Thursday, December 31, 2009

Ladies, Gentlemen, friends, family and best buds . . . .

As the last page of the 2009 calendar is torn off the wall and run through the shredder (with some extreme prejudice I might add), we look forward to yet another new beginning.

As we enter the last year of the first decade of the 21st century, we all once again face the usual challenges. Some of which we will even make attempts to address  these with our annual, and often repeated, New Year's resolutions. Some face bigger challenges.

As many of you will look to change your lives for better physical and financial health, improved relationships with your spouses,etc. These are the things that you can see and are aware of 
every day of your lives. It's time to look toward the things you can't see.

I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but for my guy friends out there I ask you to be sure to have your PSA level checked during your next "annual" physical. If you're not going to do it for yourself, do it for your spouses and families.  You can be in perfect health and not experiencing any symptoms, yet still the early stages of prostate cancer could exist.

Some statistics:

- 1 in 6 men in the US are diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime

- The older you are, the more likely you are to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Although only 1 in 10,000 under age 40 will be diagnosed, the rate shoots up to 1 in 38 for ages 40 to 59, and 1 in 15 for ages 60 to 69. In fact, more than 65% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65.

- Caught early, prostate cancer is nearly 100% survivable

- According to the American Cancer Society, in 2009 about 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer were expected to be diagnosed, and 27,360 men will die of prostate cancer

- African American men are 61% more likely to develop prostate cancer compare with Caucasian men, and are nearly 2.5 times as likely to die from the disease

For the women out there . . .  ask your husbands to just get the blood test done. If your relationship and life with him means as much as ours means to Janet, do all you can to convince him to just get the blood test done.  Even if you have to schedule the appointment and bring him there yourself using some other means of encouraging him to go.

My family and I wish you all the best for good health, prosperity and many blessing in this new coming year.

Happy New Year to you all!



Thursday, December 24, 2009

PSA Level update . . .

Merry Christmas to all of you out there.

I had my 2nd post surgical blood test done yesterday,  and I am happy to say that my PSA level remains at a "near non-detectable" level of <0.05.

Thanks once again for all your prayers and strength.  It has been a true source of support and encouragement to Janet, myself and the boys.

We hope that you'll all enjoy Christmas with your families and are blessed with good health, love and prosperity in coming New Year.   (personally, I'm happy to see 2009 come to an end)

Cheers!

Friday, December 18, 2009

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation . . . .


According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation:


One in six men will develop prostate cancer.

A Man is 35% more likely to get prostate cancer than a woman is to develop breast cancer.

Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in America, striking 186,000 men each year.

As baby boomer men reach the target zone (age) for prostate cancer, the number of cases is projected to increase dramatically. By 2015, there will be more than 300,000 new prostate cancer cases each year.

----------------------------------------------

Gentlemen, if you are in your 40's have your PSA tested the next time you have your annual check-up. If there's a history of prostate cancer in you family, you should consider having your PSA checked in your mid to late 30's.

Caught early, prostate cancer is 100% curable!


For more information visit:
http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org
http://www.pintsforprostates.org
http://www.cancer.org





Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Work week number 2

and 2 full months since my surgery.

All in all, everything seems to be improving. Most of the discomfort that remains is now at a tolerable level so I was able to return to work last week. I'm still experiencing leg pains due to nerve related issues from the surgery, but with meds I'm able to get it to a workable level. My lack of energy hits me a bit later in the day than it used to, but usually by 5pm, I'm ready to lay down for about 4 hours. (not unlike many I'm sure)

 As you know one of the reasons I started this blog was to try to get the word out about this disease.  Yeah, we all know that cancer is bad and can happen to anyone. But did you know that the odds of men getting prostate cancer in their lifetime is 1 in 6?  Many of the cases are in men in their mid-fifties and older, but there is a larger number of cases beginning to show up in men in their 40's  - and even some in their 30's!

As always, early detection is the key. Detected early, prostate cancer can be successfully treated nearly 100% of the time. The later the diagnosis is made, the higher of a chance that surgery is the only option - and long term side effects due to the surgery, incontenience and impotence among them, can come in to play.

I have been in contact with an organization called Pints for Prostates and US Too International.  Us TOO is a grassroots organization started in 1990 by prostate cancer survivors to serve prostate cancer survivors, their spouses/partners and families.  Pints for Prostates supports educational and advocacy efforts in support of US Too.

Pints for Prostates is a campaign founded by prostate cancer survivor Rick Lyke  that uses the universal language of beer to reach men with a critical health message. Pints for Prostates has reached more than 60 million people with a message about the importance of PSA testing and regular prostate health screenings.

I am in the early stages of planning sponsored Pints for Prostates fund raising events in Connecticut. Thanks to the connections and friends I've made through my hobby of home brewing, the first of these should be taking place in early February 2010 with others to follow in the coming months through the year.

I'll be in the midst of my radiation therapy when this first event takes place.  It will be something I am going to use as positive motivation as I progress through my treatments.

As always, thank you all for your continued support and prayers. It has meant a great deal to myself, Janet and the boys.  May you all have a safe and Merry Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous 2010.  I know I'm certainly looking forward a new year . . . .  SHEESH!!!

Cheers!

 


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

First day back to work . . .

It was a good first day back to work yesterday, though I may have stayed a bit too long.  As 6pm approached I was feeling pretty wiped out, so it may have been an hour or so too long.


Today I'll see how it goes again, try to gauge how I feel through the day and not push things too quickly. It's not that what I do is physically exhausting, but can be mentally exhausting and stressful due to tight deadlines and volume of work.


My co-workers gave me a huge welcome back card (4 feet x 3 feet ), and included a new Red Sox jersey with my last name and the number 25 on the back.  As you may recall, Janet and I celebrated our 25th anniversary back in early August.  A very nice gift that was much appreciated.


My next blood test will be in another two weeks to follow-up on my PSA level.  Indications are that it shouldn't be climbing up at all based on the previous results.  I have an appointment with a specialist tomorrow to help address some post-surgical issues to help speed up recovery and address some of the pain issues I'm dealing with,


That's pretty much all for now.  Thanks again for all your support, and I'll update you all again soon.


CJP