June is Men’s Health Month. It is a reminder to men to prioritize their well-being, something that I have been on a mission to uphold. A few months ago, I learned some news that would change my life forever.
On March 8, I had a telehealth appointment with my urologist to discuss the results of a re-biopsy on my prostate. This followed an atypical biopsy in November. Before the March appointment, my doctor had reassured me that, at my age of 45, I would probably be fine and there should not be any cause for concern.
However, as a therapist who has studied the intricacies of human behavior such as body language, I knew before my doctor said a word that it was not good news. Impact on my mental health I never thought I would say the words: I have prostate cancer. I thought that if I continued to run 20 miles per week — something that I have done faithfully for the past 12 years — eat a plant-based diet and practice a lifestyle free of alcohol and tobacco that I would be good.
However, genetics is a powerful indicator, and prostate cancer is prevalent across both sides of my family. Although in most cases my family members were well into their 60s or 70s when diagnosed with this disease, I recently learned that my grandfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer in his 40s. The first few days after my diagnosis I was in shock.
I kept thinking I was living a bad dream. But when I woke up, nothing had changed. Once reality started setting in, the anger came in waves, but it rem.
