Not as simply as it seem.

 Im the big dog at the fitness club.the guy that people look up to.But i havent been to the club since ive been dx.with prostate cancer .It may seem simply to alot of poeple but for me its hard . I guess i dont want people feeling sorry for me.Thats why i like posting stuff like this, it make me feel normal and i dont need to hide behind my strong body.Dont mean to be neg.but its true feeling. when i feel good i'll start to share with them about getting regular check-ups.

I see no reason to tell your acquaintances at the fitness club, as it's something that they don't need to know. Unless of course it's common practice to talk about health issues.

Even if you have surgery (which will slow you down!) you can just say "I've had surgery but I'm recovering". Or you can add "Prostate Cancer" as well. Most people will stop right there, but for the more curious, then you can give them the details, including the spiel about checkups.

I have PCa still, but I am otherwise normal. I don't discuss it with anybody other than family and close friends, and even then I spare them the details

boger,

there's no right or wrong with what you or the others are saying on this subject. some people are like open books, and others are closed tight, and some in-between. whatever is most comfortable for you, is what is right for you. for those in my life that want details, i give it to them, and to those that shy away, i don't.

some of my former biz friends have given me the cold shoulder for 3 years nearly now, afraid the cancer will rub off on them like cooties. but then others, have gotten closer to me, and have been a big help to me along the way.

as you come more and more to terms with you and your cancer, you will know the right balance there.

wishing you the best along the way

david in sc

I am with Piano... rather keep it to myself.  Purg is so right some folks think it will rub off.   For instance, the hygenist at my dentist office who is living in the dark ages. 

I'm amazed at how many of us seem to lead a healthy lifestyle but are still subject to this cancer. I also weight-train and exercise regularly but not at a club. From everything I've heard, weight-training and exercise can help you recover better after the operation. It also can lift your spirits. I'm finding it harder to get motivated because I get hit with periods of depression, but I try to force myself anyway.

As for worrying about people knowing, I also used to worry about that but now the only person I don't want to tell is my mother because she would over-react. You may think your cancer will be a big topic of gossip and conversation, but there's an old saying that goes something like this, "Don't worry about what other people think of you because if you knew how seldom they did, you would probably be insulted." I suspect the average conversation would go something like this:

- "Hey, did you hear that Dreamerboy has prostate cancer?"
- "You don't say. Poor fellow. . . . . Any idea what the weather's going to be like tomorrow?"