sensei8

Today was the day for my Scan results at 9am, August 28, 2020. Results: 1) Stage 4 Cancer!! There are 5 stages. 2) Metastatic; Cancer spread in my bones near my spine. 3) No Chemo 4) No surgery Treatment: 1) 1 pill orally per day 2) 1 shot every 3 months Goal: To lower my PSA levels to zero/unreadable!! Prognosis: Doctor indicates that the oral pill is just for 30 days; after that, I've no idea. However, the shot in my arm might take as long as 2-3 years. Next Appointments: 1) November 6, 2020 8:10am 2) November 20, 2020 8am In Closing: Both the pill and the shot will lower my testosterone, however, while the side affects are nothing to be excited about, but, for now, testosterone depends on protein, of which I need to lower my PSA levels to zero. That zero means CANCER FREE!!!! The pill is BICALUTAMIDE 50mg The shot is LEUPROLID Is this curable?? YES!! The cancer is slow moving!! Doctors have great high expectations of becoming cancer free!! Doctors also have great expectations of me living beyond my dad's age...89 years old...I'll take that. Of course, just because I have prostate cancer, it doesn't mean I'll die from prostate cancer. After all, I do have Afib (Atrial fibrillation) as well. I need to do other tests very soon, like, colonoscopy; which seems like a dream come true, but necessary, I'm 12 years overdue for that. Treatments will have its side affects, like, men's menopause, which in itself has its own built in side effects, like, hot flashes. Oh boy!! Treatments started today. I wonder why my PCP didn't advise me to visit a Urologist 5 years ago when my PSA levels were at 7, but advised me recently when my PSA levels hit at 29??!!?? I'll ask him whenever I see him again. I also have to take some Vitamin D and Calcium daily; 2 times per day. I'll keep updating as they come. Time to fight and WIN!!

CT Scan completed today, August 26, 2020. 7:45am: Checked in at the LBJ Hospital in Houston, TX at. 8:40am: Had IV inserted on my left arm halfway down at. Needles and me just don't get along. Having said that, the technician was smooooooth as smooth can be; no pain to speak about. Yeah, Bob the needle baby. 9am: Had CT Scan performed at. This included me lying down on a table/bed apparatus with both of my arms resting above my head. In and out over and over; had to hold my breath whenever the machine instructed me to do so, and then I was instructed to breath normal. Last thing done was the technician inserting through the IV Iodine; this caused me to feel quite warm, but not hot. 9:10am: Yep, the CT Scan took a big total of 10 minutes to perform. I was driving home at 9:15am. Results and visit with my Urologist will be this Friday, August 28, 2020. I'm not going to lie; I'm pretty scared because it's the unknown that drives be crazy. When I'm scared, I read a lot to understand, but the reading causes me even more anxiety; doctors and family tell me all of the time to stop reading; easier said than done. Right now I wish I had a emoticon for a needle pin cushion!!

Congrats, Devin; well deserved!!

Thank you, Mo; means everything to me. Feels great having my KF family in my corner during this fight. 7 times down, 8 times up!!

Imho... There are two different types of maturity in the MA. One is the maturing of tenure. One matures in this regard through ones own time spent on the floor by training hard and training well. Over time, the practitioner matures through familiarity. Sort of like when someone says that they know something like the back of their hand. The other is maturing in techniques. Shu Ha Ri always changes as we mature in techniques. In short, maturing in technique is what Bruce Lee said... "I do not hit, it hits all by itself." That to me is maturing in technique. Thinking about 'it', clouds the mind; can;t think straight at all, Being afraid of 'it', defeats the practitioner before it can be given a chance. All of this robs the practitioner of consistent effectiveness. Mizu No Kokoro = Mind like the moon Tsuki No Kokoro = Mind like the water Some practitioners never mature in their techniques.

Getting back to the dojo is always a great thing; glad that you're able to return to the dojo, especially during this pandemic. Train hard and train well.

To answer your question, I'm complete in my MA totality. It's not ego, just downright to the core confidence of my MA abilities, as well as my MA limitations. I've MA limitations because I'm not perfect. I've had my fair share of altercations throughout my life, but I'll not speak about them; that's not within me to do so. I don't fear anything or anyone; what happens happens; but I'm no push over. Sounds like ego, huh?? It's not because I've no ego to bruise or pump up. I train not for the win or the loss, but for the increased abilities to survive any altercation(s).

--- This is fascinating. Thanks so much guys. I am so intrigued by this kyoku kata. If I search for pinan/heian/tekki, etc videos, you will find hundreds. But Kyoku kata seem almost unknown in the world of youtube? How come? My friend does like in the west coast, by the way. To the bold type above... Perhaps there are not many Shudokan practitioners that aren't interested in posting anything anywhere, including YouTube and/or the lack of how to use YouTube or, well, there might be a lot of varied reasons to your question.

