“Mr. Speaker, this is a very difficult speech for me to give. God works in mysterious ways. When you are an elected official, missed votes require an explanation. That is why I disclose this otherwise very personal, very private, and very humbling matter.
On Halloween Night after votes and as I stood on the Capitol steps, my doctor called and said, ‘Congressman Brooks. Bad news. You have high risk prostate cancer.’ I felt an adrenalin rush as a chill went up and down my spine.
By way of background, prostate cancer kills almost 27,000 American men each year and is the third leading cause of cancer deaths, behind only lung and colorectal cancers.
71% of prostate cancer patients die in less than five years if the prostate cancer has spread beyond the abdominal cavity. In stark contrast, almost all prostate cancer patients live longer than five years if the cancer is discovered early and killed before it spreads.
For example, my father discovered his prostate cancer early. He lived four decades after his prostatectomy. My grandfather discovered his prostate cancer too late. He died not long thereafter.
After my doctor’s diagnosis, I called my wife, Martha, who was back home in Huntsville welcoming Trick or Treaters, and shared the bad news. That night was one of the loneliest nights apart in our 41-year marriage. I kept thinking about my wonderful family, ‘What do I do next,’ and ‘How do I beat this cancer?’
Overnight I formed a plan and began implementing it. In an emotional meeting, I informed my Washington staff of my cancer, that I was immediately flying to Huntsville after a CT Scan that afternoon, and that, for medical reasons, I would be in Alabama the rest of the week.
Based on advice from friends and doctors, I chose Dr. Scott Tully as my treating physician. Dr. Tully is widely respected and has performed more than 3,000 prostatectomies.On Thursday, Martha and I drove to Birmingham to obtain Dr. Tully’s insight about treatment options and risks. He advised a radical prostatectomy.
At Dr. Tully’s direction, I undertook a heart stress test and a Nuclear Bone Scan. Finally, I got some good news. My CT Scan and Nuclear Bone Scan revealed no cancer beyond the prostate. My heart stress test confirmed that I was strong enough to undergo the two to three-hour surgery.
Prostate cancer mortality is compelling. Speed is critical in the fight against prostate cancer. In compliance with the 2017 House Calendar that set end-of-year votes on December 14, and at some risk to myself, Dr. Tully and I delayed my surgery until December 15, this Friday, and set a post-surgery medical procedure for December 20.
My plan was to recuperate at home during the holidays with my family and return to Washington for a full workload when Congress reconvenes on January 3. Unfortunately, last week the House Speaker abruptly changed the House voting calendar that I relied on to set my surgery. As a result, next week I will miss House floor votes unless I am unexpectedly medically cleared to travel.
There are three insights from my experience that I wish to share with the public. First, don’t ever take your health or family for granted. During the holidays, enjoy your family . . . because no one is promised tomorrow.
Second, I encourage age-appropriate men to have regular PSA tests. While PSA tests do not diagnose cancer, my PSA spike persuaded me to have the prostate biopsy that revealed my ‘high risk’ prostate cancer early enough for me to enjoy a very good cure prognosis.
Third, I ran for the Senate in 2017. I finished third out of nine candidates in the Republican Primary. Had I won, I would not have had time for my physical and PSA test. I would not have had a prostate biopsy. I would not now know about my ‘high risk’ prostate cancer that requires immediate surgery.
In retrospect, and paradoxically, losing the Senate race may have saved my life!
Yes, God does work in mysterious ways.”
*
Watch at Breitbart.
Prostate cancer sucks. It’s treatable but surgery is no fun
“Unfortunately, last week the House Speaker abruptly changed the House voting calendar that I relied on to set my surgery. As a result, next week I will miss House floor votes unless I am unexpectedly medically cleared to travel.”
Okay, Ryan, change it back!
Buh Bye Mo, thanks, now I know more about your dick than I did of you.
Could this also explain some of Hillary’s medical emergencies during the last election?
