October 18, 2003

Doctor Visits and Showers

It's Saturday -- nobody reads this stuff. So, I can talk about serious things.

I sat in the back of the court room yesterday morning, waiting for the judge to take a break so that I could talk to her, listening to the testimony for about 15 minutes. It was a medical malpractice trial. And a doctor was testifying -- one of the defendants. I learned a lot in 15 minutes. He was treating "Brian" for rectal cancer. If Brian had survived five years, he would have sent Brian a card congratulating him on beating the cancer; except Brian didn't survive five years -- he died. Prostate cancer. The doctor was not treating Brian for that. Another doctor was. Apparently, the prostate cancer wasn't diagnosed.

Prostate cancer is the #1 form of cancer in men. As breast cancer is to women, prostate cancer is to men -- I think that's how the doctor put it. And the latest men should start getting checked yearly is age 50. Black men should start yearly checks at 45 because for some reason, the disease process kicks in earlier -- etiology unknown. And if there is a family history, father or brother, particularly, shave five years off those figures.

So, when I got out to the car at 9:30 on a beautiful, sunny morning, I called my doctor. 1:30. Physical exam. No symptoms that would indicate prostate problems or any other problems for that matter. Left a bunch of blood after drop your pants and face me ... those are fine ... and then, turn around and bend over the table like you've been arrested.

Report: Very uncomfortable examination, but normal.

I took my third shower this morning since I got out of the office at 3 p.m.

If you're a man, go get checked. If you're a woman, stop laughing.

Posted by Bill at October 18, 2003 10:04 AM
Comments

Glad you are healthy ya big nut.

Posted by: Kathy Howe at October 18, 2003 10:51 AM

It's good you got your ass checked out. Seriously, glad all is well. Most men are too stubborn to have anything checked out until it's too late.

Posted by: Charlene at October 18, 2003 11:43 AM

Good for you, that was ONE of the cancers my Dad died of

Posted by: Anji at October 18, 2003 11:55 AM

Happy to read you are healthy - well done for going.

Posted by: Michelle at October 18, 2003 05:38 PM

Good for you! A co-worker's DH would not have an exam, despite repeated requests, and ended up having cancer and passing on way before his time. So again, good for you.

Posted by: TW at October 18, 2003 08:04 PM

Let 'em laugh. You did the right thing...for yourself and everyone who cares about you.

Posted by: Philip at October 18, 2003 11:59 PM

glad the glands are in proper working order!

men really need to take this more seriously. we don't organize nearly as well to acquire the same amount of research dollars.

Posted by: the mighty jimbo at October 19, 2003 03:01 AM