In the Fall of 2004 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  I remember the moment very clearly.  I was in my car when I received the news.  I wasn’t shocked as I had been borderline for many years and had been watched closely and tested often by my urologist during that period.  But I was angry for I knew this event would disrupt my life for several months.  With three teenagers at home and a demanding job, there was no time for this.  But possibly the most important reaction I had at this time and throughout the course of my treatment is that I never seriously thought that I wouldn’t be completely cured after doing whatever it was I had to do. 

When I was growing up, I had a wonderful uncle (Uncle Henry), who had four daughters of his own and no sons.  He treated me like the son he never had.  He was a large, gregarious, fun-loving man who wrestled with me, convinced me that we ate seagull at Thanksgiving, gave me Red Sox tickets and got me some of the best jobs a kid ever had like working at Fenway Park.  At a young age, my Uncle Henry was diagnosed with bone cancer which, after a long difficult period, eventually spread to key organs and killed him.  Looking back, I believe there is a very good chance that my Uncle Henry first had prostate cancer but in those days prostate cancer was not detected as it is today and, as a result, often spread to other parts of the body.

I was diagnosed very early and throughout my ordeal I received absolutely extraordinary care and attention from many North Shore Medical Center physicians and other medical professionals throughout the Partners network.  Having access to some of the best oncologists, surgeons and other specialists literally in the entire world certainly added to my belief that I would be 100% healthy at the end of this ordeal. 

So I walk for many reasons.  First, in memory of my Uncle Henry.  Second, in thankfulness for my wife, Chris, and three children, Becky, Jack and Margaret, who held me close during this period.   And third, for my complete recovery and the medical science which has made such huge progress in the early detection and treatment of this very prevalent cancer.  It is my hope that the funds from this Walk contribute to greater prevention and cures for more cancers so that others will have the wonderful results that I enjoy.

I will be walking with the North Shore Medical Center’s Department of Laboratory Medicine Team (The All American Walkers) which is fitting for, among other reasons, it was all those PSA tests (processed in our Labs) that helped diagnose me early and have confirmed my cure!