12 years into this journey (69 y/o now). Reached Stage 4 last year; with current meds Lupron and Xtandi. So blessed that, so far, I have been able to stay active in spite of some meds' side effects.
Fun: Pickleball, where I've made many friends while laughing and competing.
Enjoyable: Biking, with a cool breeze in my face and the joy of beautiful landscapes
Happy: Going to the gym is neither fun nor enjoyable, but I am happy that I do it on a regular basis.
This community is a godsend for information and perspective. My wish is that all my fellow travelers can find something fun and/or enjoyable; along with happiness in some form. God bless!
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LaxMan75
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you hit the nail on the head brutha! Most people agree that the gym not enjoyable. I hate it and each time I swear is my last. But I keep Going back because I know lifting weights three days a week for an hour, has saved me in more ways than one. Fight the urge to make excuses men. DO IT!!!
This is a fun exercise, I could easily answer all three - fun, enjoyable and happy - with being with my family and grandchildren, but I'll take a step back and see what I come up with for each.
Fun - long distance hiking is my fun. I love the beauty of nature, waking up to the sound of owls, sleeping outside and feeling connected with the earth and nature around me.
Enjoyable - I like to paint, write and teach (breathing technique called Wim Hof Method) from time to time and enjoy the combination of focus and relaxation and helping/inspiring others.
Happy - that I'm focused on my health span, not just my life span. I want to live to a nice old age but only if I can enjoy it mentally and physically. So I continue to do the things today that my future self will thank me for.
I read this page most every morning and it helps me understand a lot about this disease and the journey people go thru. It’s great to read about how we warriors Handel the cards we our dealt with.
When I was 69 years old I was diagnosed with stage 4 ,Gleason score 9 and 3 bone Mets in pelvis . It was devastating news and I thought I was a goner.
I am now 75yrs old and pushing on and doing quite well. I was first treated with firmagon and exgiva. We stopped the exgiva after about 2 yrs due to dead jaw syndrome.this past December I switched to just lupron every 3 months.happy to say psa stays around 2 and testosterone stays around 0 to <3.
I share my story just to inform newcomers don’t give up and think life is over.
I play golf about 3 times a week , exercise daily with my yoga ball ,I hate the gym.
I dine out frequently, drink red wine or rum most every day,not to excess.I travel as often as possible. I sing ,dance and laugh at most everything.
I’m not saying life is easy and no side effects from the drugs , that would make me a liar. I get nasaua,lack energy,back pain,no sex drive , ed and have trouble sleeping more than 2 hrs at a time .
Looking at the whole picture I am totally blessed,I forgot to say every morning while having my coffee I thank god for everything he has given me.I make it a point to read a bible verse or two.
Now it’s time to head to the links,enjoy the 19th hole and dinner with my wife. Rock on my friends life on earth isn’t over till it’s over. bTW while crossing the street look both ways you don’t want to get hit by a buss,
”It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…
Perhaps Dickens was suffering from the same fate as we as he certainly nailed it when it comes to stage 4 prostate cancer.
That said, I promised myself that I wouldn’t waste another minute watering dead plants. I loved my flawed life before diagnosis and I love my life every bit as much after.
As soon as I come to the realization that I’m not going to shoot in the low eighties anymore I started playing more with my wife and kids as they don’t care how we shoot just as long as we do.
I’ve watched myself go from riding big motorcycles to middle to small and now cruise the backroads on my Honda Trail. Each one different, each one more fun and exhilarating than the last.
I’ve witnessed firsthand my body changes over past 5 years. I’ve found inner peace and strength through abandoning the gym in favor of a few hours of Qigong each morning. I have no illusions of looking like a 45 year old but through the stretching and breathing routines, I feel incredibly energized.
We’ve all most likely suffered through the hot flashes, loss of sex drive and overwhelming fatigue. I’d be lying if I claimed that a daily dose of mindfulness meditation and gratitude affirmations swept these soul crushing side effects away, but they sure do help get me back on course.
After 5 years of successfully keeping the beast at bay, my PSA is steadily moving in the wrong direction. Regardless, the only thing I have is today and that’s a blessing I cherish.
Last thought: I go to bed each night praying that I will wake up tomorrow with all the blessings I remember to be grateful for before I close my eyes.
Recently BiCalutamide and Lupron failed. MO put me on ZYTIGA and Prednisone. PSA and Testosterone responding. Plan on trying BAT in the near future. ADT over the 5 or so years has wasted my muscles and given me a belly that keeps getting in the way. Hurt my back recently but plan on starting at the gym soon.
I had a run of disaterous life events that coincided with my illness pre diagnosis and in the months following diagnosis. Plus, we were in the pandemic.
Nevertheless, my life is fuller and richer now, despite the regular medical appointments, SE's, etc. For me this disease led to reassessing my values, priorities, and life style. I thought I was pretty balanced before diagnosis, but after being told that I only had a short time to live woke me up. Life may be short, so I'm trying to savor all that I can given my limitations. Turns out there is a lot to savor.
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Some days it's best just to have fun
QOL - Keep Going
QoL - It’s HALLOWEEN let’s party!!!!
