Canoeing Plans for 2026?

[lowangle al]

Well, my plans just got changed big time. I was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. I need more testing done to determine how far along the cancer is and if it has spread anywhere else. It will certainly delay all of my plans, I just don’t know how long the delay will be, a few weeks or even a year delay. I also just learned about the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. I am thinking about paddling it in 3 or 4 years from beginning to end, all 740 miles of it.

Sorry to hear this, my season is also in question. I'm waiting to get surgery scheduled to have part of my colon removed and am concerned about what else they might find. I think we should take Robins advice. My plan is to do what I can while I can. Hopefully we can still get out this season, even if it's something not to ambitious.

 

[Erica]

We rarely mention here the health challenges we face. I’m grateful it comes up from time to time. It certainly gives me courage to keep trying. I was ready to quit my solo trips about 10 years ago or so. It was Robin and Gerald who set the example and encouraged me to continue. Thanks to them and to everyone.

 

[Packrat]

I think I learned a lesson regarding preparting for my canoeing this season. Last year my ten or twelve one and two hour work outs just prior to the Bowron Lake outing was pretty inadequate. This year I'm already looking at starting my prep next month. No ice on the local lakes and a wet suit on order in case I decide to test the temperature of the water accidently. I intend to focus all my summer/fall padling on BC Canada which is paradise compared to Washington State.

 

[dramey]

Please don’t let your diagnosis alter your plans. I’ve been dealing with serious prostrate cancer (Gleason 9, Agent Orange) since 2016 along with bladder cancer since 2014 (AO also) and while sometimes the treatments can be bothersome or even arse kicking, I have tried to get in as much canoe tripping as I could,
Unfortunately ,I have also altered or canceled plans unnecessarily because of my imagined disability. No more!
I’m on my second series of chemo treatments right now along with hormone therapy and the major side effects are some weakness and fatigue.
I just asked my oncologist last week would it be ok to miss a treatment in August ( yea, this series of chemo goes till October, bring it on bi itch) so I could take a road trip to western Ontario for two/three weeks, his face lit up and he insisted that I go.
Good luck.

My Gleason score is also 9, my PSA was 17.69. I am waiting for VA to ok my next set of imaging. Then my doctor and I will sit down and discuss treatment options.