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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Prostate Cancer / November 2005here's an idea and a challenge...
i've just spent some time surfing the net trying to find a t-shirt saying prostate cancer survivor or anything along those lines. so, i went to ebay and typed in "prostate cancer" and found 54 items - total. books, a psa home test kit, some small charms (one of which was cute - had a heart on it and said (i love a prostate cancer survivor) and some small blue lapel pins. none of which had a t-shirt or article of clothing. yet, when i typed in "breast cancer" it popped up over 3700 items. so, it got me to thinking. why not have a light blue t-shirt made with the words, "prostate cancer survivor" over the breast or have it in big letters. i'm sure there are many different ways to express it. and i know there are many folks here who know or have contacts that could do this at a reasonable costs. right now, this is just an idea. am i looking at it wrong? how can we make others aware of this disease when they only thing they have to offer is a small blue lapel pin? ~ curtis knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional "Many more men die with prostate cancer than of it. Growing old is invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so." http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc Curtis, A good idea, but some men might hesitate to wear a T Shirt which says "I survived prosotate cancer" and therefore also implies "and by the way, I can't ejaculate, may be incontinent and impotent, and if I had RP now have a penis an inch shorter than it used to be." (g) Alex > i've just spent some time surfing the net trying to find a t-shirt > saying prostate cancer survivor or anything along those lines. [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so." > http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc Or, "You can trust me. I survived prostate cancer."  SignaturePSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46 Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05, 5/05, 10/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 .08 non Illegitimi carborundum > Curtis, > [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so." > > http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc "c palmer" asked > how can we make others aware of this disease? Wear our diapers on the outside. I.P. On October 29, Curtis Palmer wrote, in pertinent part: > ........................................................................................ > how can we make others aware of this disease when they only thing they > have to offer is a small blue lapel pin? Rather than making jokes, I'll give Curtis' message the serious response it deserves. A year or so ago, I bought a one-inch pin from Rick Ward http://www.pcaawareness.net/pins_ribbons.html and wear it everywhere I go. I give The Lecture, long or short version as appropriate, to any man I can buttonhole/trap. Quite frankly, this business is too damned important to let our little egos stand in the way of getting the message out. I couldn't care less if someone knows that I'm profoundly and hopelessly impotent and have no sex drive at all. What's that to maybe saving some poor guy from the same thing? In short, I don't mind being the horrible example if it serves a good purpose. All the sniggering in the world will not deter me. I believe that the ladies, bless 'em, have done a wonderful job of advocacy. Puts me in mind of the response of civil rights pioneer Frederick Douglass when a youngster asked what to do to press the issue. The answer, exactly applicable to BCa and PCa, was, "Agitate, agitate, agitate!" The ladies raised general and particular hell and got their way. I admire their success. As for guys, there seems to be something about testosterone that makes it difficult for a man to contemplate the mere possibility that there might be something amiss in his genito-urinary system. I have seen cases of denial that frustrate me to distraction. For example, a good friend who simply refuses to have his PSA checked because, he sez, his medic told him that there are too many "false positives." The situation is exactly parallel to Russian roulette, where the "player" has one chance in six to blow out his brains. One in six. Sound familiar? I suppose that the idiot medic feels comfortable playing Russian roulette with Bob's life. I also suppose that he recommends that men forego the PSA test and await the manifestation of symptoms. Of course, when that happens the disease is incurable and may be metastacised. Kinda like the way things were in the good ol' *pre* PSA days. After all, the odds against a horrible death are six to one. But is the medic willing to play Russian roulette for real? With his own brain at risk? Hmmm. That damned Stamey. I wonder if it will ever occur to him to reflect on how many men died horrible deaths because they did not check their PSAs after he pontificated that the era of the PSA was over. But all is not lost, all we (those who recognize facts) can do is agitate, agitate, agitate. As for what to print on the shirt, I propose "Real Men Know Their PSA" If we don't take care of each other and of the newbies, who will? Who? Regards, Steve J "No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee." -- John Donne "Steve Jordan" wrote> > Rather than making jokes, I'll give Curtis' message > the serious response it deserves. People tell me my sense of humor about this beast is comforting and encouraging, and makes them feel free to ask me about it. Walking across a public park parking lot on my way to the dumpster, twirling a loaded diaper around my finger, got a good laugh from those who knew it was mine, rather than some child's. I've had women -- some I hardly know -- ask about my continence and potence, then go on to say they have a close friend or relative with a PC concern. I find there's no turnoff like a good, serious scowl. I.P. On