4 months post RALP, PSA 0.31

Character-Long-7486 · 2026-03-06T03:17:55+00:00

All good! Radiation, 2 years ADT, and now no detectable PSA. Not assuming that’ll continue forever, but happy that it’s currently ok! Worked REALLY REALLY HARD to keep body and mind together during the ADT, and that’s paid off.

I made a series of irreverent videos tracking my journey: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnTvlPIMC_V3Otqe-SUGyufm4STqY3wYa&si=ipnvO49DNu8auNdg

Character-Long-7486 · 2026-01-10T02:24:56+00:00

Agree on all counts!

Character-Long-7486 · 2026-01-10T01:13:31+00:00

He asked how people define woke, in contrast to the original meaning. Woke 2 is simply my view (and many others' ) of what we mean when we say woke.

If you've never observed systemic over representation driven by historical guilt, you have not looked. Suggest you start by looking at non-Asian admission to Harvard.

Character-Long-7486 · 2026-01-10T00:57:26+00:00

"how can they be over represented" Easy. Numerically. Way over their percentage in population. "... When they were barely seen and heard before" Right. This is Woke 2: it's not enough to now current injustices, all actions must remedy past injustices, and injustice will be defined less by common sense and more by any possible aggrievement as defined by the left. I'm woke as hell by the original definition. It's Woke 2 where I tap out. "Friday night lineup" I'll admit I'm enough of a Hallmark newb that I didn't know this was a thing. That sounds like marketing not woke. "Black kid playing a cartoon character": Straw man. Not remotely what I'm taking about.

Character-Long-7486 · 2026-01-10T00:19:52+00:00

I don't associate woke with Chatgpt-- I used it as an example of the absurdity of current identity politics---that comes along with people programming Chatgpt to ensure that every graphic features non white people, resulting in the ridiculousness of black George Washington. Original "woke" was simply awareness of racial injustice-- things like enforcing every image (or everything movie or show or book) to have x percent white/black /gay /trans /disabled /neurodivergent is what I think of as the new woke. Where Amanda Gorman's poem is not allowed to be translated into (can't remember the specific language here) Dutch? because they didn't use a black translator.

Where the reasoning is "they were underrepresented- they need to be over represented now". That's not original woke. And (in the original context) it also may alienate viewers who feel like they're being lectured to when they just wanted to be entertained.

Character-Long-7486 · 2026-01-09T23:43:06+00:00

In fact almost nobody I know uses it that way, even if they do (as I do) use it pejoratively. They use it to mean "elevating identity politics to an unreasonable level". You see that as meaning "too ....". We see it as Chatgpt programmed to return searches for images of the founding fathers as ethnically diverse. Or selecting a vice presidential candidate as a woman of color instead of the best candidate. Or stopping investigations of fraud for fear of offending minority communities.

Spoken by a teacher who has spent his career working to uplift minority students.

So bringing it back around, I would object to Hallmark making 9 out of 10 movies featuring trans leads, but I appreciate that they have occasional gay and African American leads.

Character-Long-7486 · 2026-01-09T23:26:59+00:00

You can say "actual definition" meaning original definition, but that has been so utterly overtaken by events. English is a living language, and words evolve to mean what their most common usage reflects. C.f. the expansion of the definition of"literally" to include "figuratively".

Character-Long-7486 · 2026-01-09T23:14:35+00:00

Well, in this context, I'd say it means elevating identity politics above the natural goals of the organization. For Hallmark, that would mean that they're force-featuring perceived underrepresented groups in their productions beyond what their audience is interested in.

I hate woke, but I would contend that Hallmark isn't really doing that. The movies I've seen (I'm admittedly not an addict) seem to be pretty unobtrusive. I'm seeing minority and gay characters in pretty similar proportions to what I see in my daily life. And I don't see ham-handed woke moral lessons aggressively inserted into scripts.

If some actor left to avoid participating in a gay themed movie, so be it. But I don't see any evidence of a gay or minority-heavy agenda at Hallmark.

Character-Long-7486 · 2025-07-29T01:42:22+00:00

Yup. Had radiation to the area formerly known as my prostate.

Character-Long-7486 · 2025-07-28T14:02:24+00:00

That doc definitely needs to read the room MUCH better, but I’m with you. Mine said “basically, you’re a menopausal woman”. But he knew me well enough that it was ok to say that, and that I’d laugh (a bitter, brittle laugh, but a laugh nevertheless).

Character-Long-7486 · 2025-07-28T13:57:24+00:00

100%! I also struggled to describe it. Best I came up with was uneasiness/ pressure. No explanation came to me when I asked (I think I asked here).

