April 22, 2025 • 39 mins
Two men share their stories about prostate cancer, offering raw testimonies that could save lives. Philip Atkins and Stephen Harris share their deeply personal journeys from diagnosis through treatment – each following different paths but united by courage and determination.
Philip discovered his prostate cancer in 2023 during a routine kidney transplant follow-up. When his PSA registered at 11.8, doctors confirmed Stage 3+4 Gleason 7 cancer. Due to his transplant, Philip underwent brachytherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy instead of surgery.
Stephen's story reveals the importance of vigilance. Despite regular screening, his 2018 diagnosis showed cancer had already spread to his hip and lymph nodes. Now living with incurable cancer, Stephen manages it through Lupron injections and daily Xtandi tablets, while battling side effects like depression, dehydration, and weight fluctuations.
Both men highlight how the Zero Prostate Cancer Black Men's Therapy Group transformed their experiences. This biweekly gathering offers emotional support and practical knowledge about treatments, medications, and coping strategies. They emphasize family support as crucial – Philip credits lifestyle changes and his wife's understanding attitude, while Stephen celebrates 50 years of marriage to a woman he says saved his life.
Whether you're concerned about your own health or supporting someone you love, these stories offer invaluable wisdom from those walking the journey. Listen, learn, and most importantly, take action.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Grantley Martelly (00:11):
This is the Real Health Black Men podcast,
where we empower men to takecontrol of their health.
We provide vital informationand build community support.
Join us as we discusseverything from major health
challenges to mental wellness tophysical fitness.
So if you're ready to level upyour health and your life,
you're in the right place.
(00:31):
Let's get started.
Welcome back to Real HealthBlack Men podcast.
I'm excited for you to hear thestory of my next guest.
(00:52):
His name is Philip Atkins andwe met through the Zero Prostate
Cancer Black Men's TherapyGroup, and I'm excited to hear
his story.
So, philip, thank you forjoining us today and welcome to
the podcast.
Philip Atkins (01:06):
Hey, thank you, Grantley.
Thank you for having me and Iappreciate the opportunity to
give my story.
We met at the Zero ProstateCancer therapy group and it's a
group where men like us, we getto talk about our stories and
our challenges while living withprostate cancer and just gives
(01:27):
us an opportunity to realizethat we're not in this alone and
that we have opportunities tolearn from other people and what
they've been going through andpossibly learn some things that
can help ourselves.
In fact, we also might behelping somebody else while we
talk about our story.
Just to give you, as quick as Ican, a little update on me, on
(01:51):
the history of me and my journeywith prostate cancer.
Grantley Martelly (01:55):
Before you begin, tell us where you're from
as well, where you live, whatyou do for a living, so our
audience can get to know you alittle bit.
Sure, sure.
Philip Atkins (02:03):
I'm actually from New York City.
However, I went to school inKansas and lived in Denver,
colorado, and lived in Marylandright around the DMV area they
call it and now I live inDelaware.
I'm married, I have a daughter,grandson and wife, and I live
(02:27):
here in Delaware and I'm aquality assurance manager
quality assurance in the foodindustry and, like I said, it
would be last a long timeQuality assurance, making sure
(02:52):
that the food that you receiveis of the utmost quality.
Grantley Martelly (02:53):
Thanks for that intro.
Yeah, let's get into your storynow.
Philip Atkins (02:56):
Yeah, my journey with prostate cancer began in
May of 2023.
I'm also a kidney transplantpatient and in May I'd gone for
my annual checkup and the doctor.
Part of the checkup is to do ablood test so that the doctor
can check all the differentthings that he needs to look at.
The nephrologist needs to lookat body and he just suggested
(03:17):
that I have a PSA test because Ihadn't had one since my
transplant in 2015.
So when we got back to results,my PSA was elevated.
It was 11.8.
Of course, my doctors fed me tourologist.
The urologist did his digitalrectal examination and he also
did a biopsy.
(03:38):
The biopsy came back andconfirmed yes, I have prostate
cancer and it was Gleason stage3 plus 4 equals 7, and it was
stage B to B.
B means that it was aggressiveand that would factor in what
type of treatments I would havelater on.
(04:00):
Of course, I went through abattery of tests a CAT scan, a
bone scan, mri and all of thatjust confirming and making sure
the cancer it was localized andeverything.
And so it was localized in theprostate, which is great.
Hadn't spread anywhere in mybones or any bones or any other
area of my body.
(04:20):
But we decided because I have akidney transplant and the
chanceed kidney is still closeto the prostate.
They chose not to do surgery andthey chose to do radiation
brachytherapy, which is feedingplants, and also to also do
chemotherapy.
(04:41):
So I had the brachytherapy inMarch of last year and I
followed that a couple of monthslater with radiation and that
was about 22 treatments and thatwent well.
The brachytherapy had noproblems with slight discomfort
after the in and out patientprocedure nothing real bad.
(05:02):
An outpatient procedure no realnothing real bad, just slight
discomfort.
Of course there is some bloodin the urine Three or four days
after that that goes away.
And no problems, nodifficulties.
The radiation I had a little bitof fatigue during that time and
some muscle weeds just didn'tfeel as strong and I also was
(05:23):
told that that was normal.
That I actually did quite wellfor most patients.
Actually I was supposed to haveabout six or seven weeks but
the radiation went so well thatit ended after about five weeks.
(05:43):
It did what it's supposed to doduring that.
The next thing, the third partof my treatment plan, was
hormone therapy and the hormonethat injection that I got was
called elegard and that shotlast six months.
So I had my first shot in juneof last year and when I went
back to have my second shot Ifound out that my PSA level was
(06:09):
undetected.
Grantley Martelly (06:10):
The number of last year, so that was a
blessing.
Philip Atkins (06:14):
But we still have the second shot, just to make
sure.
I guess it might turn out togive it a knockout punch just to
make sure that everything is inshape.
The only problems I have withthe hemohormone therapy I'd like
to give it a knockout punchjust to make sure that
everything is.
The only problems I havehormone therapy the therapy is
fatigue, muscle weakness, hotflashes which that's crazy, man.
(06:38):
As we reach a certain age andour wives or significant others
reach certain age, they mayincur that, and it was odd for
me to have it.
It's just very it'd befrustrating at times because I
would be standing there and justbreak out in a sweat and people
think that there's somethinggoing on.
(06:58):
I'm like it'll be over in acouple minutes.
Give me a napkin, give me atowel and I'll be all right.
And of course you do have themain.
I call them the main sideeffects of the Elgar to normal
therapy for me has been frequenturination sometimes.
(07:22):
There's sometimes some leakageand erectile dysfunction, but
that is part of the course.
You know that's how many getthe hydrocell shot.
That's been it for me in anutshell.
Overall the journey has gonepretty well.
(07:48):
I think, especially in thebeginning you worry a lot
because back in the day when Iwas younger, here a person
getting prostate cancer, youthink immediately oh my gosh,
very soon, rapidly.
Unfortunately my father passedwith prostate cancer about 20
(08:10):
years ago.
So I saw that.
But he actually from his firstdiagnosis until when he passed
it was almost 20 years.
So I had to look at.
I stay positive in that manner,keeping that in the forefront
of my mind.
Grantley Martelly (08:27):
Okay, thank you very much for relaying your
story.
It's very interesting there.
Let's talk a little bit aboutfamily support.
Did you have any family support?
How did your family take thisand how have you guys been doing
on this journey?
Philip Atkins (08:46):
I will say that my family and friends, several
friends, they have been verysupportive and it's funny that
initially, as I said, with themental part of this journey
you're worried and concerned.
