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PSA tests

rpbrown

Premium Member
I would like to address all of my brothers, especially those over the age of 40.
Please go to your doctor and have a simple blood test done for PSA levels.
As you may know I am now going through radiation treatments for prostate cancer. This was found strictly by accident (although I say God showed it to me) as I was going to get additional life insurance. The PSA test was part of the requirement of insurance. I had no symptoms and felt fine.
So please do yourself a favor and get tested
 

Bloke

Premium Member
I would like to address all of my brothers, especially those over the age of 40.
Please go to your doctor and have a simple blood test done for PSA levels.
As you may know I am now going through radiation treatments for prostate cancer. This was found strictly by accident (although I say God showed it to me) as I was going to get additional life insurance. The PSA test was part of the requirement of insurance. I had no symptoms and felt fine.
So please do yourself a favor and get tested

Good advice and a speedy recovery brother!
 

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
Got tested earlier this year. I figured since I'm in my 40's now I'd better take care of the ol' chassis.
 

rpbrown

Premium Member
Brethren, first let me thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers. as of today, I only have 7 more treatments to go.
However, this post is not about me but you as my extended family. I strongly urge each of you to get tested. If you catch this early, it is treatable and the earlier you catch it, the easier the treatment. I caught mine at Stage 2 and have had a total of 44 radiation treatments to date. I thought after the first couple of weeks that this in no big deal, just annoying that I have to go every day for the treatments. Then about the 3rd week, I started getting tired in the afternoons and by week 5, I would have to go home for a nap after lunch. Then by week 7, I could only work 1/2 a day, couldn't climb a ladder and couldn't focus on my work because I was so tired. Fortunately, I own my own business. However, my son took a leave of absence from his job to come help us out or I would have probably had to close the doors.
The other problem I am having is having to go pee A LOT. 8-9 times a night. They have given me medication that has helped slow the frequency down but still it is a lot of trips.
I am telling you these things not for sympathy but to urge you to get a simple blood test done and catch it early if you have to have it.
The plus side to this treatment is it has loaded me down with jokes. Thats how I keep my kids that are not local from knowing what shape I am in. You know--I now have a night light in my bathroom--my toilet bowl glows. Or as my wife says-thats not a night light, its a target light.
With that, I am going back to work while I am still awake to do so.
 

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
Brother @rpbrown I am glad that your treatment is almost complete... I pray that you will beat this. I am sorry that the treatments have got you so beat down. Good luck Brother!
 

Carl_in_NH

Site Benefactor
PSA testing is part of the standard blood work package my doctor does once you reach the golden age of 50.

If you have yearly checkups and blood work, it makes a lot of sense to make sure they are running this test as part of the lab work. They only stick the needle into you once to draw the blood - might as well get the most beneficial and comprehensive testing done that you can. Perhaps the out-of-pocket cost is higher when you add some of the testing, but I'd rather give up an over priced cup of coffee now and then to pay for it as opposed to my health.

Prayers for you, my Brother, for a speedy and full recovery.
 

Scoops

Registered User
I wish you a full and speedy recovery.

This is something close to my heart as various members of my father-in-law's family have suffered from this.

The Province of Cheshire organises sessions in partnership with local hospitals at Masonic Centres that the brethren can attend to get tested. This is the sort of program we should be getting all our grand Lodges to support, especially as our membership inevitably ages.

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
 

Carl_in_NH

Site Benefactor
The test itself has no risks associated with it - only a false positive result without additional testing and going into some form of treatment is risky;

"Screening for prostate cancer is easy. The PSA is measured through a simple blood test. Knowing what to do with the PSA result is far from simple, however."

Like most everything in life, "Trust, but verify"


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry
 

rpbrown

Premium Member
UPDATE--As of last night, I have completed 44 radiation treatments over 9 weeks. I think I am well done by now if not slightly overcooked :).

I go back for testing on Dec. 22. This gives the radiation time to leave my body I guess. I will let you know final results when I get them.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
UPDATE--As of last night, I have completed 44 radiation treatments over 9 weeks. I think I am well done by now if not slightly overcooked :).

I go back for testing on Dec. 22. This gives the radiation time to leave my body I guess. I will let you know final results when I get them.

Every success brother !
 
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