sensei8

Thank you so very much, Patrick and Brian; means the world to me!!

Sounds very quite exciting; nothing like being on the floor training ones heart out. While it can be a tad challenging, I'm sure that you not only thoroughly enjoy the Naihanchi series very much, but by now you can see its effectiveness. Train hard and well!!

UPDATE: Went to see my Oncologist this morning. My body is reacting very well to my treatments. My PSA, which was 0.76, is now 0.4. Praise God!! I'm on the threshold of REMISSION!! However, which type of remission?? Remission means that the signs and symptoms of your cancer are reduced. Remission can be partial or complete. In a complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. If you remain in complete remission for 5 years or more, some doctors may say that you are cured. Partial?? Total?? That answer will reveal itself whenever the time is right, and not any time sooner. Can cancer go into remission forever?? To qualify as remission, your tumor either doesn't grow back or stays the same size for a month after you finish treatments. A complete remission means no signs of the disease show up on any tests. That doesn't mean your cancer is gone forever. You can still have cancer cells somewhere in your body. Remission is NOT the same as "CURE", and doctors hesitate to use the word "CURE", at least not right away. I'm far from being out of the woods, however, I'm not lost in the woods; just at the edge of the forest. Treatments might continue for sometime in order to keep my prostate cancer in check. Plans are reworked at remission to decrease my prostate cancer from returning. Cancer survivors at increased risks from catching other cancers, known as a second primary cancer which is a second, unrelated cancer in a person who has previously experienced another cancer at any time. A second primary cancer may occur in the same tissue or organ as the first cancer, or in another region of the body. On another note, the actual dose of my Leuprolid Shot that I had on Monday was 30mg; good for another 4 months. CT Scan for this Sunday, August 22, 2021 has been cancelled by my Oncologist after I expressed my concerns about the Oral Prep and its possible side effects. So, my Oncologist wants me to do a Iodine IV Contrast CT Scan instead, and its side effects are far more doable than the Oral Prep. Date and time pending...once again. Oncologist still needs the CT Scan to go forward. Now to return those 2 bottles to where they belong...out of my refrigerator. Oncologist still wants to do Radiation Therapy asap, however, instead of that Therapy lasting 6-8 weeks, it'll only be for 1-2 weeks; still 5 days a week. The change is due to how well my body is reacting to my treatments. I'll come back to see my Oncologist in about 6 weeks or sooner, at which I'm sure he'll set up my Radiation Therapy. Don't know what my future might still have for me, but I'm in Gods Hands; now and forever...and even more so!! The fight continues!!

Thanks, Brian!! My dad, sister, and brother had several colonoscopy; and I still need to have mine...not looking forward to that at all but I'm 13 years behind schedule. Houston diagnosed my T11, but I don't remember ever being told about T11, just about my L4. Things are not worse at all. As a matter of fact, things are better. [Read my UPDATE that follows this post]

Just received from my insurance company that my Oncologists referral for Genetic Tests was denied due to be unproven and not medical necessary. Just love it when entities go against a doctors recommendation(s). Purpose of the Genetic Test was due to the fact that I'm the only one on both sides of the family to be diagnosed with cancer, and that I was diagnosed when I was 62 years old, and not at 68 years of age. Found out that the shot of Leuprolid dose was 7.5mg, which is still an elevated dose than normal. Had my Bone Scan today. It was the same 2 hour wait before the actual scan, but the scan was only 30 minutes, less than the 1 hour scan. Also, today they gave me the injection but instead of leaving the staged IV in my shoulder, they just put a band-aid on, and sent me onto the waiting area. Quite sure that I'll have a deferring conversation with my Oncologist this Friday morning over this CT Scan and all because I DO NOT want to drink that Prep Drink AT ALL!! There has to be other options!! They seem to do many things different in Las Vegas than Houston.

Marketing for marketing. Just got to tip the hat for that. I've never done anything as interesting as that. All I've ever done was just hang a shingle and some window art with some Kanji and logo. It's said that whatever brings the prospective customer to shadow the door, there's no absolute marketing rule. Use whatever marketing is necessary but let the owner be aware, customers can smell that which is foul a mile away...for the most part. I love the marketing in the OP, and if the CI is a quality of an instructor, then the marketing won't suffer. Thanks for the picture, Patrick!!