But when you start talking andopening up to other people you
find out oh, my cousin had that,oh, my father had, he's been,
he had it six years ago, he'sstill going strong.
Or some other relative orfriend in all positive moods,
(09:11):
especially my wife, my daughterand a couple of other close
friends.
They keep me positive.
Keep me positive With prostatecancer.
You're encouraged to-changingdiet and my doctors,
neurologists and the radiologyoncologists, they both said, hey
(09:35):
, try a Mediterranean diet, eatless meat, eat less processed
meat, eat more vegetables andthings like that.
I've been doing that.
That since March of last yearI've lost about 25 pounds.
So that's a benefit from livingwith prostate cancer.
I've lost some weight, which isgreat.
(09:57):
I feel better.
I still do have some of theweakness in the muscle, muscle
weakness and fatigue, but ingeneral I'm okay pretty much.
If I don't tell anybody I haveprostate cancer, they have no
clue.
Grantley Martelly (10:13):
Okay, that's encouraging.
You used to hear the familysupport and your changes in diet
.
I was going to ask you aboutchanges in lifestyle as well.
But let's go back to the mentalpart of it.
Sometimes, as we talk as men,we come to realize that there's
this emotional, mental andemotional journey that when you
hear the word you have cancer,that sometimes it's difficult to
(10:38):
talk about and our supportgroup helps us to talk about it.
What was your mental journeylike when you joined this whole
process and how is it nowcompared to then?
Oh, yeah, compared to then.
Philip Atkins (10:49):
Oh yeah, but let me in the beginning, like I said
, sitting there, dr Goldsteinused me to diagnosis you in
shock.
I was in shock and then, ofcourse, like I said, my father
died from prostate cancer.
Some men that I really lookedup to are I call them silent
(11:10):
mentors that I've just watchedtheir lives over a period of
time that fast and prostatecancer it really hit me.
But then again, like I said,the support that I've had, this
view and my faith, that haspulled me through time and time
again, it's important.
(11:32):
Let me talk about that.
I look forward.
We meet every other week,basically I look forward to that
.
Every Monday at 8 o'clock I'mthere and I want to hear not
only about the stories of thosemen but usually how they have
benefited from the group thatwe're in and also because you
(11:54):
learn so much in there whetherit's about different medications
, different procedures thatdifferent men have had, because
it's not just get aprostatectomy or do radiation or
do the hormone therapy.
It could be a combination.
It could be like all like me,me, or it could be they only had
one or they couldn't have evenbeen told by their physician to
(12:16):
wait.
Let's wait and see.
If the levels aren't that high,it's not moving rapidly up.
So just hold on and wait.
So you learn about things that Ididn't necessarily know in the
beginning.
You also learn about differenttechniques because, as I
mentioned with the erectiledysfunction, there are different
(12:37):
things that a man can do tohelp with that Up to and
including which is veryimportant help from his partner.
Partner and her attitude.
Her attitude and how she dealswith you is a great thing.
I hear many men say that theirspouses are helping them.
(12:59):
They're very understanding.
That's a great thing to seebecause I can tell you in the
beginning there's a song wayback in church days no man is an
island, no man stands alone,and if you're sitting there in
the room by yourself wringingyour pants and woe is me you're
(13:19):
going to get lost pretty quick.
But this support group inparticular this is great to see
10, 20 guys on the call and wehave doctors come through.
We've had pharmacists comethrough and we have doctors come
through.
We've had pharmacists comethrough.
We have counselors come throughand help us.
They answer questions and tellus different things.
They give us differentresources that we can use to
(13:41):
make this journey easier.
It'd be easy, but it'd beeasier.
Grantley Martelly (13:50):
Yeah, it's something that we have to live
with, but it does definitelyhelp to have that support, and
to see all Black men gettingtogether to talk about these
things really helps.
Let's talk a little bit aboutthe lifestyle changes.
You said you changed your dietto the Mediterranean diet.
You've lost 25 pounds.
How difficult was that to do,and are you doing anything else,
like exercise or other things,that you believe is really
(14:13):
helping you?
Philip Atkins (14:14):
My wife and I were almost on the Mediterranean
diet anyway.
We didn't do a lot of beef,didn't do a lot of processed
food.
I guess I'm cooking the house.
When we eat out, ate out, it'salmost like I'll call it a cheat
day, and not even that bad.
We might go out and haveseafood or something like that,
or buy some ribs, which is ararity for us.
(14:36):
We don't do that much anyway,so it wasn't hard.
The exercise I'm mainly justdoing walking.
I do need to get back in thegym.
I actually have weightdownstairs but, like I said, the
Eligar when it first tookeffect strongly just made me
feel weak and I do know that Ineed to get back in the gym
(14:57):
because that will counteractthat weakness.
So I do need to integrate moreof that into my program.
Grantley Martelly (15:04):
but the walking, that's pretty much all
I'm doing yeah, we know thatwalking is a very good form of
exercise, right?
So we don't need to put thatdown.
Walking, if you can keepwalking.
I've found that since mine thatjust keep moving.
I just say, keep moving.
Now that exercise is.
One of my doctor friends whowe've actually had on this
(15:25):
podcast says exercise ismovement.
Don't necessarily think aboutwhat you're going to do, but how
you're going to move and howyou're going to keep your body
moving.
So let's talk about then youroverall outlook.
How is your overall outlook onlife right now?
Are you positive, are youexcited?
Philip Atkins (15:48):
Yeah, greatly, I'm excited.
I was just having aconversation two days ago with
my old roommate in college andwe were talking.
They made us just much apartand I said, man, in 15 years
we'd be 80 and he was like, waita minute, don't say that.
But I was like, for me, I'mplanning on being here, god
(16:11):
willing.
I'm planning on being here, godwilling, I'm planning on being
here in 15 years.
And, like I said, my fatherlasted a little longer than that
and, like you just said, he wasalways moving.
He had a garden in the backyard, he was just doing something
and I'm getting your point.
Like the doctor told you, dosomething Like gardening, doing
(16:33):
stuff around the house.
Some people may think ofpiddling around that movement,
possibly just getting the bloodflowing, increasing your
metabolism, things like that'sgoing to help you out.
Yeah, I have a good outlook.
My wife and I are travelinghere and there and everywhere
after we find the money tree andalso, like I mentioned a couple
(17:00):
minutes ago, 65, headed towards66 soon.
So we're thinking of retirement, but retirement from my career.
But I'm going to be doing someother things with her.
She has her own business.
I'm going to do some thingswith her and my daughter is
starting up something anotherbusiness so I'm planning on
(17:23):
keeping being around here for awhile.
Yeah, they're going to keep youbusy.
They're going to keep you busy.
Grantley Martelly (17:30):
So, in wrapping this up, if there are
any guys out there who arelistening to this and they're
having some questions about whatdo I need to do, what should I
need to do they may not evenknow they have prostate cancer,
they just haven't been to thedoctor, or they're scared, or
they're hearing a lot of theserumors and stuff.
(17:51):
What would your advice be tothem about taking control of
their health?
Philip Atkins (17:58):
First thing I'd say if you've had anyone males,
you're fairly likely to have hadprostate cancer and for your
prostate, go to the doctor anddo a PSA test In free prostate.
Go to the doctor and do a PSAtest If your insurance doesn't
(18:18):
pay for it.
It's not an expensive test topay for.
In your own it's $15 to $75.
Do it, it could be a lifesaver.
