In May, 2000 one month after my 50th birthday I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. When I talked to my doctor I asked him was it something that could be handled and he said absolutely. There was no symptoms the only way I discovered it I went to get a physical and I got a simple blood test (PSA). In that blood test my PSA prove to be higher than normal(10.1). My doctor at that point recommended I see the Urologist. And it was there it was discovered that I had some cancer cells growing in my Prostate Gland. Fortunately for me getting that physical pretty much saved my life. On August 10th, 2000 I had surgery to remove the prostate and now I`m doing well and on the road to recovery and for the time being cancer free. The reason my doctor was able to give me such reasurance is because it was discovered early. Just like women with Breast Cancer early detection is the key. My point is men 40 and older black men in particular need to get a physical every 6 month. Look at your family history if it`s in your family there`s a good chance you might have it. My grandfather died from it. My dad right now is living with it and I`m still here. Once again if it's in your family it's a good chance you could have it too. Don`t gamble your life away get tested today. Remember you don`t have to be a victim but you can always be a champion. You can win this fight. To talk more about it you can email me at arthurg60@gmail.com. For some guys it`s not an easy subject to talk about but if you`re interested in a long healthy life it`s a must. For more information check the links at the bottom of this page. For anyone reading this please tell your male friends, relatives anyone you feel this message applies to. My purpose for posting this message is to make many people aware of this disease as possible.
My Story Continued
My Favorite things about Angelfire.
Update: 08/05 This August marks my sixth year aniversary since I had surgery for Prostate Cancer and I'm still cancer free. Everyday through research they are finding better ways of treating this disease. I still recomend highly that you get yourself tested. You really could be saving your own life.
Update: 02/07 This pass August marked my 7th year aniversary of being cancer free. As I mentioned in the original draft of this story my dad also had Prostate Cancer. Well finally on Wednesday February 21, 2007 my dad lost the battle with Prostate Cancer and passed away from it. My dad live to be 81 years old. My dad was lucky to live so long with this disease. At age 50 you should start getting tested. If you're an African American it's recomended you should start getting tested at 40. Early detection is the key.
Update: 10/08 This past August marks my 8th year since I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Well I went for my usual check up and found out there was a recurrence. Over the Past four years my PSA numbers were slowly rising Indicating there was still a Problem. I ask my doctor how could this happen after all I had the surgery in 2000 to remove my Prostate The doctor explained to me that sometimes the cancerous cells are so tiny that they can't be detected. The only way to determine if there's a problem is by checking your PSA to see if your numbers are rising. On my doctors reccomendation I went through radiation treatment. 8 weeks 15 minutes a day of radiation. After my radiation treatment I had another appointment with my doctor. My PSA Numbers went from 7 down to 4 decreased by 3 points a great improvement. I have another appointment with my doctor in 6 months to make sure my numbers continue to decrease. This recurrence really surprised me I thought I was home free. But what I've learned is that there are no guarantees you just have to continue to monitor your health on a regular bases. I will let you know how I'm doing after my next check up.
To all my new friends at The East Bay Regional Cancer Center
Thanks for all your support
Update: 01/09 Well I'm happy to report my most recent check up my PSA numbers are still decreasing from 4 down to 2. I'm due for another check up in August of this year and if that goes well I can go back to an annual check up instead of every 6 month. For now everything looks great but I know at any givin time things could change. But I feel if I continue to monitor my health that I will lead a normal long and healthy life. To all my fellow classmate take heed monitor your health. I have my 6 month appointment coming up this month on Aug 25, 09. Check back with me on this page and I'll let you know how my exam went.
Update: 08/09 Well good news my checkup went very well my numbers are great I go back in another 6 month and if that goes well I can go back to annual visit instead of every 6 months. I'll keep you posted.
Update: 03/10 Well I have excellent news my checkup went very well my PSA numbers reads 0.1 that's less than 1 it can't get any better.
Update: 09/10 More good news my PSA numbers are still down believe it or not it's less than 0.1 I'll keep you posted as how things are going with me.
Here are some people who have survived and some
who have passed away from Prostate cancer.
Former Mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani/ Actor, Sidney Poitier/ Actor, Singer, Harry Belafonte,/ Singer, former member of the Temptations, Damon Harris/ Actor, Bill Bixby/ Arthur Gurlly Sr. / Arthur Gurlly Jr./ Singer former member of the Gap Band, Charlie Wilson/ Former Mayor of Alameda,CA, Ralph J. Appezzato/ Former Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants Manager, Dusty Baker/ Former Oakland Raider, Jim Otto/ Former Fastest Man in the World, and former Dallas Cowboy, Bob Hayes/ Radio Talk Show host, Don Imus/ Former member of The Funk Brothers,Motown, Earl Van Dyke/ Broadway composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber/ Actor, Dennis Hopper,
This web page is dedicated in my fathers memory
and also in my sisters memory
Arthur Gurlly Sr.
Sept. 4, 1925 to February 21, 2007
If you really want to know who my dad was
Just go to the dictionary and look up the word nice
There you'll see a picture of my dad.
He lived a simple life
Never asking much
He was the ultimate
Nice Guy
Karen Jennifer Morrison
April 28, 1949 - May 22, 2009
After a 13 year battle with Ovarian Cancer
My sister Karen succumbed to the desease.
As well as my dad she will be missed.
She was only 60 years old.
Cancer no matter what type
is a horrible disease destroying many lives everyday.
We must do the research but research takes funding.
So go to www.cancer.org or www.standup2cancer.org
and donate what you can. So we can find a cure for
this horrible disease.
Zero
Us Too
IMPACT
Charlie Wilson
Everyday Health
Prostate
Cancer.org
Prostate Cancer Foundation
