This month I’ve managed to make it to my 65th birthday and am fully enrolled in Medicare. Woo-hoo!
Normally, I don’t let age get to me too much, but turning 65 hit me a little harder than most milestone birthdays. I guess it’s the idea of being a true “senior citizen now.
To celebrate, I splurged on a prime rib, baked potato, asparagus, and a glass of Pinot Noir, not at a local San Diego restaurant, but at the Last Kind Words Saloon in Death Valley National Park. Yep. Silly me did another road trip. January is definitely one of the better months to visit Death Valley.
This trip showed that I’m not as spry as I was before this summer’s radiation and hormone therapies. I found myself walking at a slower pace and with a bit less stamina/endurance. However, I’ll argue that walking 2.5 miles / 2.4 km through loose sand dunes will take a toll regardless of your fitness level. My legs were sore for days.
I know that I need to be more aware of this and become more active to at least maintain, if not improve my fitness level. (Yes, not consuming prime rib and baked potatoes will help, too. To my credit, I can’t recall the last time I had either.)
My next PSA test will be in March, so we’ll see if there’s any movement one way or the other off of my November 2022 reading of 0.05 ng/mL.
That’s it for this update. Be well in 2023!
Here are a few scenes from Death Valley:
Header image: Death Valley National Park, California
Dan's Journey through Prostate Cancer 
Welcome to the club Dan! I turned 65 in September. Glad you are feeling well enough for a road trip. You deserved that prime rib! I decided to start wintering down in FL, and I feel it was a great decision. I get outside a lot more than I did in Ohio in the winter. My post RARP PSA has been < 0.05 the last 2 times, so things are looking good there. Thanks again for this blog. It has really helped me on my own journey.
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Congratulations!
That’ll be the “Last Kind Words Saloon” at The Oasis.
I looked it up but the “Last Chance” seems to be in northern England, strangely!
I’m heading toward 75 myself. Hope you make it this far without too great an ordeal.
Hugs from the UK West Midlands.
👍
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Thanks, Al! Yeah, I caught the name error shortly after the post went live, and made the correction. Silly me. It was a decent meal for a hotel restaurant in the middle of the desert.
All the best,
Dan
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Happy Birthday, Dan! And congratulations on your enrollment in Medicare. It’s been good to me, so far.
Your Death Valley supper looks delicious.
Cheers,
Dave
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Happy 65th Birthday Dan. Good to see that you marked this significant event with food and drink you like and a visit to a place you love. Great photos too.
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Happy 65th Birthday Dan! Glad you got to celebrate your Birthday with a great place to visit and good food. Be well! Ron and Louise from NY – MSK patient
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