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This Marine has more guts than most to come forward about PC

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Posted 5/6/2012 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
With the high T levels in the Marine Corps, it had to be tough for this General to go public; but my hat is off to one of our new club members for doing so:

www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2012/03/marine-corps-general-robert-milstead-prostate-cancer-032912w/
Posted 5/6/2012 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with you Desertrat, so good for him being an honorable person and role model.

Michael

Posted 5/6/2012 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Great story, and a great testimony for the General. Makes a great example.


david in sc
Posted 5/6/2012 5:26 AM (GMT 0)
The Arizona Republic ran this story in the last week or so.
Posted 5/6/2012 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
I love this!
Posted 5/6/2012 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
I don't get what is "so tough" about this.  Hunderds of poeple in the public eye come forward and share their private health issues all the time.  I fail to see what is unique about this story vs. anyone else.  Did Warren Buffet have "guts" to do the same?

Before everyone goes "balistic" about my post, it in no way is an expression of my opinion about the poeple that serve in the military.

I just fail to see what is so special about this guy doing this vs. anyone else.

Post Edited (ChrisR) : 5/6/2012 9:32:03 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/6/2012 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Chris - I agree with you. I don't see how this guy coming forward is any tougher than any guy coming forward. Actually, I don't think it's tough to come forward in the first place. I don't believe there are any taboos with cancer and/or potential side effects that may result from it.

I think that some associate being a soldier with a macho image which is at odds with some potential PCa issues that, as mentioned in the link, have to do with male plumbing.

Post Edited (davidg) : 5/6/2012 9:23:40 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/6/2012 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Is it just my being more aware of have more prominent people come out and say they have Prostate Cancer?

Last year before I was dx'ed I do not recall ever seeing anything in any news about guys with Prostate Cancer.

I see anyone coming forward and admitting to the world at large they have prostate cancer a pretty brave thing. I've still only told a handful of people and the 1000's here om HW.
Posted 5/6/2012 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
David and Chris, we can agree to disagree on this one. And that is okay.

Michael

Posted 5/6/2012 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
I remember when Giuliani came out. And I think I remember when Joe Torre came forward. I'll admit that in both cases I just associated the news with cancer in general and not prostate cancer. I would imagine that many people view cancer as cancer when they hear about it rather than associating it with a specific type of cancer and understanding exactly what it means.
Posted 5/6/2012 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
I applaud the General for sharing the story of his battle with prostate cancer, but I don't see that his being a highly decorated Marine makes that surprising.  I remember when General (Stormin' Norman) Schwarzkopf was diagnosed and was very public about his experiences.

While I was employed by the Navy, I watched one of our Chiefs of Staff battle colon cancer.  Everyone on base knew what he was going through and admired his example of courage and tenacity.  We all grieved when he eventually died of the cancer.  I'll bet a number of men had colonoscopies and possibly lives were saved because of his openness.

I find stories like this one encouraging.  Maybe prostate cancer is finally being brought into the open in the way that breast cancer was some years back. 

Posted 5/6/2012 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah chris...I understand and wonder the same. My brother in law who I just met a month ago had it and would not talk about it...He finally opened up after a few drinks and I asked him how he was coping with the lack of desire on Lupron and he looked at me like I was a wussy and should never admit to anyting like that...a few drinks later he admitted to the lack of desire and he told me I was the only person he ever talked to this about.

I guess some men are just to macho...or think they are, that theyre ashamed to admit a weakness..especially when it comes to sex. I could care less myself about admitting it...and I'm a retired soldier myself...but most men won't. I guess thats why its not as publicised as breast cancer and thats why men come to anonymous web forums to talk about it.
Posted 5/6/2012 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
Did Warren Buffet have "guts" to do the same?

yep.  so did ryan o'neal, chris dodd, john kerry, norman scwharzkopf etc.  etc. 

of course i was an army brat and i enlisted during the viet nam war so i really don't put soldiers on a pedestal unless they really deserve it.

ed

 

Posted 5/6/2012 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
what's more, when buffet came forward about his PC i don't think the word "guts" was ever used here.  i do know he was criticized for his wealth and some of his beliefs.

ed

 

Posted 5/6/2012 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
My post was not meant to be disrespectful to anyone in any way. I just don't see how it takes "guts" to release this information. It is not like he would be torn apart about it politically or subject to being publicly humiliated by it either. If anything, I would just say he needs to be commended for being another person to bring PCa some more attention in the press.
Posted 5/6/2012 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
i think when you are are a public figure that it's always commendable to share the good and bad.  we call it "by your living or dying example."  most of the public figures who have talked about their prostate cancer  haven't discussed their diagnosis or treatment except in passing.  there are a few exceptions like andy grove and joe torre and desmond tutu.

i guess most feel like the particulars are no one's business and they are probably right.

ed

 

Posted 5/6/2012 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Also I think talking about their specific type of treatment would be only appreciated by those who have been treated or those that are going to be. I think your average viewer/reader reads cancer and not always the type of cancer and certainly doesn't dwell on the type of treatment. I think De Niro is probably one of the most quiet members of our group.
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