Cobra Kai is getting more evil!! Morals? What morals?

Update: 1) Had my Leuprolide shot today (August 19, 2021) 2) CT Scan Scheduled for Sunday August 22, 2021 at 2:40PM 3) Nuclear Bone Scan Scheduled for Wednesday August 18, 2021 at 9AM Interesting note on my shot. I was given Eligard (Leuprolide Acetate) with either 7.5mg or 30mg...the box reads 30mg but the order says 7.5mg (I'll check with my Oncologist Friday. This was due to that I missed my May 28, 2021 shot. This Shot was every 3 months, now it's every 4 months. This shot had to be given to the backside of my left arm instead of the right shoulder...shoulder is muscle, whereas the back of my arm is tissue. It's a thick shot they inject it quite slow...and man oh man...the back of my left arm was on FIRE for about 15 seconds...thankfully the fire was put out after those 15 seconds. Nothing unusual about my upcoming Nuclear Bone Scan; I've had it twice already, and there's no different prep required. The same injection and the same 3-4 hours to complete. Now the CT Scan prep is a different thing. I've had CT Scans before with no prep whatsoever. However, the prep now seems...abnormal... 1) Nothing to eat 4 hours prior to exam time 2) Nothing to drink 2 hours prior to exam time 3) Take ALL medications as prescribed 4) Drink 1 15oz bottle of Oral Prep 3 hours prior to exam time 5) Drink 1 15oz bottle of Oral Prep 1 hours prior to exam time On the bottles, which I've in the frig fright now, the label reads... Creamy Vanilla Smoothie Readi-Cat 2 (Barium Sulfate) Oral Suspension 450ml Did a tad of research to see what I was getting myself in, and what I can tell is that the taste might be chalky yet not to bad at all...YEAH...SURE. This stuff, like in any other stuff, reacts differently from patient to patient. Leaves a metal taste, and can do one of the two or both side effects... *Constipation *Diarrhea Neither will be fun because either I'll be in pain from stomach pains or I'll poo all over myself every 5 minutes for a bit. Sure, the counter agents to get this out of my body is A LOT OF WATER!! Had this scheduled for this Thursday at 10PM, and yes, 10PM, the office is open 24 hours a day, and what was bad about this is that I've 2 back to back doctor appointments, PCP at 9AM, then my Oncologist, who's 30 minutes away, at 10AM. I don't think I'd be in any shape to be no further than a few feet from the bathroom to drive anywhere or wait in some doctors waiting lobby; not the very next morning!! I'll talk to my Oncologist to see if I can do a CT Scan that doesn't involves this type of prep; didn't do this type of prep in Houston, TX. All I had to do in Houston, TX was go to the Radiology Department, lay on a table for 15 minutes, that's it. Oh yeah, on top of the bottles, I'll get an iodine IV...fun!!

