Funny thing about the prostate gland. It is absolutely essential for procreation. Put simply (and I know some people who did not know this), the prostate gland produces semen, without which the sperm would have nothing in which to travel. Not prostate, no children. On paper, it is a somewhat elegant solution except for the fact that, as Robin Williams once quipped: “The human body was designed by a civil engineer. Who else would run a toxic waste pipeline through a recreational area?”
The sad fact of the matter is, however, once the children have been conceived and borne, and middle age descends like a ton of bricks, the prostate becomes not just irrelevant, it actually becomes a hindrance to every-day life. I have many friends who are dealing with prostate problems of one sort or another.
Where am I going with this? On September 26, I will have surgery to remove stage three cancer from my prostate.We are told, as men, that if we live long enough, 75% of us will get some form of prostate cancer. For most men, it strikes late in life, and they typically die from something else.
My cancer is different. I am only 54. As I remarked to my fellow church members, this is the Dan Fogelberg, Bill Bixby, Frank Zappa kind of cancer. It is the kind that kills. For those of you familiar with such things, it has a Gleason score of 7. Fortunately, for me, all indications are that the cancer has not spread, so this should take care of it. It will result, nonetheless, in some somewhat unwanted life changes. Oh well. Can't be helped.
Long story short: that is why the posting has been somewhat spotty. I have been trying to get ahead at work and working long hours to that effect. I have also had one stinkin' medical test after another (some not so fun at all) and am worn out. I hope to be back in the saddle soon. My doctor seems confident that I will be back to work in four weeks. One of the things that complicates things a bit is that I have type 2 diabetes which will prolong the healing process. As soon as I am able, I will begin posting again.
Please forgive the personal nature of this post but if you are a believer, please pray for me and my family. Thanks.
I'm not really sure (aged 57) what to say in response to your frank post but maybe it helps to know that your post has been read?
ReplyDeleteCuriously, timewise, a hardline and mendacious internet YEC who I have repeatedly challenged and who is also in his fifties blogged today "I had a recent visit to the doctor, and she wants me to have some tests done because the condition could turn cancerous; I could die. Although that would cause much rejoicing among certain atheists, and apathy among some Christians, I'd prefer to keep going on the work that God has given me."
Depending somewhat on what he might post on science/Bible topics, maybe I will go a little more easy on him in future - though despite him calling me 'Hitler' in videos I would not rejoice if he unexpectedly died imminently.
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Jim,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear this. You will be in my prayers. Please keep us updated!
Thank you so much, Beaglelady.
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