Category: Notes to Readers

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Prostate Cancer Update

It’s important that I give you, my friends, an update. You may recall that I have prostate cancer. I have not said much about that for about four years. Initially, the C-word gave me an emotional roller coaster ride, but I have come to terms with that. It’s just a little cancer. It’s confined, and it’s treatable.

In the beginning, five doctors told me this low-grade cancer would not kill me. I will die of something else. That sounds comforting. Dealing with the c-word was the hard part; it never leaves the back of your mind.

My treatment plan—for four years—has been active surveillance. It’s kind of like the CIA or FBI keeping an eye on you. PSA blood work and six-month visits with my docs seemed to show things stable. I’ve had four MRIs and three biopsies. The last one, in February, was the last straw. My health care team at the VA sent the samples to Cleveland Clinic and the diagnosis came back as progressive. Time for intervention.

My doc called and said, “Active surveillance is no longer viable. Neither are some of the other treatments we have discussed. So, what do you want to do: surgery or radiation?”

I wanted to share this with you, because as scary as the C-word is, prostate cancer is very treatable, especially when caught early. I had hoped that at age 74, I could live the rest of my life without having to treat this cancer, but that is not to be. So, in order to have a longer life, it’s time to take care of it. Surgery is scheduled for May 14.

Just to show you my optimism, I have a new motorcycle on order. It is a new model and has been on order since last November. It is probably going to arrive in July, just in time for the doc to release me for riding, and I plan to keep riding for a very long time.

2025 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport in Grigio Lario color.

See you on the highway.
Brent

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Praying for Rain

For some time, our weather people have been telling us we are in a drought. An extreme drought. It is hard to believe that our home in SW Ohio, along the Ohio River  Valley, is experiencing drought.

But, my dry yard and browning grass, and the low Little Miami River nearby do not lie. It is dry. We need rain.

The Little Miami River access at the South Lebanon ramp is the lowest I have ever seen. Typically, one would see canoes and kayaks gliding down the river. Not today.

Pray for rain.

See you on the highway.

Brent

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A Quick Review of 2023

I apologize. I did not do a lot of posting here in 2023, but I plan to do more–a lot more–in 2024. This will be quick, but an important update near the end. So, let’s begin.

I motorcycled to two events last year. In June, I met up with friends at our Kentucky Backroads Campout at Lago Linda Hideaway in Beattysville, KY. We were fewer this year, but a mighty force. The roads in Eastern Kentucky are delightful. It is a motorcycling paradise. The second trip was to Wailin’ Wayne Weekend in Nelsonvile, OH, in September. I was camped out with 500 of my newest friends. I met up with old friends there, and made a few new ones. WWW is incredible for dual sport and adventure riding. Again, the roads in SE Ohio are fantastic. 

If I am headed south, the Augusta Ferry is one of my favorite ways to cross the Ohio River. I’m headed to Eastern Kentucky.

Gathered around the campfire at Lago Linda Hideaway where we solved all the problems of the world, and talked about motorcycling too.

Old friends at Wailin’Wayne Weekend, Tracy and Teresa.

And, I did a little fishing. 

Fishing with my go-to-rod, my Tenkara USA Hane’.

On another motorcycle adventure, one that was not mine but I was very involved, was when my friend Sam Manicom planned to stay at our home for two nights during his romp through the USA countryside. It ended up being six as his hydraulic clutch was busted, and needed repairs. Mike Fitterling was also here as the three of us planned to ride to the AMA Vintage Days. Mike went on solo, and I entertained Sam for four more days. 

Sam’s clutch went kaput just two miles from my home as we was departing … for the first time.

Lin and I did not travel much in 2023, but we did attend a Garrison Keillor show in Wabash, Indiana. We met up with two of her sisters and shared a Vrbo rental. It was quite nice. 

For Thanksgiving, we did our usual. Turkey on the Weber. 

