Mahalo nui loa El Jefe, the trip of a Lifetime. So glad to have y'all along with me.Mahalo for the wonderful Malecare portal, without it I'd never have virtually/in person met such Awesome folks.
Mahalo nui loa my Brother, it's was Life Affirming. I've stated before that I wouldn't change a thing with the #stageIVpca, like getting a consult when PSA was 4.7 in 2010.
There'd be no reason to even think of doing the Camino Frances
And would never have met y'all here on HU nor the many Med staff, ZERO folks, nor raise 10s of thousands for PCa Awareness
The Camino takes a physical and mental toll on the Pilgrims. And Yas mind games can happen, especially on those long lonely sections before Sarria where a ton of other Pilgrims begin.
Marathoning instills a Stick-to-it-Ness to the Journey. It became a routine every morning to pack it all up and head out, without thinking bout it
Thanks for the video - that is indeed a beautiful space. I love that you can see so much of the stone work, and those arches! You've made some great memories.
Mahalo nui loa Bruddah and it sure was a challenge at some points: long lonely sunny miles with no water, stupid backpack, rain and using a large trash bag and had a bunch of "yikes, gotta go shit in the woods" moments 🤣Since I skipped Leon to Sarria, the virtual Camino is short with like 115 miles to go.
Imma go back to Spain and do it someday and reunite with a few of the Camino Amigos who I met out there
Mahalo nui loa, but totally not anywhere close to being a Saint - no miracles associated with me🤣But, I'm officially a Peregrino with the Church verifying my miles
First day back at work today , eh? Prolly great to be back to comfortable familiar surroundings. Some rest after that monumental trek. A lot different ambiance with the “ burners turned up on high. “. Gonna be 100f plus here all week again too. Thank goodness nights and mornings n the 60s and 70x tho. Dunno if you made it to the islands wind party town of El Medano … Venice on steroids lol. I have an app of web cams and I check in on those three cities nearly daily …. day dreaming. lol.
Glad to have you back in one piece big guy … that trip a HUGE feather in your trekking hat.
Yea, was still glowing from the Camino and patients who knew asked about it. Getting a display case going for the Pilgrim Passport (Credencial) and the Certificates. Maybe put pix of the new friends I made out there too
A longtime patient came in as I had a gift for her, she was the one who offered me to stay with her/hubby for hospice whenever that comes up💙. And she teared up as she hugged me, glad that I made it back, but so happy that I did it
You’ll prolly be strut’in around like a Peacock for a couple months with that afterglow. lol. Great tat too buddy. I’d probably get one myself if I had accomplished what you just did. Great …. Besides that tat looks way better than those ole gang tats you had removed anyway. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
You are literally amazing buddy … and it’s an amazing accomplishment.. never mind the stage4advanced cancer complication. Wow.
No one delivers on the QOL activities better than you do. Again , congratulations. Words seem inadequate.
Was more like old girlfriends names that got removed😜 Pts dig the tat😁
This year has been crazy: shingles, lymphedema, Camino, my 10th yr with #stageivpca, 25th year with the office and a Nov event that I'll let you know about as soon as it's done.
A big Mahalo to you Bruddah Kal, I sometimes feel a Survivor's Guilt that I'm out QoLing, but I'm also wanting to get others to get out of the dark and experience the World out there
It has been a busy - eventful year for you , more than a little …. and some not so good too. You did get back to the Rock to see family … but had passing family in the mix.
I dearly hope that the other guys here DO get out …with family even ( if possible ) and try to enjoy what’s left of their mobility to have some QOL / family experiences. Your activities a perfect example.
Sadly , in my case, I kept sloughing off getting out much … the old “ kick it down the road a bit “ ( before cancer ) mindset that we all probably have a bit of in differing degrees. I waited WAY too long and my example is the perfect example of what not to do. Now, for me, getting out is quite difficult and very limited in what I can do. I waited far too long and regret it dearly. We , croaker guys like us, ( me ) may not have mobility enough left until “ check out time “ …. all of us aPCa guys should take a closer look at what might be our potential time left and get out to suck in some life , smell some flowers , visit the shore and socialization. Take our loved ones and not waste valuable remaining time.
