“My initial thought was that my life and career were over”:
Charlie Wilson- Our visit with the specialist started with, “I have some good news and some bad news.” My wife asked for the bad news and the doctor said “Mr. Wilson, you have prostate cancer.” My initial reaction was to get up and leave the room. My wife calmly asked me to sit down and have the doctor give us the good news. The good news was that it had been detected early and could be effectively treated.
Thank God for my wife and her patience and understanding. My initial thought was that my life and career were over. Nothing was further from the truth.
The doctor gave us some informational materials and our research began. We discussed options with my health care team and by working with them closely, I am now cancer free.
However, my journey was not over. During our research I learned that African-American men are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with his disease than other races or ethnicities. It was at that time that I decided it was time for me to start informing as well as performing.
He Later Learned His Father Was Suffering From Same Cancer:
C.W.- “During my own prostate cancer battle, I learned that my father was also conducting his own battle. Unfortunately, he did not tell us that he had prostate cancer. It wasn’t until I called to let him know about my diagnosis that he told me. That was a very difficult conversation for me and also confirmed my commitment to tell my story in order to make my community aware of this disease and encourage them to discuss it.”
ILOSM family, as we all know, none of us getting any younger. So, hopefully anyone who needed to hear Charlie Wilson’s message today, heard it…and will take heed to his encouragement- to stay up on our health. Blessings fam.’
