Richard's Guestbook

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  I had Tv shows adiction after surgery. I saw the whole Twin Peaks, fighting with my wife (without blood, lol).

Robert Miller  Never heard of "rorschach test" but it sounds German. When reading this post, I happened to listen to a Swiss band  called Patent Ochsner who have a song "Scharlachrot" (very melancholic). "Scharlachrot" isn't exactly "Rorschach" but both have sch, r, ch, o, a, etc. Just a bit differently arranged.

It's not easy to understand the lyrics of that particular song from Patent Ochsner as they speak a more extreme version of Bernese German but they do sing about "burning your name into the middle of my heart". So I guess it is a little bit related to this forum...

And on a different note, my mom was born like 30 minutes away from where I grew up and the people in the town I grew up would tease her because of her Aentlibucher Dialect. You can literally tell who lives like 30 miles away and you can tell which region. 

Richard Munson  Not sure why but breaking up is hard to do. I had to put my baby away for the winter after they salted the roads. Today i emptied the trunk, added all my moisture and mouse deterrents  and put the cover on. I faithfully take it out of the garage every week to 10 days. And drive around my backyard circle. Just had a bit of bad news concerning the president of my car club. He had a heart attack driving his wife to the store , crashed, and he died and badly injured her in the accident. Enjoy life while you can. 

Suzette Schear  Oh geez that’s rough.  I hear you loud and clear. I did feel like I was breaking up with my car I knew you would get it had the car since 2007.  It’s good you take iyours out.  Again sorry about your friend.

Richard Munson  Thank you. He was a veteran, former police officer and d.j. At most local car shows under the handle of johnny angel. An all around nice guy who will be missed by many. 

Richard Munson  Thanks deena. When you have a slow growing case of prostate cancer like i have there are a couple of factors that influence the decision of radiation or active surveillance which i have chosen for now, as a team decision. By team i mean, me, nancy and the doctor. Me being number one. And believe me, i had a written list of detailed questions like i advise others to do right here. I demand answers by the way.  One being age. I am 83 so will i die from something else first. The other is mental. Can i sleep at night knowing i have cancer in my prostate. So far , so good. My parting thought to all you guys out there. Get your psa tests done and pay attention to the results. It can save your life.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Well said Richard. My psa grew very quickly and besides happened during COVID. I was obliged to radical surgery when nobody could visit me. Then, agree with your tle psa surveillance is vital. In my case everithig ended happily well

Deena Z  Well said, Richard!   Also  happy for you Fidel!  You both are smart, vigilante and we will always be rooting for you, cuz we like you so:)

Richard Munson  We are happy you addressed your prostate issues successfully, Fidel. You are a great contributor to this site. I recently had this argument with my 58 year old son who has yet to get a psa test. Maybe his mother can get him moving. What i said was, “ your father has prostate cancer, odds are good you can get it. “ i am a firm believer that heredity is an important factor in many medical diagnosis. Prostate and heart valve being only 2 on the list. 

Suzette Schear  Agreeing a lot is hereditary .  Early detection is such an important key.  Fidel, Richard sending good health wishes your way.  @Richard hope your son listens to Nancy and gets things checked out 

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Depending of course of the amount of caution used. All depends of a good balance between prudence and courage.

Richard Munson  Agreed. Meet my urologist today to discuss my biopsy results. I am leaning toward another year of active surveillance. On the bright side i made a great sales call today and may have captured a new account. 

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  I think you biopsia results are quite good, 7(3+4) and remaining  every year at 81y.o. . Mine were 7(4+3) at 70 y.o. and that made the difference.

Richard Munson  So, you wanted to make me cry today? Very sweet words. Maybe when you reach 83, your perspective changes a little but rest assured i am not ready to pack it in. My bucket list is too long. Depending on what my prostate biopsy shows next week, i will either wait another year or do the radiation. Its all about the numbers. I try and take the cup half full approach to life. It has served me well in business and in sports. A tough account is still a challenge to me and its why i still work. back in the day, a basketball opponent with an all star bio, was going to face a tough game. Not to brag but i came out ahead more times than behind. I like to see people on this site take a positive attitude. It can make the difference in my eyes. I also feel like i know you and a few others here i feel a personal connection to.  If i can help with a little cheerleading, i am all for it. One person recently was melinda , who needed some boosting up before and after her surgery. I see a positive difference now and i hope i helped in a small way. So hang in there kid, better days are coming. 

