And that’s exactly what happened.

As you will recall, I had the operation on  April 4 and was told a couple of days later that they felt they had got all the cancerous cells. At my 3 month checkup they told me my PSA level was “negligible”.  Yesterday I got the 6 month results and they are, once again, negligible. Nice word. Tough for me to spell, but feels good to say it.

Just an aside, if you look back at my posts from last fall. the words prostrate and cancer are both capitalized, but look at them now.

Now to the point of this post.

This is a “blue sky” story only because on a pretty regular basis, I have had my prostrate checked and because of that my doctors discovered the problem while it was still a small one, and because of that it was dealt with.

It’s kind of a combination of good luck and good management. And you can have them both working for you too. If you, like me, are getting a teeny bit older every day, then maybe you too have to start looking after yourself.

Think of a PSA test on your body like getting the oil changed on your car.

Just call it Preventive Maintenance.

Marilyn was gone to Edmonton to catch up with her mother and sisters and as of yesterday, she is now back. We are united again. She was only gone 4 or 5 days but the dogs and I certainly missed her..

Not that we had a lot of time: My schedule for the week was go to work for a few hours, come home and have a snooze. Over the course of the week I was able to crank the time at work up from 3 hours on Tuesday to 7 hours yesterday. And yesterday after the seven hours at work I even passed on the snooze. I did sleep well last night though.

Our life at this point is divided into two. In the winter we travel where ever we choose, and in the summer we are back here in southern Ontario and I am at Sicard RV selling the odd RV. I am extremely lucky I  love both halves of my life. It’s a great mix. In the winter I spend my time talking to RV’ers for fun. In the summer I spend my time talking to RV’ers for fun and profit.

For the next couple or three days though I get to enjoy everybody’s favorite part of working. I bet we all agree on this one, that’s called days off.

Generally though I’m feeling good, my strength and stamina are coming back, my plumbing is working a little better every day. I am certainly “on the mend”. In the short term I look forward to lots of long walks. The doctor tells me there better not be any runs or bike rides in my future for the next month or so. Somehow he knows my bike needs to go into the shop for a good tune up anyway. After that though, let the second childhood (or is this my third?) begin.

Good talking to you. Thanks for the read

My goal for today was to go back to work and work it til noon.

When  I left shortly after twelve noon I was tired, but boy did it ever feel good to get back at it. I’ll lengthen the day out a bit tomorrow and the rest of the week and see if I can put in close to a full day Saturday.

For those interested; in spite of the gas prices (aren’t they getting silly?) and the weather we are all enjoying, things look just fine up there at Sicard’s. Lot’s of sold signs, lot’s of new stuff coming in, lot’s going out. Looks like another just fine summer coming up.

Now, without breaking anything, I just need to get ready for it. Wish me luck

I haven’t been ignoring you, honest., at least not on purpose anyway.  I guess I’ll just get  the excuses out of the way so I can get back to the regular me.

I’m usually a pretty active guy but the last couple of weeks have been quite a struggle. I had it all figured out that because of the running and walking and climbing El Faro all winter,  I would come out of the hospital, recoop for a couple days and before the week was over I’d be power walking around 50 Point enjoying the fresh air, sun and flowers.

Somewhere the message got screwed up, somehow. Because there has been no sun and because the temperature isn’t usually much above freezing the flowers, smart little folks they are, are not yet appearing at a park near me. Actually, I’m not positve I can blame all this on the temperature, maybe the rain, snow, hail, sleet and wild winds played a part as well. Add to that, when they got my prostrate they also got my stamina.

Anyway, enough whining. Besides, I found a new Stamina and it’s starting to work pretty good.

Tomorrow I’m going to try back to work for a few hours (I’m looking forward to that) hoping I can add a little time each day until I get back to putting in a full day in a week or two.

Once again, thankyou all for the read. I’ll try to be a little more regular (I’m talking about posting on my blog here; the other regular is just fine thankyou)

I found a new one of those though, almost as good as the one I used to have.

In an office just down the hall from where in early October of last year we learned that I had prostrate cancer, yesterday, now mid April, we learned that all tests came back 100% fine. A-OK, Perfecto, Nada, Zero, Cerro! While they were at it they took back the staples in my belly and my little buddy, the catheter and bags. How do you spell relief?

Sadly though they could not do anything about my beer belly, Apparently that one is up to me to look after.

Strangely enough I had been totally focused for days about getting rid of the cather and staples and completely forgot that we were to get results of the tests they did looking for cancer while I was in the Hospital. For me, that news was 100% Bonus. And what a bonus it is!

Sadly though for the next little while I’ll only be buying 6 packs: The doctors say no heavy lifting  for at least a month. They also said no running for a while either. I was going to train for the Peach Bud 10K in Grimsby at the end of June, but now maybe not.

But I feel great, all systems seem to be coming along pretty good. It even feels like I’ll be out of the fancy pants I showed you a few days ago quicker than expected.