UPDATE: Visited with my Oncologist, Dr. Oscar Goodman MD, on August 10, 2021; all went swimmingly. He's still waiting to receive from the LBJ Hospital in Houston, TX my COMPLETE medical records. What he's received is a summary report in order to treat. That's a little crazy and confusing and strange that he wants the complete medical records, but can treat me with summary records. Soon as I receive them, I'll forward them to Dr. Goodman. One might think that a doctor could get complete records at the snap of ones fingers. Perhaps the HIPPA has a lot to do with that. He asked me a ton of questions about a wide plethora of subjects in order to get a far better grasp on my history, including this past year of treatments in Houston. Then...the fun...Prostate examination. Before he started the exam, I turned around and asked him his first name, which I already knew, and then I told him my first name...after all...if you're going to go where you're going to go for that exam, we need to be on first name basis...at least...all went well and is ok with that area. I did find out from Dr. Goodman that the summary records show that my Cancer is not just in my L4, but it's also in my T11; small microdot in those locations. Strange is that the T11 isn't right next to my L4; it's 6 vertebrae apart. Stranger than that, to me, is that I was either never told about my T11 or I was told but somehow forgot about it, which isn't me to forget something that important. Dr. Goodman also informed me that I am at High Risk of dying from my Prostate Cancer because of my young age. I said..."Huh? Young age?!?!" Yes, High Risk because men who are diagnosed with Prostate Cancer are the age of 68, and not at 62 years of age. That doesn't sit well with me at all. My wife broke down a little because her dad passed away 2 years ago and doesn't want to bury me yet. Dr. Goodman has ordered the following: 1) Leuprolide shot on August 16, 2021 2) CT Scan (Schedule pending; waiting for insurance approval) 3) Nuclear Bone Scan (Schedule pending; waiting for insurance approval) 4) Follow-up with Dr. Goodman on August 20, 2021 Dr. Goodman wants all of these to be completed before my follow-up on August 20, 2021. Knowing insurance, telling drag their feet; I'll be pleasantly surprised if all of the referrals occur before next Friday. In addition, Dr. Goodman is setting up Financial Assistance and a Nutritionist ASAP. Depending on the results of my Blood Work, which I also had done right after my visit with Dr. Goodman, as well as my other tests, Dr. Goodman will more than likely order Radiation Therapy. That's all for this update; the fight continues!!

WOW!! I greatly appreciate your help in this very frustrating roller coaster ride; thank you, Patrick!! As far as the Medicare, each and every time I've applied for Medicare I've been ceremoniously denied due to the fact that my income surpasses their income limitations/allowances and I'm not of the age of 65 years old. Yes, I've been in constant contact with the Nevada Health Link during all of its ups and downs. NHP, Nevada Health Plan is where I was referred to at the onslaught of this all for medical insurance. Whereas, once through that starting block, you're referred to a Medical Insurance Broker in order to secure/obtain medical insurance. I've contacted both the National Cancer Institute as well as the CancerCare a dozen of times for many other of my concerns including medical insurance. Both agencies have been stellar in their assistance; invaluable to my fight against cancer across the board. The America Cares Act, as told to me by my Medical Insurance Broker, and that to his understanding, the Tax Credit, and not the ACT itself, was the threatening concern because it was subjecting to end at the end of August 2021. Without the Tax Credit, my monthly payment would be $850. Come to find out, after having a sit down in-depth conversation with both my Medical Insurance Broker and his boss, who owns the insurance agency, and after spending some time on the phone with the NHP...our Medical Insurance was APPROVED and made ACTIVE...and my wife's on it now too!! So, the medical insurance roller coaster train is now back in its station, and things are far more stable than before. My Broker misread, therefore misinterpreting what he was reading, thus his boss fixed the misunderstanding. The Tax Credit is NOT being ended at all, and it's good until the end of this year, and it might become permanent...to my understanding from what his boss and HPN laid out before us. So, fingers crossed... NO MORE HICCUPS with my Medical Insurance.

My Health Insurance Broker gave me some very disheartening news this afternoon. The Act that provides me my health insurance is ending at the end of this month...August 2021. This means the end of my cancer treatments with no substitute in sight to replace!! My treatments' future seems quite bleak. For 6 to 8 weeks I fought, scratched, and clawed to find some great insurance; hope returned, to only have it dashed. No other notifications whatsoever. Why approve me for medical insurance that started in July 2021 to only end it at the end of August 2021?!? The blame is mine and mine alone for moving away from Houston. where I once had some darn good insurance that took care of my every cancer treatment needs. I've no idea what I can do!!

If that were to be true, then the Journey wouldn't be of the practitioner at all, it would be of the Sensei's. The Sensei can express advice, but the final decision is that of the practitioner alone. As a Sensei, I'd never ever intrude whether a student of mine should or shouldn't remain as a Shodan, or any other rank; it's really none of my business because they've their MA journey and I've mine. I can only share in my Student Body's MA journey, not control it whatsoever.

Train hard and train well. The Testing Cycle always takes care of itself; just relax. Your journey is inspiring across the board; good luck!!

