Movember

Yesterday was November 1^st. Why is that significant? Because November is Prostate Cancer awareness month, also known as Movember.

Movember is when some men, stop shaving. They begin the month clean-shaven, and at the end of the month proudly bear bristly beards and mustaches in all their glory in a show of solidarity for Prostate Cancer awareness and fundraising. How is Movember significant to Neil and Deidre's journey? Because PSP is not the only battle Neil's fighting.

From Deidre…

             Neil was also diagnosed in 2006 with prostate cancer. He had surgery; it did not work, resulting in 33 radiation treatments in 2009 that also did not work. His PSA levels rose—an indicator of the cancer returning—and he started hormone treatment in 2012, finished HT treatment in June of 2013. We have for now stopped all treatments for everything, and are going to try to go about the business of living. ONE DAY AT A TIME.

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So if you're a man, consider signing up for Movember and putting away the razor for the next twenty-eight days. If you're a woman, you can help by encouraging the men in your life who are forty-five or older to book—if they have not already done so—an appointment for a prostate exam and, go. Men with a family history of prostate cancer should have their first exam at age forty. Found early, prostate cancer is often beaten. Left too late…



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Prostate-cancer related death in Canadian men is second only to lung cancer deaths.


Diet plays a role in prevention. As does stress management and regular, brisk exercise. Annual checkups ensure early detection if preventive living is not enough.

To learn more about Prostate Cancer, visit the Prostate Cancer BC site. To learn more about Movember, click here. To learn more about Neil's other nemesis, PSP, check here. And if you're of a mind, consider skipping fast-food and alcohol for a week and donating what you would have spent on either, or both, to either or both causes, because Neil, and men like him deserve a cure.

Deborah

Every area of trouble gives out a ray of hope, and the one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is certain or unchangeable. ~John F. Kennedy

Postscript by author: For those of you not aware, I am Neil and Deidre's niece. Deidre and I lost a special man—her father, my grandfather—to prostate cancer in 1995. Eighteen years later, with the intervening medical improvements in detection and treatment, my father-in-law is currently "cancer-free" four years after having his cancerous prostate removed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Hell Of A Ride

On October 25th, 2013, Deidre put a request out on Facebook to friends and family regarding her and Neil's search for a motor home...

            "We are looking for used Cheap but good Class C motor home Max 30 ft for a Bucket list trip, Please put the word out please.  Thanks family and friends"

One day later, on October 26^th—before anyone else had time to react—she announced:

             "We are proud owner of a 2000 31' motor home, Now let the fun begin .Don't know where we are going but its going to be hell of a ride, as my dad said before he died..."

That's her. That's Deidre. When she decides she's doing something, she does it. After four years of researching doctors to help diagnose Neil's symptoms, tracking—and pinning—down specialists for answers, scouring the Internet for information and resources, and literally fighting her way through a maze of bewildering doctor-ese under an emotional cloud of confusion, anxiety, and fear, in less than 24 hours she cut right through the haze of ambiguity surrounding her and Neil's future together to the heart of the matter in her reply to a family member who expressed surprise at her announcement:

             "Don't scare me…Time to start living...…"

 And so their former son-in-law is off to vet the motor home, and should it pass inspection, bring it home for them. Neil's first request with regard to the trip; to ensure the motor home was well-stocked with Tomato juice…

            "Well we have started our plans. The motor home will be picked up this week. It will be put through the mill to make sure she is road worthy. Will have to give her a fitting name. Neil's first request is that I pack Heinz tomato juice. I told him we don't want a I Love Lucy trip where she picks up rocks ( boulders) and packs more than old motor home can handle. Had a good laugh."

And so, after they pack up their current home and hand it over to a Realtor to sell, they will move into their new home,

and set out on one hell of a ride.

Deborah

You will never "find" time for anything. If you want time you must make it. ~Charles Buxton