October 30 "I. P. Freely" wrote, in pertinent part: > People tell me my sense of humor about this beast is comforting and > encouraging, and makes them feel free to ask me about it. (snip) > I find there's no turnoff like a good, serious scowl. IP, usually so perceptive, has utterly missed Curtis' point. And the less said about the juvenile post from "Alex" the better. Sorry, Curtis, I tried.... Regards, Steve J "Men occasionally stumble on the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." -- Sir Winston L. S. Churchill I admit that my post was a bit juvenile. But I was trying to make the point, perhaps ineptly, that for many men the implications of prostate cancer treatment (i.e. the side effects) are very difficult to accept and even more difficult to discuss, at least outside groups like this one. Wearing a T Shirt or ribbon that raises awareness of PCa is a great idea. But some men would likely be uncomfortable with the discussions that could ensue. Sorry if my attempt at humor caused offense. Alex > On October 30 "I. P. Freely" wrote, in pertinent part: > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > up and hurry off as if nothing had happened." > -- Sir Winston L. S. Churchill i was thinking about taking this a different direction than usual. and if you read my posts, i usually think outside the box anyway. i was thinking along the lines of a t-shirt that a family member could wear like.... "my dad is a hero - he beat prostate cancer" or "i love someone who has prostate cancer" or "my dad is a hero - fight the war on prostate cancer and WON" so, any more suggestions along those lines? ~ curtis knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional "Many more men die with prostate cancer than of it. Growing old is invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so." http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc A few off-the-cuff ideas that need considerable fine tuning: "Do you find it hard getting up in the morning? I don't; I'm a Prostate Cancer Survivor. But it beats NOT being a Prostate Cancer Survivor." "My life's gone full circle. I started in diapers, and here we go again." PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR "Eating, pooping, and peeing. It's all about eating, pooping, and peeing." New grandfather? No, Prostate Cancer Survivor." "Since I survived Prostate Cancer, the most important verb in my life is Lewinsky and my most important pill is Vitamin V" "You pad your expense account. I expense account my pads. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" "How's life? Depends. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" "Not many diseases make us change our name. Mine did. I.P. Freely. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" You pee, I pee, we pee. The difference is whether it's DELIBERATE. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" "Ask me how I survived prostate cancer . . . if you're sure you have the time." "If you love any man, you should know his PSA. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" "The four most important numbers in a man's life are 911, 130/85, 200, and 4.0. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" "If your man is old enough to be a grandfather, he's old enough to need to know his PSA. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" "The only "PC" that really matters is PROSTATE CANCER." "How come the biggest PITAS in our life all start with PC? Political Correctness, Personal Computers, PROSTATE CANCER." "CAUTION: Waiting until 50 to learn your PSA is hazardous to your health. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" "What do scalpels, ray guns, radioactive seeds, hazardous chemicals, fried green tomatoes, and informed inaction have in common? They're all ways to manage prostate cancer. Some work better than others. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" "If you're as old as the Superbowl, here are some names you should know: some 1960's football greats, plus Walsh, Strum, Scardino, etc. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" "If you still blush or giggle at the word, PROSTATE, you must not know any men over 40. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" "My prostate paid for my doctor's Miata. It was worth it. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" (I TOLD you these need work.) And on and on and on and on. Artwork? Depends, a muscular 40-something stud IN Depends, a catheter system, a stylized urinary system diagram, and on and on and on. I.P. >A few off-the-cuff ideas that need considerable fine tuning: > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > "If you love any man, you should know his PSA. > PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" <snip> Excellent, I.P., just excellent I was having one of those ADT melancholy mornings. You just improved my mood 100%. Mind if I use a few? Thanks, Dan SignaturePSA = 2.2 , 03/05/2003 PSA = 7.92, 09/30/2004, @ 54 Biopsy, 11/10/2004, G9(5+4) (multiple cores) (6 of 8 cores positive), T1C EBRT, 01-03/2005 @55 Casodex (daily), begin. 11/16/2004 Zoladex, 12/23/2004, 03/10/2005, 06/14/2005, 09/14/2005 PSA, 0.1, <0.1, <0.1 > I was having one of those ADT melancholy mornings. You just improved my > mood 100%. > Mind if I use a few? Sure, Dan. Glad to be of service. "You ladies think PMS is bad? Try having it 24/7. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" 'Why do they call it ADT? Because "Mad Cow Disease" was already taken. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" "Ask me about my ADT . . . If you want to see a grown man cry. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" I.P. I.P. - you had me laughing at a few of these. they really tickled my funny bone. two in particualr were.... "CAUTION: Waiting until 50 to learn your PSA is hazardous to your health. "Since I survived Prostate Cancer, the most important verb in my life is Lewinsky and my most important pill is Vitamin V" many thanks, ~ curtis knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional "Many more men die with prostate cancer than of it. Growing old is invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so." http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc To I.P.: Really cute ideas and lines. They are ALL good to US cuz WE know. THIS line though...is really a great one for everybody: "If you love any man, you should know his PSA." PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" Then, the blue ribbon. Good one buddy...and very smart. Ron B. Chicago > THIS line though...is really a great one for everybody: > > "If you love any man, you should know his PSA." > PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" > Then, the blue ribbon. > Good one buddy...and very smart. That's a key point in any PC presentation, or advertisement for same, as motivation for the women to come to the talk. It's often a wife/daughter/sister/etc, not the potential patient, that gets the prostate in for the checkup. The guy wrapped around it is just recalcitrant baggage. I.P. Top 5 > "Ask me how I survived prostate cancer . . . > if you're sure you have the time." > > "If you love any man, you should know his PSA. > PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" > "The only "PC" that really matters is > PROSTATE CANCER." > "CAUTION: > Waiting until 50 to learn your PSA is hazardous to your health. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > It was worth it. > PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" How about . . . On the front of this Tee shirt it says "Give Prostate Cancer the finger" On the back is a rubber glove being snapped onto a hand. Or on the front it reads "Wanna have sex when you're 70?" On the back it reads "Then get a prostate exam when you're 40. PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR" A gray-haired lady's Tee shirt says on the front. "I had great sex last night . . . " The back reads, "because my husband got a prostate exam 20 years ago." I.P. Congrats. IP you've done well as usual! Tom >A few off-the-cuff ideas that need considerable fine tuning: > [quoted text clipped - 86 lines] > > I.P. If I understand the intent, how about.... A PSA TEST SAVED MY LIFE SignaturePSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46 Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05, 5/05, 10/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 .08 non Illegitimi carborundum > i was thinking about taking this a different direction than usual. and > if you read my posts, i usually think outside the box anyway. [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so." > http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc On October 30, Alex responded patiently to my snarl: > I admit that my post was a bit juvenile. But I was trying to make the point, > perhaps ineptly, that for many men the implications of prostate cancer > treatment (i.e. the side effects) are very difficult to accept and even more > difficult to discuss, at least outside groups like this one. Bingo. I've raised much the same point here and elsewhere. I don't get into detail when giving The Lecture, just emphasize the risk of doing nothing. But, if asked, I'll lay out the whole picture. > Wearing a T Shirt or ribbon that raises awareness of PCa is a great idea. > But some men would likely be uncomfortable with the discussions that could > ensue. Depends (no pun) on the audience, but this is one factor that makes it so difficult to influence men to do the right thing. > Sorry if my attempt at humor caused offense. Well, we were getting into my main obsession and I tend to have strong opinions. I was not really offended and am not now even POd. This killer can cause anyone to fly off the handle from time to time. I apologize. Regards, Steve J Steve, I don't believe anyone in this group needs to appologize for their feelings or comments unless they are way off base. Some have a more serious approach than others, some provide a tongue in cheek response, some, somewhere in between. We're all in the same boat, even if we're paddling with different style oars. We wish you and yours the best, Tom & Pam > On October 30, Alex responded patiently to my snarl: > [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Steve J "Steve Jordan" scowled > IP, usually so perceptive, has utterly missed Curtis' point. > And the less said about the juvenile post from "Alex" the better. And, lo, the humor police have spoken. There are many ways to make valid points, Steve, and I submit that humor is not only a valid one, but is vital in getting some people to open up to difficult subjects. Alex made a valid point; that he made it in a humorous manner is all the better, IMO. Humor is a powerful and suitable tool in many scenarios. I remember one specific one-hour lecture over all the others I received in Officer's Training School 37 years ago. It had 700 future military officers laughing so hard their shirts were wet with tears. The humor kept us WIDE awake, provided an entirely new type of hook to the subject material to help us remember it, and had us talking about the subject for days. We gave the lecturer the only standing ovation anyone got in those ninety long days. Hundreds of us were married and destined for Viet Nam, and the lecture subject was Death Benefits. We're sorry that you take things so seriously and have such a limited tolerance of humor, but would rather that remain your problem, not ours. Let's all hope no one's sense of humor is ever stifled by criticism from those who don't enjoy it. Besides, Rule # 1 in brainstorming: Never Criticize Any Idea During The Idea Phase. Criticism comes during the process of narrowing down the alternatives, and must be focused on the ideas, not the messengers, for the process to work. For example, my diaper comment and Alex's comment suggest to me that this hypothetical T shirt might contain some pertinent comments and/or art work to liven up the shirt and prompt questions. Who's going to ask a stranger about his T shirt -- probably a black one -- that reads, "I survived prostate cancer . . . so far"? I'd expect the back of that shirt to depict the Grim Reaper. Cancer is serious enough without stripping it clean of its funny aspects. I.P. > "Steve Jordan" scowled > >>IP, usually so perceptive, has utterly missed Curtis' point. >>And the less said about the juvenile post from "Alex" the better. > > And, lo, the humor police have spoken. If IP would give the matter even a moment's thought he would know that he is badly mistaken about my views on humor in the context of PCa. Frex, remember my post of "The Cockroach Analogy" by Terry Herbert? But he did grab the opportunity to lecture on the subject as if he's The Authority. Talk about "humor police"........ Regards, Steve J > As for guys, there seems to be something about testosterone that makes it > difficult for a man to contemplate the mere possibility that there might be > something amiss in his genito-urinary system. I have seen cases of denial > that frustrate me to distraction. It is quite difficult to permeate the psychology that if one gets their PSA tested regularly, the end result will be sooner possible loss of sexual function and continence with no certain cure of the underlying disease. It can be rationalized, but if one is to be in denial about anything, PCa may be the best choice. SignaturePSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46 Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05, 5/05, 10/05 PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 .08 non Illegitimi carborundum > It is quite difficult to permeate the psychology that if one gets their > PSA [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > can be rationalized, but if one is to be in denial about anything, PCa may > be the best choice. Amen!! There are days when I'd like to have my prostate back... cancer and all... Irrational?? Perhaps! But the past three years have sucked big time! Would they have sucked any worse if I had never dound the cancer? At the stage I was at, I dunno... Might have been another ten years before I noticed physical symptoms. MikeH We've talked about this before, and when Steve J. pointed out that site with the PCa items and folks reluctance to wearing them, it always got my attention. I say 'reluctance' cuz when they were calling attention to PCa at a grocery chain this summer...few took the light blue wristbands. When I would donate...they'd say..."take all ya want, nobody takes them." There has been slow ED education progress, with poker tourneys and TV commercials and Iron Mike Ditka, but it's a tough nut to crack. (Sorry, hadda do it. :-) Also, maybe there could be a push to have some Urology Nurse Practicioners do a job similar to a CDE (Certified Diabetic Educator), who could educate and help with aftercare questions and support. I saw a few in the hospital who could have done a great job...but once out of there...they're tough to find. Good health to everyone, Ron B. Chicago Well, pussycat....I just went Googling and found a lot of t-shirts, mugs, pins, bracelets and so on. Our daughter bought one of the blue plastic bracelets out in Vancouver and wears it and tells people about her Dad. And they cost about a dollar or two in the US. Mind you, a lot of the items on one site were "Cancer Sucks" and I am not sure you would want to wear that....but there were other things that were nice. "Survivor" was another one. The following had 4 items....bracelets, pins, car magnets...etc. http://www.fightprostatecancer.org/site/Ecommerce?store_id=1201 http://www.choosehope.com/cancer/17/.... this is the one with the most varied things, but approach with a sense of humour for some of them. Actually, I find "humour" is the only way to handle a lot of the stress. But there are days when it gets lost. 8-(( Anyway.....good luck and I do think it is a good idea. I am thinking of Melissa Etheridge at the moment and the song she wrote after her major bout with cancer. "I Run For You"....I think is the title. I also think you should organize runs like they have for breast cancer. But women have been doing those for a long time. And dragon boat races and so on. Put your thinking caps on, guys....no reason why you can't get something started!! Cheers...Heather > i've just spent some time surfing the net trying to find a t-shirt > saying prostate cancer survivor or anything along those lines. [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so." > http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc Hello, We have a group Run/Walk/Crawl, and do this for the Mendocino Cancer Resource Center. Like many walks and runs this one supports the cancer center in our community. It is the "Big River Run" and funny thing at the event they pass out hats to those who have or are going thru cancer diagnosis, healing, or such..... Blue BaseBall Hats...... I look forward to getting my hat, and wearing it proudly on the day of the race and after that! So, I think your idea is great, and me being an artist, is trying to figure out how to make a T Shirt that says it all? Get Your DRE today! Have you had a PSA lately? Love your Urologist! Prostate Cancer is "no fun" Cure it Anyway, I could go on... John Loomis > i've just spent some time surfing the net trying to find a t-shirt > saying prostate cancer survivor or anything along those lines. [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so." > http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc > i've just spent some time surfing the net trying to find a t-shirt > saying prostate cancer survivor or anything along those lines. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > ~ curtis Curtis a teriiffic idea! Put me down for a dozen, but please anything but light blue.... LOL. SignatureJK Sinrod Sinrod Stained Glass Studios www.sinrodstudios.com Coney Island Memories www.sinrodstudios.com/coneymemories |
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