free'. They don't know it’s still
painful to ride in a car for more
than an hour. I am moving slower.
Trust me, there's a lot of baggage
that comes with it.
iPL: What do you think needs
to be done to raise awareness of
cancer in the medical community
and the public?
KS: I was one of these guys
who thought, "I'm a tough guy".
I wouldn't even have talked
about prostate cancer ten years
ago but we all need to be educated
and aware. People who
die of prostate cancer are the
ones who don't get checked. I
had a colon check three years
ago and was fine. You have to
get checked routinely, especially
if it runs in your family.
iPL: Are there any treatments
that help you control the pain
and other symptoms while going
through treatments for prostate
cancer?
KS: I was in pain. They gave
me pain medication of course.
My pain was in my core - the
surgery was right below my bellybutton.
The first two weeks
after surgery I stayed in bed and
my daughters helped take care
of me. I could not even cough, I
really couldn't cough for the
first week. I had 26 staples,
huge staples. When they remove
your prostate, you're unable to
have children. But I'm lucky to
have 7 children at 58 years old.
iPL: Cancer affects you mentally
and spiritually, as well as
physically. Did you receive help
for the mental and spiritual aspects
or were they pushed down
on the list of importance?
KS: I see a therapist once a
week and we talk for about an
hour. I would definitely, definitely
recommend getting advice
or joining an online support
group. The only other option is
not dealing with it. What am I
gonna do, get depressed? Let
myself waste away? No! I'll
fight 'til the end.
iPL: How do family and friends
encourage you through this process?
KS: I've had friends who have
had prostate removal and they
called me and told me what to
expect. My daughter Illana and
my wife Debbie stayed in the
(Connued from page 23)
(Connued on page 26)
"Get Educated,
and Don't Be Afraid!
Let’s Talk About
Geng Checked!"
ed!
ber
- Kevin Schlehuber
26—iPain Living Magazine
Photo Credit: Kevin Schlehuber