TOUR AMERICA, 2021: PARADISE OAKS RV RESORT, BUSHNELL, FLORIDA

Places We Have Called Home in 2020

69

January 21, 2021

Temperature 75 Degrees

The First Bump in the Road – Departure in Possible Jeopardy

Today was the Florida that I came for.  The moring was cool but comfortable.  The sky was deep blue with a wisp of clouds here and there.  And it only got better as the day went on.  The temperature eventually reached the 70’s by early afternoon.

Such a beautiful day for just sitting on the patio with a book in hand.  Which is exactly what I did.  I also popped a new propane bottle on our portable grill and grilled up a steak for our mid-afternoon meal.  Oh yes, life is good.

I knew from experience that despite this being a New Year as in years past there were going to be bumps in the road.  However, I wasn’t expecting the first one to come so soon.

  You can hardly be alive without being aware of the number of things that can befall you just because you exist. For me, prostate cancer was not high on the list.  Yet, I have just recently been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.

Research tells me:

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men, after skin cancer. It is also the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men, after lung cancer. One man in six will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, about two-thirds of whom are over age 65. Yet, fewer than three percent of American men will die from prostate cancer.

So far so good.

As to what happens from this point on I’m not exactly sure of yet.   This past Monday, following an earlier MRI, I had a biopsy of the prostate.  When the results of the biopsy come back we’ll then make a decision as to what course of action to take.  There are basically three options when dealing with prostate cancer—radiation, surgery and active surveillance.  When all the results are in we’ll make an appointment with a cancer specialist – possibily at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa – and we’ll go from there.

The reassuring thing is, my neighbor Eddie who is 84 had Prostate Cancer over twenty years ago.  He shared with me that at that time he had his prostate removed and he is doing just fine today.

Bottom line, I don’t believe I have anything to get all worked up about.  It is what it is and it will get taken care of.  We might end up spending another month here in Florida – maybe – but it isn’t going to spell the end of our time on the road.  Oh no, you can bet on that.

That is where we are on The Road of Retirement.  We’ve hit a small bump even before we’re out of the gate.  But better here while we’re stationary.  I still believe we are two of the most blessed and fortunate people in the world.

Thanks for checking in with us today.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!