Grant's health
 

Those of you who don't subscribe to the newsletter may not be aware of Grant's medical issues, so here it is, from Susan's perspective! :rain:

Grant was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer just before Christmas, after a sharp rise in PSA level and other indicators prompted a biopsy and other tests. Thus began several months of further testing, differing diagnoses and treatment recommendations, depending on which medical specialist we consulted with. Surgeons recommend surgery (cut it out!), radiologists recommend radiation (burn it out!), and chemical oncologists recommend chemotherapy (poison it!).

Actually, because of the stage that Grant's cancer is at, the specialists all recommended 2 out of 3 - surgery and radiation OR radiation and hormones OR chemo and surgery! Look at where the prostate is located. It is in a very sensitive area, and all these treatments come with significant risks to QOL (Quality of Life) :-(

So, after a lot of anxious research and consultations, we were able to get him into a clinical trial in Vancouver. He was randomized into the group that gets 4 months of chemotherapy and hormone therapy followed by a prostatectomy. His surgery will be done by the best surgeon in Vancouver, one of the best in North America, so we're very encouraged, as the skill of the surgeon is key to reducing the risks to QOL...

He started the chemo in late March. Fatigue is the most significant side effect. He's on a 3-week cycle, and for 2 of every 3 weeks he has to stay away from other people because he's very susceptible to infection, and he's only able to work a few hours a day. Then the week before his next cycle he's got more energy and can work a normal day (that's a 7-8 hour day, not his usual 10-12 hours). He's had other side effects, including loss of beard and most of his hair, but he's tolerating them okay, and his PSA has dropped every cycle, so the poison is working! After a short time to recover from the chemo, he's scheduled for surgery at the end of August (the week after the Canwest meeting!), and we're hoping he'll be recovered enough to travel to California in October.

We have three reasons for sharing all this with you. First off, Grant won't have his last chemo treatment until early July, so that has completely messed up our travel plans! We won't be getting to any UK or European meetings this year. We're very thankful we have wonderful local organizers - Jens (Germany), Liam, Jochen and Drew (Ireland), Sam and Iain (Ripley), Dimitris (Greece), and Shane (Australia), plus lots of volunteers - so we know the meetings will be great. We'll try to do a Skype call just to say hi (though Grant hasn't been seen without a beard since he was old enough to grow one, so it may be audio only ;-)

The second reason is to encourage all you guys who are 40+ to get your PSA tested annually and keep an eye on the trajectory. A rising PSA level is an early warning that your prostate is unhappy about something, possibly prostatitis or a benign growth but possibly cancer. Most men will get prostate cancer eventually, but not all men with prostate cancer will need treatment immediately. It's usually a slow growing cancer and 'active surveillance' may be an option. Having a simple PSA blood test gives you advance warning, and knowledge is power. By the time your physician can feel the tumor it will be much further advanced and the treatment options will be much less pleasant!

Finally, you are our extended family, all over the world, and we thought it important that you should know why we've been so quiet lately.

The cancer has not been all bad news, we've found it has brought us closer together and made us more appreciative of life's joys. But for the next few months at least, we're not doing as much work as usual (caregiving takes a lot of time too). For those who didn't know, HU is not a big multinational with heaps of staff - there's just Grant and I, with very occasional part-time help on the newsletter and spreadsheets, and our local meeting organizers and volunteers. So we do what we can, and we're no longer beating ourselves up about what we don't get done. Oh, yes, in our spare time we moved house again in January, and maybe you noticed the website looks a bit different ;-)

Since we're homebound for awhile, our focus for the next few months will be on the website, which still needs work on the Search function, enabling the new community features, blogging functionality and the shipping database. We will also be applying the new style to the existing blogs, meetings pages and the newsletter, but that's not as easy as you'd think! So still lots to do, and we still need volunteers to give us feedback, and later to help with testing. We need several teams for all this, we're not expecting anyone to be involved with all of it. If you have some spare time over the next few months and want to help, please get in touch!

Cheers,
Susan

I can't volunteer to help out with anything, since mostly I just get in the way and make whatever comes my way more complicated and irrational, but I'm wishing the absolute best for you both: health, pleasure, and steadily accumulating wisdom!

