TheSkySearchers

On a short biz trip. Almost flipped out when my wife pointed out that my favorite (and the only location that I know of) Taco John’s was closed as we drove by. Never fear - they just moved down the road a mile or so.

StarBru wrote: ↑Thu Jan 25, 2024 6:18 pm I learned last August through a biopsy that I have aggressive prostate cancer and besides getting a Pet Scan and an MRI, I have been taking very expensive pills that halt the growth of the cancer, and thankfully my health insurance is paying for the pills. I did not have any pain or other symptoms.

I found out I had prostate cancer about a year before you did (late '22). Like you had I no symptoms whatsoever. I had been getting my PSA checked yearly since my 40s and it showed enough of an uptick to be sent to a specialist. Initially they thought it had spread to my bones but after many tests it was decided that it had not. Anyway, opted for surgery which I had about a year back and so far so good. Some odd side effects but they seem to be working themselves out.
Best of luck with it. Treatments have come a long way and often it can be stopped or held at bay. I've a friend who was first diagnosed about 20 years back and is still going strong although a bit crankier due to the meds

All the best going forward!

StarBru wrote: ↑Thu Jan 25, 2024 6:18 pm I learned last August through a biopsy that I have aggressive prostate cancer and besides getting a Pet Scan and an MRI, I have been taking very expensive pills that halt the growth of the cancer, and thankfully my health insurance is paying for the pills. I did not have any pain or other symptoms.

The pills have lots of side effects, mostly what I call Man-o-pause! They make me very tired but still able to work full-time. Unfortunately my observing has suffered and rarely have I been able to look through the telescope. That has been very frustrating!

Still waiting for radiation treatments to be scheduled and approved by insurance, and hopefully that will do it and I can beat this thing. I have a very positive outlook that I can be cured!

Sorry to hear that.

My diagnosis was March 22. Scans showed stage 3, spread to the seminal vesicles so too late for surgery but no other metastasis. I started a course of 40 daily radiotherapy sessions in October. My PSA has now reduced to 0.06. The hormone deprivation medication still gives me the man-o-pause symptoms and makes me ratty at times! But I designed my roll off roof observatory while I was off sick from work and then built it after I got over the radiotherapy.

When you get through this stage of the process things will improve and you might well have a new perspective on the priorities of life. Prostate Cancer doesn't kill people, catching it before it spreads is the key. Now I'm retired and life is Good!

Good luck.

Graeme

Biz trip to Iowa City last week, I should move there. Fewer people, lower cost of living, less traffic, drivers seem polite, easier to get to dark sites, excellent medical care at UI Hospitals, and Taco John's!

pakarinen wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:33 pm Biz trip to Iowa City last week, I should move there. Fewer people, lower cost of living, less traffic, drivers seem polite, easier to get to dark sites, excellent medical care at UI Hospitals, and Taco John's!

Have you put your house on the market?

Graeme

My Ex Boss retired last week and he had a party on a boat.

Graeme1858 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:00 pm Have you put your house on the market?

.
No, but that day might arrive sooner rather than later. Property taxes are crazy high here and my HOA assessment keeps going up with no apparent benefits.

I have a couple more years funding from the grant I'm currently on, but when that ends...

I'm going to see a folk concert with my best friends tomorrow and share a nice meal out.

Sold my SkyWatcher AZ5 mount. It performed well, but I wasn't using it and I wanted to declutter. I should probably sell a couple pair of binos now.

It has been a poor year for ski hills here. Was touch and go until they got a good dump about two weeks back. I've managed to get out a few times. No better place to be, even if you do get iced

Good you got to enjoy the snow!
The village where I live now is surrounded by skiing areas.
There is about 30 within 5-45 minutes of driving.

I'm jealous! Only two that I know of on the island here. This was at Mt Washington and it is about an hour from front door to lift. I used to get out a lot more but missed last year due to surgery and this year it has been fairly thin snow until the last few weeks. Always next season to get ready for

Hopefully you have good snow for 24/25!

Jasná is a popular location here and I enjoy all of the cross country trails they have as well.

I saw some white stuff on the ground once when we went for a holiday to Tasmania. The stuff was cold, and some of the locals said it was "snow". They said it falls out of the sky, but I didn't see that happening so I am not so sure...

@DeanD
Is this one of yours?
https://www.hlavnydennik.sk/2024/02/18/ ... celebritou
It seems to be doing well in the snow.

Took a seven mile bike ride yesterday afternoon. Terrain was pretty flat, but those muscles haven't been used all winter and I'm feeling it today.

pakarinen wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:50 am Took a seven mile bike ride yesterday afternoon. Terrain was pretty flat, but those muscles haven't been used all winter and I'm feeling it today.

Haven't got the bike out yet, but have been walking with some jogging through the winter.

A good friend of mine (62F) wants to take our bikes on a 20 mile trip on a level trail that was a railroad bed.
But don't know if I'm up to TWENTY miles lol

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2024 9:56 am @DeanD
Is this one of yours?
https://www.hlavnydennik.sk/2024/02/18/ ... celebritou
It seems to be doing well in the snow.

It isn't one of our "locals": but there are snowfields in the highlands of Victoria and southern NSW where they thrive.

Ylem wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:24 pm

pakarinen wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:50 am Took a seven mile bike ride yesterday afternoon. Terrain was pretty flat, but those muscles haven't been used all winter and I'm feeling it today.

Haven't got the bike out yet, but have been walking with some jogging through the winter.

A good friend of mine (62F) wants to take our bikes on a 20 mile trip on a level trail that was a railroad bed.
But don't know if I'm up to TWENTY miles lol

... especially if they haven't removed all the old sleepers!