Congrats, scohen0300; well deserved!!

UPDATE: Appointment to my Oncologist has been moved up to August 10, 2021 at 9AM!! Will see my new Cardiologist today, August 3, 2021 at 2PM. Had my phone interview this morning with SSA for Disability due to my Cancer; will receive determination in and/or about 2 weeks. Still trying to secure a Dietician.

Yes it is, Patrick. Yet I shudder to think just how long, or the very end, I would've had to endure had I not secured any medical insurance. Quick update: The Comprehensive Cancer Center was able to move my appointment to August 18, 2021 with a check-in time of 8:15am, and 9am to see my Oncologist. They'll continue to move me to an even sooner appointment should there be any more cancelations. On another note: I've not a Cardiologist appointment at Southwest Medical Associate for August3, 2021 at 2pm. Only appointment that hasn't been secured as of yet is for my Dietician.

Congrats. Brian for reaching this major milestone. Patrick, highlighted many of Brian's accolades he's achieved for KF, the community, and its members. His contributions at KF are without any reservations whatsoever across the board. I'm most fortunate to have him as my friend in and out of the Martial Arts. I've learned so many valuable lessons from Brian over these many years. His staunch support of KF, its community, and its members is truly of no surprise. Brian has loyally and unselfishly spent every day of those 15 years as part of Staff here at KF to give of himself for the betterment of and for KF and all call KF home. Thank you from, the bottom of my heart, Brian for all that you have, and will no doubtfully continue to contribute in every shape, way, and/or form. For many more years to come, Brian, your light here at KF will never demise, no, not even glimpse of a flutter; these aren't idle words whatsoever. I bow to Brian for achieving this major milestone, so, here's to another 15 years here at KF, if that be Gods will.

Welcome to KF, Silverbullet; glad that you're here!!

Thank you, Himokiri Karate. I've lived that staple, Proof is on the floor, for as long as I can remember both in and out of my MA life. Similar in that we both stem from Shuri-te, but not similar because Okinawa-te is an equal part of our core. Shindokan's ideology is of self-improvement, discipline and hard training. We're not from the same group or type. We're similar in that we are stepped deeply in grappling, numerous locks, sweeps, and throws. Our primary goal is to get behind our opponent in any shape, way, and or form; we're 85% hands and 15% feet, with our kicks targeted waist down. If the given MA isn't effective, then there's no since in pursuing it. If I was drowning in the ocean, and I went down twice already, and I was about to go down for the third and finally time, and an inner-tube floated by me, and it saved my life, I'd kiss an inner-tube for the rest of my life. I wouldn't care what that which saved my life is called because it saved my life. Labels are meaningless to me, and the time to not worry about labels is when it saved my life. No, there's no wiki on our brand of Shindokan, and that was by design, and wasn't a mistake. Soke's mindset was that if you want to learn Shindokan, then one needed to train in Shindokan. We never had a website, even though in our later history we fought tooth and nail to get Soke and Dai-Soke to change their minds, but that was to no avail. Stubborn to their core!! There's Aikido Shindokan, Shindokan Budo, and so on and so forth. None of these are Shindokan Saitou-ryu whatsoever...none of them. Their shingle might read Shindokan, and that's fine, and that's where the similarities end. I've seen a Shindokan Karate Dojo before, but it's a Shotokan dojo. See what I mean by labels an how they can't be judge by them.

Nothing but pure gold in your post right here. Solid and worth a fortune. Train hard and train well.

Scheduled today my first appointment here in Las Vegas for a Medical Oncologist. It's August 20, 2021 at 10:00AM; check-in at 9:15AM at the Comprehensive Cancer Center. This first visit will be for consultation only; kind of like a greet and meet get to know each other and etc. Then very shortly after that, treatments will begin again. Still my concern is that it'll be 6 months since treatment, and 3 months since I missed my May 28th shot. Worried about my numbers increasing. Should a appointment cancel before August 20th, I'll be rescheduled for a sooner time and date. Still trying to put a fire under the LBJ Hospital Records Department for ALL of my medical records, but it seems not much of priority for them. Excited and nervous all at the same time.