Mark

Susan

I saw this in the newsletter - please send my best to Grant, I am sure he will be okay - looks like you guys have a good plan
thanks for sharing this with us.

Wow, that some (bad) news.

Grant and Susan: the very best from me and I hope to see you, both, in good health next year.

Pieter

Thanks for the information. Get well soon Grant. Kisses and hugs to both!

Best of luck, and thanks for your massive contributions thus far!

Sorry to hear this, Get Well Soon Grant!

Thinking of you both,

Ian (of "The Two Ian's"!)

wish you fast recovery and all the best...many more positive energy winds from Turkey to you also...There are some more developments expected to be done to the Bikers'World which can be realised by the way you leaded and we feel all these are in your ideas and targets...We need your ideas,plannings,organisations not only for bikers world but also for a more friendly and peaceful world....İstanbul Bikers Club...

Man, that sucks. Get well soon, Grant! Good thing you're not in the US. That'd cost you a couple hundred thousand dollars.

-Dave

3 score and 10
 

Susan and Grant,
Many thanks for sharing this information with us!
Such times are never easy, but committing to writing can be very therapeutic.

Out of these problems do come new ways of viewing the world and continuing to make our own personal way in the world.

Very best wishes for the medical treatment during the duration - from on crocked rider to another!! :(

Sorry to hear of this. Best wishes to Grant for a successful recovery, and our thoughts are with both of you.

David & Sarah Shield.

Get well soon Grant!

Hello Suzan and Grant,

I am very sorry to hear this but I am happy that you got a good medical team taking care of Grant. Best wishes to Grant for a full recovery.
Also best wishes for Susan, because for you it is a difficult time too.

Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery.

Our best wishes go to Grant. Good luck with your treatment and get well soon!

Really sad news! Get well soon Grant, you and Susan are in our thoughts.

Get well soon Grant. Where are you guys these days? Any address for a postcard to cheer you up?

Grant - I hope you get well soon and of course, don't sweat the little things! HU is an amazing community and the show will always go on. :scooter:

I look forward to catching up with you when you up to it bier

From all at the Adventure Bike Rider Team - the very best wishes for a speedy recovery! :wave:

Grant.
It's an obstacle. You've met many others before and, like then, you will either get over it or round it.

Susan.
For the next few weeks/months it will be you on the front seat.


My sincerest thoughts, hopes and best wishes are with you both.

Be strong.

best wishes to grant and hope he has a speedy recover and that you get it all out...

take care

chris

What can I say. Grant all the best for a speedy recovery. Susan hang in there. I've never met either of you but what you've put together in HU is a fantastic community and I'm sure we'll all be thinking of you (and yes I'll organise my PSA check in the next few days since I'm of that age)

I wish you all the best! Hope to see you again someday.

You were both able to go RTW when it was more facing the unknown.
Both able to be an example for all of us and a source of wise advice for the younger following your path.
Able to create the most amazing site I know in the whole internet and make us feel part of that community.
And both able to overcome it together and with all our support.

Happy you are in best hands, wish you the best recovery,

Another hubber, biker & traveller

Be strong,and be positive.
Wishing you a good recovery!!!

A gran saludo e abrazos.

Horizons Unlimited is a valuable resource for all us travel addicts. But the most important thing right now is your own health. Everything else is secondary. Do take it easy and look after yourselves first.

My thoughts are with you both.


...Michelle

Dear Grant and Susan,

I’m so sorry to hear about Grant’s prostate and hope that the treatment will be super successful.

I count myself fortunate that although I, too, have prostate cancer, (so far) it’s not aggressive and, following a significant prostate reduction, my PSA has fallen down to safe levels. Now for 6-monthly monitoring.

The reason I’m sharing this with you – and through you, lots of other oldies like me – is to point out another test that older men might like to have done, and that’s an ultrasound of the bladder.

My urologist was staggered when he saw the size of my bladder which had enlarged to accommodate the 2x increase (into the bladder) of my prostate, and his over-riding concern was not that my PSA was what it was but that left untreated my bladder was at risk of collapsing.

