I want to have a word with all of you in the Iceman community about a touchy subject.
It’s October now and the time of year when Bell’s Icemania kicks into high gear. Soon it will be November and guys will start growing mustaches and beards for Movember in support of men’s health.
My father was an alcoholic who died of prostate cancer at the age of 53. By the time they caught it at age 46, his cancer had metastasized to his bones. He battled for seven years before succumbing to the disease.
Throughout my adult life, I felt that his cancer was a direct result of drinking gallons of Tanqueray and Fresca and that I could avoid it if I led the healthy active lifestyle of a cyclist and imbibed only moderately.
Imagine my concern this past January when during my annual physical we discovered that my PSA level was 9. “There must have been some kind of mistake. Let’s check it again”, I thought. Another test came back at 8.3. My primary care physician referred me to a urologist, and I received word that I was positive for an aggressive form of prostate cancer in June (delayed 3 months due to COVID-19). Kikkan Randal’s story of winning an Olympic medal with Jessie Diggans (Nordic skiing team sprint) and discovering breast cancer a month later kept me from denying that it was possible for a healthy person to have cancer.
I am now recovering from a radical prostatectomy and, so far, everything looks good. I am counting the days until I can ride my bike again (38). Turns out that my cancer was genetically inherited and being a lifelong athlete wasn’t going to change that.
Don’t put off your annual physical and if it’s been a few years since you’ve seen your doc, get on it now. Friends, don’t let them slide. If they can’t make an appointment on their own, do it for them. This is the year to do it since the Bell’s Iceman is on hiatus and you have some extra time to look after your own health. I know I am glad we’ve addressed my situation before it had a chance to spread.
Prostate cancer may be a slow growing disease but it’s always better to catch it early. Just ask my father.
Steve
Steve,
Thank you for sharing your story. My check up is next month. I’m sending healing thoughts your way and looking forward to seeing you on the trail in 38 days!
your friend,
Matt
Thanks for the reminder, Steve, and I’m thankful you are recovering. I look forward to seeing you again next year at Iceman!
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Steve. Wishing you a speedy recovery and wishing your family well. Hope to see you soon. Cheers!
Thanks for the story and reminder, Steve. I’m glad to hear you’re doing well. You’ve built an institution in Iceman and it sounds like you’re planning to be back on the trails soon. That’s awesome! Ride on! 🙂
Thank you Steve for sharing your story with us. Too many guys don’t take the time to get their annual check-ups. Our thoughts and prayers for continued recovery. See you next November 🙂
Thanks for the reminder, and glad to hear you are on the road to recovery. Check out how a plant based diet can affect our health, even cancer and heart health. Dr. Joel Kahn is renowned cardiologist and a great place to start.
Much love and respect for you, Steve. Thank you for your words, wisdom and work on the iceman over the years. Looking forward to sharing many more miles and years in the future..
Wonderful letter to us all Steve,,,,,let’s celebrate your good health now and a speedy recovery!!! On to 2021 and better times.
Hang in there Ice! Let’s ride again together as soon as you are ready to go – two lifelong cyclists who appear to be magnets for surgeon’s knives! 😉
Thanks Steve,
All the Chariots of Fire group wish you well and hope you have a great first ride!!
I wish you a speedy recovery and well wishes for your whole family. Thank you for the reminder that check ups are extremely important. I hope to see you soon.
Steve,
You are cooler than Ice. You are an open and caring man willing to share your own vulnerabilities to help others. I am so glad you are on your way to full recovery and thank you for your message. Like a good ride, we can’t forget to tune our machine, map our course and relish in our stats. I am glad your machine is getting ready to fly again. Thanks.
Wishing you the best recovery, man! You got this. 💪🏼 Can’t wait to see that first ride back on Strava. Thank you for the reminder and for sharing your story as well. Reminder to take nothing for granted.
Speedy recovery Ice
Thanks Scott for this very good message. My grandfather died of prostate cancer and I have been going for my own annual physicals since I was 20. That was 30 odd years ago and if my dad had done the same, he too would still be here. Anyone reading this that does not get an annual physical, needs to do it!
Thanks again for bringing this issue to the front of sports.
Wishing you a perfect recovery! You got this, man. Thanks for sharing your story and for the reminder. Can’t wait to see your first ride back on Strava.
Sorry to hear you are going through this, but so glad you caught this in the early stages. I hope you have a speedy recovery! Take Care!
Jane
Thanks for sharing your story and the reminder to have a checkup, Ice. I have my annual physical every January. Here’s to a complete recovery and the hopes that those 38 days til you ride pass fast.
Steve
Love ya, friend
Thank you for sharing this Steve. For some reason men have a hard time opening up about these issues. May your candor spread another layer of health and wellness to our community.
Wow! That’s a lot to deal with on top of Covid-19. Thank you for reminding all of us to “get checked” – there so many ways things can go sideways. Live each day fully. See you out on the OMP before the snow flies.
Thank you for taking time to share your heartfelt story that really hits home the importance of self care. You will be in my thoughts and prayers for continued health and healing. 💙
Thinking of you and your family.
Hope you’re doing well Steve. I just ran across a photo of the two of us at Bells Eccentric Cafe and smiled ear to ear. Hoping the race will be back to normal for 2021! Peace to you my friend!
Andrew Staub
(Beatthetrain)