Mortality
Most live their lives unaware of their mortality.
Unless they joined the military service, the most dangerous thing an American does deals with transportation. Driving a car or flying in a plane are inherently dangerous endeavors. But because most everyone drives, and a majority fly, everyone is comfortable with the increase in danger compared to the benefits that these modes of transportation provide. So, the average American is not aware of their Mortality.
Even though Military Members are young and have that air of invincibility, they are fully aware of their Mortality. As a US Navy Submariner, every single time we go to sea, we know that it may be the last time we see our loved ones. Not only are we concerned with enemies of the USA, but the environment is literally trying to kill us. We Are The Mighty had an article that states the estimated operating depth of modern submarines as 300m to 450m, which equates to 984 to 1476 feet. This means that the estimated operating depth is exerting 404 psi to 621 psi on the hull of the boat. When you think about 984 feet that's just larger than 3 football fields, that's less than a ¼ mile for you car enthusiasts.The average ocean depth is 2.3 miles, this means that we are only operating at the first 0.18 to 0.27 miles according to the estimates.
When you decide to carry a weapon, you become more aware of mortality than the average American. One of the lessons from the military that has stayed with me is a key to survival is to survive first contact.
Health is paramount to survival. The reason I'm sharing this is to give Hope to those facing their mortality head on.
Here's my story…
In 2013 I convinced my Mom to move out west after living alone for 12 years after my Dad passed away. It's a good thing she lived with us while she was traveling. She was 74 when diagnosed with Cancer in Oct 14, 2015. My Mom's Ovarian cancer is attributed to BRCA2 positive gene mutation. Genetic testing done in May 25, 2016 showed the BRCA2 positive mutation. She is now 80 and has been winning these past 5.5 years.
For almost 2 years I advocated for the genetic test but was denied by insurance. After finding precancerous polyps during my colonoscopy, my PCP was able to push the insurance to allow the genetic testing. in 2018, I found out that I'm also BRCA2 positive gene mutation and started early detection tests for Prostate by monitoring my PSA levels early.
For men, the BRCA2 genetic mutation increases the chances of Prostate, Pancreatic, Melanoma, Testicular and male Breast Cancer.
Within the past 8 months my PSA increased, 2.1 on Sept 2020 and then double to 4.51 on Mar 2021. One month later it was 5.4 on Apr 30. Urologist consult 5 days later, and the biopsy on May 7. Pathology report published one week later on May 14 shows that I have high Gleason Grade Prostate Cancer in 4 of the 12 sites. Even though my cancer has not grown in size and my prostate feels normal for a 53 year old, one site has Grade 5 and 4 which are aggressive and can become metastatic. Treatment is surgey and radiation if necessary.
Bone scan was done, May 26 to check if metastasis occurred, and results came back May 27, thank God that it has not.
MRI was June 29 and the Pre-op consult Jul 2 showed that the cancer did not metastasize. The surgery was the following week Thursday, July 8th.
I needed to drop weight 10-15 pounds so that the surgery is easier. So, that was my focus for the 7 weeks prior. I had already renewed my working out, aerobic and weight training. My cousin dealing with breast cancer told me about Intermittent Fasting and after finding the Johns Hopkins article on it, I added that to my tools. I'm also Diabetic so have already been watching what I eat.
My surgery was July 8th and I lost 16 pounds. Post op recovery isn't a walk in the park, they don't talk about the pain. There's two pain locations, the abdomen and the pubic area. Not to mention the recovery of your gastric system. Then there's the Foley Catheter. I'll leave the care and description of it to Google. The catheter was in 8 days and the day it was removed the Urologist gave me the pathology report. The results show that the prostate cancer was contained and the lymph nodes are clear.
I'm currently 14 days post op and starting to feel like normal. I actually feel like I can un-pause and get back to enjoying life. I still have more recovery and then scheduled checks but feel optimistic.
"Approximately 39.5% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes."
What are you doing to find it as early as possible so that you can fight it and survive? Unlike Pokémon, I don't want to catch them all but I'm on the lookout for them.
When I found out in 2018 that I was BRCA2 Positive, I told my siblings that they need to find out. They didn't listen then, but they are now. They owe it to their kids to find out if they may have to worry about this being passed on. I've already talked with my adult children about what this means for them, and they've already taken measures.
Knowledge is power. Better to know and then make plans.
Be well everyone.
Most live their lives unaware of their mortality.
