Dealing with my cancer, could save you

[*]

Well...... It has been a long time and most of you don't know who I am but I was a regular here until I foolishly sold my 68 R/T (I will post pic later.)
What brings me here is the following story and maybe it will also save someone else.

I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer 4 months ago. It was discovered by doing my biannual physical for my NHRA license. I had my PSA test (Prostate-Specific Antigen test) this last spring and it shot up sharply.
I had very few options as the cancer was very high on the Gleason scale and fear was that it was no longer in the prostate so radiation and seeds were out.
Last week I had surgery and they removed my prostate, lymph nodes and a few other parts. The biopsy came back after surgery and it appears they got everything and now I will have to wait 3 weeks and do another PSA test to confirm the got it all. The post surgery biopsy also reveled that the cancer was the highest score on the Gleason and had I waited it would of been throughout my body.
I am thankful for drag racing (NHRA) as they forced me to do something I would of otherwise never done. I am also thankful for technology because without it, it would of been to late.
Also thankful for all the friends and family that prayed and thought of me while I went through all of this.
Guys, get a PSA test even if you are under 50.
I know it is soon after surgery and I have lot's more to go through but I have a whole new outlook on life...
Jim

The car......

[Neal_J]

Wow, thanks & best wishes for a full & speedy recovery.

[tan top]

aww man ..good job  they caught it , thanks for the warning , best wishes on a speedy recovery ...

[Tilar]

Interesting handle.  

My first wifes father died from prostate cancer and the bad part of his was it was found early and could have probably been saved but he refused any chemo or radiation. 2 years later he was gone.

I've been down that cancer trail before and it sucks big time, but you are right, it does give you a whole new outlook on life.  I'm glad things are looking up for you! 

[68charger383]

Thanks for the message and speedy recovery.

I just had mine tested at the cruisin for a cure show here in SoCal. The theme of the show is to have men get free blood tests to determine their PSA levels. It is also the biggest and best car show in the US and it is spreading around the US and Canada.

I know they have shows in these states:

http://www.cruisinforacure.com/  SoCal
http://www.cruisinforacurecanada.com/  Ontario-Canada
http://cowtowncruisinforacure.org/events.asp  Fortworth-Texas
http://www.licruizinforacure.com/  Long Island-NY
http://mindencruisinforacure.blogspot.com/  Minden-Louisiana
http://www.utahcruisinforacure.org/  Utah

[Silver R/T]

Sorry to hear about this, Jim. My mom fought breast cancer and still recovering from it. I wish you speedy recovery. Hang in there Jim!

[Dans 68]

Jim,

Best of luck with your recovery. My father had prostate cancer (he recovered) and I have been getting myself checked on a regular basis. Foolish not to do the test every year. 

Dan

[kingjoop]

Hang in there Jim! I'm fighting cancer every day here with my 3 year old son 

[Tilar]

Oh man, 3 years old?    My heart goes out to y'all. I couldn't imagine going through it being one of my kids.

[vancamp]

best wishes i was diagnosed at 34 with stage 3 colon cancer, doctors kept telling me i was to young for colonoscopy until i forced the issue. try to keep an upbeat attitude and have friends around they will help a great deal.

[dads_69]

Who could forget that 68' charger, nobody...
Hope you get well soon Jim, I lost my dad to cancer 19 years, but at times, it still feels like yesterday.

Mark

[71ChallengeHer]

Jim, Get well soon, my prayers are with you.

[wayfast1500]

I had retnalblastoma (excuse the spelling) when I was a infant.  Lost my eye to it, and lost a bunch of relatives to it as well.  Hope you feel better.

[TruckDriver]

My best wishes Jim. Take care and god's speed.