The Power of Love

I know my twin brother Walt doesn’t want to discuss his prostate condition much, but I will shout it from the roof top, “His PSA dropped from 240 to 7.4.” Now that is something to shout about!

His chemo is working and he will be trying more new and exciting experimental drugs soon. His doctors are trying to get a grant to pay for all the medications. I guess you could call him a guinea pig, but who cares. Prolonged breathing is a good thing, and everything he is doing will help science someday find a cure for prostate cancer.




I have sent e-mails thanking everyone who prayed and worked for Walt’s recovery. Many people have kept the faith and because of that, he has a fighting chance to live a longer and more meaningful life. I am sure he will crusade for early detection and be a part of the final cure.




Walt has also made the decision not to make our annual motorcycle trip to Durango, Colorado. His doctors have advised him not to go and brother is listening. His body is trying to fight off the cancer and the trip would only aggravate the situation. I am actually much relieved, to say the least. I plan to bring him back pictures of the Colorado high country and a neat T-shirt to boot. If I could, I would bring him back Colorado – but the locals may resist.




For you guys who think you are too tough for prostate exams, think again. You don’t want to go through the alternative. Butch up and get the exam and blood test that can save your life. If you can’t or won’t do it for yourself, do it for a loved one who will have a broken heart watching you succumb to this horrible cancer. Early detection means a long and fruitful life.




I know, something is going to get us in any case – just don’t let it be cancer.

Write on,

Mittster

$93,000 Extended Warrantee

Yes, that’s what it costs for adding a mean average of four months to the life of a man with stage four prostate cancer. The drug is Provenge and the company that sells it is Dendreon. According to my research, Dendreon has over a billion dollars invested in R & D for this drug. Maybe true, maybe not – the good news is that the treatment is approved by Medicare, and according to the attached link, Medicare picks up the total tab.

The treatment (unlike chemotherapy) has few, if any, side effects and may pave the way for a future cure of the cancer that is terminal the minute symptoms appear. This is a chilling statement – but true nonetheless. Only early detection bestows continued life. I am one of the fortunate ones; my prostate was removed before any symptoms could raise their ugly heads. My twin brother is not so lucky, and now he is fighting for his life.

It seems so unfair that we all work our butts off during our adulthood to beat the high cost of living, and then we must also work our butts off to beat the high cost of dying. But, no one ever said that life is fair, and all you have to do is look around planet Earth to know that it certainly isn’t.

Being a huge science buff, I have been fortunate enough to witness fantastic leaps in our human technologies. Being scientific and spiritual has enabled me to reconcile our existence when sometimes the concept of God is challenged by the horrible things that go on around us on a daily basis. I believe in technology, and in fact so much so, that I am sure it means human kind will continue to survive the monumental problems our planet faces in the future. I also know that prostate cancer will be cured someday by our technology. I can only pray that it comes soon enough to cure my brother. I know deep down in my heart that it won’t, but faith can move mountains.

So here I am yet again, guys, pleading and begging for you go to the doctor and get the blood test that can save your life. It may be too late for by bro, but it’s not too late for you. Get off your ass, put your macho bullshit in the closet, and get a blood test! There are people out there who love and depend on you. You don’t want this cancer and your loved ones don’t want to experience your death from a disease that can be treated when detected early.

I am saying,

Mittster

PSA is not an airline!

OK, guys, it’s time to fess up; have you had your PSA blood test and a rectal exam to see if your Prostate Gland is enlarged? Oh, God, now I’ve gone and said the “R” word. I know a real man is going to say, “No freakin' way is a doctor going to stick their finger up my butt!” Ten years ago I felt the same way, especially when my doctor had a finger the size of a flashlight.

An interesting thing happened while having my physical that day. My prostate was enlarged and the blood test showed my PSA was elevated from .01 to 7.5. Doc recommended a specialist and it was only a short period of time before I was on the operating table having the nasty thing removed. A year later my PSA started to climb slightly and I went through radiation treatments, which knocked the PSA down to .001, where it has stayed to this very day. By the way, radiation treatment is a walk in the park compared to the chemotherapy I would have gone through had I not taken care of business ten years ago.

You may be asking yourself why I am writing a blog on this subject. Well, I am not only writing this blog, but I have also started a book. You see, someone very close to me has Prostate cancer and I am determined to make their story the poster child of Prostate cancer cure. Like most cancers, early detection is the key to survival. While it may be a good day to die, dying of cancer is not how I want to leave the planet. Sure, we all have to die. Only an idiot would argue against that fact, but if I can pass peacefully without pain and suffering, it would not only be better for me, but much better for my loved ones who have to watch the passing. Most people in my age group have watched loved ones pass and when they leave us suffering from the horror of cancer, it should and does create a lasting impression.

This brings me back to why some men won’t have yearly physical exams and blood tests. Folks, if I had the answer to that question, many lives would be saved every year. Being macho is part of it, but fear of needles and doctors' fingers certainly also play a role. Do what I finally did, guys, I found a female doctor! Problem solved; small finger and perfume makes the whole ordeal much easier.

Write on,

Mittster