September is designated as Prostate Awareness Month. Let’s just say I’m very aware of it, having learned to live and deal with it over the past eighteen years. But what I want to address is the idea of being a cancer survivor.

When most people hear that term, they think of someone who has been diagnosed, treated, and cured of some form of cancer. I rejoice for those individuals, for they no longer have to deal with that shadow hanging over them. My wife falls into that category; having just passed her fifth year without evidence of any return of her cancer, she is considered “healed”.

The category that is, I think, sometimes less noticed are those who have been diagnosed, treated, but are not completely free of their cancer; rather, they are in “remission”- the beast is asleep/controlled, not dead. It becomes a chronic condition, something to be continually treated to keep it under control but never completely eradicated. This is me. Having just completed a cycle of chemotherapy a few months ago to bring my prostate cancer back under control, I have a daily oral medication and a quarterly injection to keep it under control.

We are just as much survivors as those who have been completely cured. The difference is we still live with the shadow over us, but we go on with our lives trying not to think of ourselves in terms of our disease, just like anyone else with a chronic disease. Since prostate cancer is one of the “better” cancers, if there is such a thing, I have great admiration and respect for those who deal with much more virulent forms-they are my heroes. Most have learned to “live”, understanding the precious nature of each new day. Some you would never know the struggle they face each day. In comparison I’m almost ashamed to complain about anything.

I don’t want this to sound like a pity party. I have been blessed with a very good life and don’t spend much time thinking about my disease. I am a cancer survivor, but that’s not what defines me; there’s so much more that carries greater weight. My purpose here is twofold. First, to support Prostate Cancer awareness this month; gentlemen, you need to know if you live long enough, you will get it. Early detection greatly increases your chances of successful treatment and cure. My greater purpose is to give recognition to those who deal with cancer every day, who ‘fight the good fight’ to control it and not let it define who they are. They deserve all the respect you can give them.