So Why Do All This Hiking

We had a great hiking group on Mt St Helena this week. The mountain can be seen from all over Sonoma, Napa & the Bay Area. It was a cold (for Northern California) windy day. We hiked 11+ miles in 6 hours, with an elevation gain of 2200'. A great workout and we all slept like babies that

night.

So why do it? Because all the recent clinical studies on exercise and prostate cancer progression indicate that the men who get the most regular exercise have the slowest disease progression. Plus it's great for the heart as well. And don't forget about stress, a major factor in disease progression! What better way to reduce it than to get out with "Mother Nature"?

Lynda, Ed, Teri & Walter @ Pt Reyes Ntl. Seashore

A Digital Rectal Exam is very important to your prostate health. It is a way that your doctor can help determine if there is something suspicious going on in your prostate. It doesn't hurt, but it seems that a lot of doctors these days won't do one unless you ask. With the PSA test loosing favor, the PAF strongly recommends getting as many markers as possible. The DRE is one of these markers.

Just like Doctors are not quick to administer the exam, most guys don't look forward to getting them.

At a Give Back Tuesday event at the Rainbow Cattle Company bar in Guerneville,CA to benefit the PAF, Michael Collins, RN performed DRE's on those men wanting to participate. He tells us that a man came up to him the next week

and asked if he would administer the exam. It turns out this DRE indicated there could very well be problems and a visit with a medical specialist should be considered.

Get your DRE done every year after40!

A Food Disorder You May Not Know!

I have a reputation for eating a strict prostate friendly diet. In fact it has been the cornerstone of the protocol that has kept me away from conventional intervention for 20 years. I just heard lately there is a food disorder or call it a phobia! Some doctors are calling it Orthorexia. It's a pathological obsession for biologically pure and healthy nutrition. So am I being a food Nazi or Am I just being sensible? You tell me!

Checkout the picture. We just had some long overdue rain in Northern California. And most on the rocks and trees have been instantly rejuvenated. Taken at Jack London State Park. The Valley of the Moon, Sonoma County, CA

Dying With Dignity

Dying from prostate cancer or any cancer for that matter is not a pretty sight. The long downward spiral is a painful process both physically and emotionally. It takes it's toll on family, friends and loved ones. Quality of life towards the end of this ordeal is a real issue. There are currently only 3 states that have in place a law that provides end of life options. California is not one of them. But this could change. SB 128 The End of Life Option Act has been proposed in Sacramento. Where do you stand on this important issue?

Dying With Dignity

A prostate cancer diagnosis, just like any type cancer diagnosis for that matter forces us to think of our mortality. Not to sound morbid, but dying is something we will all do! Will we be prepared? Will we do it with dignity? Attend one of the PAF meetings in February in San Francisco or Santa Rosa, John Bohan, PAF Mentor will be covering this delicate subject with caring & compassion.

Dying With Dignity

Many of us have watched family members or friends suffer thru the final stages of advanced cancer. It is not a pretty site. There are only three states in the USA that allow the terminally ill to legally take their own lives, California May soon become another. 

Prostate cancer patients live with the knowledge that they will not live forever. We all come to grips with this issue one way or another. John Bohan, PAF Mentor has put together a presentation titled "Death And Dying - Prostate Cancer

and will be lecturing on this important subject at our PAF meetings in San Francisco & Santa Rosa meetings in February.

PAF Meetings & Hikes this Week in Sonoma County

HWe're excited about meeting some new friends at the newThursday night PAF meetings in Guerneville at the Senior Center. 

We did an aggressive hike in Sugarloaf State park in Sonoma County Monday. Looking forward to going back to this beautiful well kept secret of a park on Wednesday for an easier, more casual version. Hope to see you there