Second Corinthians chapter one, verse nine is the passage I've chosen for my journey through prostate cancer. Although Paul was speaking specifically about the persecution he and other Christians endured for the Gospel, the emphasis is on the purpose. Persecution or trials of any form solely exist to make us rely on GOD alone, and not ourselves. They happen in order for us to exhaust ourselves of any self effort in order to realize that our total dependence should be on the One Who created, sustains, and has sovereign authority over everything, including our individual lives. One of the Lord's greatest pleasures is when we surrender all to Him so that He receives all the glory He deserves from us, especially those of us who claim Him as Lord. We must avoid using religious cliches and "christianese" to flatter God and make us appear spiritual to man. Yes, it is true – God is good all the time... But, is He good only when things are going good for me??? God is good because it is Who He is, whether our world is good or not. One of the hardest truths to swallow is the fact that prosperity and adversity come from the same Source.

To be clearer, God will sometimes break us in order to use us. A vessel broken by the hands of the Potter will often provide better service to Him because of a clearer understanding and greater reverence for the Maker. Broken or not, we must fully confess and admit to ourselves the words of the Lord Jesus: "...apart from Me you can do nothing."

Visit the blog archive and read from earliest to latest to get the details in chronological order.


9.03.2008

E. D.

Ok, I've put this one off long enough. This is the one area (along with incontinence) that guys don't even want to think about, let alone experience. These are also the reasons (E. D. and incontinence) most guys put off treatment after they have been diagnosed. Putting it off is not the answer. Would you rather be incontinent with E. D. and cured – or dead??? Sorry for being so blunt, but this is a reality among men and their fear of treatment. However, it's a reality for prostate cancer post-surgery. When the prostate is removed, there are nerves which contribute to the erectile function that have to be severed. You can speak with your surgeon and request that he do "nerve sparing" during the procedure. But, this is something that is still unavoidable. Yet, thanks to modern medicine, it is treatable! As many of you know there are a few well-known prescriptions out there that assist in "overcoming" E. D. when necessary. Each man should consult with his urologist to find out what works best for him. There are even a few other solutions beyond the pills that are available. So, for all my married brothers who have to be treated for prostate cancer – it ain't over! There is hope and there is help. Talk to your urologist or if you'd like shoot me an email and I can explain further. I'll save the details for the one-on-one conversations. I'm not endorsing any one particular medication, but I can help with what I know. Again, brothers, it ain't over!!!
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6 months later and another PSA!

Hey, folks! It's been 6 months since my last PSA test. I had another one on August 27 and I just received the results in the mail. Survey says: 0.013! Yahoo! Praise the LORD again for even more grace and mercy!!! I truly don't deserve it!


Like always, this is the "ultrasensitive" PSA performed by the Siemens Immulite Chemiluminescent Assay (as used by Methodist Hospital - Dallas). The who??? I'm not for certain what kind of contraption that is. I don't have all of the information on it just yet. When I gather the proper info I'll provide a link in another post. But, as a reminder, the ultrasensitive test produces a number that reads in the thousandths, where as the normal PSA test reads in the hundredths. For the normal PSA, if you have had your prostate removed the result should read < or = 0.05. The ultrasensitive test provides a more "accurate" reading.


I'm humbled and highly thankful to my Lord for another good report!!!
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