Patient Support Organizations
Research has shown that men, and their caregivers, who participate in patient support
groups have a definite survival advantage versus those who do not. We have
provided here information on those organizations whose missions serve to provide personal interaction and encouragement in the fight against this disease.
Survivors Stories:
IN HIS OWN WORDS:
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I GOT MY "ENGINE" CHECKED
By Alan Bodner
In February, 2010, I attended a Men's Health Awareness Day, also known as "Gentlemen Check Your Engines," at the Bergen County, NJ Harley-Davidson store. When I stopped at a Prostate Cancer booth, the doctor asked me how old I was and if I'd ever had a PSA test. When I told him I was 63 and didn't know what a PSA test was, he told me it was a test for Prostate Cancer. He also said that 1 in 5 men get Prostate Cancer and, if I had it, my life could end in only 10 years. So I called my doctor to set up an appointment for a physical. He told me that my last visit was 7 years ago and asked why it took me so long to come in. I told him that I didn't feel sick! I also told him that I had learned about PSA tests and decided to come get a physical.
The first PSA blood test came back with a 6.4 reading. I was told that anything above 4.0 wasn't good, so my doctor asked me to come in for another PSA test. The second one came back again as a 6.4. Then I called Urology Specialty Care, where my daughter, Robyn, works as an RN. She arranged for me to meet with Dr. John Hajjar. He reviewed my PSA results and recommended a prostate biopsy that would show if there is cancer and how much. The biopsy took 10 samples and I had 3 "hot spots" [spots on the prostate positive for cancer]. Dr. Hajjar said radical prostate surgery would be the best option for me and that my recovery would be very good. He added that there was a downside - I wouldn't be able to have more children. I told him that having children at the age of 63 was not high on my list, but life was!
I was diagnosed at the end of May, 2010. I told the doctor I planned to go to Sturgis for the Motorcycle Rally with my friends in August. He said we should do the surgery as soon as possible, since it would take 8 weeks for me to recover. On August 4th, my 3 friends and I left on our bikes for Sturgis! My friends were great - they let me take all the time I needed at gas stops to use the bathroom. We had a great time. Thanks to the Men's Awareness Day and Dr. Hajjar, I can go there again someday. Next summer I'll be going on RT66, the only highway to go on if you ride a motorcycle. This time I'll take a tire repair kit and a small compressor, but that is another story to tell.
To all men: do yourself a big favor - go for a PSA test even if you are only 45. Like all cancers, if they are found early, they can be treated. For men that are young and would like to have children, there are other types of treatments if you are diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. If you are unsure about a doctor's opinion on treatment, go to another doctor for a second opinion. In the end it's your life that you should be concerned with. Remember, your family would like to have you around for a long time.
[EDITORS NOTE: The 2011 Global Gentlemen Check Your Engines™ Day will be held Saturday, February 12th. The New Jersey program will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Bergen County, NJ, Harley-Davidson/BMW at 124 Essex Street - Rochelle Park. For more information, call (201) 843-6930.
LADIES & GENTLEMEN: CHECK YOUR ENGINES !!]
PROSTATE SURGERY: ONE MAN'S JOURNEY
For Better or Worse: Cancer Tests a Life Together - In this column, I'd like to introduce Solveig & Phil Ingersoll.
IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE....by Diane Johnson One mans experience with Prostate Cancer.
Hope for the Best - How a Spouse Survives - A True Survivors Story
Patient
Advocates for Advanced Cancer Treatment (PAACT) - provide brochures, monthly mailing, information
When you need to ask the right questions, you might want to visit Steve
Dunn's Cancer Information Page and see the words of a prostate cancer survivor. |
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The Prostate Net Help Lines
In many cases you will want to reach out for a personal
input to aid in your information search. We provide a team of survivor
counselors who can provide help in your decision-making; you can
request their assistance by:
Phone: 1.888.477.6763
Email: support@prostatenet.org
Blogs
In this emerging technological world, information
is flowing from a variety of sources that offer interactive communication
(Blogs) that may be of benefit to you. A cautionary note should
be taken in these forums that you contact your doctor before acting
on any such information received. Some of the available forums are
as follows:
100 Best Men's Health & Fitness Blogs - great advice on staying healthy, living well, dealing with male-specific health issues, finding medical care and a whole lot more.
KevinMD Medical Weblog - A site maintained by Dr. Kevin Pho to provide
provocative physician commentary on breaking medical news.
Surviving Prostate Cancer at Age 39
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