I recently read a post from a guy that stated he had muscle and stamina loss. The post and responses then went on in a very hand wringing way to ask and discuss things like, “should I eat whey”, “what about protein and in what form”, “I never eat or drink dairy products”. It then went on to lament all of the things they could no longer do. Well, wake up cup cake, the rules have suddenly changed. It stinks, it’s isn’t fair and things will never be the same.
I have been on ADT for two years now after dealing with PCa for ten. I’m 63. I’ve always been very active and in good shape. I own a fairly large horse farm. The first six months of ADT were difficult, with all of the hormone changes. I have experienced all of things most of you guys have. But, life isn’t fair so, do like myself and many others on this forum and get up out of the recliner and get busy. I go to the gym three days a week and work out hard, I’m stronger than I’ve been in years. I take a calcium tablet with vitamin D and magnesium. I eat good but if I want a cookie, I eat it. I also drink a lot of milk. I work on my farm hard everyday. When I’m tired or fatigued, I keep moving. I read my Bible every morning and spend time in prayer. I ask God for strength and wisdom, and He grants it.
There is no silver bullet. There is no magic pill or supplement. There is only, take your meds, work hard and make the most of time that you have. So get used to it. Oh, early on I did my share of whining but it didn’t do any good. No body is going to do it for you. You have to do yourself, so get up and get busy.
BTW: yes my joints hurt, I forget things more often, I am impotent, I’m starting to get man boobs but so what. Life is hard. ADT makes it harder so, you have to suck it up, put on your big boy pants and work boots and get at it!
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gwad, I love your headspace and attitude brother …. Wonderful and say’in it exactly like it is. Your post is positive “ and “ encouraging. …. Yessssireeeee. You’ve got my upvote buddy. Great stuff.
Good advice for life in general. I think we all want an easy solution to our problems, but it’s usually hard work and consistency that are the answers.
8 years on ADT and I agree totally with your words. I am about to have spinal surgery on Monday, fusing 7 vertebrae, after my PCa on my T 10 vertebrae was radiated and then became a compression fracture impacting on my other vertebrae. Getting over this surgery is going to be challenging. ADT side effects are nothing compared to the pain I have had for the last 12 months and with opioids hardly touching the pain. I just get on with it and exercise helps considerably. There is always someone else worse than you. Take care.
I agree with you 100%, I don't read many posts about diet change etc, if you're miserable, then stopping stuff you like will make you more so. If you sit on your backside bemoaning everything, then that's the space you will stay in.We will never know what we would feel like at this age under normal circumstances, we are who we are now, let's just be grateful that we're alive and kicking.
I enjoyed your post, stay positive, I'm over 10 years in now, I eat what I like and drink what I like and mostly say what I like👍
Life is what you make it, they say. You do the best you can with what you've got. But, it's not all about us. We have a team of people helping us in terms of treatments from oncology, and support from family and friends. No self pity, no drama, no histrionics. Just get on with it. There is always a tomorrow - until there isn't.
Hey brother in Christ, thank you for that spirited talk. I’m as active as I can be with tubes and urine bags attached to me thanks to the Ureteral obstruction from the cancer.
Nothing wrong in fighting with exercise and eating a balanced diet to keep the old body from decaying more than it needs to. To each their own when it comes to self medicating with supplements and a host of food intake programs. People wonder why I don’t post a bio and it started with privacy and now I’ve come to realize I could copy and paste anyone of the members bios as we are all basically on the same path to fighting PC. Yes there’s differences but nothing mind shattering than some men doing some experimental procedures.
You who aren’t walking the path of the redeeming power of Jesus may not understand this but I’m really looking forward to putting this body of mine to rest and having a spiritual body that no longer can get any form of disease. My faith is strong I’m going to be with Jesus. A new life a new beginning. You who read your bible and in prayer know this to be true. You who don’t will have a hard time grasping this concept of faith. I really want to put this body to rest as I personally know I have eternal live through Jesus the son of God who died for me so I could have eternal life because of his sacrifice to mankind.
I so much want to put this body down because I’m selfish that I want the ultimate healing of death. Yes this physical body is important but it’s not my God. It’s just flesh and nothing more. The spirit that lives in us lives on. Not on this earth but in a heavenly realm. This can be hard to understand for many men because they live with the understanding of science and practically and not one of faith. But once you have been touched with the Holy Ghost it makes all perfect sense. For Jesus said I will leave you but to take my place I will send my Holy Ghost. For I don’t leave you as orphans.
I’m so ready to put this body to rest. I’m tired and know what awaits me.
Dear Anonymooses2, Wow, I’m blown away by your faith. It is hard for the World to understand but, I agree with you 100% about leaving this world of pain and suffering and entering into God’s presence. I look forward to that more than anything this old world can offer. While we are here we must make the most of every opportunity until Christ calls us home. Your testimony of faith was encouraging but while you have breath, don’t stop encouraging others by lifting up the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior. You are good at it!
i agree fully. Our Lord will provide your strength if you step out in the faith He provides! 3 years in - body hurts daily, but I am able to work daily framing houses with my son and grandson. The Lord is good.
