I never thought that I would ever prostate cancer (PC) might get. And of course, I had no idea how bad this disease was, in reality. Prostate cancer was a Problem of older men, I had always thought. The majority of people only spoke in a subdued tone of voice, when they reported of their grandfathers or great uncles.

My doctor led for years a routine digital rectal examination of my prostate by and he left my blood on the prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) to investigate. As my PSA value was increased in the spring, suddenly, clearly, I was transferred immediately to a prostate biopsy. After three nerve-wracking weeks, I learned that it had discovered, on the basis of the pathology findings on one side of my prostate cancer.

Cancer?! I fell into a state of shock

I remember that I fell into this Moment in a perfect emotional state of shock. Seven days after my diagnosis, I was sitting in the crowded waiting room of the best urologist in Atlantic Canada. For the first Time in my 64 years of life I felt old. So that was my new age group.

Some of the men had a lively and carefree. Others saw, in turn, cut off and bitter. I asked myself, to which of the two groups I belong to in the future.

The surgeon explained to me my treatment options. I could get either a radical prostatectomy, the prostate is completely removed or I could try one cycle of treatment, from radiation and/or chemotherapy. I should decide for myself, however, for the irradiation, it would not be a subsequent surgery due to tissue scarring.

Then my survival called instinct

Then the Unexpected happened. My survival instinct worked suddenly. I tried to gain control over this harrowing Situation, I abklärte you with expertise. I made an appointment for the surgery and by read to me, the education materials my surgeon very carefully. Then I started on the Internet about prostate cancer investigate.

The canadian statistics for this disease are frightening: Approximately one in every seventh man becomes ill in the course of his life to prostate cancer every 29. Patient dies even. In the year 2017, at 21.300 men prostate cancer diagnosed (21% of all new cancer cases in men). 4,100 men are in this year of prostate cancer died.

According to estimates, the annual number of newly occurring prostate cancer between 2015 and 2030, almost double. The side effects of a radical prostatectomy can be a devastating impact on the self-worth and masculinity feeling of the affected patients. To the possible consequences of the surgery include incontinence, erectile dysfunction, infertility and ejaculation disorders, and related anxiety and depression.

If a nerve-preserving surgery can be performed, you can restore sexual function. Up to the final Regeneration, however, it can take months – if not years–. Often several therapies are necessary.

Not a reliable Test on the aggressiveness of the cancer

The current scientific findings on prostate cancer are not yet clear. There is still no Test to determine to which cases of prostate cancer are aggressive. Even the PSA Test is not a reliable clue for the diagnosis of PK. He is also highly controversial. Previous studies have shown that many patients are überdiagnostiziert and überbehandelt and that the best means to prevent the active Monitoring of the prostate gland.

When I told my boss of my cancer, he did me a huge Favor. He introduced me to a friend who had had six months ago, a prostate operation. This man was my Mentor in this whole process. He told me that it could help me in my healing process if I kept a diary.

He also explained to me quite openly about intimate issues, of which prostate cancer patients were affected. These were things that could not understand a doctor really. I learned through this type of brotherhood, a closeness that I had experienced before.

My Mentor had a robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP), which is applied in the USA very often. In most canadian hospitals, however, this method is not yet available. In the case of RALP, is a less invasive surgery, the faster recovery than conventional surgery.

With regard to the long-term impact however, there is no significant difference between the two treatment methods. The more I learned, the more confused I was.

I wanted to do everything in my Power

For a week, I racked my head over my options. I contacted the nearest RALP clinic in Montreal. However, with a vicious and unpredictable enemy in my body, I wanted to have six months on the surgery wait. I wanted everything in my Power to do it, not to the 10 per cent of the patients belong to, the to aggressive prostate cancer suffered.

I finally decided to drag me to a conventional surgery. I tried to not let me of negative thoughts pull down, and generally not too much think about everything. On the advice of my mentor I looked for a physical therapist who taught me specific Exercises that I basin of my strengths, ground and the control over my bladder could improve.

A month after my diagnosis, I went into the operating room. The surgeon, well experienced Team and I introduced ourselves briefly in a circle and he asked if anyone had a question. None reported. Now there was no going Back.

When I woke up, I was overjoyed

When I woke up, I was overjoyed that the Operation was over. I had to then stay only two days in the hospital. In the beginning I had problems to sit up and walk again. As a result, I felt helpless and vulnerable.

Most significantly to me, however, the medical complications in memory remained, the other patients around me by had to make it a lot worse was than me.

My wife and I stayed a few extra days in Halifax, if it should come to complications. But I remained spared. During my Passion, I was often a very irritable Patient. But my wife supported and took care of me the whole time, lovingly. I was every day visible progress, and soon had to take any painkillers.

You can’t live after the cancer now

I focused more and more on the mundane but important task, to take good care of my body. I had blood in the urine? My bowel movement was regular? I had to empty my catheter bag? He was clean and germ-free? What are the incontinence pads I would carry on into the next Phase of my recovery?

Two weeks after the surgery, the doctor removed the catheter, and 23 brackets. I was thrilled that I was able to hold my urine as well. Two weeks later, I was able to even drive a car. After my surgery, I learned that my prostate cancer was restricted only to the prostate capsule, no metastases had formed. I needed no radiation or chemotherapy and only had to go to my routine studies. I felt as if I had won the lottery!

Nevertheless, I presented myself to the unpleasant situations that could occur after the Operation. Because in the end you can’t live after prostate cancer, as it perhaps would like.

It may not have chosen each for the treatment method I have selected. But I don’t regret anything at all. My experience with prostate cancer have changed my life and me is also encouraged. By the disease I have learned to enjoy every single Moment of my life.

My friends noticed that I always laugh

I’m in the canadian Health charity YMCA beige and I’m looking for a personal fitness trainer. I regularly meet with a support group in my area, and am the brother of a friend during his prostatectomy. Because I want to give something back, by doing the same for others, what did my Mentor for me.

In addition, I encourage all of my male Acquaintances about 40, an annual PSA Test. Through my own illness, I have found that prostate cancer is a men-only thing. I joined an informal fraternal community outside of the medical industry.

As veterans, we dedicate ourselves to the important task of our collective Knowledge, experience with prostate cancer to other men. My life will never be the same again. But when I think about it, I’m especially grateful that I survived the disease. I have become my own priorities much more clearly.

My friends already noticed that I always laugh. But I also feel humbled, because I had a lot more fortunate than many other men.

This Text originally appeared in the HuffPost Canada and was translated by Susanne Raupach from the English.

This article was written by John Bl ackwell