It’s Done! Finally! Yippee! My SBRT radiation treatments for my Prostate Cancer has now been completed! (Note the zero candle on the cheesecake standing for no more treatments!)
What started back in July 2020 has now finally concluded on Febuary 22, 2021! It has been a long time that started back in Rochester NY at the University of Rochester Medical Center and ended in Houston TX at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Again, as the 1st post about this story is titled…there are great upsides to living on the road full time.
We arrived in Houston at the start of November 2020 and, well, honestly, we can’t wait to leave in two days! Put it this way, unless it was for my cancer we would not have come to Houston. Why? Well, it is too industrial for us. Having to stay here for four months with all the traffic and construction is just not great for us. However we can say that Southlake RV Resort where we stayed at was wonderful and could not have been more accommodating. The property manager Jennifer we can not say enough nice things about. When we told her the time has come for us to leave, she said “No, you can’t leave. I will not allow it!” So I guess we were good guests. :) (Side note…I did the Google Street View of the RV park for them while I was here. :) CLICK HERE to see our coach and the park in Google Street View. (Spin around to see our coach next to our Tesla X and look down to see me. LOL)
Anyways…We just wanted to make a quick post to bring you all up to date and mostly to thank my team that took such great care of me. I can’t remember there names, short term memory issues and all, but I can’t thank them enough. It bothers me that they can remember me and not only my name, but also right down to the music, Depeche Mode, that I liked to listen to during treatment.
I joked with them on the last day that I refer to them as “Lead Radiation Tech”, “Newbie 1” and “Newbie 2” as that is the order I met them in. So that is what I put on each of the thank you cards I wrote. Now “Newbie” was not meant to be rude or anything, it was just that they had not been there as long as the lead radiation tech. Oh….Neil…that was his name!!!! But I referred to him mostly as “The big guy.” (In a nice way, for he could crush me!)
But then of course there was Dr. Choi, who I can remember, and the amazing care he showed me. Understand, this is no small task when you are deaing with 1) Someone who loves tech like I do, and 2) has depression and anxiety with short term memory issues. Thus I had a lot of questions, which I likely asked and re-asked, and of course I wanted to play with the cool, very expensive, machine….Elekta Unity :) Dr. Choi has an amazing backgound and it was a sure pleasure to have him on my side of things.

Heck, everyone we dealt with at MD Anderson exceeded what we expected and is what every care center should strive to be like! Sadly, that is not the case normally. So with that said…If the time comes we again need cancer care, we will be back! (Just hope not to be.)
BTW…As far as the very cool machine goes, here is the webpage for it. Check out the video by clicking on “Watch Workflow Video” of what happens when you are lucky enough to be able to have access to one… CLICK HERE! Dr. Choi was part of the team that brought in Elekta Unity and ran trials on it!
Brenda came up with a great way to help me get through it. Quite simple really. She put Post-It Notes on the fridge for my 5 treatments. After each treatment, I would come home and pull one down thus counting down to NONE and DONE! At the end of your treatments you ring a Bell for all to hear showing you have completed your treatment. So here are some photos of me ready for treatment, pulling off the days, and then of me ringing that bell complete with Loki being super happy! Also below is the really cool machine that treated me!!! (Note that dates are off seeing the Texas power issues pushed back my last two treatments. However, Brenda was quick to change them out just as fast as we were informed by MD Anderson who where always in contact!)
(Click images to enlarge)
The plaque reads…
Ringing Out
Ring this bell
Three times well
Its toll to clearly say,
My treatment’s done
This course is run
And I am on my way!
— Irve Le Moyne
All in all. What a time in Houston! For not only did we go through all of this, we also went through a major winter polar votex event where we lost power for over two days and got down to the teens! But even in that we did the best we could, right down to supplying 50 amp service from our generator to a 5th Wheel two sites over to our neighbors. After all, if we all would just help one another, this world would surely be a better place.
