I posted this in the extended family section, but that's only accessible by forum members and I think this is important enough for everyone to consider. Please understand it's not about me, but I'm using my experience to relate to others in hope they will be as lucky as I was.
I just celebrated three years cancer free after having prostate cancer surgery. Thank the Lord for letting me be a survivor. All you guys, especially over 50 or with a history of prostate cancer in your family........ Please, please, please go and get your PSA checked. And when the doctors office tells you it's normal, keep track of the number and be on the lookout for an increase. My PSA remained in the normal range even though I had cancer. My family doc missed it but I was lucky enough that I saw an endocronologist for a common thyroid problem and he caught it. I had no symptoms. If you wait until you have symptoms, it might be too late. One is six men will have prostrate cancer. If you're that one, like I was, please do everything you can to make sure they find it early.
Cancer free since 1998 after prostate surgery. Go get checked out now. I recommend after age 40. Thank God for todays technology. Now if they can only find something to cure all forms of cancer. Larry
I just passed 10yrs. of being cancer free. The reason I went to the doctor, was my feet were killing me, setting, standing, even laying down, the pain was terrible. The Prostate Gland taken out, feet quit hurting, everything works like it's supposed to, and steel playin' is fun again. The surgeon said, he didn't know why my feet would have anything to do with the Prostate, but the cure could have been from being off my feet for 2wks. Anything unusual going on in your body, get it checked out, I would've been dead 5yrs ago, had I ignored that foot pain.
Rick, I thank God you're still around. And thank you, for bringing this somewhat awkward topic up. My doctor has a great sense of humor about this stuff. 10 years ago, he was putting on the glove, and I asked, "Doc, where you want me to put my dignity?" He said, "hang it on the wall, next to mine."
Stephen Gambrell wrote:Rick, I thank God you're still around. And thank you, for bringing this somewhat awkward topic up. My doctor has a great sense of humor about this stuff. 10 years ago, he was putting on the glove, and I asked, "Doc, where you want me to put my dignity?" He said, "hang it on the wall, next to mine."
PSA's? about 1.8.
Hey Steve,
Good to hear from you. PSA 1.8.... That's my point. Mine was 1.9 and the following year it had increased to 2.8. My family doctor's office nurses called and said "everything was normal". (anything below 4.0 is normal) I had an appointment with an endocronologist the following week and I ask them to fax the blood work so I didn't need to do it again. He caught the increase and that started the investigation as to why. Long story short, I had cancer. If I had depended on their communication that it was normal it might have had a different outcome. I was lucky. So..... Ask them what the number is (as you obviously did) and keep track of it so you can notice the increase if they don't. I got myself a new family doctor after that oversight. If my insurance card had expired, I'm sure they would have caught that.
Stephen Gambrell wrote:Rick, I thank God you're still around. And thank you, for bringing this somewhat awkward topic up. My doctor has a great sense of humor about this stuff. 10 years ago, he was putting on the glove, and I asked, "Doc, where you want me to put my dignity?" He said, "hang it on the wall, next to mine."
Stephen that's funny. One time while I was having the digital rectal exam (DRE) the doc asked me what I did for a living. I told him I was a geologist. He said,"How do you like your job." I said, "Fine; how do you like yours." He replied, "Well things are looking up."
Hey Rick I'm glad you are doing fine now. I was told that my PSA is below a 1.My wife is a brest cancer suviveer of ten years this coming November 8Th. The Doctor in maine when we lived there told her on her 60TH Birthday tath she had breast cancer and they operated on her a week later. He went in and got the Centenal node first and said if there was no sign of cancer in it that there would be none in the rest of the nodes.He did remove the left breast. She was on a Kemo pill for two years and she is doing fine.
Sam White
Dynalap lap 8 String Lap Steel Fender frontman 25B speaker changed Boss TU-12H Tuner.Founder and supporter of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association Founder of the New England Steel Guitar Association and the Greeneville TN Steel Jams and now founder of the North Carolina Steel Guitar Jams. Honorary member of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association,Member of The New England Steel Guitar Association.
Member of the Florida Steel Guitar Club,and member of Mid Atlantic Steel Guitar Association
Thanks for the reminder Rick. I had my first one 6 years ago at 50 and they found one REALLY BIG benign tumor. I had my annual physical in the spring and the PA said time for another one. I had forgotten. A call for an appointment with the Proc Doc is on my "to do"list for tomorrow.
Rick:
Very good advice! I had my prostate removed two years ago. Unfortunately, I had a very aggressive form of prostate cancer, and the cancer had moved beyond my prostate.
I am just finishing up two years of Hormone Replacement Therapy using Lupron -- believe me gentlemen, you don't want to go down that road if you can help it.
I am currently doing great, and have used this as an excuse to learn PSG.
In the end I have found the whole process to be a blessing in many ways, but I would never wish it on anyone.