Also, I've talked to many guys,as I said earlier, in reference
to my situation and let themknow about my situation, and a
lot of guys that I know haveactually gone because they heard
(18:39):
, listened to me.
They've gone and gotten a TSAcheck.
You don't have to do thedigital rectal examination.
You don't have to do that.
You can get a blood test.
So if you're going for anyother type of blood test, let's
get that.
Just put it on the script.
It's the same blood, they're notgoing to take more blood and at
least you have, you know, acouple of weeks or however long,
(18:59):
that peace of mind and knowingit's not elevated or it is and
okay, now I have to make somedecisions and do something about
it.
But the main thing is to getout there guys and get checked.
What we do know especially wetalked about it in our group
prostate cancer affects one ineight men in this country, but
(19:20):
it affects one in six black menin this country and it's
something that is very curable.
It's a very curable cancer,especially if you catch it early
.
So go in there, like I said,ask your doctor to put it on a
strip or just get it done.
Just get it done, gentlemen.
Grantley Martelly (19:41):
Thank you very much, philip.
I enjoyed our conversation.
I'm looking forward to seeingyou more on our biweekly
meetings, and we know that this,like you said, this is
something that can be managed ifwe catch it early, and the goal
is to catch it early.
So, guys, don't be afraid tostep out there, ask the
questions.
(20:01):
If you don't know, you can evenstart by calling your doctor or
sending them an email andsaying hey, I've got some
questions, can I just come inand talk to you?
Well, at least get theconversation started.
Today.
(20:22):
My guest is Mr Stephan Harris.
He's a friend that I've metthrough the Prostate Cancer
Black Men Support Network andI'm excited for you to hear his
story and for us to share hisstory with you through the
Prostate Cancer Black MenSupport Network.
And I'm excited for you to hearhis story and for us to share
his story with you.
Stephen Harris (20:37):
I'm Stephen Harris.
I'm a financial advisor and alitigation consultant.
Still enjoy working.
It's definitely a hells realityto keep working.
We say my journey startedprobably around 95 or so, when I
(20:59):
would listen to a few of myfriends, older friends I'm 75
years old, by the way.
A few of my older friendsaround my age were around 50
years old at that time.
Well, I had prostate cancer.
Several of them had prostatecancer.
Well, what should I do?
(21:22):
Tell me more.
Well, we suggest you make sure,when you go after your annual
physical, get a digital rectalexam.
Definitely get that, eventhough you won't like it, PSA
exam.
I said sure, so I did that, forI lose track of these years,
(21:42):
probably don't want to rememberthe actual years.
Philip Atkins (21:51):
I would go in for the annual digital rectal exam
and the PSA exam.
Stephen Harris (21:54):
I'm sure it was in 1998.
And I went into KaiserPermanente, got these two chairs
along with the annual physical.
Mr Harris, we need you to comeand talk with us.
He said well, can't you justtell me on the phone I don't
feel like coming to see you.
(22:15):
I said why do I need to come?
Philip Atkins (22:18):
Just tell me Well we need to come in.
Stephen Harris (22:21):
W e can't tell you over the phone.
So I went in.
Grantley Martelly (22:25):
Mr.
Stephen Harris (22:25):
Harris, your PSA level is very high also around
4.8.
I said okay, so tell me more.
Well, we're going to have to doa biopsy, so I believe, in
about two days.
I went in and had a biopsy.
We came back to results.
(22:45):
Mr Harris, you definitely haveprostate cancer.
Mr Harris, you definitely haveprostate cancer.
No-transcript fordrink-to-purposes or to minimize
(23:07):
what's going to happen to you.
So I would go out, like I said,regularly for these exams the
digital rectal exam, theprostate exam and I still end up
with prostate cancer.
Wow, I said wow, not only did Ihave prostate cancer.
Regardless of his test, thecancer had left the cancer I
(23:37):
thought that was.
The purpose of his test is tomake sure the cancer is
contained on your prostate tomake it easier and more
effective to kill the cancer.
And this cancer had progressedinto my right hip and my lymph
nodes throughout my body.
(24:00):
Soon we'll have cancer, andthis was 1998.
What are we going to do now?
Well, be fair as how fast youwant to go.
Well, I want to go super fast,rocket ship.
So immediately I contactedseveral cancer centers Scripps
Cancer Center in San Diego, UCLACancer Center, USC Cancer
(24:26):
Center, Cancer Center of America.
My wife had recommended I go toSloan-Kettering in the city.
New York City.
I said no when I go to the city,I want to have fun.
I'm not going to have fun withthis old place, so I'll make it
(24:46):
a short story.
I went to several differentcenters.
Well, what can we do?
What can we do?
One center said well, we'regoing to give you medicine.
How long are we going to be onthis medicine?
Well, for the rest of your life.
I said, oh no, I have to go.
Thank you very much.
Grantley Martelly (25:06):
Well, I see the sign.
Stephen Harris (25:08):
They told me what they would do.
I said okay, 42 cancertreatments and I completed a day
for an Asian treatment.
So now I found I have incurablecancer.
It's held at bay by Lupron.
I go in every three months forthe injection of Lupron and
(25:33):
every day I take four tablets ofa medicine called Xtendi.
What it does is suppresses yourbody's production of
testosterone, and testosteroneis literally food or candy for
cancer.
And because you're, the canceris deprived of testosterone.
(25:56):
The cancer is in dormant state.
So again, I have incurablecancer Side effects.
Are these side effects drippedon me because I wasn't told all
of these side effects in thebeginning?
Well, mr Harris, you might.
It was a little weak, mr Harris, you might listen.
(26:19):
Later on I found outaccidentally that one of the
side effects is depression andanxiety, dry skin dehydration.
I mentioned the weight gainwhich threw me off for a loop.
I was gaining a little bit ofweight.
(26:39):
I let my pants down.
Once they told me what wascausing the weight gain, they
extended it.
So he told me what was causingthe weight gain to extend.
I made sure I didn't eat asmuch.
You know a little bit morecareful with my eating.
My weight dropped down, wentback to the same tailor.
(27:00):
Mr Tailor, would you pleasetake?
Grantley Martelly (27:02):
him out.
It's cool.
Thank you, Stephan, for that.
You're welcome For telling usyour health history.
I've got a couple questions.
So you have been living withcancer for 26 years?
Stephen Harris (27:17):
No, no, no no, I'm losing track.
I'm losing track.
Grantley Martelly (27:21):
You said, you got diagnosed in 1998.
Stephen Harris (27:25):
Sorry about that .
Grantley Martelly (27:26):
I lose track of these years.
Okay 2018.
Stephen Harris (27:31):
Thank you for bringing me back to earlier days
.
It was 2018.
Sorry about that All right youdiagnosed me with cancer and
prostate cancer.
Grantley Martelly (27:46):
So I mean that's still a long time 2018 to
2024.
Yes, that's six years.
Stephen Harris (27:54):
Yes.
Grantley Martelly (27:55):
And so congratulations on your long
journey and sticking in there Atthe time when you were
diagnosed, when they called youin and told you that they needed
to see you.
Do you remember what your PSAwas?
Stephen Harris (28:09):
It was around 4.8.
Grantley Martelly (28:12):
About 4.8, okay 4.8.
So not extremely high, but highenough that it was outside of
the safe range.
Stephen Harris (28:21):
Well, it was high enough to have cancer in my
right hand and also cancer inmy left hand, so I'm really
suspicious of these readings.
Grantley Martelly (28:35):
Okay, so from the very beginning, it had
already metastasized from thatvery first day.
