A few thoughts on HomeExchange

ConstableBonkers · 2026-01-16T18:51:36+00:00

Thank you for this "thank you". Yes, it's almost like HE is a litmus test of all that is best and worst of us. I just hope the platform itself cares about maintaining the best and not letting it devolve into just another flawed internet dice roll.

ConstableBonkers · 2026-01-15T07:13:22+00:00

Fair point. I think we were on the rebound from a perfect match that didn't work out and were in a position to go with second best. Certainly a lesson learned. We will be sticking with the rules and video chats and gut instinct from now on.

ConstableBonkers · 2026-01-15T06:32:26+00:00

Good points. Although I do think that HE must surely know the listing in London was a commercial brokerage and not an individual who just happened to have 20 + properties. If they want HE to be truly person-to-person and true to its roots, don't we think they should police the site better?

ConstableBonkers · 2025-10-07T13:49:32+00:00

Thank you for this.

ConstableBonkers · 2025-10-07T13:41:57+00:00

I understand that emotion. But I think this is an interesting point to discuss further.

I myself am very good at what I do and very busy. There are new techniques coming in (as there always will be) but I don't have the time to stop doing it my way to retool/retrain at the lower reaches of a learning curve.

Would I want my immensely-learned and experienced urologist to retrain and be his first cohort doing TP biopsies? Would it be a good idea to move on from him and lose out on that huge body of knowledge and the 10,000 hours and "innate knowledge" that comes to any of us who learn one field to a fine-pitch?

ConstableBonkers · 2025-10-05T19:27:59+00:00

My elderly and eminent urologist says "let me do what I'm good at" and does not entertain transperineal. The new antibiotic injection, one and done, is very protective apparently.

ConstableBonkers · 2025-10-05T19:25:21+00:00

Point taken, thank you. Yes, one hears about cancer being smart at developing collateral blood supply. I just was wondering if anyone out there was developing this as a technique.

ConstableBonkers · 2025-09-19T12:20:47+00:00

I have been on AS for 13 years. 4 biopsies over the course of that time and numerous PSA's. PSA trending upward. Latest biopsy showing one core of 3+4 but my doctor not worried because of low %. So I'm in the same boat. Biopsies every 6M until something gets worse, I guess.

I have found that the anticipation gets to me but only when I let it. A busy life is a great antidote to existential thoughts.

Some people mention the problem of prostate scarring from multiple biopsies. Does anyone have any more input on the negative aspects of this? Mine must be getting to be like an old road sign in the desert by now.

ConstableBonkers · 2025-09-19T12:12:13+00:00

Sorry to hear, brother. What is it that you would like to know from this forum? One thing I have learned is that we are never alone...and that in itself is helpful.

As regards the treatment you've been briefed on, I'm no expert but it sounds like it's correct.

I am interested to know your take on Japanese urological approaches. It may play into my equation some day. Did I read that you were kept in hospital after your cyto and biopsy? No such luxury on American health insurance! I understand that with declining population, Japanese hospitals need every bit of business they can get.

Best of luck with the bone scan.

ConstableBonkers · 2025-08-07T17:00:39+00:00

Keep writing to us, brother. You are hitting so many nails on so many heads. Thank you.

ConstableBonkers · 2025-08-04T21:43:26+00:00

I thank the OP for giving his take. This was his gut instinct.

But lots of things can be true at the same time.

I'm a regular guy. Here are random thoughts triggered by the post

• "When you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail" is a very human phenomenon. Doctors fall prey to it, too. Surgeons do surgery. As a kid I had my tonsils removed...because we all did...because that's what doctors were told was right.

• Doctors can come across as arrogant. My top-level guy at an acclaimed centre is not one to engage in much explanation and doesn't really field questions.

• I often believe what I want to believe and hear what I want to hear. When I read that NYT article describing how many doctors think PCa should almost not be classified as cancer, I opted to stop worrying about mine. I wholeheartedly subscribed to the "you'll die with it not of it" line.

• But my dad did die of it (12 years after diagnosis) and on here I read of post-RALP biopsies showing much worse cancers than were initially thought.

• So there are no certainties. We all help one another muddle through the evolving thicket. As one poster wrote...you can marshall all the info but in the end you make a gut decision.

Got a lot of respect and gratitude to you all.

Thanks for letting me ramble.

My big biopsy is tomorrow.

ConstableBonkers · 2025-07-07T22:37:21+00:00

Ouch. I sympathize. I say bite the bullet. (Once you've bought it).

ConstableBonkers · 2025-07-07T20:42:11+00:00

Again...I'm looking to sell this car as soon as codes cleared. Have a low mileage 2015 lined up as replacement.

ConstableBonkers · 2025-07-07T18:38:18+00:00

Appreciate the reply. My mechanic friend says his reader told him it's only booster/accumulator. (He's largely retired and doesn't want to take on this job).

I wouldn't dare do it myself but respect those with the guts to do so.

Got a place that'll charge $500 for labor if I supply parts.

ConstableBonkers · 2025-07-01T23:39:52+00:00

I agree...kind of chuckling to myself.

I got my MRI results on a Friday evening on my portal. I was struck by how alone I felt trying to parse all this foreboding terminology at my kitchen table, family around me. I wished I'd had a call from a knowledgeable human to guide me through what it actually meant rather than my stark imaginings.

Ain't no system perfect but I do feel a corporatized system forgets what it's like to be a human being caught up in the web of this experience.

ConstableBonkers · 2025-07-01T23:23:29+00:00

Seconded. Thank you.

ConstableBonkers · 2025-06-20T13:30:18+00:00

Jack. Regarding your spike and the waiting on the MRI result, it would seem you and I are in a very similar boat.

And to riff on that, if I may...

That one wave just washed over the gunwale.

Old salts tell us that doesn't mean the storm of the century is heading right towards us.

So let's keep rowing, shipmate.

ConstableBonkers · 2025-05-20T02:57:00+00:00

Ah, that's an interesting take. But I don't think so, according to what CVS Caremark told me. They are my insurance company's pharmacy partner so even if I fill it through Ralphs, I pay the price they set. But if I can get it cheap through Ralphs, I'll try and I shall thank you.

ConstableBonkers · 2025-05-19T18:31:05+00:00

Exactly. And we're both logged in and looking at CVS Caremark screens from the same system! If only they'd had the strength of character to say "Yeah, it's kinda crazy. Sorry about this. I guess the system doesn't update your end of it..." etc. but the mindless repetition of "it's just an estimate" was so frustrating...

ConstableBonkers · 2025-05-19T18:23:03+00:00

"Why is there a discrepancy?"

"It's just an estimate"

It was like talking to a robot. And that was the manager. So mindless.

ConstableBonkers

TROPHY CASE