A bladder collapse would have meant that I would have to insert a catheter whenever I wanted to pee – not a pleasant thought. And so I had my prostate reduced by 2/3rds down to its original size.

I had had no idea that my bladder had enlarged and it was only because my brother had to admit himself to hospital in Florida a couple of years ago because he couldn’t pee – because of his enlarged bladder – that I had my bladder measured. Fortunately.

So, Grant, chin up, good luck, and I hope you’re back on your feet pdq and that your QOL is not impaired.

And to all you other men over 40/50 have a bladder ultrasound as well.

Now I’ll read the e-zine.:smartass:

Regards,
DickyBeach,
Sydney

Grant, you sent me best wishes in the newsletter a while ago, so Here's to a Steady and Happy Recovery for you, now we're in the same club.

Doing well here and having a wonderful time with all the tremendous support services that are provided at my (NHS) treatment centre. Hope it's the same for you.

Join me in looking forward to a great future..... :wave:


And just to reinforce your advice about checkups - yes, that's spot on. I never had any check-up, nor symptoms. Went to the doc about something else, which turned out to be trivial and not needing any attention, and he found the nasty surprise.
If the trivial thing had not occurred I'd still be none the wiser now......
And they estimate that mine started growing 25 years ago!

All Thanks to you and Susan for maintaining HU for all of us.

Cheers
Ken

Guys,

My thoughts are with you both for Grants speedy recovery.

We will miss you at Ripley.

Ray & Karen

Wow, thoughts and prayers are with Grant for successful treatment and a speedy recovery. Looking forward to seeing you both on the bike again sometime soon:)

Get well soon.

Andy

Hi Susan and Grant,
we are very sad to hear that. We wish you all the necessary power and positive thoughts to pull through this.
You have done so much for the overland motorcycle community and even though we have only met you a couple of times at different meetings, thanks to your work and being such a source of inspiration, we want you to know that you will remain in our thoughts during this difficult time.
My (Patrick's) father had the same diagnosis 2 years ago. He opted for the cut it out option. His surgery was on a Monday and on Sunday he spent the day riding the alps as he feared he may never ride again. We are more than happy to say that this last February he joined us for 3 weeks in Thailand to go offroad riding with his sons. There is always hope.
Best
Patrick and Sherrie

I hope it all works out well for you Grant.
I had mine out 2 years ago after my first PSA count came in at 23.
Since having mine out, 6 friends have had the same so it seems pretty common.

Everything AOK to date

Keep your pecker up... whoops, sorry, you cant:D

Best,
John

Really sad to hear about Grants medical condition. Stay positive and best wishes, Paulxx

All the best for a speedy recovery, Grant; I wish you both the best.

Check up
 

Grant,
Get well Mate:thumbup1: & Susan thanks for the heads up !!!! I'm off to the Docs to get that checked !!!!:innocent:

Take Care
Paul

Wow bad news. Get better soon Grant. If you need help just post we will help anyway we can.

That's terrible news. My best wishes for successful treatment and a complete recovery. Please keep us updated as much as you think is appropriate.

Susan, Thank you for sharing with us all. Personally I appreciate greatly what you have both done for the motorcycling community at large and I'm sure with the best treatment Grant will be back at it and up to his usual antics in no time.

It's even more important in times of need to keep perspective and you seem to be able to do that extremely well.

Fight on!

Pascal

Susan,

thx for sharing. All my best wishes to you & Grant! Just keep on fighting.
When my wife got breast cancer, we all believed that this was the end. Now it's 15 years ago and she is fit & healthy. Same for with friends, who had prostrate cancer, and are still alive and kicking.

Just keep an optimistic attitude!

Hans

Saddened to hear about Grant, but happy to hear he is being well looked after. Horizons Unlimited and motorcycle travel have given me so much inspiration and joy, thanks for that! I look forward to Grant’s full and healthy recovery. All the best to both of you,

Regards, Mike.

sending strength
 

Grant and Susan

Daniel and I send our thoughts and best wishes. Focus on the positive for sure it helps the chemo work harder! I know about the beard thing I only saw my dad once in 46 years without one and it freaked me out!! HUGS

Sara

Grant and Susan,trying time for you both,may they lead to success.
Regards
Ben.