So let's talk also now about asyou're dealing with this.
You've been going through theselong radiation treatments and
you're on the medications anddealing with the side effects.
However, you're still able towork and conduct your business.
(28:58):
So how are you managingbalancing the cancer treatments
and the side effects as well asstill staying active in your
business and in your consulting,and active in your lifestyle?
Stephen Harris (29:10):
Okay, Well, I don't have any more treatments.
The right answer was to treatthe two medicines that I
mentioned Vupro and Xtend youknow I go in for the shot every
three months, so that didn'ttake much time.
You know I go in for the shotevery three months, so that
didn't take much time.
I already have to hurry up.
(29:31):
It's there.
I just take those every day,and when I was told that when I
found out what was causing itthat I do.
I didn't know what was wrongwith it.
I knew mentally something waswrong, so I went in for it to a
neurologist, told me I haddepression, anxiety, and she
(29:51):
said I said, what do you do?
You know, what are so manythings that you can do?
And I said well, I continue towork.
I enjoy music, I play chess, Ilove talking with my wife, who's
an absolute angel, and myblessing number one, blessing in
(30:11):
my life number two, second toGod, these are things that keep
me going.
Grantley Martelly (30:18):
What do you do for activities to stay
healthy?
Stephen Harris (30:23):
Well.
Grantley Martelly (30:24):
I'm really blessed.
Stephen Harris (30:25):
The only thing I do to stay healthy is walk.
Grantley Martelly (30:29):
Walk's a great exercise.
Stephen Harris (30:31):
Several times a week I walk.
My doctor would point to me andsome of my friends who have
prostate cancer.
Grantley Martelly (30:44):
We found that we don't have to walk that long
.
A couple of times a week maybe15.
Stephen Harris (30:50):
It's to keep the joints limber and get the
breathing up.
When I'm very fortunate, Idon't have to do anything.
As far as eating, I've been agood eater since I was a child,
I guess Not obese overweightwhat's that correct?
I've been a 10-eater since Iwas a child, I guess, not obese,
(31:12):
overweight.
What's that correct?
Don't have hypertension, don'thave high blood pressure.
I don't have diabetes or any ofthose things that you
definitely don't want in yourbasket.
Grantley Martelly (31:25):
Okay, yeah, thank you.
That's good to know that youdon't have some of the ethical
morbidities.
You mentioned your wife acouple times as you were talking
about your health journey.
Let's talk about her supportand how important her support
and your community has been inyour health journey.
Stephen Harris (31:46):
Well, flynn, if it wasn't for my wife, I may be
dead.
I don't know.
I told my wife many times she'sgiven me life, helped me
maintain it.
I'll stick to it, I'm sure, forthe rest of my life.
Grantley Martelly (32:08):
How long have you been married?
Stephen Harris (32:11):
We've been married for 50 years 50 years.
Grantley Martelly (32:13):
Well, that's great Congratulations.
Stephen Harris (32:16):
In a few more days.
We got married at my chancebefore I remember that.
Grantley Martelly (32:23):
All right, that's great.
Congratulations on your 50years of marriage.
Stephen Harris (32:29):
Thank you.
Grantley Martelly (32:30):
You also mentioned that some of the side
effects are depression anddehydration.
How are you dealing with those?
On?
Stephen Harris (32:38):
a daily basis.
They go hand in hand, they'reinseparable.
So this is why I went to thetherapist.
The dehydration well, I justbuckle up.
Instead of drinking six, seven,eight glasses of water, I may
(32:59):
drink 11, 12 glasses of water.
A glass or two of water beforeI go to bed, one glass or two of
water before I go to bed.
The skin dehydration comes withdehydration.
So I just put lotion, morelotion, on me than I've ever
done.
It would be one of these hopeyou don't mind one of these men
(33:21):
who you know look afterthemselves, but whatever.
So I do more long-shot.
Grantley Martelly (33:30):
So, stephan, as we think about rounding the
corner here, if there's some menout there who are thinking
about their life and theirchallenges and they're not sure
what to do, they may have somequestions about their health.
What would your advice be tothem to do, to taking control of
(33:51):
their health and getting theanswers they need so they can
make the decisions they need tomake to stay healthy and to
maintain their longevity?
Stephen Harris (33:59):
Okay, well, number one, I'm going to strike
out that word don't think aboutit, don't think about it, don't
think about it, Do it.
That's it.
Go into your doctor for yourannual physical.
Get these tests, I don't know.
Hopefully your insurance coversit.
(34:20):
I hope and pray your insurancecovers it.
Go in and get digital rectalexam and the PSA test.
Don't walk out of there withouta digital rectal exam.
No, okay, if you're at the slum, you're a doctor, I want a
digital test.
You want me to tell you what itis.
(34:40):
I'll tell you what You'll findout, so don't think, do it.
Okay, don't sit down here onGoogle or Twitter or X.
Go to your doctor and get thesetests.
Okay, get these tests.
(35:01):
When you get the results, Ijust hope and pray.
Your results are alwaysnegative.
You don't have prostate cancerand should you do?
Just do the same thing that youdid here.
Not only did you go to thisdoctor, but you go to your
(35:22):
urologist and you do as I did.
You don't have to go to five orsix places like, okay, I'm an
overachiever, we're just prayingyou never get here, right.
You're basically saying getgood information.
Grantley Martelly (35:41):
It doesn't just depend on the computer and
Internet, but go to reputablecenters take your information,
get good informationso you can make a good decision.
Last question for you is whatwould be your advice for men to
stay positive through thisexperience, even if you find out
(36:03):
that you have prostate cancer?
You and I know that your lifeis not over, even though at
first it may seem that way, asyou're trying to deal with all
this information and you'retrying to figure out what
treatments are and there's a lotof information but what advice
would you have for how to staypositive through the whole
experience and to be confidentthat you're making good
(36:25):
decisions so that eventually youcan live long after you've done
with this?
Stephen Harris (36:32):
Well, I'll say number one on the list is prep,
no specific order.
Make sure you continue doingthe things you've been doing for
all your life.
You can find some other thingsto add in your schedule.
(36:53):
Continue doing those things.
All of these things that youhave been doing give you joy and
happiness and satisfaction, andthey will continue giving you
joy and happiness andsatisfaction.
And they will continue givingyou joy and happiness and
satisfaction.
There's nothing we can do aboutthis.
Grantley Martelly (37:15):
Like I said I have incurable cancer.
Stephen Harris (37:19):
I know that I've enjoyed my life.
I enjoy my wife, my children,everyone else, and I want this
to continue for another 150years, 200 years, 300 years.
And that's the best thing I canpray Continue doing anything
(37:42):
that you have been doing at onthe list and embrace what you
have been doing, embrace thefact that you can continue doing
what you have been doing.
Embrace the fact that you canadd things to your life,
(38:04):
whatever it is, whatever, Idon't know, go dancing with your
wife once a week or whateverSing songs to your wife.
Grantley Martelly (38:13):
Let her sing songs to you.
Stephen Harris (38:17):
I don't know.
Let her paint your nails.
Philip Atkins (38:21):
You know, just for play not for real.
Grantley Martelly (38:23):
Yeah, whatever.
Stephen Harris (38:26):
Yeah, just to remain positive and do the
things you do Do the things youdo and the things you do, and
yet for more things, all ofthese things have been a part of
your life for however long.
It may give you joy andhappiness and satisfaction,
right.
Grantley Martelly (38:45):
Yeah, so, Stephan, thank you for your time
.