In a nutshell... 1950|Shindokan Saitou-ryu; founded by Fuyuhiko Saitou, Soke, Judan 1956|Soke, and his student, Yoshinobu Takahashi, Godan, move to the USA from Nanjo, Okinawa 1957|Shindokan Hombu established in Canoga Park, CA *Soke forms Shindokan’s governing body; Shindokan Karate and Kobudo Association (SKKA) *Yoshinobu Takahashi Sensei is selected by Soke to be Kaicho[President] of the Shindokan Hombu Choshu Saitou (1865 - 1962) (Okinawa-te*) (This is the father of Soke Saitou) (*Choshu Saitou's Okinawa-te Instructor is unknown) Fuyuhiko Saitou (1917 - 2008) (Shindokan** founder; Shindokan was founded in 1950.) (**His instructors were, his father, Choshu Saitou, this is the Okinawa-te side of Shindokan, and Shigekazu Ishikawa, this is the Shuri-te side of Shindokan) Shindokan was birthed/founded in the village of Tamagusuku located in the Shimajiri District, and as part of a merge in 2006, that area is now known as the city of Nanjo. Soke's life and MA experiences provided for the groundings of Shindokan's methodology, ideology, as well as its philosophies can be credit to his father, I suppose. After all, his father was his primary MA instructor and quite a lot of influences and directions from his father.

Yes, it did, Patrick. Thank you for asking. My new PCP is Dr. Jeffrey Evenson, and his bedside manner is quite warming; I welcome it wholeheartedly. He asks a ton of questions which is refreshing because I'm having a conversation and not a one sided directive. Checking in as a new patient was quite involved; I thought I was buy/ing a car or a house. But it's to be expected, being a new patient. Then the weigh-in and blood pressure check. I gave him as much family history as I could remember. I also gave my PCP my medical records as well as my workman's compensation records. I also gave him my Covid-19 vaccination records...everyone has to wear masks in his facility no matter their vaccinated or not. Informed him about my fight against cancer as well as my Afib history'. He gave me an EKG as told me..."Yeah, you've Afib; no concerns. I will also provide my medical records from both my Oncologist and Cardiologist. I will see my PCP in 1 month for a check-up. No blood work because I recently had one back in April. Dr. Evenson is referring me to a Oncologist, Cardiologist, and Dietician. Those referrals are mailed to my house. Then I call those Specialists to make appointments. As a matter of fact, I was instructed to call within 3 days to secure an appointment to my Medical Oncologist from the day I receive those referrals in the mail, which I should receive in about 5 business days. Feels great to know that the 3 month long pause from my cancer treatments is over very, very soon. I pray that any of my diagnosis numbers have NOT raised in any iota whatsoever because of this 3 month interruption.

Lost and/or forgotten can be troublesome in one degree or another. Name changes, methodology changes, and ideology changes can become the root and cause and evil behind their splintering's. Whatever causes a MA style to become lost and/or forgotten can't always be understood and/or known...not all of the times. Sad, glad, or happy of the demise can be quite bothersome to some, and not so with others. I'm of the latter because there's nothing I can do about it. With Shindokan's closing of the SKKA, and being splintered like a tatter and old piece of wood, its original history remains in tact, yet the new history will be written by many viewpoints that will cloud Shindokan's history. Of us that are considered the keepers of its archives and the like will do whatever so that it's not lost/forgotten, but the odds don't seem to favor the odds. That's why it's up to the Student Body to keep the Shindokan flame burning bright as long as it can. but time will tell. Sometimes change isn't always a good thing, especially when the Student Body was the innocent victims of the unforeseen demise. So sad. I've far much more to say on this topic, but our own sad history is more than I wish to remember, for at least for now.

As it's said over and over...the family kicks together stays together. Starting the journey at the same time are memories that are not replaceable...priceless. Train hard and train well, each and everyone of you. Remember, the MA isn't easy, but serious practice makes it seem easier. Good luck in your MA journey, now and forever...and welcome back to the wonderful world of the MA, Zaine!! Beautiful picture; thank you for sharing it.