Sean's Prostate Cancer Journey

May 25th, the Huronia Motorcycle Ride For Dad takes place, with a new starting point and route. Leaving Mask arena in Rama, travel 300kms, then returning for (tbd) a light dinner. Support raising funds for the fight aga8nst prostate cancer, and, potentially win a new bike!! See www.ridefordad.ca/huronia for more.

It's time to celebrate every rider, Captain's Club member, donor, volunteer and community partner that have joined the Ride For Dad as we fight prostate cancer together!
Special thanks and recognition to our national sponsor BMW Motorrad Canada and all our amazing local sponsors that support our cause.
Over $40 million dollars has been raised in the fight against prostate cancer in support of the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation.
Please take a moment to congratulate yourself and accept our sincere gratitude. Know that we are advancing the world of prostate cancer research because of your support. Celebrate with us as we take pride in making a difference for Canadians!

THIS SUNDAY!!! Brampton.

Registration | Cruisin For A Cure Register now for Cruisin' for a Cure Canada - the car show that saves lives in Brampton, Ontario. Proceeds go to prostate cancer support and awareness across Canada. Register today.

Wednesday August 9, 2023. One month short of the official 5 year mark, we met with Dr. Chung at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. We already knew the PSA number from the test last week, 0.07, down from 0.11 one year earlier, but what we didn’t know was the next words out of his mouth- you can come back in one year, or, BE DISCHARGED NOW! (Meaning no more treatments, further PSA tests are not required, and I get tagged as CLEAN, CURED, A TICK IN THE SURVIVED COLUMN). That took 0.0234 microseconds to decide on option two! So it is now official- I survived cancer. And I did so because I got tested early. There is no measure of how important that is- early detection SAVES LIVES!

Thanks soooooo much to the family, Lori Anne, Tara Louise, Shauna Elizabeth, Keith Parsons, my ‘mentor’ Jim Dorsey, support from David Smith, Steve Hutton, and the event that started all this- Cruisin' For a Cure Canada!! None of this would have happened without any of the above. Events like Huronia Motorcycle Ride For Dad and Ride For Dad Canada also contribute to help get the message out, and hopefully results in more stories like this.

Please, get tested.

Bond…. James Bond. August 2023, 1 month short of the 5 year anniversary of the treatments, I did a PSA test, which is now yearly due to it being such a low number. This month’s year’s results?? (Revert to Bond). 0.07. (Okay, close enough to double 0 seven). THAT’S RIGHT BI***ES! DOWN FROM 0.11, and close to the 0.04 target a few tears earlier than planned . .

Sadly, I have an in-person consult. next week at Sunnybrook to meet Dr Cheung so that “he gets paid”. A phone call, and he would not. So a 2 hr trip there, I am sure a 1hr delay there, then a 2 hr trip back all for a 60 second chat. Bummer.

I spoke at the Huronia Motorcycle Ride For Dad here in May, I said that there are two dates that I am really thinking about, and, are related; September 18 2018 (the HDR date), and July 21 2023, my daughter’s wedding date. WITHOUT date 1, I would not have been here for date 2 to walk her down the aisle. If THAT is not reason enough to get tested, I am not sure there is another.

Peace.

THIS is why early detection is important!!! What are you waiting for???

Click on the link. Second picture in. 😙

'Overwhelming' annual Ride for Dad motors through region 'It’s all about saving dads, grandfathers and uncles from prostate cancer,' says event president

May 27th, 2023, in Orillia, the annual Ride for Dad, Motorcycle edition, takes place. Last year, 200+ bikes took part raising over $100k for prostate cancer research and awareness. This year, BMW has donated a motorcycle- for every $200 raised in sponsorship dollars, you will receive one entry ballot.

I was asked to speak at the event, hopefully to convince at least a few riders to get their blood tested while there. It saved my life after all.

www.ridefordad.ca

Merry Christmas 2022.

The GREAT news, at least regarding the PSA number, continues. Although it's only been 4 months since the last test, the Doctor wanted a full spectrum (Vit B, Cholesterol, Red Blood count, ...) done for Lori and I, PSA was checked off. It returned 0.11, continuing the DOWNWARD trend. Although the oncologist did not want, or need this tested, until Aug 2023, the family doctor commissioned the test now.

I cannot stress the importance of early detection. Without it, I would NOT be here, all ramped up for another Christmas!!!

Have a wonderful Christmas, 2023, holiday time if we don't speak again. And yes, GET TESTED!

Victor Horvath. A friend to the Prostate Cancer community, sadly passed away recently. A true warrior.

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We are sad to announce that Victor Horvath, long term member of Prostate Cancer Support Brampton, has passed away this last week. Victor served on the Steering Committee and helped out at our various fund raising events for close to 15 years. After he retired and moved to Fort Erie, he still attended our monthly meetings.