Perhaps, but please don't quote me, but, I believe that it's of Shudokan linage; and the Kata in question isn't spelled incorrectly, as far as they're concerned. That Kata is also known as Kyoku 4, but not at all Shudokan dojo's. I've trained with several Shudokan Karateka's over the many years in the past, however, the last time I did train in Shudokan was back in 2001 or 2002.

Devin, I echo wholeheartedly what Patrick has already said quite effectively. As far as what Devin's stepping down from being part of staff, another empty chair sits around the KF Staff table. I've always felt in my heart that she was that quintessential part of staff; being that vitally important cog of the KF Staff wheel. I, too, shall miss her here on staff, in which I believe that staff won't be the same. As a member, she's far much more than affable across the board; that extremely genuine trait that can be noticed immediately. She never put on airs with anyone no matter the topic and/or the member. Great knowing that Devin will still be around mean the world to us all. Thank you, Devin for everything you've done for KF and its members all of these many years unselfishly. See you around and I look forward to many more discussions with you, Devin!!

I suppose that the best thing to do before attending any tournament is to fully read and understand the Rules of said tournament. Some tournaments don't allow throws of any type for whatever their reasons might me. Better to know beforehand than finding out the hard way.

...and Uechi-ryu Karate trains to kick with the big toe... and it hurts, I know because I've been kicked with the big toe from a Uechi-ryu practitioner...got my attention quick!!

Solid post!!

After all, it's ones house, and it's ones Dan Certificate; therefore, display it/them however one decides. This is a good topic, thank you for it, Journyman74.

aurik wrote: Those stripes for the most are Shogo Titles. 1 stripe is Renshi. 2 stripes is Kyoshi. 3 stripes is Hanshi. These titles are far and away from Dan stripes because Shogo Titles are bestowed upon whereas Dan stripes are earned through a Testing Cycle; can't earn a Shogo Title through any Testing Cycle. aurik wrote: For the most part, in Okinawa, everyone wears a plain black belt while training, therefore, the other belts are worn only for ceremonial reasons. For the most part.

Wado Heretic wrote: Solid post!! Imagine a tree with real weak roots and soil; not healthy for the tree whatsoever. The roots can be the strengthening and conditioning for the legs, and the soil can be the dynamic stretching, and isometric stretches that Wado Heretic is speaking about. No reason to improve anything if the roots and the soil remains weak; strong tree being supported my weak landscaping.

Out and away of what Goju is and/or isn't and/or compared to, I'd observe many videos/books about Morio Higaonna Sensei; he's a Goju-ryu legend, imho. Your post does give you the basics in a small nutshell, but effective enough to start your research. If there's a Goju dojo near you, you could go watch as many classes as necessary and talk to that CI. You might be able to get on the floor for a trail lesson. Goju Ryu is quite attracted to close distance, strikes to vulnerable points, hardening of palm, fingers, body, misdirection with pain. doesn't do sport Kumite of much notice, probably only at the dojo. It's not about sport. Kumite is medium contact. Shotokan is faster, very solid and quick technique, albeit, movement in Kumite is very linear. Kumite is light or no contact, unless CI decide otherwise. Some strong nods in training towards humility. Oftentimes, to me, they both look quite similar while engaged in Kumite, yet, with the blink of the eye, they no longer have that similarity, and their own Kumite methodology are quite noticeable...and appreciated. Imho.

So you never want to make eye contact with your master/Sensei? Is it seen as disrespectful/threatening? Absolutely you want to make eye contact with anyone and everyone no matter whom they might be. The lack or refusal of any eye contact can be interpreted as fear and/or the like. Depends on the tone of the eye contact. A challenge? A threat? A warning? Insubordinate? Acknowledgement? State and Defend your position with the utmost respect, if it's warranted. Imho.

You're more than welcome, scohen0300. Train hard and train well.

Thank you, MAD Mike; means a lot to me. Please PM me his/her name and where?? I live in Houston, TX. I'll speak with my Urologist about this.

Sounds like ego there, but MAD Mike's right...be careful!! You could end up on the bad ending of a roll as some type of punishment...you could.

Yes. I've carried liability insurance for as long as I can remember; have to protect my students as well as my business.

Thank you, Danielle; means a lot to me!!

Sounds great. Though over time I've come to the mindset that workouts don't always have to be physically exhausting to be beneficial. I'd have probably preferred the first trainer myself but then I spend a lot of time with my guys doing muscle activation and stability and mobility exercises. Sounds the the fight gym guy is going to work you hard though which is also good if you want to improve general fitness and strength. Best of luck Solid posts, both.

Well, I'd try just about anything once, especially if I see value in it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I mean, I'd try it but not with just a notion, I'd work the tar out of it before I kicked it right to the curb.