Book in the works

I've been planning this for months but I'm working on a book version of this blog. I'm working to have it be more detailed but still in a journal format as you're reading here. The plan is to self-publish with the hopes of it being picked up by a publisher. More details soon...

THREE YEARS TODAY!!!

Hey, y'all! Today marks my 3 year anniversary of being a survivor of prostate cancer by the sovereign grace of GOD!!! If I were to express my gratitude I'd quickly run out of words. There just aren't any to describe how I feel about still being alive and cancer-free -- especially since I absolutely don't deserve it!!! I humbly acknowledge the simple, yet powerful truth that I'm nothing without the grace of GOD!

I wish I had an accurate count, but since my survival I've been able to talk and walk with approximately 15-18 brothers who were diagnosed with prostate cancer. A few of them I've had the pleasure to talk with more than once as they would call me occasionally with more questions and then would provide me with post-surgery updates. I'm blessed to be used, or rather "broken t0 serve" my Lord and other brothers in HIS Name!!!

Another prostate cancer awareness seminar

Sorry for the short notice. But, tomorrow, Saturday, July 18 at J. C. Phelps Recreation Center (3030 Tips Blvd, Dallas, TX‎) there is seminar on prostate cancer awareness and a basketball tournament. As usual I'd like to see more and more brothers come out and get informed about their health – specifically their prostate health. I've been asked to come out and share my testimony and I would like as many brothers to hear my story, hopefully to inspire them to get checked. My good friends at Methodist Hospital will be there doing screenings. For directions to J. C. Phelps Rec Center, click here.

Comfort while you heal - the Donut Cushion!

my wife reminded me that i need to tell brothers about this important commodity. it is a known fact that after prostate cancer surgery, your crouch will be sore! we hardly think about it, but we sit on our prostates all the time. cutting it out makes you sore in that area. it will be a bit uncomfortable sitting while you heal, especially when you sit on a hard, flat surface. enter the donut cushion!!! this thing is a life saver! my wife found one for me at a teacher supply store of all places. go figure. but you can find many of them online, at pillow/bedding stores or even through some medical supply resources. prices range from $10-$20. i use it to drive with and work at my desk. i'm not sore anymore, but i've gotten so used to it that it has made a permanent home on my driver's seat. this is very helpful and provides the best comfort. to find one online, just type "donut cushion" in your favorite search engine. ahhhhhhh...so nice!

broken to serve on twitter

hey, brothers! i'm now on twitter! just a way to give some brief one-liner information on prostate cancer awareness. sort of a "cliff notes" version of the blog ;-)

just click the logo above or on the right of the page.

Health and Wellness/Spring Fest, Saturday, 4.4.09

This Saturday, April 4, there will be a Spring Fest/Health and Wellness Fair at my church, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. There will be fun and games for the kids and health & wellness information for everyone. Many will have tables with various information on lots of health topics. I will be there with my table set up talking about prostate screening. ATTENTION ALL MEN 35 AND UP: Come by and talk with me!!! I want to spread the word about what the Lord has done with me and also inform and encourage men to get themselves screened. See ya there!!!


For more info click here and then click on the Spring Fest/Health and Wellness 2009 link under the April 4, 2009 heading. Praise GOD for our Fellowship Medical Ministry!!!

And the results are in...!

Ok, folks. As promised, I checked my mail this evening and my latest PSA results were there. Drumroll, please...


Still 0.013! Yes! Praise the LORD for his continuous grace!!! This is the same as my last PSA 6 months ago! And, as I mentioned in my last post, my next visit is next year! Wow – you know, when I think about the holiness and sovereignty of GOD Almighty and what I am compared to Him, I know full well that I'm totally undeserving of His mercy! How about any of you, brothers? Can any of you say the same? Even if you can't (or won't), you're still a recipient! What makes it better for each of us is when it's acknowledged by us! Deliverance from any form of sickness, from the smallest cold or headache to the worst form of cancer, is only by the grace of GOD! It's not medicine, it's not human will, and there is no luck. It's not even healthy eating, even though it is highly beneficial and we should eat healthy. After all, Who do you think created the healthy, natural foods??? Who gives us wisdom and guides our hearts and minds to decide to eat right? Who blesses our food, mainly when we ask? It's all Him 'cause He's all good!!!

Cool news!

I was at my urologist this morning at Methodist Hospital getting my 6-month check up. The doctor informed me that the hospital just got its first DaVinci machine! YAHOO!!! I've been in conversation with Tim Upshaw, the guy who directs the Prostate Screening & Awareness Program there, and he was concerned that while they have the best and busiest screening program in the country, any time someone is thinking about surgery they want to know more about the robotic procedure. The problem is that these men would get screened by Methodist, but had to go elsewhere for the surgery, like I did. Well, they finally got one. That's some exciting news. When I left the office, I called Tim immediately to share the excitement. It's about time and it'll be really good for them 'cause now they can start to give some full treatment and not just screenings.


Some more cool news: My doctor told me for my next check up that he'll see me next year!!! Yeah, baby! Yearly check ups now!!! Oh, how I love the favor of GOD! Especially since I'm so undeserving of Him. Thank you, Father!


I should get my PSA results in about a week and will be posting them here. Peace!

new site (and belated anniversary)

Hey, hey, hey!!! Just like I planned – a new name and a new look for the blog. "Broken to serve" went from slogan to main title. It just makes more sense than 'openvessel' - that title never sat well with me. I also changed the introduction. As you can see, this is way beyond just cancer survival. There's a bigger purpose in it than just saying "I'm still here." This is true for every survivor. I'm just one of the relative few who acknowledge it – and the credit does not go to me!


I forgot to mention a few weeks ago that December 28, 2008 was my 2nd year anniversary from the surgery and being cancer free! God is so merciful! I get my next PSA check in about 2 weeks. As always, you'll get the report right here.


One more thing: I still have the gracious opportunity to talk to brothers who are diagnosed and looking for treatment options. Just recently a couple of brothers called me to say that they had their surgery and inform me how well they're doing and thanking me for the information that I was able to give them so that they would know what to look for. They always apologize for calling me, but I tell them that they should call me and I'm glad they did. And I want them to keep calling me to let me know how they're doing so that I can continue to praise the Lord for using me and for delivering and using them! This is not about me. It's not about them. It's about the sovereignty of God and His amazing grace and mercy!