The Joy of Cancer

I had sort of a big anniversary this past week. October 16, 2012 marks the 1-year anniversary since my prostate cancer surgery. As I look back over the past 18 months, that period of time that I've known that I had cancer, I can't help but feel exceedingly blessed. At church yesterday we were talking about the Gifts of God, joy in particular. The whole experience ran through my mind and the feeling of joy that I felt throughout the pre-surgery event played out in my mind. I knew I wouldn't be able to get it out of my mind unless I shared it here. 

I didn't talk about the anniversary to anyone, almost letting it pass without me realizing it. Tuesday was just another day. I've never really focused on the cancer. Even when I first 'knew' I had a problem, I only focused on using the situation to be a better disciple. Not because I'm an awesome person, but because that's what God instructed me to do. 

One day in early 2011, God told me I had cancer, but that I would be okay. It was really that simple. I was working in my home office and I had a voice in my head, plain as day. The part that I found remarkable, was the feeling of peace that overcame me. No fear, no flashes of life passing before you eyes, just peace. It was weird and awesome at the same time. I immediately prayed for courage. In my own selfish way, I didn't want to walk around in fear every day. As I prayed about my situation, it became clear to me that God would use this experience to help me spread His Good News. I've never hidden the fact that I'm a Christian, but I've never worn it on my sleeve either. I've never been very comfortable talking about my faith. I'm not much of a Bible reader, I can't quote scriptures. I've never spent any time in Bible study as an adult and frankly I'm not very knowledgeable of the actual scriptures. What I do know is that God is very much alive, and I see his Hand in my life frequently. 

But back to the joy. 

I didn't talk about my cancer to anyone until it was confirmed with tests and pricks and more tests. I knew my wife would be afraid. She didn't have the underlying peace that I had. The spouse is always in the worst position. You can't do anything about but fret.

As I started to tell my friends and ask for their prayers, a funny thing happened. People I barely knew and some I didn't know at all, started sending me well wishes and telling me that their family or Sunday school class or bible study group was praying for me. My mom and dad would relay greetings from people they knew telling of prayers of support. One of my dear friends hooked me up with one of her friends who was in pharma sales for cancer products so we could talk about treatments and so forth. It turns out that we had a bible study instead and he quoted me all the right scriptures and he prayed over me in a way nobody ever had. We never discussed drugs or treatments. It never came up. He 'knew' that's not what I needed. Another friend and mentor sat down with me on the steps of the choir room at church and just talked to me in way that I knew was coming straight from God. Another friend even bought me soothing and comforting music on iTunes to listen to while I recovered. Of course, all my friends were very supportive, but in particular, it was the well withes from people I didn't know that really struck me.

How do you know God is working in your life? One way is when people you don't know tell you that they love you and are praying for you. Wow! The joy that brings could never come from man. For the past year or so, I've been walking around in peace with a joyful spirit. And, I think as a consequence of my joyful spirit, I've been blessed with several new opportunities that have been extremely fruitful. My business is strong, I have an awesome wife, and I've never had a better relationship with God. My life is good. I've been blessed.

So, one year after my surgery, I'm still fighting off some straggler cells trying to take root in me. I've been on medicine that is supposed to keep the prostate cells from absorbing testosterone, on which the cancer feeds. I feel no less certain today than I was 18 months ago that God was using this experience to train me to be a better disciple. And with that I'll share what, through this experience, has become my personal motto:

Hebrews 12:1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings to closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Thanks to everyone who has lifted me up and prayed for me this past year or so. The power of your prayer and love is strong. I am forever grateful.

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Please, Pray for Noah

For anyone who follows my blog or Twitter, you know I've been asking for prayers for little Noah for some time. Noah has brain cancer and has recently had additional growth of the tumor. He will be having his third surgery on January 3rd. He's had a rough time over the Christmas holiday having spent time in Children's Hospital in Birmingham and generally feeling lousy. Even with all he's been through in his almost four years, he has an awesome disposition and a smile to melt your heart. He's a great patient, and very courageous in the face of needles and scanners. He's endured more than should be expected of a little boy. 


With his surgery coming in a few days, please take a minute and send some prayers to Noah and his family. Visit his website and leave an encouraging comment or a get well wish. If you are so moved, make a donation to help offset the huge medical expense associated with his treatment. But if you do nothing else, send a prayer. 




www.PrayForNoah.com

Pray for Noah

Since my bout with cancer, I am much more aware of cancer all around me. While surfing the web one evening I found this site: Pray For Noah. Noah is almost 4 years old and is a sweet boy. He is battling with brain cancer and has already suffered more than most adults could stand in a lifetime.

  

Check out Noah's site, get a bracelet, or make a donation. But please leave a comment of support and include Noah in your prayers. 

Anyone who likes Curious George is a friend of mine.

I am a cancer survivor!

As many of my friends know, I've been dealing with prostate cancer for the past several months.  I don't typically discuss my personal life in the blog, but felt like I needed to make an exception this time.  

  

I heard a voice in the back of my head telling me that I had prostate cancer, that I would be okay, but that I needed to go to the doctor. So I scheduled the physical that I'd be postponing for ages.  When the blood work came back, the PSA test result was 21.  That's a huge number.  So, we re-ran the test.  Let's make sure it's not a mistake, because that's a big number for someone so young, and without any issues.  The second test resulted in a 24.  Doc sends me to a urologist to check into the elevated PSA.

  

After some uncomfortable exams and an eventual biopsy, it was determined that I had prostate cancer.  I'm no expert in the medical terminology, so bear with me.  The prostate gland was almost completely covered with cancer.  The Gleason Index was a 9.  That's a ranking of the aggressiveness of the cancer growth.  A 1 is very slow and a 10 is very fast.  A second opinion at Vanderbilt Medical Center confirmed the results and the suggested procedure.  Hormone therapy bolstered by daily hormone supplements with surgery in 60 days after the hormones have had time to work.

   

I had surgery on October 11th.  The doctor said it went much better than he expected.  Due to the aggressiveness and amount of cancer growth within the prostate, he expected it to be pretty ugly when he got in there.  However, when the biopsy pathology came back, it was negative.  The edges and lymph nodes were clean.  He said I got the best possible results back.  I am cancer free!  The percentages suggest that 85% of patients will not be clean, at least not for long.

  

I have a big advantage.  I'm a Christian.  I believe that the original 'voice in my head' was God taking care of me.  I believe that this experience was a learning experience for me.  A way for me to grow closer to God and be a better disciple.  I'm not a scripture quoter.  Heck, I'm not even that good of a Christian.  But I do believe that God sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins.  I'm trying to make the most of this situation and grow as a person and a Christian.  Let me know if I can help you.

  

So here's the deal:  Men, I'm 50 years old.  You should get a physical yearly.  I didn't fit any clinical profile.  Men my age don't have the kind of cancer I did with the aggressiveness of a Gleason 9.  I was way past the 1% range of occurrences.  About 75% of men will have prostate cancer in one form or another.  If you find it early, it can be treated.  Nearly 1.6 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in one form or another in 2011.  And approximately 571,000 will lose their battle with cancer this year.  Get yourself checked.

  

If you want to help fight cancer contact your local American Cancer Society office or visit www.cancer.org.  As an odd aside (I don't really believe in coincidences), my wife is a board member in the Huntsville ACS organization.