SEPTEMBER IS

[cuznjohn]

prostate cancer awareness month, now i know most men don't want to hear this but take it from a survivor it is well worth the blood test. back in 1998 i was having a few problems urinating and went to see my doctor, he did the dreaded digital exam and said all felt good so i asked for a PSA test. i was 46 at the time and he said on we will do one. my PSA was a lil over 4.0 and he said don't worry about it, so being a lil of a health worrier 3 weeks later i went for another blood test. at that time my PSA dropped under 4.0 and he said all was good, than 3 weeks after that i went again and my doctor said i was becoming a hypochondriac but i demanded another blood test. this time my PSA was close to 5 so he sent me to see a urologist. i was told by him that the PSA levels do go up and down but being it was close to five he would do a sonogram and a biop. that was not fun but they did find a very small tumor there and i went to Sloan Kettering hospital for further tests. the doctor there was just a lil older than me and said i have 3 choices, 1 being forget it, and at 46 it will run through you like a freight train, 2nd being seed implantation, but at that time there was not to many studies done on that, and 3rd was get it out of your body.

i trusted this doctor only because i felt he was very honest with me and i said lets do it. my surgery was set for 5 weeks later and they were the longest 5 weeks of my life. the older you are the slower it takes for the prostate cancer to go through your body but at 46 i had no options.

now i will say having your prostate removed changes a mans life in way's i will not go in to, but having been through it i am a believer that all men should have the test. it broke up a 10 year relationship, but if she didn't understand what happened than it was her loss. i am not looking for sympathy or any thing like that but i just want every man to know that if you enjoy living and are close to 50 and over that you should ask your doctor for the PSA test just to check. i hope this didn't upset anyone but it is important. and to quote Dr. SPOCK LIVE LONG AND PROSPER

 

[spyder3]

Thanks for posting. A good reminder for all.:bowdown:

 

[Dan McNally]

Good message. My brother went through the same thing and also opted for the surgery. I lost a good friend to prostate cancer in his early 50's. It metastasized into his bones and he died, very painfully, with bones breaking from very simple things like walking up a flight of stairs. I was on flying status as a young man and the digital exam was part of a flight physical, so I got over the nervousness about it quickly . . . I can't agree more, that a PSA test and annual digital exam are critical. Thanks for sharing

 

[Bob Denman]

Thanks! :thumbup:

 

[jerpinoy]

Annual check up is the norm. Prevention is better than cure. It's cheaper to maintain a healthy body. Avoid S A D foods(standard american foods) such as fast food, fried food, salty food, processed food, and sugar. Eat more fruits and vegetables.:yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:

 

[cuznjohn]

here for you

i forgot to mention if anyone has questions about this topic please feel free to pvt. me and i will answer questions you have to the best of my ability. but i do feel your doctor is your best source

 

[alpacaguy]

Aged 66, had biopsy two weeks ago. Came back positive. Have "Consultation" on the 11th of this month. Can't wait to get things going!!! I knew about the PSA test and it's importance, but still procrastinated. DON'T WAIT. DO IT NOW!!! Thanks for posting...

 

[cuznjohn]

consult

Aged 66, had biopsy two weeks ago. Came back positive. Have "Consultation" on the 11th of this month. Can't wait to get things going!!! I knew about the PSA test and it's importance, but still procrastinated. DON'T WAIT. DO IT NOW!!! Thanks for posting...

best of luck to you waiting is the worst part of the whole ordeal