Dear Grant and Susan,
There's nothing new to be said but just to say it ourselves probably help a bit I guess... I'm sure they will successfully Poison it and Cut it all out.. It's good to know that you are in Good hands. we will all be behind you for the entire process and even further like we have in the last 25 years. cancer is a big and scary word that will often push you to make a move more quickly toward something we've been putting off many times like who knows? maybe another RTW for the Johnson's? We'll see You in Nakusp, all the best, all the rest and nothing but positive vibrations...
Jerome, Mercedes and Erik

Dear Grant and Susan,

never met you, but seen you on - err - seven, eight? - DVD´s, so you´ve been to our living room for many hours... All the best wishes and God´s blessing.
Chris

- Just figured this is a good time to become a contributing member, so there´s +1 now. Thanks for having me.

Best wishes from Karen & I get well soon Grant, we will be thinking of you both :)

Good Luck and Get Well Soon
Paul

My thoughts are with you both... look forward to seeing you on the road in the future!
Brandon

Get well soon Grant
 

I am very sorry to hear the news, Grant. I will be thinking of you. I am not much of a pray-er, but I will certainly say one for you. God bless and keep you. Ron Youngs

Jeez. I'm so sorry to hear this.

On a brighter note, I personally know three people who have been through this and come out better than new.

Grant's got a lot of good Karma due so I'm sure he'll be just fine.

Get well soon.

Good luck Grant for a fast and complete recovery. Susan thanks for sharing.
My father had prostrate cancer and my brother has just been diagnosed with it. He has started hormone treatment but as he is in England and I'm in Mexico I don't know much more. It seems like he didn't have a check up for a couple of years.
Anybody with a family history of cancer should get checked annually. I will be far more dilligent in the future and will get checked every 6 months.

My father had cancer too and he recovered with some chemo and surgery but I think %50 of his remedy was his positive attitude to this world. Because of that I am sure Grant will recover soon too and you will do another round the world trip.

Get well soon.

Grant's health
 

Sorry to hear this news. We're sending positive thoughts your way and best wishes for a full recovery Grant. Take care of each other.

Lynne & Ron Fellowes

Grant, with your positive attitude and all the heathy energy being sent your way, you will beat this thing in no time. bier

Yep :) I'm absolutely going to beat this thing, I have no doubts. :hammer::hammer:

Plus the airwaves are blistering with all the positive energy coming my way, for which I'm hugely grateful to all who have sent notes and best wishes.

Right now I'm just finishing the 4th round of chemo, two to go. Chemo really sucks, no energy, sore mouth etc, but it's all doable. Numbers are all going in the right direction, and the doc says I'm "super healthy", so everything looks good!

Thanks one and all - we'll keep you posted!

Very sorry to hear the bad news Grant, but thankfully Prostrate Cancer is treatable.

Coincidentally, I had my first routine PSA test about a month ago (thankfully OK). I had been delaying it, as I heard there was a new prostrate test being developed, which was more accurate, based on urine analysis. However, my doc here in Germany didn't know anything about it yet.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and as you and others have said, a positive attitude goes a long way.

Grey Beard

get well soon, take care of yourself and eachother.
as they say in South America...swerté!

Only just found this, I had no idea.

Grant, I just want to echo the sentiments of those above and wish you a full and speedy recovery. You've given us so much through Horizons and I'm certain there will be more to come..! With Susan looking after you, you'll be back on the Beemer in no time.

All the best.

Angus & Nicky

Grant
 

Grant

hope alls going well, keep positive and busy whenever you can

Chris

Grant and Susan - my sincere best wishes to you both.

My boyfriend was diagnosed with prostate cancer just 8 weeks after we met last year. His options were surgery or radiotherapy.
As Susan says, all the options had difficult side affects to deal with, it's not an easy choice. Mike chose the latter and is currently having hormone therapy before the radiotherapy begins.