What you are doing might be a bit extreme for most of us non professional athletes but it’s the perfect example of getting out for fulfilling experiences and QOL . I’m pretty sure that guys here will really appreciate doing this and be happy they got out from in front of that TV set and felt some fresh air .
Yikes, I didn't even mention my Dear Aunt Betty's passing this yea :-(. Planning on a trip home this Dec to see Mom /younger Bro and Nom Nom on local foods.
Oh dang Bro, that inertia is taking over and now it's gon take more effort to overcome that. But, as you know, the alternative is that you become housebound, and that could have you spiral downwards. Noooooooo my Brother!!!
Maybe just get outside the house or just in your garage with the door up and be out in the sun for a lil, sunshine is an antidepressant😁.
Bask in the beauty that Nature offers, it's your Camino and you gotta take the wheel and steer Bruddah Kal.
lol, well you got that right. 😂😂 today I did a one hour video conference with my pallitive care doctor and she’s making / adding some medication changes that should be very helpful . Plus
Some of the main problems I have, getting out , are that it’s been over 105f everyday for months …rotflol …. Plus a couple of other body function issues. Ive got a Monterey resort stay booked and I’m looking at buying a compact profile folding electric wheelchair to take instead of the etrike. The etrike is awkward indoors and so heavy that it’s scary ( bouncing around on the hydraulic lift carrier ) to transport long distances. That compact chair will get me into places like the zoo , the Aquarium , resorts and similar places much easier. Still keeping my etrike for driving on roads to hiking trails and local shopping centers. The hammer just can’t keep pushing me in my wheeled chairs , got to find a work a round for both of us. It’s too strenuous for her. That’s been a considerable part of the getting out problems too.
Ryte on my brother ….. I still have actionable plans ongoing, especially now that the weather / temps is due to break in the next few days. Hopping on my own Camino Real and getting going. My pallitive doctor is a tiny , super young, very attractive doctor. Kaiser has been pushing me to turn in my end of life forms, signed, but I’ve been reluctant….seems very creepy. Who wants to mess with the croaker papers.. She told me “ you get those forms turned in now, don’t make me come over there !!!! “ Yayaya. Like my mother scolding me. If I just fell on her, she’d disappear rotflol it seemed pretty funny at the time. lol
Are you currently taking or have you ever taken Cymbalta ? She wants me to try it ….says it might help with neurological pain, my bg and possibly my mental state. Thinks it’s a good match for me and my circumstances. .
Oh awesome about a more compact vehicle and soooo glad that you booked Monterey - that's your QoL goal right there. More food porn eg cioppino babeee 😋Kinda like when I tell my patients to sign up and pay for like 5k, then they have more motivation to do it
Yikes above > 100f dang😢
It's supposed to be Fall dang it😩
Yea, you don't wanna sun bathe in that kinda heat
Nope, never took Cymbalta:
Cymbalta has antidepressant, anti-anxiety, and pain-relieving properties
It sounds like a bunch of HU guys could use it too
Maybe do a post asking about it
I haven't done my Advanced Care Directive yet, Kaiser has it on their site I believe
And there's a bunch for free online
And Lol I dunno who I'd put in charge, not the ex.
Maybe my long time patient who has offered me a room in her house for Hospice. Her hubs on ADT, but not advanced PCa
I'm down in LA to QoL it up and will post when I'm back up
Roger my brother. .. I’ll be sitting at the table by the window , right on the beach …. Savoring my cioppino watching whales feeding right in front of the room. Their spa deck has been renovated too and their greatroom bar is top notch. Watch the feeding whales, surfing dolphins , thru a ceiling to floor glass wall, in a semi private cove ….sipping your amazing beverage. They also sell fire making / s’mores kits to enjoy the beach immediately below the sea wall. All this and very affordable resort costs. Can’t wait to get back for that Mediterranean environment again. The driveway there crosses the world class Pacific Coast hike and bike trail. You can step out of the lobby and trek down into nearby Monterey for the jaw dropping coast trail and world class Monterey.
Yessir buddy, if you can accept that offer of of a home hospice environment, absolutely go for it. Institutional walls / staff …However homey they have made it is , imho, is not the best choice. If you are needing “ cleaning “ food pump “ feeding and med pump services, naturally I wouldn’t put a “ friend “ thru all that. we can only play it by ear as things progress, I guess.
