Okay, this is crazy. If you would have told me last week that I would soon feature not one, but two, blog postings about Dan Fogelberg I would have asked what kind of dope you were on. And you would have responded, "Nobody has called it 'dope' since Dragnet went off the air." Then again, you probably don't know what Dragnet is either so scratch that too.
The point is that singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg died this weekend of prostrate cancer. He was just 56 years old. 56. Could it have been prevented? I don't know. But he did leave this message on his own website after he was diagnosed and I consider it a tribute to him to pass it along here. When I get to 50, I will remember what to do.
Dan wrote:
"To each and every man....
I cannot encourage you strongly enough to get a DRE (Digital Rectal Exam) and a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test EVERY YEAR.
The medical community suggests this for men over 50, but men with a family history of prostate cancer should start getting tested at age 40.
The PSA test is a simple blood test...it only takes a minute or two. The DRE, okay, every man squirms at the thought of this exam, but hey, it too takes only a minute or two, and IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.
Prostate cancer can be very slow growing or very aggressive, but detected early while it is still confined to the prostate gland, it can usually be treated and cured successfully.
Once it spreads beyond the prostate it is called Advanced Prostate Cancer (PCa). At this point it becomes imminently more life threatening and harder to treat. Do yourself and your loved ones a huge favor and GET CHECKED REGULARLY. I promise you, you DON’T want to go through what I’m going through if you can avoid it.
Education and awareness are key, I urge you to follow the link here to the Prostate Cancer Foundation web site and read up on how best to protect yourself and reduce your likelihood of contracting this terrible disease."
P.S. Me again. Every time I type the word "Fogelberg" the Typepad spell check tries to get me to change it to "Foreleg." I hope one day to be running the kind of blog where the word "foreleg" gets used.
Warning: we are dealing with a sensitive subject matter. No matter how nervous you are about having blood drawn, it's the other part of the exam that doesn't go over big. Like when the doctor tells you to drop your drawers turn around and bend over. While your doing that he gets his rubber gloves on and lubes up; well, you know what's next. Your on a date. But, in reality, the alternative just might be worse. Get checked!!!!!
Posted by: Geo | December 18, 2007 at 05:17 AM
Bean, you are doing a great public service with this information. My father, at 75, has been dealing with prostrate cancer for a number of years. His last checkup was excellent, with a major drop in the PSA count. The cancer is almost gone, but we will be diligent in all checkups to keep it from coming back.
On a more positive note, it's great to see you blogging again.
Posted by: Dierdre Jean | December 18, 2007 at 05:44 AM
Wow...that is something to look back on...i have a friend who is going through the same cancer and he was really stubborn about it...I have a special place in my heart for cancer victims as my Aunt passed away from it two years ago and it was one of the hardest things i ever went through
Posted by: Raul | December 18, 2007 at 06:30 AM
Prostrate cancer, Bean? Do you think he was prone to it?
Posted by: Jerkface | December 18, 2007 at 06:54 AM
Bean, this is good information. My father-in-law had prostate cancer; my husband is 41. Time for a check-up, whether he likes it or not.
All the best, Irene
P.S. Foreleg! My new favorite word.
Posted by: Irene | December 18, 2007 at 07:31 AM
Dragnet's drug shows were the best . . . I recently watched an old episode of Quincy where the kids all went crazy after smoking the demon weed . . .
p.s. nice job spreading the word on an important health issue.
Posted by: Diane | December 18, 2007 at 10:19 AM
Great information. Just one thing - let's get the terms correct - I see them being used incorrectly here. Prostate is the part of the male anatomy we are talking about not Prostrate. According to Dictionary.com, the definition of prostrate is "to cast (oneself) face down on the ground in humility, submission, or adoration". That definition would seem an appropriate response to that 2nd exam mentioned!!!
Posted by: Gina | December 18, 2007 at 11:19 AM
prostate not prostrate dude!
Posted by: amy | December 18, 2007 at 02:12 PM
I'm sure Dan would be proud of you posting this. Thanks, Bean.
Tiffiny
Posted by: Tiffiny Whitney | December 18, 2007 at 02:14 PM
Surely you could legitimately work "foreleg" into any post having to do with cattle. Or bulldogs, for that matter.
(I know, I know..."And stop calling me 'Shirley'!")
Posted by: Johnny Socko | December 18, 2007 at 05:03 PM
I listen to the old Dragnet RADIO shows (yeah, not the TV show) at least once a week. I just listened to an Xmas one the other day!
They rock.
Posted by: Mary | December 18, 2007 at 05:39 PM
Moooooooon Riiiiivvv-eeeeeerrrrr.....
Used to watch Dragnet nightly when I was a little one, and Green Acres, and Get Smart.
God! Get Smart, what a show.
Posted by: Vic Rattler | December 18, 2007 at 08:19 PM
Mea culpa! I know the difference between the words "prostate" and "prostrate". What I typed was a typographical error. Thanks for the correction from those with eagle eyes. :)
Posted by: Dierdre Jean | December 19, 2007 at 06:52 AM
Hi Bean,
I just wanted to thank you for passing along Dan's blog entry. It prompted me to send it to my father with a strongly worded (albeit best intentioned) note attached. His 50th birthday is approaching and I'm hoping he heeds my advice. Thanks for reminding both of us about his health!
Jackie
Posted by: Jackie | December 20, 2007 at 09:08 AM