I’m actually writing this post at the end of August and am scheduling it for an 11 September publication date because, as you’re reading this, I’m returning from my first trip to Yellowstone National Park. That, or a grizzly bear dragged my carcass off into the woods for a late evening snack, and this will be the last post you see from me. 🤣 With luck, you’ll be reading about my trip on my other blog, Travelin’ Dan in a few days.
On a more serious note, I had been planning this trip since March, but the timing could not have been more perfect. I really needed the break from some of the challenges at work plus, I view this as the calm before the prostate cancer storm. It would be good to go into that with a rested body and more relaxed mind.
The prostate cancer storm being, of course, being able to get the 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET scan scheduled, seeing the results, and then planning a course of action based on those results.
So that’s it for this relatively short post. I hope I had a great trip and I wished you were there!
Be well!
Dan's Journey through Prostate Cancer 
Hope you had a safe and enjoyable trip, Dan. Now it’s time to set your sights on the next thing to look forward to that doesn’t enjoying animals and your carcass 😀
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Hi Luigi,
I’m on the last leg of my journey home tomorrow, so no bears, bison, or other critters got the better of me. A few stupid drivers on the other hand… 🤬
Next on my bucket list: To head to your beautiful country as soon as New Zealand lets vaccinated, masked, and cautious travelers in. Sadly, I suspect that won’t be anytime soon, but I can understand why.
Stay well!
Dan
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Hi Dan, hope you had an enjoyable visit. Yellowstone is on my wish list too 🙂
Stupid drivers are in every country lol.
Yes, it will be a long time before tourists get to come to New Zealand. There are probably 100,000 or more Kiwis still keen to come home. We just had the news in Auckland that we continue to be locked down in ‘Level 4’ for at least another week. I suspect it will be longer than that, but we remain one of the safest countries in the world when it comes to COVID19.
To give it a bit of relevance to you and I. Since Covid first arrived on our shores, there have been more cases of prostate cancer diagnosed, than positive cases of COVID19. Our restrictions have resulted in us being one of the safest countries in the world.
It will also be a long time before we get the opportunity to travel again, but at the price of being safe, I’m quite happy being stuck here. When we get out of lockdown, there are still a few amazing places I haven’t been yet. Fiordland is one of natures wonders. I also want to go for a ride on an inflatable boat on a glacial lake on Mt Cook. After that I have pretty much been everywhere in this country, but there are plenty of places I would like to go again, especially Franz Joseph Glacier, which is absolutely amazing.
Come on down, when you can. It would be great to meet you in person.
All the best
Luigi
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Hi Luigi,
I envy what NZ has done with COVID. I’m sure it’s been a challenge and that there’s been some pushback, but the proof is in the pudding. In Utah, I went into one store with several hundred people, and I was the only person wearing a mask. It’s nuts how so many don’t take this as seriously as they should, and wearing a mask is a minor inconvenience, not a tyrannical denial of personal liberty. Ugh.
I’ve met a few of my blog’s reader’s in person over the years, so I’d be happy to stop by when I get the opportunity to visit.
All the best,
Dan
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Hello Dan, I have been following your trip thru hell for awhile now (starting with your first post) until tonight when I have caught up with you and I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all that you are doing by these post and how much I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I say that not meaning it’s enjoyable to see what your going through but also knowing there are also other people with the same fears and unknowns. I was diag. on 10/6/2020 after Turp surgery for BPH issues with Gleason 6, 3+3 and put on AS until my next visit Jan. 2021 when I had yet another biopsy (total thru the years of maybe 6) with a new reading of Gl. 7, 4+3 and was put on ADT with 39 treatments EBR. I have two more months of Lupron and will be so glad to finish!. Finished the radiation on July 2nd. and did very well, no side effects YET, The treatments were really a breeze as I live 15min from the hospital in Houston that was treating me. I got there and usually took me right away and 15-20 min, later I was on the freeway going home, I am reading your post to see what and how you get through your current situation as I may have to go again myself someday. My PSA as of July 27 was “<0.1 ng/ml" so I do feel good about that for now. I am also very lucky to have my husband of 53yrs at my side to help me get through this and I wish you had someone (actually maybe you do and just don't comment on that part of your life which is ok).I am looking forward to reading more and please keep up the positive attitude! Thanks, Charles
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Hi Charles,
Thanks for your kind words about the blog, and sorry that you’re having to read it. 🙂 Glad to hear that your radiation went well and had minimal side effects so far. Let’s hope it stays that way.
All the best,
Dan
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