In thinking this way, I wanted to end this by once again thanking everyone at MD Anderson. I also wanted to again thank Dr. Ward and his staff who was going to do my original plan of surgery. However, I got stressed out over it way to much and then met Dr. Choi, at Dr. Wards suggestion, and off we went. Dr. Ward however did do my “Fusion Biopsy”, a specialized procedure, which then helped to lead us down the path we took.
All in all…To our followers, Thank You to everyone that wrote to us and for the support given via email, text, FaceBook, etc, etc. We now look forword to getting though CV19 and back to having some fun like playing music to a whooped up crowd! The below video is dedicated to all that took part in one way or another. (Music is from an open mic night with Dave Marron (lead vocals), Kevin Turner, and myself on Cajon)
You see, playing put’s me in my “Happy Place” when I am not in Brenda’s arms. Thank you Babe…I bet you thought I would forget to mention you. Love you so much, you were so solid through all of this. Tap, tap, tap.
Great news, David! Looking forward to your online travel days again.
Great news. Look forward to watching you start on some amazing new journeys. Brenda and the baby boy Loki right by your side.
Just so happy for the both of you. Best of health and happiness.
Awesome David I’m so happy for you and Brenda,looking forward to your YouTube’s again.???
Very good news Dave. We will see you at Southwoods soon.
SO good to hear the news! Glad you are getting out of Houston and feeling better. Life is good. Sending you good vibes from southern Appalachia.
Tren and Josh
Thanks for the update David, as well as Brenda for taking such good care of him! Yes, even here in southwestern Canada, our weather is nothing like many are seeing in Texas, as we’ve had little to no snow this year! Look forward to seeing you two on the road, or off on another adventure, seeing the sights, what’s around that next corner, and giving us the great video’s of either locations your at, or ‘tech stuff’ which I all find interesting!
Great to hear the good news. Now you both move on to another chapter. I really do enjoy your videos, more on the computer side, but all of them really. When you have some free time (really?) Could you explain a little better wifi setup and VPN. Take care and enjoy life.
Fantastic news David. Ready to follow you and Brenda along on your journeys together and making new memories.
Thanks for the update. So happy you’re done and ready to get on the road again. I know the feeling of being done with treatments and ringing that bell. And praying it never comes back. Come to Florida to recuperate and finish out the winter. It’s been nice and in the upper 70s in Tampa. Need that vitamin D.
Congrats. Great news.
yessss
I’ve enjoyed reading your updates and am so happy you’re doing great!
David and Brenda,
So very happy that your journey in my home state (the Texas Hill Country) left some positive memories but more important, the result and outcome you were looking for. Now….get the heck out of H town,!
Best Wishes
SAL
Thank God for the great news with the great doctors and staff.
So happy to see your happy face. Take care and happy travels
Guido & Johna Drögemüller
Congrats on treatment completion. You have truly been blessed. You know that old adage: “What goes around, comes around”. Well – much good has come back to you.
So anyway – Be careful, Be safe, Be nice to Brenda ( she is your angel ). [I know you are anyway.]
See you both down the road. – or at a ‘Notes from Neptune’ gig.
john & Jan, near Phoenix
Prayers answered, congrats Dave. Happy travels to you both. God bless
Fantastic news and update Dave, thanks for sharing.
Such great news, I only have personally met you once but you were so enjoyable to talk with and I could tell you love to meet people. I continue to pray for your health and happiness and safe travels wherever you go.
Maybe we’ll cross paths again.
Take care
Best news ever! Your post is fantastic…..keeping it real, joyful and praising all those who worked for these great results! I hope you can put all this behind you and continue your journey and adventures!
Awesome, congratulations!!!
Thank you for sharing this personal part of your journey, it is inspiring. Wishing you guys all the best!
Great news David! I start my 3rd hormone drug as soon as it arrives. Plan to be back at MD Anderson by mid-April to start 8 weeks of radiation. So far so good. Glad to hear you had good results.
