Welcome


Welcome.

When I wrote that banner above, I was just days into this adventure. I'm a pretty analytical guy, and the simple act of writing every day helped me wrap my head around the fact that I had just introduced the word "cancer" into my vocabulary, and it helped me rationalize my treatment options. It also helped keep friends and family informed on my status.

Those daily updates tapered off to weekly updates and eventually to monthly updates (which I continue to do on the 11th of every month, the anniversary date of being told I have cancer).

I've kept this blog going because I remember how helpful it was for me to hear first-hand experiences of other prostate cancer patients. I wanted to return the favor by sharing my own journey in order to educate others and increase prostate cancer awareness.

But I wanted it to be a truthful sharing of details, so you will quickly see that I didn't sugar-coat much of anything. That means that you'll find some pretty graphic descriptions of the male anatomy and biological functions in this blog.

Finally, if you're reading this as a fellow prostate cancer patient, please understand that I am not a medical professional, and you should not construe any of the content of this blog as medical advice. Each case is unique, so please solicit the advice of your own medical team.

I wish you all the best as you go through your own journey.

-- Dan

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Two Years

It was two years ago today that the word "cancer" officially became part of my personal vocabulary.

It certainly was an emotional day, and the ensuing treatment option research and selection was one of the largest emotional roller coaster rides I've been on.  Still, the surgery has been a success in eradicating the cancer, but not without some costs.

I don't think there's a day that's gone by where I haven't thought about having had cancer, but it's not always in a bad way.  In other words, I don't dwell on it.  Instead, my thoughts around cancer are focused more on increasng awareness and sharing my experience.  Yes, there are practical thoughts about stress incontinence and sexual function, but those are minor and part of every day life now.

The other thing that I really don't give much thought to at all is the chance of recurrence.  Yes, it's a little cloud that follows me around, but I certainly don't lose sleep thinking about the possibility.  I'd much rather focus on doing the fun things in life now, on the off chance that the cancer does return later.

None of us would have chosen this path for ourselves.  But we can choose to educate ourselves after the initial diagnosis; evaluate all of our treatment options and select the one that best fits our own personal situation; understand and accept the risks; and then live with the outcome knowing that we made the best possible decision with the information we had at the time, and with the support of our families and friends. 

The operative word, of course, being "live."

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Wow.  Hard to believe, too, that this little ol' blog that I started initially to keep friends and family informed, has had over 7,000 views in those two years.  Mind-boggling.
 
That said, however, the reason I kept the blog going was to share my experience with others diagnosed with prostate cancer, so I guess I've succeeded with that.
 
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I go for my next PSA screening this week, with the results given to me early next week.  Keep your fingers crossed.
 


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