Richard Munson  By the way, i spent 3 hours at urgent care yesterday with my hand all swelled up. After xrays and all the rest  it was diagnosed as a bad sprain up by my knuckle. Ice, advil and rest they told me. I know how i got it, installing a heater in my garage to keep golden girl warm. The ice i am doing, advil hurts my stomach and rest. Rest is easier said than done so yes, i walked shadow today. It might take longer to heal. Such is life.

Kimberly Eisenhut  Hope your hand heals quickly, Shadow stays warm and your test goes well also🙏 Big hugs and lots of love to you HVS stepdad🫂❤️

Richard Munson  Thank you hvs step daughter. I consider you one of my special projects. Just got thru a very stressful hour with shadow after he experienced a 2 minute seizure. 2 of the longest minutes of my life. His third in a couple of years. The first  2 were outside and witnessed them a little late in the game. Very scary i might add if you have never experienced a dog convulsing on the ground and foaming at the mouth. By the time we got to the vet after the first 2 , its all over so only guesses as to cause.  Epilepsy and you name it were possibilities. This time however, i got to see it from start to finish inside the house. Start: he tore up a paperback book and ate a bunch of pages, then proceeded to vomit all over the living room rug. Seizure right after. I never saw the vomiting on the first 2 only the seizure but i now suspect it may cause the seizure after reading on line. Something about the vagus nerve being affected by vomiting. Perhaps he ate grass on the first 2. Who knows. Awaiting a call back from my vet. Stopping him from puking is easier said than done of course. 

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  I imagine swelling in your hand very un confortable while It lasts. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Kimberly Eisenhut  Please let me know how Shadow is doing, I am so sorry you had to go through that again. I'm sure he will be alright. You're both in my prayers today and every day🙏🫶

Suzette Schear  My mother in law’s dog use to get the seizures I would wrap him in a towel so he felt constraint and couldn’t hit his head.  Very trying watching helplessly waiting for it to end.  Sorry about the sprain look at you installing a heater.  I took apart an ac but had a problem putting it back together the last screw hit the Freon.  Don’t over due it. Sometimes it’s okay to rest

Ana Brusso  My dear hvs brother Richard. I just read all these posts and don’t know what happened to your hand. I am very, very sorry our dear Shadow had another seizure. I know you and Nancy are taking great care of him. It’s sad to know he has to go through these episodes. I like that you are a very positive person and are always ready to offer comfort to whoever needs it on this site, me included. Suzette’s post was so sweet. You are very much loved. Hoping your hand heals quickly, our Shadow gets better and your prostate results will show a way to deal with it. You, and Shadow will be in my prayers. 🙏❤️

Melinda Donahue  Hey Richard, I, too, think the absolute world of you as well and I have never physically met you.  You have brought me comfort as well - I was an emotional and mental wreck - far worse than the physical.  You talked me 'off the ledge' a few times.  You gently taught me - whether you know it or not, to put things into perspective and realize - I just had a huge operation and to expect some ups and downs.  You taught me to be grateful that I was able to get surgery and get thru it - even when I could not see it.

I still am a nervous wreck, internalizing and applying to myself, everything I read and hear - the what if's are overwhelming, but I am working thru it now.  I am walking approx 15,000 steps a day, riding the bike 20 minutes a day and trying to live my daily routine.  

I am still afraid that one day, something will change and I will have some kind of issue from the surgery - but your 'voice' pops in and I push the thought out and realize how lucky I am to have been fixed.

I am so grateful to you Richard and the rest the heart warriors on this site and of course Adam.  You made me feel like I was not alone and I am so thankful.

I cannot guarantee that the crazy & worried me has left the building - she is still here and will pop back in for help.  I tried to keep my nervous rants and questions to a minimum.


Thank you all for your help and I hope I can help those in need in the same way I was supported.

