A Special PC Brother I Met Today

Made friends today at the clinic with a man and his two sisters that I have only seen a couple of times before.  And what a story.  No matter how miserable we can feel in our own journeys, trust me, there are those so much worse than we can imagine.

 

Confined to a wheel chair now, Johnyy, a strong looking, African-American man, 61 years old started his PC journey barely a year ago.  He was mowing his lawn, when he said he felt a sharp pain and fell to the ground with his right leg snapping several times.  To make a long story short,  he has PC in the worse way.  Didn't know it.  Didn't run in his family.  By the time he knew it, had spread through his hips and legs.  The VA amputated his right leg below the knee, his left leg may go next.  They did a 12 core biopsy, and this is too much, he was Gleason 10 in 12/12 cores, 96-100% PC.  The VA did both HT and chemo with him, and he was holding his own until recently.  A breathing issue turns out that the PC has taken over a good portion of his left lung.  THey were radiating him in the lung to try to reduce the swelling so that it doesnt cut off his breathing.

 

THis man was a kind, gentle giant of a person, 6'4", with a great spirit and attitude.  The VA told him this was the direct result of Agent Orange exposure and he gets his 100% disability and lives with his sisters.  He was Army Special Ops in Nam in 1968-69.  He said he remembers on mutilple times in getting dusted by the stuff as they were doing OPs, but never thought any thing about it at the time.

WHen they took him for treatment, I had a good talk with his sisters.  I gave them my name, phone number, and email, and since they are fairly local to me, told them I would be glad to come talk to their brother anytime he wants or needs it.

Despite his condition, his level of dignity was overwhelming, and all he wants is what we want, to live free of PC.

Just wanted to share this unique story.

David in SC

 

Man, what a story. My prayer list is getting awfully long...

Thanks for sharing, David. These stories put everything in perspective.

A bit off topic (apologies in advance) ... I work for a children's charity north of NYC. We help families of children with cancer and other serious illnesses. Our help includes financial, emotional and advocacy support. The stories of some of our kids - and their incredible bravery and acceptance of their plight - sometimes makes me hang my head in shame. Yesterday, we learned of a 17 year old who was diagnosed with leukemia about 2 years ago and has had 2 relapses. In addition to all of this, her dad was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer but is able to continue working full-time (that's amazing in and of itself). Daughter and father are treated at the same hospital in New York City, and daughter is preparing for her second stem cell transplant. The mom is the caregiver for both of them. This family is amazingly strong and they see each day as a gift, and worry about tomorrow when it arrives.

It's stories like this family's - and your friend Johnny's - that make us pause and reevaluate our own situations. I give thanks every day for what I do have.

Thanks for reaching out to this guy, David.  I'm sure he appreciated talking to someone who knows what he is going through.  Thanks for sharing. David

Thanks, David CPA, was disapointed I didnt see him today, not sure if he was too ill to come or what. will see tommorow perhaps.

At the outside level, Ed, it was sad, but to see the look of life in his eyes, and the love of his sister in caring for him was just as touching in a positive way.

He's a great guy, hoping to see him this afternoon.