Neil Moore

You never think it will be you

Wednesday 24th Apr 2024

July of 2021 I went to see my doctor for my Diabetes check up. Routine appointment, blah blah blah, Doctor says I have you set up for some lab work. Routine, routine, routine. I knew it was coming so I had fasted the night before and was able to get my lab work done right after my doc appt.

With my doctor's office, we receive our lab results usually same day and I get an email telling me I can see them online. I always go in and check the results because I like to see my low cholesterol numbers (usually around 150, YAY ME!). But I still go through and look at the numbers of all the tests and compare them to the "normal ranges".  This particular time I noticed that my PSA level was quite elevated. Sure enough, the next day the doctor sent me a message telling me I have an appointment with a urologist.

Four months later, I was in the urologists office and they were doing some testing. All dignity is out the window at this point. In January 6, 2022, I met again with the urologist and he confirmed that I had prostate cancer. The good news was that it was confined to one small section of the prostate. We talked about my options and what that would look like for me at the age of 59. 

May 19, 2022 I had my prostate removed. (Yes, exactly two years ago from the DGR ride for 2024) The doctor reported that they successfully removed the prostate and also took out 24 lymphnodes. Once it had all been tested and ran through pathologists, the cancer cells were in a small portion of the prostate and in one of the lympnodes. The doctor was confident they captured it all and I would not have any issues. Although he was confident in the complete removal of the cancer, he still scheduled me for 8 weeks of radiation.  Three months later I got the all clear.

With all that said, I have always been a healthy-ish person until the Type-2 diabetes a couple years prior. Always good cholesterol, no surgeries, no major illnesses, etc. I was going through my life with the hopes of never having to deal with cancer in my own body. And of course "that will never happen to me" attitude.

As far as cancers go, I understand that prostate cancer is one of the slowest growing, easiest to treat. But that doesn't mean the thought of cancer in your body doesn't play games in your head. Each milestone through the process would calm my nerves and passify me, for awhile. Then my brain would come up with some questions or "what ifs". A new milestone would come up and I'd calm down. 

Even now after two years, I still have moments when I question my future with this disease. I recently had my last eligard injection. That put my mind at ease but I know me and in a couple months I'll have some questions pop up. 

For me, I am a Christian and put my faith in God that He is in control of my life and He will see me through this. Even if the final result is being in His presence, I will trust that He takes care of me and always will. 

If you have the thought that "it will never be me", I hope you are right. In the meantime, take care of yourself, eat right (most of the time), see your doctor, do your routine exams, and get tested. 

Thank you all who donate to help research for men's prostate health and mental health.

I'm Riding for Men's Health in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Tuesday 26th Mar 2024 On Sunday the 19th of May 2024, I'm riding in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride with fellow men and women across the globe to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health on behalf of Movember. Men die on average 6 years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons. The number of men that are suffering is growing, and we need to do something about that. So, before I press my tweed and polish my boots, I'm asking you to join me in raising funds and awareness for these causes by donating what you can for this meaningful cause and to help the men we love, live happier and healthier lives.