So happy that you have weather several of life’s storms so well!! God Bless you and Brenda as you continue on your journey
Congrats – David,
Like you, I went through hormone treatment and 20 days of radiation treatment and now my PSA is 0.01
Every 3 months I have to get a PSA test.
On the lighter side, last week here in Winnipeg , MB it was a balmy – 50 C / – 58 F
Take Care , David – keep well and ( happy trails )
So happy to hear the great news. Having survived a stage four cancer in 2000, this stage of your life will finally become a distant memory. See you both on the road again.
Congratulations to your completion of treatment! Missed seeing y’all across the road in Eagle View this winter! Safe & happy healthy travels!
Wonderful News. Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations. May you remain healthy and happy!
Thank you for answering my Email. Such Great News David, Brenda, & Loki. Big Hugs> From Northern Idaho
Great news, keep on truckin……
As a Kidney cancer survivor, I know some of your pain! Congratulations on receiving your diploma for treatment completed!! I am sure that you were an excellent patient and wish you and Brenda bon voyage from Houston and cancer!!! IT’S TIME TO GET BACK TO LIFE AND WHAT YOU GUYS DO BEST…..RVING AND TEACHING OTHERS LIKE ME! BLESS YOU BOTH AND SAFE TRAVELS!! :)
Congratulations! You and Brenda have been a blessing here at Southlake! I will deeply miss you both and of course Lokey. Thank you so much for staying with us! Wishing you all the best!
Congratulations! Best of health in the future ?
So very glad to hear the good news!!! Praise God, brother! I look forward to reading of your future adventures as I enjoy my own. God bless you.
Congratulations David! Welcome to the cancer free club. Hi Brenda, looking for to you live drive from Houston. ?✌
Glad to hear the good news.
What’s next?
David
This is wonderful news! Thank God for the doctors we have, and the successful treatments they have to offer. The same time you were going through your treatment, another Dave I know was going through much the same thing at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Both of you have completed your treatments and have rung the bell! I am so thankful!
My husband and I were traveling through New York State in the summer of 2019 and met you, Brenda and Loki shortly after you had adopted Loki. It was a very nice visit. My two girls – female dogs – were not too keen on how Loki wanted to sniff, but hey! Dogs are dogs!
Looking forward to seeing where you go from here! Camp On!
David,
Pat and I ate glad that you beat this and are now back on the road. Our best to you and Brenda and give Loki an ear rub for us.
Great to hear David!!!
Congrats! We are so happy for you both!
I enjoy seeing people being HAPPY. I also love “What’s Going On”. but Three Non-Blondes.
Looks like you have dropped some poundage!?! Keep it off!
PS…thanks for turning me on to DISH for RV’s. Good for an emergency since I now stream TV using FMCA’s connecting thing.
Fabulous news. I too, finished my radiation treatments this year. My last treatment was January 4. I got my second COVID vax on January 8. We hit the road from CA to MD on January 10. We were supposed to head back on February 18 via I-10. Well, that wasn’t going to happen. We came back via I-70 to CO and then South from there. Back in CA for a bit and then out again in a week or so. Stay healthy. d
Have known Dave for more years than I care to remember, He was into tech even before Steve Jobbs came on the seen. He used to use a tv hooked up to a computer when pc’s were just getting started, had a robotic vacuum and lawn mower. He worked in my office and did some amazing things with technology. One amazing dude.
Glad to hear you are “on your way”. We’ve been following as you have posted through it all. As if the pandemic was not enough, you had to deal with this. But it seems you had a lot of support and prayers. Now it’s on to your next adventure. Say hi to Brenda, your numero uno.
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I am so happy for you both! So happy to see you posting such great news. We’re all looking forward to hearing and seeing much more of you both!
Hi Brenda and Dave … you won’t remember us, but we are followers since a few years ago. We actually even attended one of your events at your NY home base when we first bought our coach in 2018. A great time by the way.
Anyway – I saw your recent post and just wanted to express our happiness for the FINAL update on Dave’s Houston experience. FANTASTIC NEWS!!!! Hope to see you live, somewhere, soon!