Keep positive and look forward to a C-free future :)

Grant: Good luck with the fight, the few occasions we've met have left me with the opinion you have absolutely the right atitude to win. ;)

Susan: I hope you have a good support network you are leaning on?

I've been there for another friend who's 8 year old daughter has just been given the all clear following a year of chemo following cancer of the kidney, liver and one lung.

Everyone else reading: Being there for the carer is just as important as being there for the one doing the fight.

Love and best wishes to both!

Dave E.

Good luck Grant, be positive and you'll fly through this.

Best Wishes
Trev:thumbup1:

Hey i hope everything turns out good
 

Susan, than you for being so frank about what many consider a Taboo subject......and Grant, i wish you all the best in your recovery, remember a positive attitude is very much a part of your own self treatment:thumbup1:

get well soon Dude

Martyn

Sorry to hear of this, sounds like you have a good plan working. Stay positive and I wish you the best in your recovery.

Alls the best to you Grant, hope you speedy recovery.

Dear Grant,

I have only met you through your writing and your website which has helped me through tough times with useful information. You have had a positive impact. For that I thank you.

When the chips are down it is nice to know you are not alone. Thanks to your efforts, even on the far side of the world there are kind hearted souls to give aide and assistance to travelers facing adversity. You and Susan have created a network of like minded souls out of nothing. For that I thank you as well.

Strength and courage is the best defense against fear and uncertainty.

When times are tough I remember my stubborn ancestors and it gives me comfort.



Kindest regards,
John Downs

All the very best of wishes to you Grant in overcoming this nasty trick that life has sprung on you .
My thoughts are with you both .
All the Best .

Thanks to all for the support, we WILL get through this! And emotional support from all of you really does help. thank you.

Grant

More than you know.
 

Hi Grant, there are no doubt many, many more who support you but hold back from posting. Next time you're in UK we'll have to make a real fuss of you. Lindsay.

Get well soon Grant.

To confirm my previous communication, best wishes and all positive thoughts to you, and expecting a nice recovery.


Get well - good man!

grant and susie:
you are important.

_/\_

Paulo


p.s.:
I do not have fluency in written English. How can I help you at HU?

Thanks Paulo! I've responded to your email separately, thanks for volunteering. :)

Grant and Susan :
Best wishes and stay positive, there are an awful lot of people wishing you well on here.

Reporting on Grant
 

I recently stayed with Grant and Susan for a few days and I'm pleased to report that he is just the same...still rolling his eyes at the state of Thelma, my bike, anad at my route planning- so yep, nothing changed there.
Lots of healthy eating and healthy lifestyle - loads of positive energy :D and the same zest for life. The chemo isn't fun:funmeterno:, but he's dealing with it in that typically Grant way. I made them some super food veggie Cornish Pasties, stuffed full of all the right things like spinach:innocent:

It's amazing and gratifying to see what a great response there is here on the HUBB from so many people around the world. I'm proud to be a part of it.

Grant,

Great to hear you have a positive attitude. You can and will beat this.

Susan and Grant, You are both sources of wonderful inspiration in lots of ways, but especially the one Tiff mentions above! Thanks for sharing it over the years. Love to you both, and (I know I'm wasting my virtual breath) but try to take it easy!

:palm:
Dan.

Grant,

Get wel soon.
I wish you and Susan all the health and strength.
We have never met, but I can dream your face.
Please grow back your beard!

Peter

Get well soon Grant, I wish both of you the best.

Chin up.

Yeh get well soon Grant. Enjoyed meeting you at Ripley last year and hope to do so for many, many years to come. Anything I can do to help, just give us a shout.

In the meantime there's always this

:D :thumbup1: :ban:

Grant
 

Wishing you a full recovery, all the best.

Shay

I've been told people like my new "sleek" look, so we'll see about the beard! :)

thanks to all for the support!

With that attitude we will never see the end of him (thank God).

Susan.
Watch out! A sleek young man might try to live his youthful dreams rather than what we all know is best!
(and I say that as a 70+ 'Old Fart' who still passes an occasional eye at the long legged 'chicks' here!).

