Do most people really want to know how you're Really doing?

@fritzo

To be honest I think that it is a word "cancer" that just makes people freak out. No disease is "in a human mind" as scary as "cancer", even though there are many more diseases that are deadly and even with more scary symptoms and challenges like some deadly auto-immune diseases and even dementia IMHO : ((. There is NOTHING that will make people feel comfortable about cancer or at ease talking about it ever, no matter how much we talk about it. Women are not comfortable talking about breast cancer - not even while waiting for mammogram in waiting room. Couple of years back when I went to have a scan there was very beautiful lady there in her 30-ies and she was so nervous that she started sharing her case - she had cancer several years back and was very scared every time she came to have a mammogram. She was tearing up and guess what - every single lady in that room looked the other way. One even left the space. It was only me that offered a hug and was talking to her till she went in for a scan. Well I do not know how anybody can see another person cry and not offer a hug (or at least a sympathetic ear ) regardless of what is the cause, but obviously it is not the norm and most people just do not care - not until it is them that deal with something, of course.

Bottom line - it is not because it is prostate cancer - it is because it is "cancer". 🤷‍♀️

@surftohealth88 The other interesting thing outside the U.S. is that we don't need a HIPAA to keep our employers from knowing that we have prostate cancer (should we choose not to share), because they have nothing to do with our primary healthcare anyway. My cancer treatment is strictly between me and my healthcare providers.

(Strictly speaking, many workers here in Ontario do have supplemental health insurance, and that might help pay for their cancer meds, but it's purely a billing relationship with the employer; claims don't change the cost, and employers know nothing about what or how many claims their employees are making.)

@northoftheborder
I was thinking .... Maybe you could "adopt me" 😂 LMAO , so I get citizenship in Canada ahahahaa. I promise that I will not ask for anything more and that you may "dis-adopt me" as soon as papers go though 👍 !!!

PS: however, since I am older than you I have no idea how it might work ahahha, maybe there is such a thing as "older sister adoption" LOL 🤣

@surftohealth88 You are so right. It is a loaded word that I really hate to say out loud.

And bless you for offering that hug and support to that poor gal. Guess the repeat mammogram is the PSA check stress syndrome we all talk about.

Men get worried that prostate cancers mean ED and incontinence when people hear it, probably more concerned about the topic around women or what it means in a relationship while some women are likely concerned with discussing breast cancer around men and believing men would not want them with a mastectomy or double mastectomy as men feel women may not want them. Any stigma their was regarding breast cancer with women appears gone and women today having all the benefits of reconstructive surgery that they did not have in the past possibly helps them as they process and navigate their cancer’s and treatment alternatives as we do. Men also have so many new approaches to the side effects than they had in the past but I think the stigma with men and ED and incontinence has a way to go where prostate becomes do discussed so openly as breast. Breast cancer awareness month is huge and the importance of mammograms and self checks is all over. It is not drilled into men the importance of PSA’s nor all over the importance of getting checked. What is all over is ED and all the different pills, medications and testosterone ways to get ready for that night which that is what the emphasis and everyone knows of not getting checked for prostate cancer.

I have been thinking about this a bit more and I think it is an interesting and very relevant topic. The whole prostate cancer diagnosis and related process and procedures is not glamourous. How does one describe the prostate biopsy process to another? If I were to share how I was doing at the initial stage of the process am I really going to tell someone what I had experienced during the biopsy procedure (why being awake didn't work for me and I needed to be sedated....)? No way. Or what the waiting felt like for the biopsy results. Nope. We all know what that was like but I wouldn't share with someone who was asking how I was doing. Same for what it is like choosing a treatment plan. Like, yeah, I can hammer my body with radiation or brachy therapy with seed-like implants and hormones or I can have my prostate and other tissues removed and a catheter inserted in you-know-where. People don't want to know this nor do they want to know what it i like to face ED and incontinence and the impact both have on a relationship. And let's not forget on-going PSA testing which will, in part, dictate the future. And they definitely don't want to know about one's thoughts and feelings regarding if it gets bad am I going to be around to watch my child's wedding or celebrating my own milestone wedding anniversaries. Yes, people generally mean well. They try to be kind and supportive. Perhaps some can handle the truth. But I opine that most can't handle the truth. Which is why aside from my wife, I keep the details private and I am grateful for the folks on this forum who provide knowledge, empathy, truth, and humor.

@surftohealth88 You're right, but I'd suggest that "dementia" scares people even more than "cancer".

In Florida when routine friends socialize the 'organ recital' often starts the conversation. Many people forget the ceremonial use of language. 'How are you' is merely a silence breaker not a solicitation of a litany of ailments. Part of the reason I like to curtail detail is that it gets repetitive and boring. I often reply by saying. 'Everyday above ground is good but it used to be great'. A variant opener to 'How Are you? "All the better for you asking" That said occasionally revealing
an ailment may be very helpful to others if you can steer them in the right (informed) direction. Similarly, useful advice is a two way street. However there is no substitute for this support group for advice.

Here’s how I handle the generic “How are you?” question with someone who’s aware I have PCa:

“Hey, Turt, how’re you doin’? You makin’ it ok?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, thanks. Last screening came back undetectable, so that’s good. Next one is in…two months. Still peeing myself, though…not nearly as much as I used to, so I’m down to lighter pads now and wearing them longer, so I’m on the right path that way. Hopefully, another two or three months and I’ll be pretty much back to normal. Of course, the ED issues are still there, but I get some glimmer of hope every now and then, like I woke up to go pee the other night and actually had half an erection - that’s encouraging, to say the least. How’re you doing?”

“Uhhh…um…I’m fine. I’m startin’ 9th grade this year so…uh…yeah, that’s excitin’…um…I think I hear my mom callin’ for me…I gotta go…”

Ba-dump! 😆

I share fully only with one close friend who has had prostate cancer at a much younger age than I and has had a better outcome. Other people, no matter how close a family member, really only want to here that you are FINE.