There are words that we hear that generate emotion. Cancer is that word for many people.

As older man, regular physical exams are just part of the routine. This includes blood tests and what they call a digital exam of the prostate. At my last round of blood tests, it showed my PSA levels higher than expected for man of my age. Now, this isn't a new thing as my levels have been higher than expected for the last few years. What changed is that in this year, the digital exam indicated that one side of the prostate was larger than the other. This is something that my doctor indicated that we should get me a referral to an area urologist for consultation. My doctor went to great pains to say that he wasn't worried, but this was worth checking out.

So yesterday I got to visit with the Urologist and he laid out the assessment process:

• Have an MRI to scan the prostate that will allow them to see if there are any abnormalities in the prostate if so;
• Then we move on to a biopsy to determine what the abnormality is and if cancerous;
• Treatment such as surgery

The Urologist was both friendly and matter of fact during the visit. I appreciated that there is a clear path of how to assess and then respond to a negative assessment. I have to admit though that just hearing that I needed a MRI, which of course I should feel relieved that I live in a place where this kind of care is possible, was a bit jarring. Silly isn't it? I do both profess and ernestly believe in the God of Abraham and that Jesus is the Son of God. But in these times, you can so easily fear and fret. There is a real sense of if this is what believe, is death really the worst option? And why am I worried even in the slightest with a cancer that has a 5 year survivalbility of close to 100%?

And yet here we are.

Men get checked. For me, I need to do the steps the system has offered me and look heavenward not at the ground. Either He's on the throne or He isn't, and if He isn't all of this is meaningless.

Did I mention get checked yet?