I mean this has been a veryenjoyable interview.
Thank you for being honest withus and thank you for sharing
your journey.
We wish you the very best asyou continue this journey, like
you said, many more years to go.
Stephen Harris (39:01):
Thank you, I feel more than welcome, hugh.
I think you may have helped memore by allowing me to share
this with, hopefully, manyfriends and many of those.
Grantley Martelly (39:14):
Write us at realhealthblackmen at gmailcom.
Realhealthblackmen at gmailcom.
To support this podcast, go tobuymeacoffeecom forward, slash
realhealthblackman,buymeacoffeecom.
(39:35):
Realhealthblackman.
And to become a corporatesponsor, send us an email.
This is the Real Health Black Men podcast,
where we empower men to takecontrol of their health.
We provide vital informationand build community support.
Join us as we discusseverything from major health
challenges to mental wellness tophysical fitness.
So if you're ready to level upyour health and your life,
you're in the right place.
(00:31):
Let's get started.
Welcome back to Real HealthBlack Men podcast.
I'm excited for you to hear thestory of my next guest.
(00:52):
His name is Philip Atkins andwe met through the Zero Prostate
Cancer Black Men's TherapyGroup, and I'm excited to hear
his story.
So, philip, thank you forjoining us today and welcome to
the podcast.
Philip Atkins (01:06):
Hey, thank you, Grantley.
Thank you for having me and Iappreciate the opportunity to
give my story.
We met at the Zero ProstateCancer therapy group and it's a
group where men like us, we getto talk about our stories and
our challenges while living withprostate cancer and just gives
(01:27):
us an opportunity to realizethat we're not in this alone and
that we have opportunities tolearn from other people and what
they've been going through andpossibly learn some things that
can help ourselves.
In fact, we also might behelping somebody else while we
talk about our story.
Just to give you, as quick as Ican, a little update on me, on
(01:51):
the history of me and my journeywith prostate cancer.
Grantley Martelly (01:55):
Before you begin, tell us where you're from
as well, where you live, whatyou do for a living, so our
audience can get to know you alittle bit.
Sure, sure.
Philip Atkins (02:03):
I'm actually from New York City.
However, I went to school inKansas and lived in Denver,
colorado, and lived in Marylandright around the DMV area they
call it and now I live inDelaware.
I'm married, I have a daughter,grandson and wife, and I live
(02:27):
here in Delaware and I'm aquality assurance manager
quality assurance in the foodindustry and, like I said, it
would be last a long timeQuality assurance, making sure
(02:52):
that the food that you receiveis of the utmost quality.
Grantley Martelly (02:53):
Thanks for that intro.
Yeah, let's get into your storynow.
Philip Atkins (02:56):
Yeah, my journey with prostate cancer began in
May of 2023.
I'm also a kidney transplantpatient and in May I'd gone for
my annual checkup and the doctor.
Part of the checkup is to do ablood test so that the doctor
can check all the differentthings that he needs to look at.
The nephrologist needs to lookat body and he just suggested
(03:17):
that I have a PSA test because Ihadn't had one since my
transplant in 2015.
So when we got back to results,my PSA was elevated.
It was 11.8.
Of course, my doctors fed me tourologist.
The urologist did his digitalrectal examination and he also
did a biopsy.
(03:38):
The biopsy came back andconfirmed yes, I have prostate
cancer and it was Gleason stage3 plus 4 equals 7, and it was
stage B to B.
B means that it was aggressiveand that would factor in what
type of treatments I would havelater on.
(04:00):
Of course, I went through abattery of tests a CAT scan, a
bone scan, mri and all of thatjust confirming and making sure
the cancer it was localized andeverything.
And so it was localized in theprostate, which is great.
Hadn't spread anywhere in mybones or any bones or any other
area of my body.
(04:20):
But we decided because I have akidney transplant and the
chanceed kidney is still closeto the prostate.
They chose not to do surgery andthey chose to do radiation
brachytherapy, which is feedingplants, and also to also do
chemotherapy.
(04:41):
So I had the brachytherapy inMarch of last year and I
followed that a couple of monthslater with radiation and that
was about 22 treatments and thatwent well.
The brachytherapy had noproblems with slight discomfort
after the in and out patientprocedure nothing real bad.
(05:02):
An outpatient procedure no realnothing real bad, just slight
discomfort.
Of course there is some bloodin the urine Three or four days
after that that goes away.
And no problems, nodifficulties.
The radiation I had a little bitof fatigue during that time and
some muscle weeds just didn'tfeel as strong and I also was
(05:23):
told that that was normal.
That I actually did quite wellfor most patients.
Actually I was supposed to haveabout six or seven weeks but
the radiation went so well thatit ended after about five weeks.
(05:43):
It did what it's supposed to doduring that.
The next thing, the third partof my treatment plan, was
hormone therapy and the hormonethat injection that I got was
called elegard and that shotlast six months.
So I had my first shot in juneof last year and when I went
back to have my second shot Ifound out that my PSA level was
(06:09):
undetected.
Grantley Martelly (06:10):
The number of last year, so that was a
blessing.
Philip Atkins (06:14):
But we still have the second shot, just to make
sure.
I guess it might turn out togive it a knockout punch just to
make sure that everything is inshape.
The only problems I have withthe hemohormone therapy I'd like
to give it a knockout punchjust to make sure that
everything is.
The only problems I havehormone therapy the therapy is
fatigue, muscle weakness, hotflashes which that's crazy, man.
(06:38):
As we reach a certain age andour wives or significant others
reach certain age, they mayincur that, and it was odd for
me to have it.
It's just very it'd befrustrating at times because I
would be standing there and justbreak out in a sweat and people
think that there's somethinggoing on.
(06:58):
I'm like it'll be over in acouple minutes.
Give me a napkin, give me atowel and I'll be all right.
And of course you do have themain.
I call them the main sideeffects of the Elgar to normal
therapy for me has been frequenturination sometimes.
(07:22):
There's sometimes some leakageand erectile dysfunction, but
that is part of the course.
You know that's how many getthe hydrocell shot.
That's been it for me in anutshell.
Overall the journey has gonepretty well.
(07:48):
I think, especially in thebeginning you worry a lot
because back in the day when Iwas younger, here a person
getting prostate cancer, youthink immediately oh my gosh,
very soon, rapidly.
Unfortunately my father passedwith prostate cancer about 20
(08:10):
years ago.
So I saw that.
But he actually from his firstdiagnosis until when he passed
it was almost 20 years.
So I had to look at.
I stay positive in that manner,keeping that in the forefront
of my mind.
Grantley Martelly (08:27):
Okay, thank you very much for relaying your
story.
It's very interesting there.
Let's talk a little bit aboutfamily support.
Did you have any family support?
How did your family take thisand how have you guys been doing
on this journey?
Philip Atkins (08:46):
I will say that my family and friends, several
friends, they have been verysupportive and it's funny that
initially, as I said, with themental part of this journey
you're worried and concerned.
But when you start talking andopening up to other people you
find out oh, my cousin had that,oh, my father had, he's been,
he had it six years ago, he'sstill going strong.
Or some other relative orfriend in all positive moods,
(09:11):
especially my wife, my daughterand a couple of other close
friends.
They keep me positive.
Keep me positive With prostatecancer.
You're encouraged to-changingdiet and my doctors,
neurologists and the radiologyoncologists, they both said, hey
(09:35):
, try a Mediterranean diet, eatless meat, eat less processed
meat, eat more vegetables andthings like that.
I've been doing that.
