem...I think they base this decision on one's overall health...Heart disease, diabetes , etc, the alcohol does not interfere with Xtandi or Lupron....so cheers....have to fly tomorrow so I am dry tonight!
My oncologists took me off booze when I went on docetaxel as that put a lot of strain on the liver and kidneys and he didn't want more. To my pleasant surprise I didn't miss it. I'm off chemo now but find I don't want a shot of Mothers Ruin very often. I still feel a glass of wine at dinner is one of civilization's benefits. My final drink will be champagne - in my last lucid moments before I croak.
I had head and neck cancer...lost part of my jaw and did not drink for 2 years no big deal. I tend to bust my ass working out durning the week and then have a few....Blue Skies. Sky King
I "drink" my chocolate chip ice cream (two scoops) every day. So I raise my spoon to all you brave gentlemen and say FUCK CANCER! cheers...bravo.... author author....
I must say that your story was well written and painted a great picture. It is also at a Time that I am reaching similar crossroads. I am no alcoholic but I do enjoy a few drinks on the weekends with my wife. I had to give up the great microbrews here in Oregon when I tested gluten-intolerant several years back but I still enjoy some GF one's that have become tasty competitors to the real thing. Thank you for your inspiration.
I know we give up many of the pleasures that we once took for granted, as this disease progresses. However, I think what we lose is a fraction of the opportunities and insights we gain in clarity, learning the value of time, becoming less critical of others, being better fathers, sons, brothers, husbands, friends and people. I recognize how much time has been spent facing the wrong way and now I have turned around.
I am thankful for that. My priorities have certainly been adjusted accordingly.
My wife was diagnosed with celiac disease about 12 years ago. With three small children, we didn't want to have to cook two meals -- one GF and one not -- nor risk the children inadvertently cross - contaminating her food with gluten, so the whole family went gluten free. As the children grew, we slowly allowed controlled sources of gluten back into the house. We ate alot of styrofoam bread and mushy pasta until we learned which products were best or how to successfully make them ourselves. Restaurants and grocery stores are so much better now than when we started. I even drank GF beer for a while, since I couldn't give my wife a really good kiss right after a regular beer. Redbridge is not bad, but Omission's were better. Schlafly had one on tap but never bottled it and discontinued it due to slow sales. Finally got a gluten only toaster last Christmas which sits secluded from the most active counter space in the kitchen. Instead of the Darwinian adapt or perish, better to look at it as adapt to persist -- looking at the good consequence of adaptation.
Quoting a country song...I don’t drink anymore, but I don’t drink any less. Pour me another glass of Woodford Reserve please! Live your life! Cheers!!!
Hi. I had a final half bottle of very good Pinot Gris last night. It was so good I think I'll have another final half bottle tonight..... Never say never and never give up....
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