Max is My Hero

In 1998, I had the great fortune to travel to the Maritimes with my company to begin investigating the opportunity of distributing natural gas to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. This was extremely exciting for me, however, for "A" it was difficult being alone. Sometimes for weeks at a time.

During one of my trips, I was in Fredericton representing the company at the Provincial Utility Board Hearing. As usual I called home to check in with "A" to see how things were going. She was lonely and told me she wanted to get a dog to keep her company. I was not a big fan of dogs in the city but I knew I had to compromise somewhat. To tide me over, I told her OK and we would talk about it when I got home on the weekend. Little did I know she had already begun the adoption process. I was home in 2 days and there HE was; Max a adorable yellow Lab Retriever. I was hooked and little did I know he was going to be one of my heroes.

So how does all this relate to prostate cancer? Well, I have done a lot of research on prostate cancer during the past 10 days. Depending upon the grade of cancer and extend to which the cancer has developed, I have 3 options to attack the monster. This includes surgery (removal of the prostate and therefore remove the monster), radiation therapy (fry the monster) and/or hormone treatment (deprive the monster of fuel to grow). My doctor has indicated that all 3 options must be considered.

The last option is the scariest for me. Hormone treatment means testosterone has to be eliminated to from the body. Without testosterone the "monster" is starved and the cancer growth will slow down or stop growing.

Well there are a couple of methods of eliminating testosterone, one is chemical and one is physical. Both methods accomplish the same thing which is (fellows you may want to stop reading here) castration; removal of the family jewels! My knees still shake at the thought of these procedures.

As I have been considering all the options, I usually find Max laying beside me snoring. He get up and goes to the couch and I look at him and then it dawns on me that I would be just like Max! Max was neutered when he was just a pup and he has turned out just fine. He laughs, runs and is still interested in girl dogs.

So if Max can do it ... so can I (if I have to). Woof ... Woof!

Gido

P.S. "A" ... I promise ... I will only chase you!