That since March of last yearI've lost about 25 pounds.
So that's a benefit from livingwith prostate cancer.
I've lost some weight, which isgreat.
(09:57):
I feel better.
I still do have some of theweakness in the muscle, muscle
weakness and fatigue, but ingeneral I'm okay pretty much.
If I don't tell anybody I haveprostate cancer, they have no
clue.
Grantley Martelly (10:13):
Okay, that's encouraging.
You used to hear the familysupport and your changes in diet
.
I was going to ask you aboutchanges in lifestyle as well.
But let's go back to the mentalpart of it.
Sometimes, as we talk as men,we come to realize that there's
this emotional, mental andemotional journey that when you
hear the word you have cancer,that sometimes it's difficult to
(10:38):
talk about and our supportgroup helps us to talk about it.
What was your mental journeylike when you joined this whole
process and how is it nowcompared to then?
Oh, yeah, compared to then.
Philip Atkins (10:49):
Oh yeah, but let me in the beginning, like I said
, sitting there, dr Goldsteinused me to diagnosis you in
shock.
I was in shock and then, ofcourse, like I said, my father
died from prostate cancer.
Some men that I really lookedup to are I call them silent
(11:10):
mentors that I've just watchedtheir lives over a period of
time that fast and prostatecancer it really hit me.
But then again, like I said,the support that I've had, this
view and my faith, that haspulled me through time and time
again, it's important.
(11:32):
Let me talk about that.
I look forward.
We meet every other week,basically I look forward to that
.
Every Monday at 8 o'clock I'mthere and I want to hear not
only about the stories of thosemen but usually how they have
benefited from the group thatwe're in and also because you
(11:54):
learn so much in there whetherit's about different medications
, different procedures thatdifferent men have had, because
it's not just get aprostatectomy or do radiation or
do the hormone therapy.
It could be a combination.
It could be like all like me,me, or it could be they only had
one or they couldn't have evenbeen told by their physician to
(12:16):
wait.
Let's wait and see.
If the levels aren't that high,it's not moving rapidly up.
So just hold on and wait.
So you learn about things that Ididn't necessarily know in the
beginning.
You also learn about differenttechniques because, as I
mentioned with the erectiledysfunction, there are different
(12:37):
things that a man can do tohelp with that Up to and
including which is veryimportant help from his partner.
Partner and her attitude.
Her attitude and how she dealswith you is a great thing.
I hear many men say that theirspouses are helping them.
(12:59):
They're very understanding.
That's a great thing to seebecause I can tell you in the
beginning there's a song wayback in church days no man is an
island, no man stands alone,and if you're sitting there in
the room by yourself wringingyour pants and woe is me you're
(13:19):
going to get lost pretty quick.
But this support group inparticular this is great to see
10, 20 guys on the call and wehave doctors come through.
We've had pharmacists comethrough and we have doctors come
through.
We've had pharmacists comethrough.
We have counselors come throughand help us.
They answer questions and tellus different things.
They give us differentresources that we can use to
(13:41):
make this journey easier.
It'd be easy, but it'd beeasier.
Grantley Martelly (13:50):
Yeah, it's something that we have to live
with, but it does definitelyhelp to have that support, and
to see all Black men gettingtogether to talk about these
things really helps.
Let's talk a little bit aboutthe lifestyle changes.
You said you changed your dietto the Mediterranean diet.
You've lost 25 pounds.
How difficult was that to do,and are you doing anything else,
like exercise or other things,that you believe is really
(14:13):
helping you?
Philip Atkins (14:14):
My wife and I were almost on the Mediterranean
diet anyway.
We didn't do a lot of beef,didn't do a lot of processed
food.
I guess I'm cooking the house.
When we eat out, ate out, it'salmost like I'll call it a cheat
day, and not even that bad.
We might go out and haveseafood or something like that,
or buy some ribs, which is ararity for us.
(14:36):
We don't do that much anyway,so it wasn't hard.
The exercise I'm mainly justdoing walking.
I do need to get back in thegym.
I actually have weightdownstairs but, like I said, the
Eligar when it first tookeffect strongly just made me
feel weak and I do know that Ineed to get back in the gym
(14:57):
because that will counteractthat weakness.
So I do need to integrate moreof that into my program.
Grantley Martelly (15:04):
but the walking, that's pretty much all
I'm doing yeah, we know thatwalking is a very good form of
exercise, right?
So we don't need to put thatdown.
Walking, if you can keepwalking.
I've found that since mine thatjust keep moving.
I just say, keep moving.
Now that exercise is.
One of my doctor friends whowe've actually had on this
(15:25):
podcast says exercise ismovement.
Don't necessarily think aboutwhat you're going to do, but how
you're going to move and howyou're going to keep your body
moving.
So let's talk about then youroverall outlook.
How is your overall outlook onlife right now?
Are you positive, are youexcited?
Philip Atkins (15:48):
Yeah, greatly, I'm excited.
I was just having aconversation two days ago with
my old roommate in college andwe were talking.
They made us just much apartand I said, man, in 15 years
we'd be 80 and he was like, waita minute, don't say that.
But I was like, for me, I'mplanning on being here, god
(16:11):
willing.
I'm planning on being here, godwilling, I'm planning on being
here in 15 years.
And, like I said, my fatherlasted a little longer than that
and, like you just said, he wasalways moving.
He had a garden in the backyard, he was just doing something
and I'm getting your point.
Like the doctor told you, dosomething Like gardening, doing
(16:33):
stuff around the house.
Some people may think ofpiddling around that movement,
possibly just getting the bloodflowing, increasing your
metabolism, things like that'sgoing to help you out.
Yeah, I have a good outlook.
My wife and I are travelinghere and there and everywhere
after we find the money tree andalso, like I mentioned a couple
(17:00):
minutes ago, 65, headed towards66 soon.
So we're thinking of retirement, but retirement from my career.
But I'm going to be doing someother things with her.
She has her own business.
I'm going to do some thingswith her and my daughter is
starting up something anotherbusiness so I'm planning on
(17:23):
keeping being around here for awhile.
Yeah, they're going to keep youbusy.
They're going to keep you busy.
Grantley Martelly (17:30):
So, in wrapping this up, if there are
any guys out there who arelistening to this and they're
having some questions about whatdo I need to do, what should I
need to do they may not evenknow they have prostate cancer,
they just haven't been to thedoctor, or they're scared, or
they're hearing a lot of theserumors and stuff.
(17:51):
What would your advice be tothem about taking control of
their health?
Philip Atkins (17:58):
First thing I'd say if you've had anyone males,
you're fairly likely to have hadprostate cancer and for your
prostate, go to the doctor anddo a PSA test In free prostate.
Go to the doctor and do a PSAtest If your insurance doesn't
(18:18):
pay for it.
It's not an expensive test topay for.
In your own it's $15 to $75.
Do it, it could be a lifesaver.
Also, I've talked to many guys,as I said earlier, in reference
to my situation and let themknow about my situation, and a
lot of guys that I know haveactually gone because they heard
(18:39):
, listened to me.
They've gone and gotten a TSAcheck.
You don't have to do thedigital rectal examination.
You don't have to do that.
You can get a blood test.
So if you're going for anyother type of blood test, let's
get that.
Just put it on the script.
It's the same blood, they're notgoing to take more blood and at
least you have, you know, acouple of weeks or however long,
(18:59):
that peace of mind and knowingit's not elevated or it is and
okay, now I have to make somedecisions and do something about
it.
But the main thing is to getout there guys and get checked.