I hear you about the ex and the POLST paperwork. I’m exactly the same. Talk to your pallitive care doctor and she will fill it out and put it on the email on the Kaiser web site ….. all you have to do is read it and electronically sign it, and it’s a done deal . Some items I customized were to try to resuscitate me but not to extremes. Trial / light tube feeding if needed, no surgical intubation for airway or surgical feeding or peeing. Stuff along those lines. Not a DNR but someplace in between bed ridden vegetable and out of bed quickly. Just my own perspective , everyone will surely be different.
Love ya buddy
❤️❤️❤️
The hammer and myself enjoying charcuterie and Montrachet while watching whales feeding.
uh ….. lol …. I mentioned the POLST paperwork but those aren’t for you yet. POLST is for patients facing EOL in 12 months or less, preferably near term, more urgent p.w.. Obviously you should do the other , more generalized, paperwork….. not for short term croakers lol. You gonna live for 20 more years rotflol.
Ima jumpin in the middle of you and brother Kal's here lol.
Maybe just get outside the house or just in your garage with the door up
You are on target there. Its a ritual for me and try to do it even in my depleted days. When Im feelin good I might stare out the garage 5 or more times a day. On my good days this summer I've been actually dinking around in the garage. Little projects etc.
Lololollllllololololol …. ok , now you are jerking our chains. Rotflol. THATS the view out of your garage ???
Its pretty clear you don’t live around these parts buster, or maybe Elon lives next door. lol. Plus the country is green. No green countryside here unless you live near a golf course. lol
Where I live is the typical cookie cutter semi upscale burbs , out of my garage is the garage across the street. Where Randy lives , he doesn’t even have a garage ( I think ), his front door opens on a parking lot / alley … the front of his “ home “ ( a commercial building ) is painted with a shoe shop sign if I remember right. The ole saw of the wealthy dentist, in the mansion on the hill , doesn’t even come close to the very humble digs Randy has.
I totally agree with youse guys about opening the garage and sitting out there …. That’d be fun … work in my etrike garage , doing projects. There are two major issues here tho …. One it’s been over 100f for several months in a row, the heat out there would be life threatening dangerous, but more so is the GREAT risk of having your garage open and letting “ passerby’s “ see inside. Just look at the posts in “ Neighborhoods “ app for n.e. fresno and see the shocking suburban crime present. And I live in one of the least crime ridden neighborhoods in the city. lol. Here we crack the garage door about a foot to let in fresh air and some light …. that’s it. The nairdewells from the less fortunate parts of town think these parts of town are Lowe’s shopping stores of freebies. Rotflol.
Me and Randy are coming up there and moving in with you buddy …. Just say’in
Oh my god. I know what you mean though. Another nice thing about this townhome is Im not in a sardine can townhome community and my place sits up about 20 feet off street level so people have to be really dedicated to see in my garage.
Been here for four years. A big thanks to my son and wife. My wife and I moved here from 23 years in Chicago Land. Out our nice 20 foot wide patio doors was the parking lot 10 feet in front and the maintenance building and trash dumpsters. Tryin to have a peaceful evening on that patio proved to be difficult to say the least lol.
Even though Im in this idyllic location now trouble ain't far away lol. Im in a first ring Minneapolis suburb.
it looks like you made a great choice . I’ve been to Chi town , probably in places more like East L.A. lol. “ stuff “ is everywhere , in our country … even in the guard shack , gated enclaves many of the wealthy here live in. lol Perps climb over the walls a lot , or hang around right outside the gates. The giant metros like S.F. have the worse problems.
The best part is now for four years we've been only 20 minutes away from grandkids. Stay over's, visits, been great. Grand daughter is 9, grandson is 7.
Family is our foundation for most everything. Those old clichés , blood is thicker than water ..etc…for example , ring true for family men. Those kids at the fun age as well. I hear you buddy.
oh …. Btw .. when I said Randy and I are coming over there , I just realized you said “ Minneapolis “ !!!’ It gets cold and snows there in the winter doesn’t it ? 😂😂😁😂. Snow is fun to visit but then I want to drive back down the mountain to my banana / sago palm jungle and sit in my chase lounge in the shade and sip my mojito rotflol. Dang …. Lol
Ha, ha, lol. Yea when the talk around me finally came to me I said: that's the wrong direction, lol.
