You know that moment when you find the love of your life? You start planning a future together, or you are already on the way to your future and you hit that wall. The wall that changes everything. For us, it was when my boyfriend was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
It was something that was completely unexpected, like most things are. Just 2 months after Don’s 49 birthday, he started with issues that resembled a UTI. He had to pee often and it burned a little. After about a week of that, he had a slight issue in the bedroom. A first time for everything time of reaction, but yeah, things didn’t work according the plan. That was when he listened to “It is time to see the dr”
After seeing the dr, we found out that Don’s PSA, the thing that they look for in a blood test that shows a prostate issue, was 524. It is supposed to be not detectable- less than 2. Most PSA, even for people with the beginning of prostate cancer is usually in the 20’s.
After seeing doctors and having test, and more doctors and more test, we find out that my 49 year old, healthy as a horse, never has even a cold, and who only had symptoms for a week before the tests, has stage 4 prostate cancer. Stage 4 cancer means it has started to spread to other places in his body, in this case, his bladder, colon, lymph node, and starting in the bone of his hip.
He has started chemo and treatment and while things are uncertain we are being proactive to give us as many years as possible. Once cancer has become stage 4, cancer doesn’t go away. We are not looking at a chance for him to be cured or cancer free. We are just looking for time.
I know that sounds bleak. I know that it sounds over the top. But that is our situation. For years, Don joked about not wanting to get his tests done they start when he would turn 50. That he didn’t want ta finger up the butt or to get his colonoscopy. No one ever does. But it can save a life. Prostate cancer, when caught early, has a 90% survival rate for stage 1. Stage 4 has a 24% 5 year survival rate. That is a big difference when you are talking about a small medical test that can find issues before they start.
Movember is about helping to spread awareness for men’s health issues. Movember is an annual event involving the growing of mustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as depression in men, prostate cancer and other male cancers, and associated charities. The Movember Foundation runs the Movember charity event, housed at Movember.com. The goal of Movember is to “change the face of men’s health.” Lennox, partnering with the Movember Foundation, Lennox will donate $2 to men’s health issues for every content share/RT on the Lennox Facebook page and Twitter page as well as comments on the Instagram page during the month of November. The content is great, since most of it is something that is important for you “Tell a guy you know”. It is about men’s health and tips to keep them healthier.
So this Novemeber, and all year long, please “Tell a guy you know” just how important prostate health is. Please remind them that those medical test are important.
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