Body-for-LIFE....or DEATH

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Added: Thu. May 27, 2010 4:33pm
Posted in: Cancer

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 As the old saying goes…"If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself." A great philosophy for hindsight, and good for a chuckle at parties.

In my case however, these words became all too true when I was first diagnosed at the age of 57 with Prostate Cancer. We had to decide on a treatment fast or face the consequences. The procedure of choice was 8 solid weeks of intense radiation therapy at the end of which my PSA was down from 38 to a manageable 4.2.

Fast forward nine years to April 2005: My PSA score (which had continued hovering around 4) spiked to nearly 14. I was now the proud possessor of recurrent Prostate Cancer. To put it in perspective, recurrent basically means inoperable if not totally untreatable. What it boiled down to was me against this beast in a no-holds-barred battle. When the doctor mentioned those words “hormone therapy” I knew it was game on. In short, the bell had rung and it was time to come out fighting.

It was about this same time that I first came across the Body-for-Life Challenge and, almost miraculously it seemed, I had someone in my corner. Someone who whispered—no, shouted—in my ear, “You can do this!” It was all there: the right exercises…the right diet…the right attitude. Time to kick cancer in the butt. Victims of this insidious disease are all facing an opponent that has to be knocked out or else, and we’ll gladly use all the help we can get.

Allow me to interject a big thank you to Growing Bolder, by the way, for the continued help and support they’ve demonstrated in this ongoing battle against cancer. They thereby provide patients with a daily dose of moral support. Sometimes that really is the best medicine. 

At the end of round one (and the end of my first 12 week Challenge) I not only ended up with a Certificate of Congratulations for completing the Challenge, but also a PSA count that had dropped two full points. 

The next round was also judged in my favor as I once again competed and completed the Body-for-LIFE Challenge, this time in 2007 (and shaved another point off my PSA). 

Final round: now it's time to take the gloves off. Only one of us will walk away from this one. Cancer took my Mother at the age of 62 and my sister when she was only 48 so, as you can imagine, this fight is personal. I still plan to be around at 96 but, no matter how this might have turned out, I'm a winner thanks to Body-for-Life and I'd take that title any day.

In 2008 we made the move from San Diego to Phoenix and I just plain ran out of days to train. Of course I made up for lost time in 2009 by competing in and winning the Body-for-LIFE Championship in the 46 and over class. I am now 71.

Just to be clear: I’m not saying that, if you have cancer (or some other affliction), the Body-for-LIFE Challenge is a cure all. What I am saying is that it worked for me. It was the right incentive at the right time. There’s no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t be here to write these words of wisdom were it not for that motivation, coupled with healthy eating habits and a carefully designed program of dietary supplements.  

I am happy to say that I captured this title, not only for myself, but also on behalf of cancer patients everywhere who stand and fight in the face of what may seem like insurmountable odds. They are the real champions.

As for me…I’ll just be happy to see my six-year-old grandson finish high school.