by Robert M. Traxler

It has been three weeks since the last update on the treatments for what is classified as advanced aggressive prostate cancer. As we Americans age, more and more of us will sadly get the frightening diagnoses of cancer. Some cancers are not treatable and the outcome is indeed tragic, but for most a cancer diagnosis is no longer the end.

Many cancers are treatable and curable if discovered early. My cancer was advanced and aggressive, but even with that a chance of a cure exists. Cancer drugs are by definition chemotherapy drugs; that said, the traditional powerful and dreaded drugs of old, although still in use and necessary in many cancers, are no longer the only choice to the medical treatment teams.

Advancements in drugs and radiation have made treatment easier to tolerate and have lessened many side effects. Cancer treatment is no walk in the park, but it is not the treatment of a decade ago. Targeted drugs and enormous advancements in radiation treatments mean we can have fairly normal lives during our treatments. I am in the process of receiving 43 radiation treatments, 33 down and 10 to go, and the drugs have been on board for four months now. Side effect do exist and they are not pleasant, but it is my duty to do everything I can to help mitigate the effects of treatment. Exercise and diet actually do help, and help a good bit. A positive attitude and confident approach to life also help a good bit.

A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful, kind and very competent professionals at The Cancer Center at Metro Health Village.

Please ask your elder family members if a history of cancer exists in your family and always get tested for the most common types of cancer. The most common cancers in 2017 are projected to be breast cancer, lung and bronchus cancer, prostate cancer, colon and rectum cancer. Many others exist, and we need to educate ourselves as to the symptoms all of cancer. The earlier the cancer is discovered the better the chance it is curable.

In the last update, I mentioned Anne, a friend and neighbor who was diagnosed with cancer and facing surgery. Anne had surgery last week and is doing very well. Initial indications are all the cancer has been removed and her prognosis is very good.

I would like to bring your attention the meritorious conduct of two very good Americans, Mr. Jim Schaendorf and Mr. Tom Cooke. They heard that Anne’s family needed to get their crop of alfalfa harvested, but could not harvest the crops and spend the time necessary to be with Anne before, during and after the surgery. Jim and Tom stepped up and help the family get the crop in the barn, ready to feed the cattle this winter. Both men will tell us it is no big deal; well it is, and it is a story that needs to be told.

If I still had the authority to award the Army achievement medal I would hang a medal on both very kind and gallant Christian gentlemen.