'Here we go, Lord': A little medical news

A few people have been asking me about this since I mentioned it on Facebook a couple weeks back, so here’s the headline in three little words:

I’ve got cancer.

To be specific, prostate cancer.

So, let’s unpack this, okay?

After blood tests showed elevated PSA levels (8.5) and an MRI confirmed the presence of lesions, I underwent a biopsy at UFHealth Spanish Plaines Hospital in The Villages. (Kudos, by the way, to their terrific staff and wonderful facility!) They took 12 samples from various parts of the prostate — there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t thank God that I was asleep for that — and eight of the samples were benign. Four had cancer. One of them measured high on the Gleason scale (7, which is considered intermediate risk). That, the doctor said, was cause for concern.

To be honest, I feel great. My health is otherwise very good and I don’t have any symptoms — beyond my usual crankiness and cravings for pumpkin spice muffins and strong black coffee, which probably has nothing to do with cancer.

So what happens now? After laying out the options, the doctor strongly encouraged prostatectomy — removal of the prostate through robotic laparoscopic surgery.

Weighing the relative risks and the benefits, my wife and I agreed and said, “Let’s just get it done.”

They wanted to try and line up something in April or May. But I’m swamped with commitments — trips, parish missions, retreats and, of course, Easter. (Oh: and my 40th wedding anniversary on May 24th!) I asked the medical team, “How about June? Can we do it in June? My summer is wide open.”

I’m scheduled for surgery on June 15, exactly one week after my 67th birthday.

The lesson from all this: pay attention, gentlemen. Have your PSA checked regularly. This is surprisingly common among Men of a Certain Age. I’m now part of a wildly diverse club that includes Rick Steves, Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Duran Duran, Al Roker, Rudolph Giuliani and Andrew Lloyd Webber. (Where do I sign up for my complimentary membership card? Does this get me a discount at Home Depot?)

About 1 in 8 men develop prostate cancer at some point — that comes to about 13% of us — and most cases, about 6 in 10, develop in men over 65. Early detection is critical. So: Be aware and stay alive. This isn’t something that has to kill you.

The American Cancer Society notes:

Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States.

Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it. In fact, more than 3.5 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today.

The prostate cancer death rate declined by about half from 1993 to 2022, most likely due to earlier detection and advances in treatment.

For now, life goes on. On Saturday, I’m flying to Dallas to lead a parish mission — if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and say hello! — and the week after that, my wife and I will be accompanying nearly 40 pilgrims on a 12-day trip to France. (Believe me, I plan to make good use of our time in Lourdes.) Then comes Holy Week. After a couple years off, I’ll be chanting the Exsultet at the Easter Vigil this year — the first time at my new parish in Florida.

Through all of this, my wife has been a wonderful, prayerful support. She’s had her own share of health challenges, but she has learned to trust completely that God will handle anything that needs to get done. I couldn’t ask for a better traveling companion on this journey.

Meantime, I’m embracing with renewed conviction the words of Pope Leo. In the final moments of the conclave, realizing what was about to happen, Cardinal Robert Prevost prayed:

“Here we go, Lord. You’re in charge and you lead the way.”

This has become my lectio for living.

(While I’m thinking of it, I also want to insert here a humble but grateful “thank you” to the readers, friends, pen pals and strangers who have offered prayers on my behalf. I’m humbled beyond words — and the many prayers storming heaven have been a consolation and inspiration. I know God is listening!)

As I prepare for the road ahead, I’ll be lifting up prayers to the soon-to-be-Blessed Fulton Sheen and St. Peregrine:

Glorious wonder-worker, St. Peregrine,
You answered the divine call
With a ready spirit,
And forsook all the comforts of the world
To dedicate yourself to God
In the Order of His Most Holy Mother.

You labored manfully
For the salvation of souls;
And in union with Jesus Crucified
You endured the most painful sufferings
With such patience
As to deserve to be
Healed miraculously
Of an incurable cancer
In your leg by a touch
Of his divine hand.

Obtain for me
The grace to answer
Every call of God
And to fulfill His Will
In all the events of life.

Enkindle in my heart
A consuming zeal
For the salvation of souls;
Deliver me from the infirmities
that afflict my body

(State your intention(s) here)

Obtain for me
Perfect resignation to the sufferings
It may please God to send me,
So that, imitating our Crucified Savior
And His Sorrowful Mother,
I may merit eternal glory in heaven. Amen.

St. Peregrine, pray for me
And for all who invoke your aid.

St. Peregrine, pray for me
And for all who invoke your aid.

St. Peregrine, pray for me
And for all who invoke your aid.