Posted 2/6/2016 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Fellows ---
Yes --- this is an important discussion here on this thread --- I'm mindful of our new member KRG75, who has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 40, who has recently been posting his story on our forum --- perhaps our youngest member on the forum and his most recent post is shown above, with an important sentiment to share about the importance of early diagnosis. Thank you, KRG75, for shining a light on an important topic !
My story ... diagnosed in my later 40s --- advanced stage --- third year into the battle now ---
From there, a "handshake campaign" with my fellow male friends, relatives, old high school classmates, old college roomates, church members, community members, and work colleagues --- one-by-one --- encouraging them to get to the doctor and get the PSA test ---
For years, there has been this public service commercial on television that states: "Be A MAN, Go To The DOCTOR." While I hope that's reaching someone out there, I feel the one-to-one direct conversation is more effective --- especially from those of us here with a tale to tell, and a direct life experience that sends the strong message to others that staying vigilant in their health is important --- they look at me and ask, "You actually have ADVANCED prostate cancer at your age?" The answer is "yes" --- even my oncology nurses will say, "You are definitely the youngest prostate cancer patient we've seen this week." Maybe so --- and there are certainly members younger than I am contributing actively to this forum, with their stories ... every story on this forum being valuable --- and VALUED by others.
My dad is also a prostate cancer patient, and I get to my hometown about once a month --- representing two generations, it's pretty powerful when Dad and I have these conversations TOGETHER with all the men we know from my hometown area, and together we know most everyone across the county --- and in those smaller towns, our story has been re-told many times by others --- and we're thankful for that ---
Because Dad and I represent two generations, we're able to reach a wider age range of people --- so, we have those important conversations at coffee shops, restaurants, sporting events, church dinners, community get-togethers --- thankfully, some men from my hometown area have since taken heed, gone to the doctor, had a PSA or prostate exam, and have actually now been DIAGNOSED with prostate cancer --- and are now pursuing treatments --- friends of my Dad's, friends of mine, and family friends that Dad and I share in common ...
I am friends with the church ministers from my hometown and also the ministers from the community where I work and all of them have shared my story with their church congregations --- in fact, one of those ministers has recently been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer himself and is now a BATTLE BROTHER of mine. We're the same age and have been friends for decades ... and we have found public opportunities to share our health story with others ... when he was first diagnosed last summer, he felt he needed some support, and we decided to meet once a week at his church when he got started with his treatments --- he kept a journal during this time, and he actually turned some of our visits into sermon topics that he shared with his congregation --- and the important bond of friendship that was formed by our shared health diagnosis --- pretty powerful, when I think about it ---
It's ironic when someone you know and care about gets the same diagnosis --- yet, it can lead to an incredible bond of brotherhood when they get THEIR news for the first time ---
True story here --- a good friend of mine would check in with me often when I first got diagnosed, just showing tremendous friendship and support --- he's my age, we've been great friends for years. One day he asked me honestly, "Gosh, is there SOMETHING I could do to help you?" I looked him in the eye, and told him, "Honestly, YES --- would you just go to the doctor soon and have a PSA test, just in your own best interest, now knowing about my diagnosis?"
My friend did so --- believe it or not, he was ALSO diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer --- he had no symptoms. Treatments ongoing, as in my same case ...
Since then, at my urging to visit the doctor, one of my old college roommates just got diagnosed --- after I had the conversation with him. Now pursuing treatments actively ...
More recently, one of my work colleagues just got diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, going to the doctor after hearing my story. We're in the battle together ...
We're all in our late 40s or very early 50s --- it DOES seem incredible to me that so many direct friends of mine could have this same health diagnosis. They are now BATTLE BROTHERS of mine --- but more importantly, they are my FRIENDS. I've also sat down with my younger brother, my brother-in-law, my male cousins who grew up with me, and even my six nephews who are growing up --- I represent the third generation of men in my family who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer --- first my grandfather, then my father, and now me ... again, that's a powerful story that needs to be shared with members of my family.
So, just from my experiences I think it's important to KEEP reaching out to others you know --- KEEP sharing your story --- KEEP finding your voice --- and KEEP having that important CONVERSATION that other men need to hear directly !
We're all in this together, I firmly believe,
Iowa State "Cyclone"