When our dad was diagnosed with Prostate cancer, our family conversation was typical of how he and our mom, Evalyn, have tackled challenges throughout their lives together: with optimism and positive attitudes. Rick, or Dr. Merrick, Dr. Rick, Doc, Richard, or dad wasn’t about to take a back seat and let Prostate cancer dictate his life. Instead, we as a family talked about how we could support him, what his thoughts on treatment were, and what we could do to continue enjoying life as a family.
Prior to Rick’s prostate cancer diagnosis, he was already living with a pituitary tumor and melanoma. In 2003, he first learned that he had a ”benign” pituitary tumor which required hormone replacement therapy and took a toll on his energy and stamina. Less than a year later, Rick found a malignant melanoma on his leg. Because of his medical background, he was able to recognize how important it was to act quickly. As a result, Rick discovered the suspicious mole on a Friday, and had it removed the following Monday afternoon.
Five years later, a routine PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) screening found elevated antigen levels. By February 2010, a biopsy confirmed prostate cancer, and we again came together as a family. This last diagnosis was the most alarming, but we remained optimistic thanks to early detection and the latest promising treatment alternatives.
Rick is lucky. He knew screening was important, and was able to find the cancer at an early stage. As a result, he has the blessing of time – time to wait until further research and development result in better, safer treatment options. Rick is a poster child for the importance of early detection. He keeps his regularly scheduled doctor’s appointments, takes note of changes, and follows up as needed.
Too many others are not so lucky.
But this is a happy story. Instead of letting so many “bumps in the road” slow him down or negatively impact his family, Rick has continued be the active, adventure-seeking man we know and love. Rick remains an avid skier, golfer, kayaker, hiker, handy man, do-it-yourself Renaissance dad. Forget calling a plumber, carpenter, or electrician; our old man can do it all himself, and most of the times insists on doing it himself (to the occasional chagrin of our loving mother)!
Our Dad has instilled in us the value that we must do what we can to improve the lives of those less fortunate than us. In that vein, we are doing everything we can to help those living with cancer, and hope you will give to the Prostate Cancer Foundation to help those who live with, and suffer from, this devastating disease.
Rick continues to battle Prostate cancer, monitoring its progress and living as a cancer patient. Thankfully, it is at the very early stages and his prognosis is good. It is only thanks to education and early detection that Rick’s story is so hopeful. It is only because of research and development that therapies exist to keep our family optimistic that we will have many more years together.
