Thanks guys

I just want to thank all of you guys here for being so supportive and helpful to one another. It's not often that guys put down that macho competitive nature and just reach out to another in need. It's part of belonging to this lousy club, but it's more than that. There are thousands of men diagnosed and treated for this terrible disease, but only a handful take the time to reach out to share experiences and console those who are having a hard time of it. And it's not often that you see a group of strangers thanking God and asking for His blessings on others whom we don't know personally.

When I got diagnosed with this awful disease there was a thought that came into my mind, and didn't make any sense. The thought was, this is the best thing that ever happened to you. I still don't fully understand that, since I would think this is just one step above having been told that my electric chair is ready. But I'm slowly beginning to understand. The other day I played my first 18 holes since my surgery and shot the worst score I've played in a long time. But I had the best time I've ever had on a golf course, because it was so beautiful to be out there in God's nature, doing something physical and not thinking about medical issues. This disease has taught me to change my priorities and think about my blessings, not my curses.

I don't know what the future holds. Even though my surgery was successful, I am dry, and margins were negative, I know there is a good chance this will come back in months or years, and I will have to deal with it again. But the next time, if there is a next time, I don't think it will ever hit me the way it did the first time. It will not be a shock and a threat to rob me of my life and my manhood. Because my life is what I experience each and every day, and my manhood is not about whether I can piss, or get an erection. It's about making peace with my God, my family, my friends, and those that I can help.

Thanks to all of you guys out there in this terrible club, and may God bless each and every one of you.