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Long distance backpacking

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User

Posted 14 Apr 2016 at 17:37

A year has passed since my Prostate was surgically removed. I was 71 a few days ago. At the moment I feel so lucky, no medication to worry about and I have about 95% control over my bladder. Its only the odd sneeze that makes me scamper to the bathroom. The only downside that I am aware of is, that I can no longer get an erection. I decided months ago to just get on with my life and to now worry about it. As a result of my prostate operation I also managed to get a hernia in August 2015 but this was repaired in December 2015. In at 12.00 noon, home at 17.30hrs.

To celebrate my year I met up with a few blokes in Glenridding in the Lake District a short while ago. I drank and ate with them for two nights and hiked with them for one whole day. We climbed Hellvellyn on a gloriously sunny day. We planned to come down from Hellvellyn via Striding Edge but due to lots of snow (it also snowed in the night) we took the long route back. About 12 miles, it was great!

I then left them as planned and hiked and wild camped the Dales Way (about 85miles) from Windermere to Leeds by myself over five days and nights, chilly at times, but for me, worth doing. I ate and drank in some really good quality pubs, I especially liked the Dalesman in Sedburgh.

After a winter of resting and convalescing to ensure my hernia was fully repaired I was feeling rather down but my climb and hike has really lifted my spirits once again. I hope my present good mood continuous.

User

Posted 14 Apr 2016 at 18:07

Happy belated birthday gwm!

Good to hear you're chugging about the countryside, and benefiting from the Spring weather.

User

Posted 08 Jun 2016 at 12:38

I began to realise that I experienced a psychological setback recently. Although my last hernia repair has been successful I started to feel a bit negative about myself, my wife thinks it was the accumalative effects of how, in reality, my life has changed somewhat. From enjoying good health all of my life to getting diagnosed with prostate cancer and the continuation of my hernia problems dragged me down, more than I wanted to admit. My last op in Jan 2016 was my 6th hernia repair or was it my 7th? I got into a frame of mind where I lacked confidence to hike or run in because of the fear that I could develop the problems all over again.

I have worked through this down-mood now, the lighter evenings and better weather have really lifted my spirits. I recently, in a mad moment, decided to hike the Pennine Way again, my 3rd time. My first day was dreadful, from Kirk Yetholme to Byness, (about 26 miles) it rained hard all day, its was foggy for most of the day and I was blasted by high winds as well. To top it all, my 'new' (6 months old) WATERPROOF hiking boots leaked like a sieve after the first mile! Walking this distance, on rocks, across moorland and having to wade through stream,s and soggy peat areas with wet feet was such a depressing experience! It took me nearly three days to get my brain into optomistic mode again. In the past I would have just bounced back in a few hours but not this time!

I eat and drink in pubs as I hike and the variety of beers and food on offer was great with the bonus of chatting to the locals and tourists was great fun. I'm off again in a few days to hike the Cotswold Way so I'm hoping that my mood does not change for the worse again?

User

Posted 08 Jun 2016 at 17:03

Originating from the South Cotswolds myself I would say that you would be hard pressed to feel down among such lovely countryside, food, drink and people. Soak in the views from Selsley Common looking towards the Severn and it is guaranteed to lift anyone's spirits.

All power to your elbow (and feet). Enjoy.

All the very best.

Kevan

User

Posted 08 Jun 2016 at 17:56

Way to go - Gunwharfman!

User

Posted 19 May 2017 at 10:47

Well things are looking up! In December, whilst off road running in the woods I pulled a ham string muscle. Boy did that hurt! It stopped me doing most things I like to do, for example in January and February I could only hobble! Gradually it started to feel better and in May i flew to Nice, caught a bus to Grasse and then hiked and camped 12 days on the GR4 route, finally ending my walk at Manosque. I then caught a coach to Marseille airport and flew back home.

I was surprised in some ways, my leg hurt for the first 3 days, especially when walking downhill, due I think to the very rocky foot paths! Four days from the end and from then on, no problems or pain at all! Yippee! I also lost 3kilos, which is normal when I'm 'on the trail'!

I had a scary moment or two with wild boar, but that's another story!

As for my Prostate, well nothing really to report. I feel well, I'm active, my mood is good and I now feel like another hike in June. I'd love to hike the GR20 in Corsica but just can't make up my mind if I should make the effort and take on the risks? Its reputed to be the hardest hike in Europe, 16 days of madness evidently.

So two years later what has my op left me with. I can't get an erection any more (which doesn't bother me) I'm 72 now, why worry about it! The problem that's more of a bother, is that since my operation I tend to get constipated quickly, this can make me feel a bit gruesome until I sort it out. Is this a normal side effect do you think, or is it just me?

User

Posted 19 May 2017 at 12:15

Welcome home X

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 04 Jun 2017 at 19:05

Since having my Prostate removed in 2015 one of the 'side effects' I've noticed is that as I get older I feel more and more restless! I've recently returned from a 12 day hike and camp on the GR4 long distance hiking route in France and came back and told my wife I'll not worry about another journey until later in the year.

I had to confess to her yesterday I just can't keep my word and urgently feel the need to go hiking again. Luckily she's very understanding and encourages me to 'keep at it' so I made the decision that I would walk off again from the 13th June.

I plan to hike the 'Pennine Journey', a 247 mile trek from Settle, up the eastern side of the Pennies to Hexham, about 20 miles along Hadrians Wall and then turn south down the western side of the Pennines. It should take me up to 18 days I think. I'm going to camp all the way which Is what I like most and to visit as many pubs and coffee shops as I can en route.

I can't decide if my restlessness is a consequence of my cancer diagnosis and subsequent operation, or is just part of a normal growing older attitude to life. After all I have less time in front of me now! I am a regular at a local pub and younger people in particular have a habit of criticising me for 'doing my thing' saying things like, your too old, (I'm 72) and you like camping? you walk alone? don't you ever get frightened? I always invite them to join me but they just cannot bear to leave their telly, armchairs and lifestyle for anything over a fortnight a year. After they finish their critisism of me as two youngsters (in their 40s) did the other night, they always but always say something like, "when I go on holiday I just want to relax". Fair enough I say, but if I want to relax I stay at home!

User

Posted 05 Jun 2017 at 07:55

Well, whatever is causing it - keep at it and good luck!

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 07 Jul 2017 at 13:34

I've just finished a 12 day, around 200 mile hike, in my one man tent on a walk called the Pennine Journey. Weather was not so good at times, cold and windy on the moors and one continuous period of rain, with dense mist on the mountain tops, which lasted for three days. Eventually I was wet from head to toe! Anyway, my spirits were lifted, I still get a warm glow at knowing I can still do this. The hardest part of my hike was on two mornings, due to the rain, I had to pack everything into my rucksack whilst inside my tent! Now that I'm 72 my body isn't as flexible as it used to be, so I did a lot of cursing and grunting as I tried to move around the available floor space.

En route I met three separate men who were having urinary flow problems, two had already been diagnosed. All three were being 'manly' about it but once in conversation I could tell that they were so nervous about treatment. One was in a real dilemma about radio therapy and/or surgery. I hope that after telling them of my experience each would go home, make their decision like I had to and move on in life.

I'm still restless and am already planning my next hike but cannot depart until 24th July. Not sure where I want to go yet?

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