Of course this is not good news. However, I can’t help but be pissed off as hell over the health care options that has been force fed to millions of us. How nice for him that he gets to choose from the very best options available for his care. Having options isn’t a part of my plan any longer. I’ve had the same doctors for 30 years but because of the plan that is available to me NONE of my doctors are available to me. If I hear how fucking happy he is over his medical care I might end up saying or doing something really stupid. As far as I’m concerned those in congress can kiss my homesick ass and go to hell.
Karma’s a bitch, eh?
Dem’s getting ready for another win when he goes for the big sleep. Repub’s best find a monk who never stepped in the real world before announcing their candidacy.
MSM probably thinks this week is a win and a win.
In this day and age, how can any responsible male NOT have regular prostate checks?
Remember, fellas, “digital exam” has nothing to do with a computer.
What am I missing here that there is so much anger toward the man? Does he have a Rhino voting record, or a conservative voting record as to why Ryan would abruptly change the voting schedule? Please inform if you can.
Mo Brooks is one of the good guys in the House. He is true conservative and the first to run on the ball field to assist Scalise. He did run for the Senate but came in third. He is from the Huntsville area and not as well known. I will be praying for him.
Ryan and McConnell could be heard laughing………
I lost my husband this year to prostate cancer. When he was diagnosed, via a PSA spike, the cancer had spread to some lymph nodes in his chest. That, and his age, was why the doctor did not perform surgery. He was treated medically and that worked for 2 years. Then last year we discovered the cancer had spread to his bonesm which is common for prostate cancer.
Guys, get checked regularly and do whatever is available for treatment if you are diagnosed.
Interesting timing. He found out almost 2 months ago and yet he waits until important votes on the budget and taxes are coming up?
He’s just going to be absent?
Why isn’t he resigning?
So sorry, Callie.
Candy Corn – Brooks was considered a nevertrumper, by some, in 2016. I don’t know the details, but Brooks denies he is/was. I don’t know his voting record but I do know when his name comes up on other sites, it’s 50/50 like/dislike.
https://www.conservativereview.com/pdf/412395.pdf
Rep.
Mo Brooks
(AL)-R | In office Since 2011
“B” grade Conservative
Conservative Votes 42
Liberal Votes 8
Missed Votes 0
Liberty Score® 84%
Luther Strange
LIBERTY SCORE is a “C”
75%
half lib half conservative, 100% RINO.
https://www.conservativereview.com/pdf/412734.pdf#page=2
I am really sorry about your husband, Callie.
Thank you MJA and Corky. It’s not been a good year.
MJA, Thanks for sharing the info on Brooks and Strange. Good to know.
riverlife_callie, Very sorry about your husband, wouldn’t know what to do without my best friend. The Lord bless you this Christmas and through 2018.
Prayers for Brooks and riverside_callie
Candy Corn and GreenCross4Safety – thank you. Your prayers are very much needed and appreciated.
My dad died of prostate cancer because the first sign of trouble was acute urinary blockage episode that sent him to the ER at age 63. The fact that his first experience was acute and came out of nowhere pointed directly to prostate cancer. He took radiation which slowed things down but it was too late — the cancer had reached the lymph nodes in the seminal vesicles. He died seven years later in 1993.
Because I saw it all firsthand, and because I was the son who most closely resembled my dad, I got my first PSA early at 49. It was already at 3.0. A year later, it was 4.7. PSA levels rising that fast at that age points directly to cancer. They operated soon after and cancer had reached the wall of the prostate. They got it excised just in the nick of time.
If my dad had never suffered, I never would have tested early .. might have dawdled for a year or two like a lot of guys .. And I would have died around 2013. So my dad’s ordeal saved my life. Haunts me sometimes
And condolences to you, Callie. My mom lived on for 23 more years to a ripe old age of 93. She soldiered on, was a happier person, actually, once the ordeal was over. Of course her nine children watched over her like hawks and mother hens
She was also a WWII generation gal, which meant she was strong enough to shrug off anything