Update about Anatoliy

(Editorial: Sorry, this didn't get up ASAP.) Date Feb 25th, 2009.

Dear Friends!

With a huge relief and happiness I want to update you on my dad’s condition. He had a Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (LRP) with Dr. Krongrad a few days ago and according to his pathology report – he should be cancer free! At this time he is in recovery and he has some pain in his abdominal. Also, catheter was put in his urethra during the surgery, and it should be removed at the beginning of next week. The full recovery process takes about 3-4 months, and then, if there are no complications, he can go back to his regular life and activities. Every three months he will have to take a PSA test in order to see if his cancer is not coming back. Hopefully, it will never ever come back.
When I first found out about my dad’s cancer, my world was turned upside down. I had no idea what to do and where to go. It has been a long uphill battle for my family, with many twists and turns, but we did it. And, of course, none of it would be possible without your help and support. There are not enough words in the world’s dictionary for me to express my gratitude to all of our friends and the friends of our friends. Your unbelievable support, kindness and pure faith helped us to get to the surgery room, and to kick the cancer out.
Throughout this long process I was able to learn many things and I would like to share some of them with you. First, prostate cancer is a second leading type of cancer in men. Second, it is a highly curable type of cancer if caught on time! That is why I want to urge all of my friends to spread the word about doing PSA tests at least once a year. All men over 30-35 years old, please, do it regularly; it will save your life. Third, there is a common notion that cancer is hereditary, and in my father’s case, this notion is not true. My father is the first person in his family who has cancer. None of his relatives, close or distant, were ever diagnosed with cancer. So, if you guys do not have history of cancer in your family, nowadays it does not matter, everyone needs to get checked regularly, everyone.
If everything goes well, my dad should be going back to Ukraine very soon. He is practicing medicine for almost thirty years, and, on average, he helps to save about 30-40 children and about 100-110 adults per year. With all of your help, hopefully, we have saved him.

Attached is a picture of my dad and Dr. Krongrad on the day after his surgery.

Thank you and God Bless!

Irina Shevchenko (Snare)