Preface: I'm old (60 in August); philosophically, I have no desire for
longevity, whatsoever!!! (translation: almost every night, I hope I
won't wake up - - NOT depression, just realization of the horrors of
old age)

Situation: Seems there's a fair chance I have prostate cancer (i.e.,
the good doctors sticking their fingers up my ass could feel
"something; also my PSA blood test is way high abnormal), but the
doctors aren't saying "yes or no". That was the information I wanted –
yes or no.. They want to do a biopsy for the “final answer”.

I read up on it in the Internet. It is one of the easiest to cure, but
(1) chemotherapy is unpleasant & painful and (2) surgery has the
annoying side affect of incontinence (I told myself a long time ago,
trivial as it may seem, peeing all over myself is not a condition I
will suffer). Option#3 was to do nothing; most older men will die
**with** prostate cancer, not **from** it. The doctors do not feel 60
is old and that if I have it, some positive treatment plan is
preferable. I don’t understand the idea of doing minor surgery to get
a sample, if they might want to cut the whole thing away at some
point.

Damn; i thought 60 years old is young. What horrors are you refering too?
Pain?

Do the biopsy and go from there:

"During a biopsy a urologist obtains tissue samples from the prostate via
the rectum. A biopsy gun inserts and removes special hollow-core needles
(usually three to six on each side of the prostate) in less than a second.
Prostate biopsies are routinely done on an outpatient basis and rarely
require hospitalization. Fifty-five percent of men report discomfort during
prostate biopsy"

Well, first - thanks for the info on the biopsy. Now I understand why
they just don't remove the whole prostate to start with....I think if
Immortalist saw my post, I'd have enough information to **do** a
biopsy...

As for old age, subjectivity is a key element in determining the
degree of "horror" an individual may expect. From my perspective:

(1) Recovery from disease or injury is elongated to almost scary
proportions. A sore neck I recently had took 6 full days to heal, when
at age 20, it would have been gone in about a day. (NOTE: That’s why
many old people are cautious, I suspect. We’re not afraid of taking
chances, we’re afraid of getting hurt and all the recovery time
required to heal.)

(2) All the 5 physical senses deteriorate at an alarming rate.
**Nothing** improves (and that includes intangible aspects of your
being, like - reasoning, personal spatial awareness, memory, etc.).

I fear C, and who doesn't.

Hamilton Jordan died tonight from it.

Teddy Kennedy has been diagniosed with a malignant brain tumor.

There are many biotech etal companies tediously and expensively
working on cures & treatments, and their owners & stockholders are
trying to get very wealthy of course.

For several years, I took many vitamins & herbs, saw palmetto etal.

And I tried to cut down on eating meat.

Now I only take a multi-vite and drink green tea, which ain't too bad
with lemon juice.

I did also join the C n.g. & occasionally publicly discuss cures.

The group is apparently mostly C victims-survivors.

They discuss conventional and quack approaches, and there is a cool
oncologist who sometimes comments.

When one is in his sixties, one should be interested, since the
percentage of C's victims is clichely claimed to be 1 in 3 (or
whatever).

http://groups.google.com/group/sci.med.diseases.cancer/topics?hl=en

"kevirwin"

Doing the biopsy shouldn't cause you much discomfort. You could even
consider taking some medication before and after the procedure for any
anticipated pain and or anxiety.

(well written interesting account snipped)

On May 21, 11:15 am, kevirwin comcast.net> wrote:

GDay Kev,

You have given me the first good laugh of the day :-)

Thanks. No tumor on the humor......

Expectation is a very creative force.

On May 20, 5:35 pm, kevirwin comcast.net> wrote:

If you are old then I have been 'enjoying' the "horrors" of old age
for quite some time now. I sure have slowed down since I stopped
playing soccer as a 5O yo cos of hip arthritis. Took up golf, had both
hips replaced at 67 and walk 18 holes without discomfit.
About five weeks ago I dreamt I was playing soccer again. I agilely
evaded several defenders and took an almighty kick at goal. Woke up on
the bed room floor before I could see if I had scored a goal. But what
great, great memories and dreams old age offers. The alternative to
old age is to deny oneself the joyful memories of youthful days.

I am well over the hill and am coasting towards the oblivion you seem
to wish on yourself. If only I could find a brake to slow down the
accelerating pace at which time is passing. When life becomes a burden
to myself and others there are many ways to make a graceful exit!

..> Situation: Seems there's a fair chance I have prostate cancer
(i.e.,

"zinnic"

pissing yourself in a wetsuit is actually a nice feeling; especially if the
water around you is cold enough to feel like it's punching you in the face
as a wave crashes against your head.

On May 20, 6:35 pm, kevirwin comcast.net> wrote:

Just wanted to say "thanks" to all, for the inputs...

As a "partial existentialist", my mortality holds no fear, nor does
the potentially imminent nature of the event hold any dread.

A strong survival instinct (at any cost) would logically be an aspect
of life heavily fortified by Nature. And yet suicide exists; I’m not
there, but I understand it…

Hey, where’s Mikey????

Thanks again,
K e v