November 17, 2004

You're a good man, Acidman. I'm only 27 so, hopefully I won't have to worry about this problem for a while, but I DO check myself for the testicular cancer regularly. Hey, I'm not taking any chances with the jewels. They're a VERY important part of ME. Thanks. And I'll heed your advice for my prostate in the future.

Jason
Austin, Texas

Well after my dad and your advice I'm going in for I'm 40 and please be gentle on the sphinxter Doctor test. My dad had his prostate removed 2 years ago and I know that means that I have an elevated chance of developing prostate cancer someday. Keep telling people to take this serious cause it is.

Thanks Again.
Rob

Well said, Rob! There is a nice bone or two in your body, no matter WHAT velociman says!

Those who've scouted the difficult path make the best guides for others to follow. Your offer to answer questions makes both practical & compassionate sense. I hope many will take you up on it.

9 years ago a lifelong friend took many of us on his pancreatic cancer journey to the Abyss. He answered EVERY SINGLE QUESTION all of us caregivers & others asked, for he hoped to allay some of our fears. I've never forgotten his selfless quest to help counquer ignorance & fear.

As for the annual "finger wave" & PSA, I'm 56 now & wouldn't miss it. Not that I enjoy the digital closeness with the doc, but the peace of mind is worth it.

Isn't it ironic how few (any???) ribbons, golf tournaments & 10K runs there are for prostate cancer? Just not a disease with political clout, I guess.

My father went through the same thing as you and he, too, is zero PSA to this day. Supposedly, the nerve that is often severed in the prostatectomy, which results in impotence, was not in his case but he did experience it anyway. I don't know if any functionality has returned yet.

My father's brother also has prostate cancer but they caught it too late. The surgeon went in to remove the prostate, took one look, and just sewed him back up. It had metastasized all over the place. He's still alive and controlling it through medication. He seems perfectly healthy but I don't know how much longer that will last.

The two of them together equals family history so you bet I'm going to be watching for it. I pretty much expect that it will eventually strike me as well.

Great post. My father's was caught early, in 1991-ish or so. He had the op, which was successful, and gave him eight more years. After he went in for one of his tests in 1998 he received the news that the cancer had returned. He did some chemo and even went into a clinical study (run by asshole doctors who didn't give a shit about their patients -- don't get me started) but at that point he was dying. Betweeb his operation in '91 and his death, his quality of life was excellent, until the last five or so months. Then it was straight downhill, and almost unbearable to watch, especially in the last stages. But watch it I did, and I was with my dad throughout, something I take a little solace from.

Your comment about the disparity between the attention that breat cancer gets and the attention that prostate cancer gets rings true. Breast cancer seems more fashionable. I can't help but think that people find prostate cancer offensive to talk about because of where the prostate resides. There are other factors, I'm sure.

Again, great post. Good luck managing it.

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I really appreciate blogs like this one becuase it is insightful and helps me communicate with others.
thanks.also, that guy billyz, I really need to talk to you about that cure you mentioned.