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!

Out with the (somewhat) old (blog), in with the new!

Ok, as hard as I worked on coming up with a term to explain my passion and heart for being used to serve others with my prostate cancer survival, I've decided to retire the "openvessel" name. I still like it, but it never really grabbed me, especially since I had a time trying to explain it. If you have a hard time trying to explain or describe a concept then it's too abstract. What really stands out the most for me is my slogan "broken to serve." So, that will be the name of the new blog that I'm constructing, especially since I've already purchased the domain name for it (see the link to the right). With "openvessel," I was trying to say it with one term. Something simple but with a big meaning. That's the designer in me. But sometimes I find that short phrases can do the same thing. "Broken to serve" just has that ring - enough so that it is not only my slogan but also the main concept. Same scripture reference though. That one says it all. I will keep this blog up for at least 6 months to a year after I launch the new one. Stay tuned. See new logo above. Hmmm. That means I've gotta get another t-shirt made... And new cards... Oh, well.

Another free screening and PSA update

My church had another one of its monthly men's fellowships with another annual prostate health screening on November 1. As I was walking in my pastor wanted me to come sit by him and share a few words with the brothers about my survival and to encourage them, which is what I always look forward to. My own PSA checks are now at 6-month periods. I'm not due for another check until February 09 but why not do it since they're here for free? My results came back about 2-3 weeks later and I'm still undetectable!!!! Praise the Lord!!!! The number was <0.04 which was the normal PSA lab test that the hospital does in their own lab. I normally get the "ultra-sensitive" test done that goes out to the thousandths place. But, good report anyway! Now I need to work on my cholesterol. My bad cholesterol was good, but my good cholesterol showed a little low. Need to work on that.


After the screening I had the chance to talk with another brother who tested positive as a result of the same free screening. He was not from my fellowship, but was screened by the same hospital. I was called by the prostate screening program coordinator (again) and given the information. As others, the brother had a few questions about surgery options and post-surgery concerns. It does my heart good to inform and encourage other men with my experience. Please feel free to email me any questions or concerns that you may have about prostate cancer. I don't know everything, but I know enough and will find out more for anyone if I need to.


I would strongly encourage men who belong to churches or any other local organizations to rally together and have some health fairs and screenings. Get with your local hospitals and see if they offer free prostate screening programs. Many lives can be saved with early detection of this disease. What's that old saying? "What you don't know can't hurt you." What a lie! Many think that if they don't know then it can't affect them. Most of us men are just dumb like that (me included). I can just imagine how many men, especially African American men, who are just walking around day by day with prostate cancer in their bodies and just don't know it because there are no symptoms at first. There's another old saying that's a better one: "Ignorance of the law is no excuse." Just because you don't know about it doesn't make it go away or not exist. Brothers, GET SCREENED NOW before it becomes too late!!! Prostate cancer doesn't wait for you to find out about it before it starts to grow. Give that some thought.

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!!!

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!!!

Blue-spangled banner! (and another challenge)

Since mid-March, I've been invited to have a table at a couple of healthfairs. I thought I'd kick it up a notch and get a banner made rather than just have the t-shirt and materials on the table. I designed it and uploaded the file to a local vendor that specializes in large-format printing and they had it ready for me in 2 days. The total size is 2' wide by 5' tall. I'll be ready for the next few healthfairs if I'm ever invited.


I had some great opportunities to speak with a few guys about getting themselves checked on a regular basis while telling them about my experience. Many were shocked when I told them my age. The funniest thing is to see some guys look down at my table as they walk by and keep going because THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT! They're afraid to discuss it because they make a big issue about the "finger" check, but don't realize that the digital rectal exam is a very minor part of the check up. Getting the finger up your rear is the least of your worries compared to having prostate cancer and not even knowing it when you have no symptoms! What's the old saying? What you don't know can't hurt you. What a big lie!!! What you don't know can and will kill you if you do nothing about it!!! Man up and go to the doctor, brothers!!! Take the finger and get your blood checked for the PSA! Remember, there are no symptoms with early detection. If you have symptoms or if the urologist feels a hardness on your prostate, then it's possibly advanced. Why wait?????

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt!

That's right, folks! Just to show how serious I am about my testimony and spreading the knowledge about prostate cancer survival, I had my own t-shirt made. My good friend and Christian brother Gerald, who has his own screen printing business, made 2 shirts for me - and blessed me by not charging a dime!!! I purchased the shirt and provided the art. He provided the other shirt, which is a light blue ringer T (dark blue trim on neck and sleeve), and it has dark blue print - same art. (Thanks to my beautiful wife for taking the pics!)