Perspective.
Yesterday, I learned that my Dad is quite ill. In fact, he’s been in serious pain for almost two weeks now, but hesitated to tell me or my brother until yesterday because he didn’t want to upset us… When I heard his voice on the phone, I knew something was up. I wasn’t expecting to hear what I heard, though. I tried very hard to keep calm as I heard what he had been going through, and knew that I had to go into supportive mode instead of panic mode for him.
Today, my Dad went in for a biopsy of his prostate. I’m talking about this situation (and only after asking my Dad if I could mention it here) because I want to urge all men to please go and get regular prostate check-ups. Don’t wait until you are in pain, and then have to react… Do it yearly. Prostate cancer, from what I’ve read (and I’ve done a lot of reading over the past two days) is extremely treatable if it’s caught early. So, weigh this — Five minutes of a not-so-nice exam once a year, or find out the hard way after you are very sick. Please, don’t wait until you are in pain to go in and have an exam.
These next few days of waiting for the pathology results will be difficult for my Dad, his wife, and the rest of my family, but after doing a bunch of research about this subject for him yesterday, I’m feeling much better about whatever the test results show. What’s even more surprising about this situation, is how many of my friends are also going through this right now with their fathers. I just don’t understand why more people don’t talk about this? There isn’t enough attention given to this subject. I find it bizarre that people openly talk about breast cancer, but can’t talk about prostate cancer. How’s it any different?
I’m hoping that whatever is causing my Dad’s pain is benign, and thankfully, we won’t have to wait too long to find out. I love you, Dad — We’re going to get through this together.
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Men once they turn 40 should be having a PSA blood test, it is the best way to find any traces of prostate cancer. This is how my dad found his prostate cancer 3 years ago and luckliy it was caught early enough and has been cancer free since. Regular prostate tests yearly help but it really is the PSA test which discover it earlier ( he had regular prostate tests yearly which were always negetive ) Proactive is better than re-active, no worries girl he will pull throgh this just fine. thoughts and prayers with you, todd, dad, and sharon.
I have a dear friend who is a prostrate cancer survivor, so I know a bit about the horror that it can cause. I hope your father is okay, and he’ll be in my prayers for as long as it takes.
T,
So sorry to hear about your dad. I had a feeling something wasn’t quite right when I first spoke with you on the phone tonight.
I think, for myself anyway, that I don’t really worry about my health… or, more correctly, don’t concern myself with my health. Unless I’m in a great deal of pain, I guess everything is alright. Perhaps that is an ignorant approach. Perhaps we should *all* pay better attention to the subtle cues we are given and take a more pro-active approach to our health.
You guys are awesome. Thank-you for the kind words. I know my Dad is going to do just fine — And he won’t have to look far to find some very supportive family. Diane, I must add that your words to Dad the other night really put his mind at ease — Thanks for that.
Shnewt, I agree. I do believe the doctors should be in the role of educators, and not brush anyone off just because they aren’t sure what to ask for. It actually goes directly back to a post a little over a week ago as well. I wish there was something I could do to change mindsets, if only in a small way.
That’s such a tough thing to deal with – my grandfather went through it a few years back, and thankfully he’s in remission. I hope things turn out as well for your family!
NetChick,
Sorry to hear about your father but kudos to you for doing the research and doing exactly what you should be doing which is supportive.
Yes, I’m not looking forward to getting my prostrate checked in [gulp] a few years. But as to why more men don’t get his done? I have to partly blame the medical community. Unlike the female exam, for young men, doctors do nothing. I’ve gone for check-ups where the doctor has made me feel like I had “wasted his time” because I didn’t have a visible illness. As a man, if you go to the doctor for a check-up, he/she asks “How do you feel?”. You say “Fine”. Then they say “Then go home”.
I can appreciate that the average 25 year old male has nothing ‘wrong’ with them but I feel that doctors can use the opportunity to educate their patience instead of shooing them away…
big hugs to you and your family T – my thoughts and well wishes go out to you and yours
*hugs* you have my support as always!
regarding your comment about why people don’t talk…I think medical stuff always makes people uneasy (i’m guilty of that too). and there’s something in people that makes them want to be “tough” by gritting through pain.
big hugs!
Maybe the reason people talk about breasts and breast cancer so much is because they’re such a visible part of our culture. Women have ‘em, and men love ‘em. I don’t think the reverse could be said for prostates… hell, you could probably ask five guys in their 20s and only one of them would even know what function the prostate serves, let alone asking a woman. Prostates aren’t sexy. Blame the media, I guess.
I admire you for doing research into your dad’s medical condition. I think that’s a very good thing to do, because it helps you understand the situation and it means you can be a source of information and strength for the rest of your family.
I’m pullin’ for your Dad.
(I hope that wasn’t a bad pun).
Thank-you Devon. I appreciate your words of support.