Life has taken a positive turn

[Todd1963]

Well hello everyone. It has been a while. It’s official. I decided that 15 years as a pipe fitter in the pulp and paper industry while battling advanced PCA was enough. The last day I worked was Feb 11. I applied for SSDI and my claim was approved 6 weeks later. I am officially retired at age 58. Latest PSA taken yesterday still undetectable. It has been 15 years 4 months and 26 days since DX

[Tall_Allen]

Great to hear from you! I was just bragging about you yesterday. Congrats on the SSDI!

[Todd1963 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you Allen. It was really hard at first not working but I am adjusting.😀

[SeosamhM in reply to Todd1963]

Congrats, Todd. I understand about the "hard at first" - I got my medical retirement in July after 15 years in fire/fire safety engineering and, even after 4 months, there are still days when "living with intent" is a chore.... - Joe M.

[timotur]

Congrats on retirement, and even more-so for 15 years of successful treatment!

[Todd1963 in reply to timotur]

I think you very much. Trust me when I received that SSDI confirmation letter saying my claim was approved it took a ton of weight off my shoulders. And now I feel like I can relax and enjoy it instead of Worrying whether or not I was going to be able to continue to provide for my wife and myself. The PSA numbers quite honestly I have come to expect nothing more than undetectable. Perhaps I have drunk complacent but after over 15 years I pretty much think anybody would

[timotur in reply to Todd1963]

Salutations for continuing to work through treatment, not particularly knowing the outcome— very well done Sir, enjoy every minute of your retirement, and may you continue to stay u/d!

[MarkBC]

Congratulations on your retirement and your low PSA. I retired at 55 and still have a low PSA 3.5 years later. I attribute part of my good health on the lack of work stress and having the time to eat properly, exercise, and sleep.

[Todd1963 in reply to MarkBC]

Hi Mark, you’re probably right there. I swore I would never let cancer affect my life and I persevered for 15 years working my backside off. Finally I had just had enough. The truth is, my knees are shot and I was beginning to have a few mobility issues. My orthopedic surgeon said I need a new knees. My oncologist said he didn’t think it was a good idea. Retirement seem to be the only viable option as I don’t want to compromise all of the things I enjoy because I gave everything to a company that did not appreciate me

[MarkBC in reply to Todd1963]

I remember reading somewhere that there is nobody who, on his deathbed, says that he wished he spent more time at the office.

[Hidden in reply to MarkBC]

Also we never regret the travel and fun that we’ve had . You never hear “ that trip to Fiji sucked”!

[meowlicious99]

This is awesome. Congratulations. Hope you enjoy your new life.

[Todd1963 in reply to meowlicious99]

Meow, thank you very much I intend to. I’m hoping for a nice long retirement followed by peaceful death in a morphine induced coma or dying trying to out run An avalanche on my snowmobile

[Hidden in reply to Todd1963]

I want pics of that day my friend!

[noirhole]

Cheers to retirement!

[Todd1963 in reply to noirhole]

I will drink to that

[SuppWife]

So nice to see your post! I actually looked for you TODAY!!! You’ve been such a source of inspiration to me since my husband was diagnosed three years ago! Best wishes to you on your retirement and continued good health! Cheers to you!

[Todd1963]

Hello, I seem to have a lot more time on my hands these days so perhaps this forum will be seeing more of me. You know, unless I am fishing, elk hunting, wake boarding, snowmobiling, etc.

[treedown]

How close to your original pay did the SSDI get you to?

[Todd1963 in reply to treedown]

Well let’s Just say I know what they mean when they say I am living on a fixed income. I was making around $100k a year at my job but after deductions and 401k I was probably only bringing home 60k maybe less. SSDI is paying me about 2700 a month. I will get to start drawing my pathetic anemic pension in 2 months so that will help a little bit. I also have a long term disability policy I bought several years ago that I am collecting on for 2 years. Another thing I did was to get disability insurance on my credit union loans so not having to make those payments. We will be fine and hoping not to touch my 401k for 5-10 years.

[treedown in reply to Todd1963]

Thats a hit but there's value in no stress and more time if you have loved ones and interests to fill it. I am on the edge of wanting to retire, good to know what I might end up with. Are you in the US?

[Todd1963 in reply to treedown]

Washington state

[treedown in reply to Todd1963]

Me too. Thanks for the info.

[Todd1963 in reply to treedown]

Where at

[treedown in reply to Todd1963]

I just sent you a PM.

[GoBucks]

15 years 4 months and 26 days...........yeah but who's counting? 🤪

[Todd1963 in reply to GoBucks]

Lol. I actually had just figured that out for another reason the day before so it was fresh in my memory.

[j-o-h-n]

Good deal on retiring..... Pipe fitting?........... Before my Pca I was always trying to fit my pipe into a warm flange....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 11/04/2021 10:48 PM DST

[Hidden]

Congrats ! Thanks for producing the pulp and paper that we needed? I’ve been unable to work since dx Six yrs ago . .We have lived ever since on $1300 per month for two . $10 a day per person spells poverty . Thanks Uncle Sam .. I was 53 then . I Can’t believe that you got APC at such an early age . That is bad . You’re amazing to pull through what you have . It Sounds like you’ve been able to stack some money away . Good for you ! If I had been able to earn even a few more years it would have helped. I walk penniless .. 😳