Some Initial Thoughts from a Fellow Cancer Patient

A friend went through his initial cancer diagnosis a few years ago and wanted to post a few words about his journey with cancer:

Hi all.  Ron has graciously agreed to allow me to share some thoughts on my experience with cancer.  Just so you all know (including you, Ron), that Ron has been my mentor when it comes to dealing with cancer.  Even though our cancers are entirely different, he provided me with great advice when I needed it most.  I take the opportunity to do the same for others every chance I get and always make sure they know that it was Ron who helped me, and they, in turn, are bound to help others when needed. 

Just a little background.  Four years ago I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, the number two cancer killer in men (lung cancer is number one).   To make a long story short, the discovery, diagnosis, treatment, and rehab took about a year and a half.  I consider myself lucky.  We caught mine early but only because I was proactive.  I always had good physical exams…never any problems.  After I retired from the Air Force I neglected getting any kind of physical for the next seven years.

I always had pretty comprehensive flight physicals with never any problems and I became complacent…until an old roommate of mine was diagnosed.  I decided I should get checked.  Again, everything was normal.  As I was leaving the office I said “Hey, how about a PSA test, I’ve never had one”.  My doctor was surprised and said “sure, I’ll order you one”.  Well, it came back elevated.  I was referred to a specialist who immediately wanted to do a biopsy.  I thought that was a little premature so sought another opinion.  The second specialist said there are other things that can cause increased levels of PSA in the blood, like a low-grade infection.  Let’s treat for that and see what happens.  Well, the PSA came down.  He said to get it checked again in 3 or 4 months.

I did and it was elevated again.  Back to the first specialist for the biopsy…not a fun procedure, by the way.  Anyway, the biopsy confirmed the cancer.  The bottom line here is that even though the PSA test is not perfect, neither is the physical exam.  They are just indicators.  If I had just gone with the physical exam and not asked for a PSA test, my cancer would still be cooking.   So, don’t just go with the convenient answer or the standard exam.  Stay on top of your own health especially if you have a family history. 

I had a radical prostatectomy on February 22^nd, 2008.  Pathology showed the margins to be clear which means the cancer did not get outside the gland…very good news.  Most men that die from Prostate Cancer do so because it went too long undetected.  The recovery was long, I went 4 weeks without working.  The rehab went ok…a few issues here and there but, for the most part, everything is fine…actually, some things are even better…but I won’t go into that.  In about 14 more months I’ll be declared “cancer free”…a significant milestone for me…I’ll be able to start donating blood again!

I think this is enough for now.  If it’s OK with Ron, I’d like to do a couple more posts…more along the lines of what he has done…how cancer changes our lives, how we learn to deal with it, and how we think about the future.