Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy!

It seems difficult to believe that we are nearing the mid-August mark.  I realize that it's been a long time since I updated this prostate cancer blog, but I consider that a good thing!  Not much news here.  However, I'll share what I have.
Today I had blood work and urinalysis done.  The blood work is just PSA and the urine I'm not sure about.  I'll ask when I go for my appointment with Dr. Dwyer next week.  My last check with him was at the end of May and the results were just what we want- PSA undetectable.  So I'm feeling very fortunate.
I'm also doing fine on the day to day- feel well and energetic.  It is now just past eight months since my surgery.  I have had no health problems that I'm aware of.  My continence issue is nearly 95% corrected.  I still wear a pad, but one does me for a whole day, even days when I go to the Y or walk with our walking group.  I try to do four miles on the treadmill three days a week, and about two miles outdoors two of the other days. 
Barb and I had a great month of July.  We moved to a rented cottage in Pointe du Chene, near Shediac, for four weeks and it was a delight.  The weather was exceptional and we had lots of family and friends around.  We go back for one more week at the end of September.
On April 30, my 68th birthday, we were part of a delegation from our support group who attended the Wake Up Call breakfast at the Delta Beauséjour.  We had a table with information and were able to talk to some of the others who attended.  This was the first time that this national fundraising effort took place in Moncton and everyone was pleased with the results.  It is a fundraiser for the Network.
The Greater Moncton Support Group met until June and then we took July and August off.  Our next meeting will be September 5 at the YMCA in Moncton at 7 pm, but notices about that will go out and be posted about two weeks ahead.
In June I spent two days in Toronto as the lay delegate to the PCCN Pilot Grant Panel.  I sat with about 20 scientists and we reviewed applications for research grants.  It was interesting, but I was quick to admit the science was way over my head. 
On Father's Day, June 17, about twenty of us met at Rotary Lodge in Centennial Park for a picnic lunch and then a virtual walk to support prostate cancer awareness.  It was virtual because the official New Brunswick walk was in Fredericton.  However, I had collected pledges to the tune of $2285, so half that amount will eventually reach our support group to help us with our costs.  The Prostate Cancer Canada Network has been very helpful in our efforts to establish the local group.  Carol Murray was able to stop in that day on her way from Fredericton to Halifax and she brought greetings from the Atlantic office.

Barb and I are registered to attend the Prostate Cancer Research Institute (www.pcri.org) conference in Los Angeles from September 8 - 10.  We were there last year and found the experience positive and informative.  So we are game to give it another try.  We go at our own expense, but flying on points helps and the cost for accommodation and meals is reasonable.  The sessions look interesting and I'll try to do an update here when we get back.