Prostate Cancer Saved My Life
My Emory physician, Dr. Fray Marshall, and his team of urologists echoed Hamilton's optimism about my prognosis and advised me of my treatment options. Because of my age, surgery was the best option, and I decided to have the tumor removed. True, the downside of this choice is not so appealing. I tell men who are fearful of surgery they have three options: death, impotence, and incontinence -- pick two. This gets a chuckle, but it also allows me to explain that there are ways of getting through incontinence and impotence.
Before my own operation, however, I got more bad news. Dr. Marshall found a tumor in my kidney. When I heard this, I was devastated and probably scared for the first time. I recall I asked the old question, "Why?" and knew I needed to find the fight in my soul that I had when preparing for prostate surgery. A part of the strength came from my wife, who is incredibly strong. She comes from a family of doctors. She was kind when I needed a word of kindness and she could also give me that kick I needed when it was time to fight.
Even with this setback -- not one, but two cancers -- Dr. Marshall said the outlook was good. Ten days later, I had surgery to remove half my kidney. The kidney surgery was very difficult and painful, and the recovery was months. Every time I would ride in the car and hit a small bump in the road, I would get tears in my eyes. It was difficult getting any work done and I had to take a nap every day. After about three months, I started feeling fairly normal, but then it was time for prostate surgery. Getting over prostate surgery was easier and I was even able to attend my son’s little league baseball games with my catheter and bag!
I often tell people that prostate cancer saved my life. Had I not been diagnosed with prostate cancer, chances are the kidney tumor may never have been discovered. To this day, I thank Dr. Marshall for his thorough pre-op exam. And I also discovered the answer to my earlier "Why" question -- we are all mortal.
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Technorati Tags: prostate cancer, kidney cancer, Chuck Warren, health and wellness
Before my own operation, however, I got more bad news. Dr. Marshall found a tumor in my kidney. When I heard this, I was devastated and probably scared for the first time. I recall I asked the old question, "Why?" and knew I needed to find the fight in my soul that I had when preparing for prostate surgery. A part of the strength came from my wife, who is incredibly strong. She comes from a family of doctors. She was kind when I needed a word of kindness and she could also give me that kick I needed when it was time to fight.
Even with this setback -- not one, but two cancers -- Dr. Marshall said the outlook was good. Ten days later, I had surgery to remove half my kidney. The kidney surgery was very difficult and painful, and the recovery was months. Every time I would ride in the car and hit a small bump in the road, I would get tears in my eyes. It was difficult getting any work done and I had to take a nap every day. After about three months, I started feeling fairly normal, but then it was time for prostate surgery. Getting over prostate surgery was easier and I was even able to attend my son’s little league baseball games with my catheter and bag!
I often tell people that prostate cancer saved my life. Had I not been diagnosed with prostate cancer, chances are the kidney tumor may never have been discovered. To this day, I thank Dr. Marshall for his thorough pre-op exam. And I also discovered the answer to my earlier "Why" question -- we are all mortal.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: prostate cancer, kidney cancer, Chuck Warren, health and wellness
6 Comments:
that's an interesting way to look at your issue...one health issue then allowed you to discover a far worse issue...and it shows that you just never now.
I look forward to reading more of your story!
I'm a wife of a prostate cancer patient and I would appreciate any advice you may have for me....my husband is very depressed. (and I am scared). He is a young man for this! (52).
To anonymous...
First, I can understand that you as a wife are scared and unsure as to what to do and I can certainly understand your husband's sense of depression...and let me assure you from experience that you both will grow from this experience.
In fact, you will love each other more than ever from this experience ... and your husband will beat this cancer!! Hope is your best weapon!!!
Secondly, I do not know when your husband was diagnosed nor who his doctor is, but I would suggest you interview 2-3 urologists with lots of prostate cancer experience. As a wife, you'll need to attend the interviews because you will ask better questions and you will remember what the doctor says. Most men are like me---clueless at most times!!!
Since your husband is young-- I was 50 when diagnosed -- my guess is that you are looking at surgery and if so, I would suggest surgery at a research hospital because that doctor will have research on his surgeries. If you are in the South, I recommend Dr. Fray Marshall at EMORY!!
Hope some of this helps. Feel free to ask any other questions. Remember, I am 5 years clean and so to will your husband!!!!
God bless you and your husband!!
Chuck
Your comments are very helpful to me....you're right, our doctor wants to try surgery....we are going to M.D. Anderson hospital in Texas (where we live) and everytone tells us that it is good. I haven't been with my husband when he has talked with the urolgogist but that is a good idea.
okay, if I come back with more questions later? god bless you.
Hi Anonymous!
MD ANDERSON is a world class facility…I have a friend who even beat pancreatic cancer there!! Your husband is in great hands!!
If your husband ever wants to talk with me, I am available!! And, please feel free to contact me at any time!!
MY FIANCEE EATS A 10LB BAG OF ICE DAILY. HIS DOCTOR TOLD HIM HE WAS ANEMIC AND THAT HE IS BLEEDING FROM INSIDE HIS STOMACH. HE HAS TO HAVE A COLONOSCOPY DONE. IS THIS A SIGN OF CANCER.
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