Oh, I almost forgot. I bought another motorcycle, a 2023 Kawasaki KLR 650. This is my third KLR. I regretted moving along the last one, and when I was offered an inventory closeout deal, I bought it. As of this writing, I still have the two Moto Guzzis, the V85tt and V7iii. 

2023 Kawasaki KLR 650 along the Little Miami River, South Lebanon, OH.

And now, a health update. You may recall, I have prostate cancer. It’s low-grade, but it’s still there, a lesion about the size of a dime on my prostate. I have been poked and prodded, had four MRIs and two biopsies. Five doctors and one surgeon have told me this will not kill me. I will die of something else. My December MRI indicated no change in size, and I will be visiting my doc at the end of this month for a consultation.  My latest PSA was 4, the highest limit of normal. It has been lower for the past year or so. Our strategy is “Active Surveillance.” It’s like the CIA or FBI: keep an eye on it.

I have read up on prostate cancer, and looked at all the possible interventions. I don’t want the cure to be worse than the disease. Most men will get a prostate cancer and live with it. That’s what I am doing. The very hardest part of this was learning to overcome the emotional roller coaster of having the c-word. In that aspect, I have conquered the prostate cancer and for now I have been living with it for at least three years. So what did I do at age 73? I went out and bought another motorcycle. “F..k” cancer.

On another subject, I had had the most incredible year sharing life with my best friend, lover, companion, confidant, and wife: Lin. She’s the best. 

See you on the highway. 

Brent

 

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The Box of Old Photos

My wife and I were searching through our very unorganized boxes of photos recently, and at the bottom of one of those boxes was a shoebox of old Polaroid photos taken by me as a teenager. That Polaroid was my birthday present from Mom and Dad for my 13th birthday. I still have that camera. 

I thought I had lost these to time. They are photos of the horses, motorcycles and cars that I owned as a teenager. I see plenty of stories coming, walking down memory lane. Stay tuned.

See you on the highway.

Brent

 

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This is Personal, but for a Purpose

I started writing this piece a week ago. Should I or shouldn’t I? I decided to turn my story into one of encouragement for others.

Two and a half years ago, with my first-ever elevated PSA, my family physician said, “I think I feel something there. We should keep an eye on that.” That is the purpose of a prostate exam, to know if further examination is necessary. As an Army Vietnam Veteran, I decided to proceed through the Cincinnati VAMC for my health care. I am glad I did.

Cincinnati VAMC 1-31-2023

First, there were the exams and blood work which led to recommendations and an MRI which revealed a lesion on my prostate. A biopsy was ordered. The results of that was one cancerous sample. Five doctors agreed the best course of action was “keep an eye on it.” In medical terms and treatment, it’s called “Active Surveillance.” Sounds like something the CIA or FBI would do.

Six months later, another PSA and MRI showed no change. I began to think, “Well, this is good. Hope it stays this way.” Subsequent six-month follow ups and PSAs all looked good. Then, in the fall 2022, with a slightly elevated PSA, the doc said, “We should get an updated MRI.” That showed an increase in size of the lesion and another biopsy was ordered. That was last week and the results came two days ago.

The biopsied lesion went from one cancerous sample to four, but still considered low-grade prostate cancer. Active surveillance is still an option, but treatment is now in the conversation.

Even though I have been living with prostate cancer for two and a half years, this change has been an emotional roller coaster. I am so glad I have an understanding wife who is my biggest supporter. She is much more than that.

Why does the C-word scare us so? I cannot express how much I appreciate the doctors and nurses of my health care team at the VA. They have been excellent. Professional. Personable. I feel fortunate to have them.

It’s a little scary, but my doctors have told me this was caught early, and it’s not going to kill me. However, it’s still a roller coaster ride of emotions.

The Purpose for this Post

I could rattle off some of the stats about men and prostate cancer, but that info is available elsewhere. What I want to do is to encourage men to have that annual prostate exam. Begin with the PSA which is an indicator. And, ladies, encourage your man to get that exam. Early detection is the best defense for a longer and happy life.

Be well, my friends. I love you all.

See you on the highway.

Brent