Eight years ago, Phil Martin knew something was wrong.
He had a constant pressure and urge to go to the bathroom. He passed blood in his urine.
A doctor in Columbus, Ga., ran tests, including a cystoscopy to look inside his bladder with a small tube equipped with a light and lens. The doctor thought things looked suspicious, but a pathologist ruled that Martin did not have cancer.
Relieved, Phil Martin took antibiotics for what was diagnosed as a bladder and prostate infection.
He would see four doctors in eight years. His symptoms came back earlier this year, and Martin went to see Dr. Mark Byard at Wiregrass Urology. Byard broke the bad news to the Martin and his wife, Angie -- Phil Martin had bladder cancer.
Phil was quiet. Angie was a wreck.
"It was horrible," Angie recalled. "You get that sick-like feeling."
On Feb. 28, about a week after the diagnosis, Phil Martin was in surgery. His bladder, prostate and 30 lymph nodes removed. It turned out only one lymph node was cancerous.
Phil, who turns 45 on May 20, is now going through chemotherapy.
The diagnosis gave the couple a new perspective on life, on their health and healthcare and on fundraising for cancer research. Angie had participated in Relay for Life. And both have been on Relay for Life teams since Phil's diagnosis. With Byard as the event chair for the American Cancer Society's Diamonds and Denim Ball, the Martins wanted to do what they could as soon as they heard about the fundraiser.
Nadine Smith, a certified surgical technician with Wiregrass Urology, has worked closely with the Martins during Phil's illness. She volunteered to be the public relations chair for the Diamonds and Denim Ball when Byard told her about the event. Her own father died of cancer.
"I wanted to make a differentce if I can," she said.
The Martins plan to attend the fundraiser on Saturday, where entertainment will be provided by country singer Daryle Singletary.
Phil's energy level is low. Prior to his diagnosis, the Alford, Fla., resident weighed 245 pounds, worked out an hour-and-a-half each day, didn't drink, didn't smoke and had a physical every September. He's lost 30 pounds since being on chemo. He's not been able to return to his job as maintenance manager for the Family Dollar distribution center in Marianna, Fla.
"It's been tough," he said. "I've never been used to being pulled down this far down before."
Phil has two children from a previous marriage, ages 21 and 18. He and Angie, married for seven years, have a 2-year-old son, Seth. Angie had several miscarriages before giving birth to Seth. The couple are hopeful for the future. There's really no other option in their minds.
"It took us a long time to get Seth," Angie said. "I'm not going to accept God gave us this baby only to take his father away."
There had never been a history of cancer in Phil's family, although the men in his family usually died before the age of 70. He's determined to be the first to break that barrier.
"I still plan on living past 70," Phil said.
What: A fundraiser for the American Cancer Society with a western wear theme.
When: Saturday, May 17.
Where: Stokes Activity Barn at Landmark Park, U.S. 431 North.
Times: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Entertainment: Daryle Singletary (Hits include "Too Much Fun" and "I Let Her Lie").
Activities: "Jail and Bail" and casino games; live auction of items such as vacations, autographed memorabilia and personal indulgences such as spa trips and plastic surgeries. Dinner, beer, wine and martinis will be served.
Tickets: $60 per person; $300 for a table of six; $500 for a table of ten.
Contact: Call the local American Cancer Society office at (334) 794-0600 ext. 3 or 1-800-ACS-2345; Visit the event Web site at http://main.acsevents.org/diamondsanddenimal. To see more of The Dothan Eagle or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dothaneagle.com. Copyright (c) 2008, Dothan Eagle, Ala. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2008 Dothan Eagle, Ala.