What we do know especially wetalked about it in our group
prostate cancer affects one ineight men in this country, but
(19:20):
it affects one in six black menin this country and it's
something that is very curable.
It's a very curable cancer,especially if you catch it early
.
So go in there, like I said,ask your doctor to put it on a
strip or just get it done.
Just get it done, gentlemen.
Grantley Martelly (19:41):
Thank you very much, philip.
I enjoyed our conversation.
I'm looking forward to seeingyou more on our biweekly
meetings, and we know that this,like you said, this is
something that can be managed ifwe catch it early, and the goal
is to catch it early.
So, guys, don't be afraid tostep out there, ask the
questions.
(20:01):
If you don't know, you can evenstart by calling your doctor or
sending them an email andsaying hey, I've got some
questions, can I just come inand talk to you?
Well, at least get theconversation started.
Today.
(20:22):
My guest is Mr Stephan Harris.
He's a friend that I've metthrough the Prostate Cancer
Black Men Support Network andI'm excited for you to hear his
story and for us to share hisstory with you through the
Prostate Cancer Black MenSupport Network.
And I'm excited for you to hearhis story and for us to share
his story with you.
Stephen Harris (20:37):
I'm Stephen Harris.
I'm a financial advisor and alitigation consultant.
Still enjoy working.
It's definitely a hells realityto keep working.
We say my journey startedprobably around 95 or so, when I
(20:59):
would listen to a few of myfriends, older friends I'm 75
years old, by the way.
A few of my older friendsaround my age were around 50
years old at that time.
Well, I had prostate cancer.
Several of them had prostatecancer.
Well, what should I do?
(21:22):
Tell me more.
Well, we suggest you make sure,when you go after your annual
physical, get a digital rectalexam.
Definitely get that, eventhough you won't like it, PSA
exam.
I said sure, so I did that, forI lose track of these years,
(21:42):
probably don't want to rememberthe actual years.
Philip Atkins (21:51):
I would go in for the annual digital rectal exam
and the PSA exam.
Stephen Harris (21:54):
I'm sure it was in 1998.
And I went into KaiserPermanente, got these two chairs
along with the annual physical.
Mr Harris, we need you to comeand talk with us.
He said well, can't you justtell me on the phone I don't
feel like coming to see you.
(22:15):
I said why do I need to come?
Philip Atkins (22:18):
Just tell me Well we need to come in.
Stephen Harris (22:21):
W e can't tell you over the phone.
So I went in.
Grantley Martelly (22:25):
Mr.
Stephen Harris (22:25):
Harris, your PSA level is very high also around
4.8.
I said okay, so tell me more.
Well, we're going to have to doa biopsy, so I believe, in
about two days.
I went in and had a biopsy.
We came back to results.
(22:45):
Mr Harris, you definitely haveprostate cancer.
Mr Harris, you definitely haveprostate cancer.
No-transcript fordrink-to-purposes or to minimize
(23:07):
what's going to happen to you.
So I would go out, like I said,regularly for these exams the
digital rectal exam, theprostate exam and I still end up
with prostate cancer.
Wow, I said wow, not only did Ihave prostate cancer.
Regardless of his test, thecancer had left the cancer I
(23:37):
thought that was.
The purpose of his test is tomake sure the cancer is
contained on your prostate tomake it easier and more
effective to kill the cancer.
And this cancer had progressedinto my right hip and my lymph
nodes throughout my body.
(24:00):
Soon we'll have cancer, andthis was 1998.
What are we going to do now?
Well, be fair as how fast youwant to go.
Well, I want to go super fast,rocket ship.
So immediately I contactedseveral cancer centers Scripps
Cancer Center in San Diego, UCLACancer Center, USC Cancer
(24:26):
Center, Cancer Center of America.
My wife had recommended I go toSloan-Kettering in the city.
New York City.
I said no when I go to the city,I want to have fun.
I'm not going to have fun withthis old place, so I'll make it
(24:46):
a short story.
I went to several differentcenters.
Well, what can we do?
What can we do?
One center said well, we'regoing to give you medicine.
How long are we going to be onthis medicine?
Well, for the rest of your life.
I said, oh no, I have to go.
Thank you very much.
Grantley Martelly (25:06):
Well, I see the sign.
Stephen Harris (25:08):
They told me what they would do.
I said okay, 42 cancertreatments and I completed a day
for an Asian treatment.
So now I found I have incurablecancer.
It's held at bay by Lupron.
I go in every three months forthe injection of Lupron and
(25:33):
every day I take four tablets ofa medicine called Xtendi.
What it does is suppresses yourbody's production of
testosterone, and testosteroneis literally food or candy for
cancer.
And because you're, the canceris deprived of testosterone.
(25:56):
The cancer is in dormant state.
So again, I have incurablecancer Side effects.
Are these side effects drippedon me because I wasn't told all
of these side effects in thebeginning?
Well, mr Harris, you might.
It was a little weak, mr Harris, you might listen.
(26:19):
Later on I found outaccidentally that one of the
side effects is depression andanxiety, dry skin dehydration.
I mentioned the weight gainwhich threw me off for a loop.
I was gaining a little bit ofweight.
(26:39):
I let my pants down.
Once they told me what wascausing the weight gain, they
extended it.
So he told me what was causingthe weight gain to extend.
I made sure I didn't eat asmuch.
You know a little bit morecareful with my eating.
My weight dropped down, wentback to the same tailor.
(27:00):
Mr Tailor, would you pleasetake?
Grantley Martelly (27:02):
him out.
It's cool.
Thank you, Stephan, for that.
You're welcome For telling usyour health history.
I've got a couple questions.
So you have been living withcancer for 26 years?
Stephen Harris (27:17):
No, no, no no, I'm losing track.
I'm losing track.
Grantley Martelly (27:21):
You said, you got diagnosed in 1998.
Stephen Harris (27:25):
Sorry about that .
Grantley Martelly (27:26):
I lose track of these years.
Okay 2018.
Stephen Harris (27:31):
Thank you for bringing me back to earlier days
.
It was 2018.
Sorry about that All right youdiagnosed me with cancer and
prostate cancer.
Grantley Martelly (27:46):
So I mean that's still a long time 2018 to
2024.
Yes, that's six years.
Stephen Harris (27:54):
Yes.
Grantley Martelly (27:55):
And so congratulations on your long
journey and sticking in there Atthe time when you were
diagnosed, when they called youin and told you that they needed
to see you.
Do you remember what your PSAwas?
Stephen Harris (28:09):
It was around 4.8.
Grantley Martelly (28:12):
About 4.8, okay 4.8.
So not extremely high, but highenough that it was outside of
the safe range.
Stephen Harris (28:21):
Well, it was high enough to have cancer in my
right hand and also cancer inmy left hand, so I'm really
suspicious of these readings.
Grantley Martelly (28:35):
Okay, so from the very beginning, it had
already metastasized from thatvery first day.
So let's talk also now about asyou're dealing with this.
You've been going through theselong radiation treatments and
you're on the medications anddealing with the side effects.
However, you're still able towork and conduct your business.
(28:58):
So how are you managingbalancing the cancer treatments
and the side effects as well asstill staying active in your
business and in your consulting,and active in your lifestyle?
Stephen Harris (29:10):
Okay, Well, I don't have any more treatments.
The right answer was to treatthe two medicines that I
mentioned Vupro and Xtend youknow I go in for the shot every
three months, so that didn'ttake much time.
You know I go in for the shotevery three months, so that
didn't take much time.
I already have to hurry up.
