September is recognized as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and Awareness Needs Action to make a difference. Personally, in about two weeks, I will have hit my 4-year mark, and remain really well.
What I didn’t share with you after I wrote the 2022 article below (because it hadn’t happened yet!) is that 6 months after my surgery, I developed a problem.
I was tired and feverish, so I thought it was Covid. So I chilled at home, but the fever continued, and I developed pain down my right leg. I figured it was from sitting around, not feeling well, and it felt like sciatica.
The pain and fever continued, so my wife called a family friend (former FF and current Professor and Department head at his hospital) …the same physician who was my 2nd opinion on my pre-cancer surgery decision. and after she described my pain, he exclaimed, “Get Him To The hospital NOW.”
Long story short, and in firefighter talk, “nasty sepsis was running down my leg,” and it turned out to be due to my cancer surgery. NO one’s fault, surgery can have complications. Yes, it is rare for it to happen that long after surgery, but it did.
10 days in the hospital with double IV antibiotics and a bunch of other stuff, they knocked out the infection, and since then, I have had excellent check-ups. I get my blood pulled every 6 months, and will forever, and things continue to be excellent.
SO WHAT:
As you read, the infection gave me warning signs-the fever, the pain etc.- so we reacted to it.
However, PROSTATE CANCER ITSELF has no obvious warning, in many cases. Sort of like a fire in the building, but initially the report is “NOTHING SHOWING.”…at least not yet.
Personally, as you will read below, I had no symptoms. Felt great. All was well…but it wasn’t. The PSA test and an excellent surgeon saved me. Even the digital exam (Dr w/gloved and vaselined hand yada yada yada) found everything normal. It was the BLOOD TEST that warned us things were NOT good.
That is why we/you/me as Firefighters MUST get checked starting at AGE 40. Your PSA check AND the digital exam provide you with the needed size-up or warning that further investigation is required.
So to celebrate those who have survived PROSTATE CANCER, and to remember those who have not, GET CHECKED by both the PSA blood test and the digital exam. And as a Firefighter, INSIST on it annually after Age 40.
Happy Prostate Cancer Awareness Month To You And Your Prostate!
READ: THIS TIME, MY CANCER:
FIREFIGHTER CANCER RESOURCES:
40PlusFIRE (Firefighter Prostate Cancer Awareness)
FIREFIGHTER CANCER SUPPORT NETWORK:
IAFF
NVFC
FRCE/NFFF
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
RE: FIREFIGHTING:
PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS
Take Care. Be Careful. Pass it On. GET CHECKED. Please.
BillyG