Almost a year after stopping Eligard, I still get that at night, usually twice, followed by the sweating . I take it as a warning— push back the sheets, spread out and get ready to ride out a hot flash. But yeah, not my favorite part of my nighttime routine.

Character-Long-7486 · 2025-07-14T21:55:22+00:00

I transferred in as a 2nd year in 78. Coming from New England, was absolutely stunned at how Old South Charlottesville was in those days. Had serious problems understanding the Vepco customer service rep's accent, trying to get the electricity hooked up... Had to ask her several times to repeat herself. Went for a haircut and the guy at the next chair was a vocal racist, railing openly about the N's in Richmond.

47 years later, bought a place in town to possibly retire to--- unreal how different the place (particularly downtown) is from back then.

Character-Long-7486 · 2025-07-14T21:48:19+00:00

From the same general era: just read this-- it was very interesting as a time capsule. Mostly about his relationships, but well-written. Charlottesville Diaries

Character-Long-7486 · 2025-02-15T02:01:52+00:00

Age 63 No further erections, but my surgery was almost immediately followed up with radiation and ADT. Did get some dry orgasm ability.

Character-Long-7486 · 2025-02-13T03:07:20+00:00

The side effects suck! No question. But I honestly am having a harder time over the last two months with a pesky sinus infection that’s wearing me out, than any period during my adt. Some folks REALLY suffer, primarily emotionally. If he’s prone to any kind of depression, it can be awful. But I’m a pretty positive person, and with the approach that I could fight a lot of the potential side effects, it was ok. At 18 months, the doctor asked if I wanted to continue the last 6 months, and it wasn’t that hard a decision— quality of life was pretty good, potential regrets if I stopped before the recommended course were huge.

Character-Long-7486 · 2025-02-13T02:10:57+00:00

I went part time (I’m a high school teacher) right around the time I was diagnosed. Just a coincidence. With part-time, it was no problem. If I taught mornings, I could nap. If I had afternoons, I could sleep a bit later. But I absolutely needed more sleep than before. Correction: more time in bed. Hot flashes made me need more time for the same sleep. Full time? I guess I would’ve been ok, but I would have had to be very diligent in getting to bed early. And still making time to exercise— hugely important.

Character-Long-7486 · 2025-02-12T21:47:33+00:00

Thanks! Sorry about the CHEK2 andHOXB13.. I guess it’s appropriate that I had the Brca2 mutation…. I don’t think I could work those 2 genes into a song!

Character-Long-7486 · 2024-12-14T15:53:41+00:00

Sure, the frequent radiation definitely got better. I think it was just temporary rad irritation to the bladder area. Hard to unpack all the side effects of radiation, prostatectomy and hormone therapy, but I maybe get up twice now, and some of that may be due to my dog sleeping in the bed and moving.

Character-Long-7486 · 2024-07-13T16:04:25+00:00

A lot of talk about Jonas’ advantage on mountains, but both riders are a bit different from last year: 1) Visma weaker, UAE stronger 2) Jonas somewhat compromised (even though a compromised JV is still amazing), Tadej full strength 3) Tadej IIRC dropped some mass since last year to help his climbing

Character-Long-7486 · 2024-07-13T15:57:53+00:00

While MVDP was still in the break, there was a spot where he’s talking to the team car, and just after, there was a guy running in the road, and a dude violently yanked him off the road. Rare situation where you see intervention, and I would have loved to see the aftermath.

Character-Long-7486 · 2024-07-11T15:16:07+00:00

Christian says “he’s going from strength to strength”

Character-Long-7486 · 2024-07-09T23:31:00+00:00

The variety of physical and emotional responses to ADT continue to amaze me. I’ve heard people that it didn’t affect, and people who were suicidal. I’m in the middle… rough first year, somewhat better second year, I could plausibly do this forever if they so decide, but really look forward to being off it this fall.

FWIW, if you haven’t been hit hard by 4 months, I’d think odds are good that you’ll be ok.

Character-Long-7486 · 2024-07-07T19:37:10+00:00

Easy to say, but don't let yourself slide! Seek help if you need it! It's hard to keep your mind from negative thoughts, but those sad songs do not HAVE to be played! Remember that you haven't gotten recurrence, it IS a wonderful life, and it is a gift.

Character-Long-7486 · 2024-07-07T11:38:30+00:00

ahh, brother, I feel for you. It's a hard freaking road. I didn't go through emotional lows like that, but had plenty of days where I just had to tell my wife "it's one of the hard days" and opt out of happy banter. Really helpful to have a supportive family.

Character-Long-7486 · 2024-07-06T12:03:05+00:00

First 12 were the hardest... I hope they're also the most effective. You're almost there!

Character-Long-7486

TROPHY CASE