(29:31):
It's there.
I just take those every day,and when I was told that when I
found out what was causing itthat I do.
I didn't know what was wrongwith it.
I knew mentally something waswrong, so I went in for it to a
neurologist, told me I haddepression, anxiety, and she
(29:51):
said I said, what do you do?
You know, what are so manythings that you can do?
And I said well, I continue towork.
I enjoy music, I play chess, Ilove talking with my wife, who's
an absolute angel, and myblessing number one, blessing in
(30:11):
my life number two, second toGod, these are things that keep
me going.
Grantley Martelly (30:18):
What do you do for activities to stay
healthy?
Stephen Harris (30:23):
Well.
Grantley Martelly (30:24):
I'm really blessed.
Stephen Harris (30:25):
The only thing I do to stay healthy is walk.
Grantley Martelly (30:29):
Walk's a great exercise.
Stephen Harris (30:31):
Several times a week I walk.
My doctor would point to me andsome of my friends who have
prostate cancer.
Grantley Martelly (30:44):
We found that we don't have to walk that long
.
A couple of times a week maybe15.
Stephen Harris (30:50):
It's to keep the joints limber and get the
breathing up.
When I'm very fortunate, Idon't have to do anything.
As far as eating, I've been agood eater since I was a child,
I guess Not obese overweightwhat's that correct?
I've been a 10-eater since Iwas a child, I guess, not obese,
(31:12):
overweight.
What's that correct?
Don't have hypertension, don'thave high blood pressure.
I don't have diabetes or any ofthose things that you
definitely don't want in yourbasket.
Grantley Martelly (31:25):
Okay, yeah, thank you.
That's good to know that youdon't have some of the ethical
morbidities.
You mentioned your wife acouple times as you were talking
about your health journey.
Let's talk about her supportand how important her support
and your community has been inyour health journey.
Stephen Harris (31:46):
Well, flynn, if it wasn't for my wife, I may be
dead.
I don't know.
I told my wife many times she'sgiven me life, helped me
maintain it.
I'll stick to it, I'm sure, forthe rest of my life.
Grantley Martelly (32:08):
How long have you been married?
Stephen Harris (32:11):
We've been married for 50 years 50 years.
Grantley Martelly (32:13):
Well, that's great Congratulations.
Stephen Harris (32:16):
In a few more days.
We got married at my chancebefore I remember that.
Grantley Martelly (32:23):
All right, that's great.
Congratulations on your 50years of marriage.
Stephen Harris (32:29):
Thank you.
Grantley Martelly (32:30):
You also mentioned that some of the side
effects are depression anddehydration.
How are you dealing with those?
On?
Stephen Harris (32:38):
a daily basis.
They go hand in hand, they'reinseparable.
So this is why I went to thetherapist.
The dehydration well, I justbuckle up.
Instead of drinking six, seven,eight glasses of water, I may
(32:59):
drink 11, 12 glasses of water.
A glass or two of water beforeI go to bed, one glass or two of
water before I go to bed.
The skin dehydration comes withdehydration.
So I just put lotion, morelotion, on me than I've ever
done.
It would be one of these hopeyou don't mind one of these men
(33:21):
who you know look afterthemselves, but whatever.
So I do more long-shot.
Grantley Martelly (33:30):
So, stephan, as we think about rounding the
corner here, if there's some menout there who are thinking
about their life and theirchallenges and they're not sure
what to do, they may have somequestions about their health.
What would your advice be tothem to do, to taking control of
(33:51):
their health and getting theanswers they need so they can
make the decisions they need tomake to stay healthy and to
maintain their longevity?
Stephen Harris (33:59):
Okay, well, number one, I'm going to strike
out that word don't think aboutit, don't think about it, don't
think about it, Do it.
That's it.
Go into your doctor for yourannual physical.
Get these tests, I don't know.
Hopefully your insurance coversit.
(34:20):
I hope and pray your insurancecovers it.
Go in and get digital rectalexam and the PSA test.
Don't walk out of there withouta digital rectal exam.
No, okay, if you're at the slum, you're a doctor, I want a
digital test.
You want me to tell you what itis.
(34:40):
I'll tell you what You'll findout, so don't think, do it.
Okay, don't sit down here onGoogle or Twitter or X.
Go to your doctor and get thesetests.
Okay, get these tests.
(35:01):
When you get the results, Ijust hope and pray.
Your results are alwaysnegative.
You don't have prostate cancerand should you do?
Just do the same thing that youdid here.
Not only did you go to thisdoctor, but you go to your
(35:22):
urologist and you do as I did.
You don't have to go to five orsix places like, okay, I'm an
overachiever, we're just prayingyou never get here, right.
You're basically saying getgood information.
Grantley Martelly (35:41):
It doesn't just depend on the computer and
Internet, but go to reputablecenters take your information,
get good informationso you can make a good decision.
Last question for you is whatwould be your advice for men to
stay positive through thisexperience, even if you find out
(36:03):
that you have prostate cancer?
You and I know that your lifeis not over, even though at
first it may seem that way, asyou're trying to deal with all
this information and you'retrying to figure out what
treatments are and there's a lotof information but what advice
would you have for how to staypositive through the whole
experience and to be confidentthat you're making good
(36:25):
decisions so that eventually youcan live long after you've done
with this?
Stephen Harris (36:32):
Well, I'll say number one on the list is prep,
no specific order.
Make sure you continue doingthe things you've been doing for
all your life.
You can find some other thingsto add in your schedule.
(36:53):
Continue doing those things.
All of these things that youhave been doing give you joy and
happiness and satisfaction, andthey will continue giving you
joy and happiness andsatisfaction.
And they will continue givingyou joy and happiness and
satisfaction.
There's nothing we can do aboutthis.
Grantley Martelly (37:15):
Like I said I have incurable cancer.
Stephen Harris (37:19):
I know that I've enjoyed my life.
I enjoy my wife, my children,everyone else, and I want this
to continue for another 150years, 200 years, 300 years.
And that's the best thing I canpray Continue doing anything
(37:42):
that you have been doing at onthe list and embrace what you
have been doing, embrace thefact that you can continue doing
what you have been doing.
Embrace the fact that you canadd things to your life,
(38:04):
whatever it is, whatever, Idon't know, go dancing with your
wife once a week or whateverSing songs to your wife.
Grantley Martelly (38:13):
Let her sing songs to you.
Stephen Harris (38:17):
I don't know.
Let her paint your nails.
Philip Atkins (38:21):
You know, just for play not for real.
Grantley Martelly (38:23):
Yeah, whatever.
Stephen Harris (38:26):
Yeah, just to remain positive and do the
things you do Do the things youdo and the things you do, and
yet for more things, all ofthese things have been a part of
your life for however long.
It may give you joy andhappiness and satisfaction,
right.
Grantley Martelly (38:45):
Yeah, so, Stephan, thank you for your time
.
I mean this has been a veryenjoyable interview.
Thank you for being honest withus and thank you for sharing
your journey.
We wish you the very best asyou continue this journey, like
you said, many more years to go.
Stephen Harris (39:01):
Thank you, I feel more than welcome, hugh.
I think you may have helped memore by allowing me to share
this with, hopefully, manyfriends and many of those.
Grantley Martelly (39:14):
Write us at realhealthblackmen at gmailcom.
Realhealthblackmen at gmailcom.
To support this podcast, go tobuymeacoffeecom forward, slash
realhealthblackman,buymeacoffeecom.
(39:35):
Realhealthblackman.
And to become a corporatesponsor, send us an email.
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