Melinda Donahue  Richard, I hope Shadow is okay and that your hand is better.  I had a dog who was an epileptic as well.   How sad - its hard to diagnose because as you said, the seizure is over by the time you go to the vet.  If you can - try to video it and a warning sign maybe they stare and look incoherent.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Richard, you're doing right watching the evolution of the prostate. The biopsy isn't a pleasant experience, I know that well. I wish you all the best.

Richard Munson  Thank you my hvs friends. Rest assured i will not leave a stone unturned. If the biopsy shows the previously diagnosed cancer has progressed i will schedule the radiation. It was on the edge last time on the gleason score hence i chose active surveillance. I have already been bothering my urologist ( surprise surprise), the squeaky wheel gets the oil, and made an attempt to move up the biopsy procedure. Its a month away. As we all know the wheels of medicine turn slowly. A month is a long time to worry about it, take note melinda, My plans today will be to take shadow for a nice spirited walk, mail out a few catalogs to prospective clients ( work never stops) and drive my car so i can listen to my hot pipes.

Pamela Gregory  Sending lots of love and positive prayers to you Richard! You will do the right thing (radiation if necessary) and after all, you are too ornery for anything like this to get you. What would we all do without you to entertain us daily? Have you heard of Proton Therapy? My brother in law had prostate cancer stage 4, had proton therapy, and (knock wood) has been fine since going on 5 years. Just something to maybe look into.

Kimberly Eisenhut  Richard, you are such an inspiration and I am so happy and blessed to have you as my heart valve step dad! Have a great ride today and enjoy Praying for your test to go well and you get answers quickly. Sending big hugs and lots of love today

Ana Brusso  Oh my dear hvs brother Richard, you will be in my prayers for a good outcome. I’m also facing new health issues but my trust is in God and am hoping for a good outcome too. Love and prayers 🙏❤️

Richard Munson  I decided to print out the 2 pictures i took at the car show and frame them. Then i plan to bring them over to the home and try to find the 2 vets. No names. Might not be easy. Small token but hopefully appreciated. 

Suzette Schear  Small token- not at all.  It will show the respect and remembrance of being a person and not being discarded.  There are websites where vets keep in touch.  Thinking the car show might have had a website .  Hope your doing okay

Ana Brusso  You can go to the home and show their pictures and then you’ll find them. What a great gesture of gratitude. Very thoughtful ❤️😍

Richard Munson  Thanks for reply. Just sent portal to my dr. Suggesting i cut back from 100 a day to 75 and test it. Also mentioned your med. i also need to work, and walk shadow and function. Guess i could keel over from new heart beat issue but there is also no guarantee i won’t anyway. 

Richard Munson  He just suggested cutting back a little. If it works fine, if not switch. Dart board. It will all come out in the wash i guess. 

Kimberly Eisenhut  Richard, I am sending prayers and hope the medications work out quickly and fix the problem. Thinking of you today

Richard Munson  I am going to give the new upped dosage a chance. If i feel like garbage i will mention this version to him. He doubled the dose from 50 mg a day to 100 a day. I have decided to try 75 a day and if i die then i made a bad decision. I need to be able to function. Thank you fidel for your post. Just had a great drive top down, with a few other cars. 82 degrees, sunny, low humidity. Burned a 1/2 tank of gas. Drill baby drill. Lol. 

Susan Lynn  Richard- I was on 100 mg of metoprolol succinate for the last several years.  I just recently had the dosage reduced to 50 mg.  You might not even notice a difference.  

Kathy Ozio  About a year ago, my doc wanted to increase my metoprolol.  I did and didnt tolerate well (too sleepy and slower thinking). He switched me to bisoprolol and it is much better. 

Richard Munson  I hope you are o.k. Driving up to mgh is such a pain. Maybe see you next weekend. Saturday/ sunday rain date. You’re not missing anything, its raining. 

Richard Munson  You brought back fond 3 dog night memories of a past employee god rest his soul and his name was jeremiah. When i called him on the phone i would say bullfrog and he would answer by saying joy to the world, all the boys and girls. Many calendar pages have turned since then. So i say, joy to you and me.