Thankful!

November 21, 2019 / Lowell Smith /

Every year at this time we pause to reflect the past year, and often the cumulative years, of what has brought us to this point in life.  We have so much to be thankful for, but this year I am extra grateful.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago, and this past April underwent a radical prostectomy, and it’s not a little surgery I assure you. The doctor’s prognosis is great, and I am doing well with my PSA score ‘undetectable’!  Thank you, Jesus!

I tell you this not only because of being thankful, but I know that some of you may have had this common disease, as well, and I pray that your outcome is as good as mine.  And, if you have not had your PSA blood test in the past year, GET IT DONE, NOW!  Generally, it is slow growing but sometimes, like mine, it is not and can be very aggressive.  Like me, you probably know others that did not get it checked in time.  Don’t be one of those statistics.

Live life, but be responsible to get to the doctor once-a-year as they suggest.  This has been quite a distraction from some productions, such as the last car of the American Freedom Train, which requires lots of handwork on my part.  I appreciate your understanding and patience with me this past year.

I am sure I will receive emails from some of you about your experiences.  If you still have those ‘bad cells’ in your body, I pray they are dissolved and gone, in Jesus’ name.  

Thankful for life worth living,

Lowell

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Lowell Smith

A native of Portland, Oregon, Lowell Smith married his church choir sweetheart Barb in 1978. After a lifetime of rail-fanning, Lowell and Barb ventured out in 1992 to launch a new business in Portland, Oregon. Read more

2 Comments

  1. John Colliver on November 22, 2019 at 1:50 pm

    Hi Lowell,
    So pleased to read the positive outcome of your surgery following prostate cancer.
    In February 2015, following a slight upward trend in my PSA reading, I was also diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer – a Gleason Score of nine, the second worse one can have. After successful robotic keyhole surgery in March 2015, and just over 30 hours after surgery, I was discharged from hospital. Since then, my regular six monthly, and now twelve monthly checks of PSA level, are showing negligible readings. I support your advice to all to have regular checks of PSA levels.

    Reply
  2. Mark Ortloff on November 23, 2019 at 5:50 am

    I am happy you are doing well. I had the same procedure this summer. Recovery is a lot more than I expected , but am back to work.I am telling my friends to get that PSA checked regularly, My cancer was the aggressive type also. Thank God for knowledgeable doctors, they probably saved my life. I enjoy your train cars very much and always look forward to any new Disney cars. I am an Oregonian also, so it’s great to see a local have such great success in their craft.Merry Christmas to you and your family and continued good health.

    Reply

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