He will be sorely missed.


https://bennerfuneralservices.ca/
Obituary of Victor Horvath
Victor Horvath Jr., 64, of Ridgeway, Ontario, passed away on November 20, 2022. He was born to parents Victor and Josephine Horvath, on February 11, 1958 in Fort Erie, Ontario.

Victor is survived by his wife Cindy Horvath, his sons Nathaniel (Jillian Cabernel), Lucas, and Jacob (Bailey Howell) Horvath, his sister Margaret (Kevin Lee) McCarthy, and his mother Josephine Horvath. He will be dearly missed by his extended family and by the many friends he made over the years playing hockey and baseball.

The family has entrusted Benner Funeral Services 1105 Benner Ave Fort Erie with the arrangements.

A public visiting is scheduled for Friday, November 25, 2022, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in Victor’s memory.

Home | Benner Funeral Services Serving You Since 2001

August 4th, 2022- approaching four years (man time flies) since the treatment began which was September 2018. The Doctor’s target for my PSA, measured every 6 months, was sub 0.2, at 5 years. Today, I can report that it is now SUB 0.2, 0.15 in fact. An astonishing 61% DROP in 6 months. Was the last test an error too high making this clean one appear to be an incorrect monster drop? Was this one an error too low? Either way, it is the 0.15 number that we are looking at, and having an extra coffee in celebration of today. I meet with Dr Cheung next week to discuss, I assume he will be pleased and push my testing to yearly vs 6 months. Or, call it DONE and to never bother him again. That would be cool.

Until then, get tested, get your loved ones to get tested. It saves lives.

2-2-22. PSA came back at a 0.39, down from 0.48. Is it the fresh air? (Smells nicer) Is it the slower pace of life up here? (It is) Is it knowing that in 56 days, there is a huge change coming? Are we eating better (we are!)? Are we less stressed, more happy? (We are!). I think all that, plus the science of HDR and EBRT of course, has almost put this journey to bed. Almost. Next stop, an August PSA test, and maybe, 0.32 or better.

Hoping that you and your families have a great and safe Christmas season. Happy 2022.

September 23rd, 2021, marks the three year anniversary of the end, of my last EBRT treatment. Since then, it’s been a lot of hurry up and wait as there is nothing anyone can do. Sure, there are theories about avoid sugar, alcohol, beef, .. (damn, I surely hope those are unfounded theories!!), Dr. Chung whom I trust a ton, disagrees, so life went on. And, goes on. The PSA results have been promising, I feel great, happy, things are good. (Well, save the knees from that comment).

If the message is not clear, Early Detection Saves Lives. Tell a friend.

September 2021- coming up to THREE years since the Brachytherapy was performed. Recall that the PSA was up in the 11's back then, a dramatic drop to the 2 range shortly after, then every 3-6 months, a retest (of the PSA), to see where things are. The latest one, this month, came in at 0.48. Basically the SAME as it was 6 months ago (0.49), Dr. Chung said FANTASTIC! So, I shall say the same. His target for me is sub 1, which I have been for a while, so he is quite pleased as are we. Another test in 6 months is all we can do now. No change in diet or activity will change anything. There are NO symptoms to watch for (WHICH IS WHY A PSA TEST IS SO IMPORTANT AS THIS IS A SILENT KILLER!!!!!!!!!! Yes, caps locks, I am yelling at YOU!). If my PSA rises in 3, or 6 months, nothing changes as to the next step, hence, 6 months is the next test.

It's been quite the 2021 for our - daughter 1 bought her first house in Fergus, daughter 2 entered, and graduated Ontario Police College and is now on the force with Waterloo Regional, and we moved to Ramara Ontario (just outside Orillia). After 27 yrs in Btown, 22 yrs at the other house, the planets aligned, we found a place we liked, made a deal, moved in, and are very very happy here. Who knows, maybe that is part of the healing- feeling happy and full filled? If so, that PSA will be 0.00001 in 6 months :) Well, maybe 2 months as I start the Christmas display that I have always wanted! CLARK W GRISWOLD to the rescue.

Cheerio.

February 2021- from one of my favourite movies, 'do you like apples? how 'bout them apples' (name the movie!, hint #2, 'I came to see about a girl'). ZERO POINT FOUR NINE! How 'bout them apples?!?! That's right, Feb 2021, my PSA is now 0.49. Down 41% from December. Talking to the Doctor on Monday, he said this was fantastic, especially since his target was 0.5 in 4 years. I am sub that in about half that time. Too soon to call this 100% cured, but I am pretty sure I am on that path.

The IMPORTANCE of getting tested early, cannot be stressed enough. IT SAVES LIVES! If that is not enough of a selling point, I am not sure what is. Dads, Husbands, Brothers, Uncles, Cousins, .... GET TESTED for EFF SAKES! And, have an apple.

Cheers 🍎🍏