Excellent post. Reminder that attitude is more important than a lot of other factors. I am 6 years out from surgery, 5 years out from radiation and 3 years on ADT. Life is different, but life is good, God is GREAT! Now it is time to go hug my wife and grandkids!
Truth be told brother!! You have to take the best out of the situation!! Work with what you have got! Everyone please remember we are still here!! There are many who arent! Live your life to the best! Force yourself to take a walk. Start an exercise. Ease into it if you must! Keep on moving!
Right on Old Guy. Three months ago, I hired a trainer who has me working hard on weight resistance equipment. Muscle is returning to my body. Prior to that I determined to lose weight and have dropped close to 30 lbs.
You guys out there can improve your situation with a little work. Go get ‘em.
Your message is clear and a valuable one. It is a testimony of determination and endurance. You have walked through the valley of death and defied it... for the moment... by the sheer force of your will to live as full a life as possible. But I don't believe it is a matter of putting on your "big boy pants." Those pants come in different sizes as we face our mortality. Grief lined with self-pity is too deep a hole for some people to climb out of without outside support. There are those who feel so defeated that they are blinded by the darkness of that hole. Places such as this support group offer hope. And from the threads of hope, all things are possible.
I'm not sympathetic with your response at all. By all means, you should be concerned about loss of physical ability and take all reasonable measures to remedy that. In many cases, having a positive attitude toward exercise and rehab can have extremely positive results. Speaking from experience.
Agree also. The data indicate that exercise is the key. Resistance training came prevent weakness although your muscles will still lack mitochondria and endurance will suffer. Life is still worth living.
You'll get no argument here. Yesterday my wife and I ride 27 miles together (she on her electric bike...me on my gravel). We stopped at a coffee shop along the way, had a latte and blueberry muffin.
This morning I'm on the indoor bike and will lift weights.
As I've said before, ten plus years now...lots of vacations, my favorites were the Ring Road in Iceland and Utah's Big 5, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, skiing with friends in Colorado.
In July our daughter and her boyfriend are joining us for a week in Rocky Mountain National Park, wife and I are going to Glacier, Waterton and Banff in September. In June my sister and I are doing the Garmin Unbound 50, a gravel bike ride through the Flint Hills of Kansas near Emporia.
There have been humorous moments, my daughter borrowed my car when she was home for Christmas and asking me why I had it set on air conditioning, a friend asking me if I was going to turn the heat on as we drove to Lawrence to watch my Jayhawks (the outside temperature was below freezing), a colleague reaching to turn the heat on as we drove together, I said touch that and you die...
I pretty much exercise every day.
I did have my pity party when my urologist called with the diagnosis, lasted a few moments, then I picked myself up off the floor and began to inform myself so I could make needed decisions.
My wife will tell that before each treatment decision and start, I have hesitated, knowing the side effects to come, then stepped forward and said, "let's do this!"
Am I fortunate, yes and no. I didn't (none of us did) ask to join this damn club but yes, I have had great insurance, the support of my wife, family and friends and a capable medical team (well, I've fired a few).
I've benefited ( as have we all) from medical researchers who have brought a myriad of new imaging and treatments to our fight with more to come.
I also appreciate that while despite many high risk clinical features. GS, GG, time to BCR, PSADT and PSAV, mine has never metastasized to my organs or bones, or has it become castrate resistant.
I also appreciate that in these 10+ years, only three have actively been on treatment. I'm off now, how long, who knows but in the just under four weeks since coming off Orgovyx, fatigue, muscle and joint stiffness along with losing a few pounds have been great. Now, if those damn hot flashes....
I've said this before, my medical team says there are three things they can't do to assist me:
Kevin. If you can go a bit further north the Icefields Parkeay Drive is great as is Jasper. God’s country and balm for the soul. We too are hitting the road for travel as much as we can for as long we can!
Fully agree. Nine years in now, at 76, and on a Holiday from Lupron & Nubeqa. Energy is a choice, oh sure less than before diagnosis but I write that off to age. Active gym and garden, carpentry, and repair things. Stay active or get active.
Great post. I am 71 and was on ADT for a year. Very fatigues but kept walking 5 miles a day, playing golf and going to the gym. I'm in good shape but it has taken effort. I, too, have had some lows and wondered why me. But it is me. Why not me? I'm impotent and have residual stress incontinence. I live with it. I also read the Bible every morning and pray to God, whatever his will is for me. I lived 69 years without a significant physical ailment. I'm very lucky compared to some. Count your blessings.
Well said - my thoughts and discussion with many. I'm getting off ADT in a couple of weeks, but you're right - the game has changed. Some days aren't great, but I push through it. I'm alive - I have great support - I have great faith - and yes I enjoy something if I want to. I'm on a path, a journey and when I reach a fork in the road I get the information, discuss with my team and choose the next path.