Brother our seasons or our joy of the seasons is reversed. I'm a curled up fetus under the blankets in the winter don't want to touch the outdoors lol. Summertime I'm out there! lol.
But sure its cozy when a storm is coming as long as the electricity stays on. Hunker down with food and munchies and feel so safe and comfy in the shelter of the house.
Yea I like seasons too …. especially now that , in my old age, I’m affluent enough to buy the toys and gear that make snow play more fun / comfortable. Even living here in Central California I still have affordable military surplus style sub-zero gear and snow shoes and poles. Mickey Mouse boots with the air valve, wolf fur long parkas ( with all the zip-in linings ) , Mickey Mouse long gloves that you put your thermal gloves into. The thermal jacket under the long coat . The hammer has never lived in really cold climates, she chills to the bone without the gear. With this gear on, you can just lie down in the snow and have a comfy nap. Like everything else in California , we have SNOW just 45 minutes from my house. Brother Randy lives up in the altitude a bit in a unique south High Sierras confluence and actually gets snow a couple times a year he has to shovel. If that happened here in AG land , farmers would faint in the fields ( we supply 82% of winter produce for the entire USA ) and little kids would run crying in the streets lol. Up until I was 12 years , I lived in the HARSH winter lands of central Indiana, I KNOW what snow in ragged summer clothes feels like. Rotflol.
The picture here of Kings Canyon is 45 miles up the mountain from my house. 35 miles the opposite direction is this “ wave park “ … where after you made snowmen in the Sierras, you can drop back down, freshen up at home, grab your trunks / wet suit and boogie board and drive over to the wave park to surf til supper time. No need to drive all the way over the coast . In the winter , this park is frequented by world famous surfers and is situated in s.w. wine country . The restaurant there is two stars quality and you can sip a delicious California wine while relaxing up in the cabanas. Rotflol. 😂😂😂😂. It’s rough here my brother, the arduous tasks of trying to decide your winter day’s activities. All those wine country estate tasting houses on the roads in every direction are a distraction as well.😂😂😂. Just say’in
Yup, live in the back of dental office. Back door to the parking lot and front onto the street. No nearby greenery, but getting out to hike gets me QoL scenery
Nothing wrong with being a humble man my brother. People in my Soto Z. circles , including / especially myself, would deeply admire someone such as yourself.
wow, been savoring your video and pictures. A lot to take in. The ancient ambience thick as peanut butter. That picture of the delicious looking muscles , fresh on the rocks …then a heaping plate of razor clams . You carrying fresh garlic in your gear bag ? lol I love to eat fresh Gilroy ( Fresno actually ) garlic myself .
Well buddy congratulations on your monumental trek , a seriously serious accomplishment. Very impressive.
Mahalo Bruddah Kal, that was a total coincidence, I was able to go down to the shore and touch the Atlantic ocean from the other side and look at the rocks. Had lunch with that couple and ordered razor clams, pork, sausages, and croquettes. I saved the garlic when I made mussel linguine in the apartment that finally had a fully stocked kitchen. Forgot that I had it, now it's here in CA
It was such a wonderful and grueling trip, a patient said that I need to take a vaykay after this trek
You know me well Bruddah Kal, kinda Type A, maybe AAA. Had to sit a bunch on the 11 hr plane, but did get up to stretch and do toe raises to help blood flow back up and not throw a blood clot😁
Mahalo nui loa GB, there are ice cream shops in the bigger cities, but I only got pre made old school Drumstick like ones. On hot sweaty days, a beer and ice cream made my days. Since I'm back in Cali now, will make a Handels run maybe this weekend.
Amazed that you remember "End of the World". It hit # 1 when I was 13 and you 're about 8 years younger than me. (I hated it then but love it now.) You're a real music lover.
Mahalo nui loa G, Yes what a journey it was and still basking in the glow of it. Had pts in asking about it and some even brought up specific pix or vids😁Now I get to relive it as I tell the saga
A longtime patient was in and she hugged me teary eyed and said how glad she was that I was back, but happy that I did it
What an amazing journey you must have had. My wife and daughter did the Camino several years ago , when I was in not in position to join-somebody has to watch the cats LOL. Their stories and pictures and experiences were life altering.
Your pictures are amazing I can't wait to hear more of your experience.
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