Yesterday I ran into a friend whose husband recently died of prostate cancer. Once again she expressed happiness at my progress...progress her husband did not have the opportunity to enjoy. Actually, that's not accurate, he had the opportunity, but chose to ignore the problem until it progressed beyond the point of treatment. His choice was not "watchful waiting"...it was simply waiting.
If these ramblings have any theme it is this...prostate cancer, detected early, affords one a wide variety of treatment options, all of which boast records of very positive outcomes.
Yoda said it in Star Wars Episode V, "Try not. Do or do not. There is no try." Trying implies less than full dedication to the outcome...this is life we're talking about here, it deserves one's best effort.
While it is still way too early for me to report on the ultimate outcome of my treatment, I can't imagine being diagnosed two and one-half months ago and still not having made a treatment decision. With so many options available, one might argue the wisdom of my choice...but acting upon a choice (even if it's the choice of watchful waiting) is the first step toward a cure.
I don't want to meet any other friends deprived of Christmas with a loved one because of something as responsive to treatment as prostate cancer. Bend over, smile, and know you're doing it for those who love you...then, if something is detected, "Do."
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