Yep, in two months it will have been 8 years since diagnosis. Going for an MRI scan in a couple of days which could have troubling results. I've already registered to play a couple of World Series of Poker tournaments. I leave in four weeks for the first one. It is called playing the hand I've been dealt as well as the hand the other guy has been dealt, if that makes any sense.
Very nice post. It will be 27 years in October since I had surgery to remove my prostate. I had radiation 5 years later and casodex, lupron and am on zytiga now. I was59 years old and like everyone else I was shocked. I decided that I wasn't ready to die so I made long range plans. I am in the commercial fishing business so I purchased a new (to me) fishing vessel and converted it to a frozen at sea shrimp processing vessel. Needless to say that kept me busy finding markets for our product etc. When I turned 80 years old I purchased an abandoned fish processing plant and turned it to a lobster processing plant which my son is looking after. We used to come to Florida for 5 months every year until covid stopped us but we were able to come this year. I walk every day and go to the gym every day and try to get as much vitamin D from the sun as I can. We are leaving in a couple of days to go back home to Nova Scotia, Canada. I think that you need to have long range plans to keep your mind occupied and forget about cancer. If you think about it all the time you feed it.
I forgot to mention the most important part, my faith in God. I talk to God many times every day and when I work he is by my side guiding me. I know it sounds silly to some people but it has served me well all these years.
God bless you friend. 24 years with this disease and no treatment till 2 years ago. I pray mostly prayers of thanksgiving but when I ask for something it is for strength and wisdom. I will be healed soon as I am almost 74. I sometimes wonder how people without a personal relationship with Jesus get thru the day. My Psa was 5664 once with unbearable pain. I went from not being able to get to the bathroom to complete mobility and then hunting, fishing and doing the wife’s honey do list. The latter is the most challenging for sure. Psa in down to one now but I guess that will change sometime in the future. I don’t do the exercise thing except for things I enjoy. You’ll never see me on a treadmill or at the gym. The anxiety can be a bummer if you let it but I strive not to strike the rock a second time. I am here to serve my Lord and when He decides He needs me more somewhere else so be it. My only desire is to hear the words “well done my good and faithful servant”. Until we meet on the other side, fight the good fight.
Good morning, I was so encouraged yesterday after reading your post. I am more encouraged this morning. When I was first dx 3 years ago, a song I would listen to is "I've got so much to thank Him for". I thank God every day for each day He gives me. I know I am not what I use to be, but I have tried to focus on what I can do, not what I can not do. I do not know how I would have made it without the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray and read my Bible daily. I try to keep my self busy serving the Lord and doing my full time job, in sales of farm equipment, and enjoying my children and grandchildren. I do not do enough excerise nor walking but I do some. I have had to deal with most of the things you have with this disease, but I have tried to push thru for the most part. Thanks for again for your and everyone's encouragement.
I am very grateful to the Lord and try to keep that attitude for what I can do.
Hey John Deere guy, I read your bio, man you have been through it. I’m sorry for your pain but very encouraged by your attitude throughout. One theme I saw repeatedly was “I’m thankful”, wow, that’s coming from a child of God. I tell people that I’m actually thankful for my cancer and they look at me like I’m crazy but, the fact is if it weren’t for cancer I’d be depending on myself but, through out all the pain and suffering I have fully surrendered and depended on Jesus Christ to get me through. He is more real to me than the pain. I love Him more than anything and through Him all things exist and are sustained, including you and I.
You and I share a few things in common, a love of tractors, a similar age and a son that lives in Roanoke VA. We live in update SC and board 60 horses. We raise our own hay. With the help my wife and sons, we have started several other farm enterprises and I love it. Of the tractors we have , two are John Deere. I have four sons, three live close by and, one lives in Roanoke. We are trying to pray them back home. We have ten grandchildren and they are a joy in our lives that God has blessed us with.
I too am very thankful for each and every day He gives. My goal is make the most of each one. While I certainly am not perfect, I strive to live obediently to my Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. I hope to serve and encourage others especially other believers and my family as long as I’m here. I truly believe that I have some good years left in me but, I am not afraid to leave this world but actually look forward to it. Not the decline to death necessarily but, leaving this old broken sinful world and being in the presence of my God in heaven.
Great post. Keep on Keepin' On . Median survival of men with Prostate Cancer that at time of diagnosis had spread to Bones, Lungs, Lymph nodes, and bone marrow 19 months. Friday I celebrated FIVE years of Progression Free Survival! I haven't changed my lifestyle all that much, other than I'm a little bit more active, AND Much More Appreciative of each day. I also speak with God regularly to give thanks and ask for strength. I believe in my heart, it's that communication that gets me past the pain, fatigue and "other" side effects like unexpected fractures, weight gain and moodiness
i like this - good job buddy - that's how i am living my life too but no harm in a little whinning sometimes as others might have good suggestions to cope.
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