The original idea about putting all this medical stuff on the blog was to allow a whole mess of people to find out what was happening with me without me having to feel obligated (as I do) to answer each and every email that came in immediately because kind people were worried about me. Of course, this didn't stop people from emailing me - which is good, I like it when people email me, it's just that I'm just pretty busy right now and I don't really have the time to drop everything to write the same info to everyone over and over again. Therefore, I went with the broadcast option.
But the problem is that the system is working too well. I know that people are looking at the blog (I read the stats every day and at least a few people look in), but no one is making comments on what I'm writing (at least not using the comment feature on the blog). This makes me wonder about my writing - (Am I being clear? Is what I'm choosing to write about resonating with anyone but me? Am I still writing in English?) - and that's no good either. We writers are aways so insecure.
So, if you are so moved, please click on the word "comment" below any of the posts and let me know what you think about what I wrote. Be mindful that what you say will be available to anyone else who views the page (in all probability a select group of Fiascoites only), but don't worry about talking about stuff that concerns me. After all, I'm the guy who's putting his prostate cancer on the Internet - I'm not too worried about my personal privacy with these matters.
Thanks.
yes, we read and are with you. i am typing with one hand so won't write much. i, too, have known people who died but in each case their cancer was well advanced, i assume because they had not had regular testing. hope this comment goes through - the last one didn't. i shoulda called you to find out why not!
Posted by: emmy | July 13, 2007 at 09:46 AM
Tom,
We read you loud and clear and daily here. And we find more frequent posts now that MLTD has come along, and find solace if not joy in that.
No, MLTD is no Mary Poppins, but lots of men - my grandfather included - lived rather than died with it, and it seems lots of us have it and don't know it (not clinically presenting but can be found after the fact in an autopsy if something else gets us first).
My father-in-law sends his regards and recommends external radiation, which he finished on July 3rd. No, it wasn't a picnic, but he was up to attending a picnic on the 4th, so it wasn't all _that_ bad.
Chinese medicine might help, but it seems that almost any Chinese diet would help, judging from the statistics about clinically presenting prostate cancer in China and the increase found in folks of Chinese heritage who decide to live in the U S of A. Mind you, it's the _real_ Chinese food you need (lots and lots of veggies) not the chicken wings with fried rice and red pork variety.
I know you project a limited readership for this comment, but we have to remember that you're speaking of a topic of interest to about 75% of the male population (and the other 25% just haven't figured it out yet).
In the worst sense but also in the very best sense, you are not alone, my friend.
Michael
Posted by: Michael T. | July 10, 2007 at 05:57 PM