Marjorie commented in an email last night that the successful completion of my experince was a team effort. Right On Marjorie! And you are all members of that amazing team. I’m pretty convinced that with out all your thoughts, prayers and  words of encouragement it could have turned out quite differently.

Thankyou all.

Remember this: cancer can be Beaten!

How’s that old joke go? You know the one, the joke about the Golden Years. The punch line is something about body fluids. Now, all these many years later, I get it. I mean I really get it! Every time I look at my two newest fashion accessories I’m reminded of it. Every conversation with friends or neighbors suddenly involves plumbing and a discussion about at least part of the golden part.

I’m finding out all sorts of things about guys I’ve thought I’ve known well for years.

I’m looking forward to my appointment on Tuesday next when I move on to the other fashion accessories you see in the photo above.

Enough whining though, the reality is everyday I feel better, every day I walk further and every day I do more. I am on the mend. And I am absolutely blown away by all the visits, emails, phone calls, comments and kind thoughts that continue to pour in. I am loved! I thank you all for that.

When I was laying in my hospital bed on Monday evening I promised myself that if I was a good boy and looked after myself for the rest of the week, come the weekend I would get a beer.

I am writing this mid-day Friday. Can the weekend be far away?Yes Daniel; I’ll be thinking about you.

I’ve been good, honest.

Hey Guys: Have you had your PSA checked lately?

I’m now at home,  I’m grouchy as hell and uncomfortable from the staples and stitches in my body. Thanks to the catheter, for the next few days, I can  pee just like Buster. Not to worry though, we all know that Marilyn is doing a great job of looking after me.

Thankyou all for your thoughts and your prayers. I’ll be talking to you in a day or so.

Way back last October I got the news: I have Prostrate Cancer and am scheduled for surgery in early April 2011.

 In November we talked about running the Harry’s Spring Run-Off, an 8 km run for Prostrate Cancer, with our kids.

While I’ve regularily told you about all the fun we’ve been having down here this winter what I haven’t told you is that we have , 2 or 3 times a week, been for a 4 or 5 km run through the village, on the “highway”  or down the beach.  For sure we won’t be the first one across the finish line,  but we will finish the whole 8km.

So we are doing our part. Now here comes your part:

The purpose of this run is to raise money for prostrate cancer. I need you to sponsor us .

What ever you can spare, what ever makes sense. It will all add up.

We’ll run, we’ll sweat, our hearts will pound. You throw us a few pesos or dollars, what ever you can afford.

How do I help you ask?

First click on this LINK. Then sponsor a member of the amazing vanstones. What ever works, click here and do it.

You are sponsoring anyone on our team called  Amazing Vanstones. When you get to the donor page you  either search Amazing Vanstones and then pick your team meamber or. go directly to your favorite team member.

And while you are in the mood, guys, get your PSA checked. It’s really no big deal to get it done.

I was reading an article the other night about a study they had done looking at the effects of exercise on prostrate cancer. If you are a regular reader you will remember that I found out last October that I had been selected as one of the lucky ones (1 in 6 men get prostrate cancer) and I am scheduled for surgery next April.

Anyway, the article said that proper regular exercise makes a big difference in the long term health results related to prostrate cancer and numerous other illnesses. Please read about that here.

So when we were out on a run yesterday morning I realized that there are some other things I can do to improve my chances of full recovery.

You will notice in the picture above that the beer fridge is quite close to our outdoor furniture. That of course was done completely for convenience, but with my new insight into the value of exercise I now realize that every little bit of movement helps so from here on in I promise that when I want a beer I will no longer just reach over and grab one. From now on I will get out of my chair, walk all the way around the coach, and then and only then, will I open the fridge to fetch a cool one.

Hey fella: Have you had your PSA checked this year?

 This story starts about 3 weeks ago when our daughter Pam flys out from Toronto to Edmonton to visit us and family for a few days. Seems that while she is in 
town  she wants to buy a new pair of running shoes, to save the tax. Turns out  she is preparing to do a run with her soon to be husband Jamie, her brother Darren and his wife Sherry. The run they are all going to do is the Harry’s Spring Run Off.

Coincidentally, the run is on my birthday, April 2, its a  run  for Prostrate Cancer and it’s  2 days before I am scheduled for surgery for my very own prostrate cancer. Pretty much a grand slam right?

Now there’s something I can get excited about!  Going for a run, with my kids, and my wife,  for prostrate cancer, 2 days before I go for surgery for that same cancer. That’s all the motivation I need.  So now, for the last two weeks Marilyn and I have been out for a run at least 5 days out of 7.

It’s been a long time since we ran, so progress is slow, but there is progress. We have 4 months to go, we will be ready.

So this is where you come in: This is where we make it a real team effort: We are running as a team, we are calling the team amazingvanstones. Join us on the team if you want or start saving your pennies so when it’s time you can help us by making make a pledge. 

And if you’re a guy while you’re waiting, why not call your doctor and get your PSA checked. It only takes a minute