The fight is good - so it will succeed.

Grant, I love the new look of the website. I'm sure you'll look just a good without a beard... though I may not recognize you right away. I'm sorry to hear about your current challenges, but it'll be a great story when you tell us all how you beat cancer.

So basically the site has had a shave! :smartass:

Update from Susan
 

I thought it was time for an update. Grant had his last chemo a week ago Friday, so he's starting to perk up again. In a few days his immune system should be recovered and he can get out and be social again. Then he must start training to get back in shape for the prostate surgery on 28 August, like for a marathon! He has put on weight from the hormones and lack of exercise, and he needs to lose the flab but build up his strength and immune system. The Canada West meeting coming the weekend before at least will take his mind off the surgery!

Then it's 3-6 weeks to recover from surgery, followed by the California meeting in late October. He has heard from many other men who have had the surgery, since he 'came out of the closet', all say recovery is swift. However, they didn't have 5+ months of chemotherapy and hormones beforehand, who knows what that does to your system?

Anyway, the really positive thing is that his PSA is down by 90% from 13 prior to treatment, to 1.3 after 5 chemo cycles. So we are very hopeful that the tumour has shrunk and surgery will be successful in curing the cancer. :) Then it will all have been worth it for him!

We have greatly appreciated the flow of good wishes for Grant (and myself!), and they've really lifted his spirits, so thanks to all of you for the posts here and the e-mails! :D
Cheers,
Susan

Good news :)

All the best form Greece :)



ps:see you in Skype from Tzoumerka :)

Here's hoping that this is the 'home straight', and you'll both be celebrating a clean bill of health by the end of the year.

Great bnews. Good luck.

Brilliant news. The Beardman of Alcatraz returneth? :)

_/\_
namaste.
:smile3::smile3:

Great News
 

Great news Susan, we will be on our way to Vancouver in the next few days (per PM's), will work in with your schedule no problem, glad to be part of a support crew when most needed. :thumbup1:

Be in touch again soon

Best, Andi & Ellen

Get well soon.
 

Hello Susan and Grant,

I heard about this a while ago via Facebook and was very sorry to hear this news. Better news is that you seem to be getting the best of care, Grant and I hope you get a quick recovery.

And all the best to you too Susan. Being a carer isn't easy but it's lovely to read that all this is making you even closer. All my best wishes,

Jacqui xx

Just a note to say I hope all goes well. I`m an avid HUBB reader, not so great a poster, but the site has inspired me so much.
Glad to hear that things are looking on the up

Aw the best big man.

I have noted this thread only now by chance, did not see it before.

I wish Grant a quick and successful recovery, I'm sure we'll soon have very positive updates.

Best wishes Grant for the surgery. :mchappy:
And to Susan too. :mchappy:

Hope it all goes well, and the recovery is straightforward.
(Me, I'm doing fine. No chemo or surgery, but 2 more years of hormones - Oh Dear!!!! - plus the radiotherapy last year. PSA <0.2 from 36 to start, everything looks good, hope it does for you too!)

Grant is out of surgery!
 

I know lots of folks are waiting for an update on Grant's surgery today. He's out of surgery and in the recovery room, but his bed isn't available yet, so I haven't actually seen him!

I did talk to the surgeon and he said it went very well, not too much blood lost, the prostate had shrunk considerably and he managed to spare the nerves on one side. Look it up... :D

His PSA was down to 1.06 a couple of weeks ago, so the chemo and hormones did have a good effect. Will have the pathology report in a couple of weeks and will know more then.

He will be in hospital overnight and hopefully going home tomorrow. Then it's 3-6 weeks recovery, fingers crossed we'll both be in California in October!

Thanks to everyone for all the good wishes and prayers, it has made a big difference to his emotional state (and mine!)

Cheers,
Susan

Really pleased to hear things are positive. All the best to you both in the coming weeks. California in October sounds great!

That's great news! Thanks for keeping us in the loop - you and Grant have had such a positive effect on so many of us, so you shouldn't be surprised we care! ;)

Great news. You 2 have an open invite to Mexico City any time you want.

Good news!