Like all on the List, my thoughts are with Tom and Tina as Tom struggles
with pneumonia. But I can't let Chris Trask's post go without comment: "I
have not seen a doctor in over 20 years." Sorry, but that's about like
bragging, "I haven't checked the oil, let alone changed it, in over 100,000
miles with my car." Not bright. A year and a half ago I attended the
funeral of a friend (early 70s) who had let a yearly prostate exam go by.
Fatal mistake. A couple days ago I talked to a friend who, at 77, had his
first PSA check in five years. Surprise--PSA level is over 50. Not good.
My wife's late (that's right, "late") brother in law, a former Christian
Scientist, finally went in to a chiropractor to see why his back had hurt
so much for over a year. One X-ray showed bone metastases from a
well-advanced prostate cancer. Again, a fatal mistake. An orchiectomy
bought him two more weeks of pain. Having squeaked through a good case of
cancer myself at 46, I see a doctor for regular exams, and I will
unashamedly make an appointment if I think anything--*anything--* is
wrong. Yes, getting old (I'm 74) is not for sissies. But getting old
without regular medical checkups is, frankly, stupid. You only die once,
and I'm too thoroughly enjoying living to let some cancer or other malady
catch me unawares.
My yearly digital prostate exam and PSA check is scheduled for late
December. When is yours?
Dean
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