Unless they joined the military service, the most dangerous thing an American does deals with transportation. Driving a car or flying in a plane are inherently dangerous endeavors. But because most everyone drives, and a majority fly, everyone is comfortable with the increase in danger compared to the benefits that these modes of transportation provide. So, the average American is not aware of their Mortality.
Even though Military Members are young and have that air of invincibility, they are fully aware of their Mortality. As a US Navy Submariner, every single time we go to sea, we know that it may be the last time we see our loved ones. Not only are we concerned with enemies of the USA, but the environment is literally trying to kill us. We Are The Mighty had an article that states the estimated operating depth of modern submarines as 300m to 450m, which equates to 984 to 1476 feet. This means that the estimated operating depth is exerting 404 psi to 621 psi on the hull of the boat. When you think about 984 feet that's just larger than 3 football fields, that's less than a ¼ mile for you car enthusiasts.The average ocean depth is 2.3 miles, this means that we are only operating at the first 0.18 to 0.27 miles according to the estimates.
When you decide to carry a weapon, you become more aware of mortality than the average American. One of the lessons from the military that has stayed with me is a key to survival is to survive first contact.
Health is paramount to survival. The reason I'm sharing this is to give Hope to those facing their mortality head on.
Here's my story…
In 2013 I convinced my Mom to move out west after living alone for 12 years after my Dad passed away. It's a good thing she lived with us while she was traveling. She was 74 when diagnosed with Cancer in Oct 14, 2015. My Mom's Ovarian cancer is attributed to BRCA2 positive gene mutation. Genetic testing done in May 25, 2016 showed the BRCA2 positive mutation. She is now 80 and has been winning these past 5.5 years.
For almost 2 years I advocated for the genetic test but was denied by insurance. After finding precancerous polyps during my colonoscopy, my PCP was able to push the insurance to allow the genetic testing. in 2018, I found out that I'm also BRCA2 positive gene mutation and started early detection tests for Prostate by monitoring my PSA levels early.
For men, the BRCA2 genetic mutation increases the chances of Prostate, Pancreatic, Melanoma, Testicular and male Breast Cancer.
Within the past 8 months my PSA increased, 2.1 on Sept 2020 and then double to 4.51 on Mar 2021. One month later it was 5.4 on Apr 30. Urologist consult 5 days later, and the biopsy on May 7. Pathology report published one week later on May 14 shows that I have high Gleason Grade Prostate Cancer in 4 of the 12 sites. Even though my cancer has not grown in size and my prostate feels normal for a 53 year old, one site has Grade 5 and 4 which are aggressive and can become metastatic. Treatment is surgey and radiation if necessary.
Bone scan was done, May 26 to check if metastasis occurred, and results came back May 27, thank God that it has not.
MRI was June 29 and the Pre-op consult Jul 2 showed that the cancer did not metastasize. The surgery was the following week Thursday, July 8th.
I needed to drop weight 10-15 pounds so that the surgery is easier. So, that was my focus for the 7 weeks prior. I had already renewed my working out, aerobic and weight training. My cousin dealing with breast cancer told me about Intermittent Fasting and after finding the Johns Hopkins article on it, I added that to my tools. I'm also Diabetic so have already been watching what I eat.
My surgery was July 8th and I lost 16 pounds. Post op recovery isn't a walk in the park, they don't talk about the pain. There's two pain locations, the abdomen and the pubic area. Not to mention the recovery of your gastric system. Then there's the Foley Catheter. I'll leave the care and description of it to Google. The catheter was in 8 days and the day it was removed the Urologist gave me the pathology report. The results show that the prostate cancer was contained and the lymph nodes are clear.
I'm currently 14 days post op and starting to feel like normal. I actually feel like I can un-pause and get back to enjoying life. I still have more recovery and then scheduled checks but feel optimistic.
"Approximately 39.5% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetimes."
What are you doing to find it as early as possible so that you can fight it and survive? Unlike Pokémon, I don't want to catch them all but I'm on the lookout for them.
When I found out in 2018 that I was BRCA2 Positive, I told my siblings that they need to find out. They didn't listen then, but they are now. They owe it to their kids to find out if they may have to worry about this being passed on. I've already talked with my adult children about what this means for them, and they've already taken measures.
Knowledge is power. Better to know and then make plans.
Be well everyone.
After I get the second one I will call him back and say ok got your damn shots Doc.
