BY RICH STRACK

tneditor@tnonline.com

Dan Rodrigues has taken on every challenge that’s been put in front of him for the 61 years of his life.

As a kid, if someone dared him to climb a tree, he climbed it. Later in life, when someone coaxed him to run a 5K race, he trained and pushed himself and ran it. As an adult, when the idea of tae kwon do martial arts became interesting to him, he did it. Someone challenged him to play full-contact flag football in an Allentown league, he played.

When he was asked to enter a bench press weightlifting contest with five other men, he trained for 30 days. After his competitors called him a “freak of nature” when they saw him press 365 pounds with his 185-pound body, they all quit the contest.

And when doctors confirmed that he had prostate cancer in the winter of 2016, he stood strong and embraced the greatest challenge of his life.

“I got real sick with flu symptoms and my weight dropped from 205 pounds to 178,” he said,” A blood test revealed my PSA (prostate specific antigen) level was elevated. A second test showed the level had risen even more.”

Over the next several months and two biopsies, the diagnosis was confirmed.

“I was in Ocean City for a 5K run when the doctor called to give me the news.”

Rodrigues had cancerous cells removed and graded according to what doctors call the Gleason Score. Activity of malignant cells are rated with a number. His results posted a seven, a three and a four, with the seven classified as moderate activity.

“The outside of the cells were active, and we had to prevent them from spreading.”

He didn’t know if the cancer had already spread, but treatment was immediately recommended.

“They did not suggest radiation treatment because the radioactive seeds they would implant might damage surrounding organs. Considering my age and my good overall condition, they said removal of the prostate gland was the way to go.”

Rick Djourn, a good friend of Rodrigues’ who had had prostate cancer, was a big help.

“He was a godsend to me. He told me prostate cancer was not a death sentence. He said get rid of it, and you’ll be as good as new.”

Following a four-hour procedure in December 2016 to remove the gland, Rodrigues spent two days in the hospital. He was relieved to hear that the cancer had not spread.

Recovery was slow and painful.

“I was all black and blue and swollen. I couldn’t move without taking a pill for the pain.”

Doctors told him to begin walking, but a winter storm hit the area that prevented him from going outside. He walked around the house as much as he could. For a man who had bench pressed over 300 pounds, he was told not to lift anything heavier than a carton of milk.

“The catheter was probably the worst side effect, but I actually joked about it in a catheter class I had to attend. They liked my sense of humor and said it really helps recovery.

“My friends at the gym were a great incentive for me. They pushed me to keep going and I did.”

Doctors warned that once he returned to the gym, he had to be careful not to overly stretch the post-op scar tissue.

“It’s like ripping Velcro apart,” he said.

When asked if his fight against cancer changed his attitude about life, Rodrigues reset himself to take on new challenges.

“I did buy myself a Big Dog chopper motorcycle, and I can’t wait for spring to ride it.”

He offered advice to anyone who is diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“First, don’t believe anything you read on the internet. Reach out to friends who may know someone who’s had the disease. Be physically fit. It helps with fighting the cancer and gets you a much quicker recovery. Now I’m bowling, skiing and I ran a 5K race for prostate cancer awareness at St. Luke’s in Easton,” he said.

“Prostate cancer is not a death sentence, If you get it, get off the couch and don’t let life pass you by.”

Speaking of passing you by, he’s thinking about his next challenge, which just might send him floating past somebody’s house.

“I just might try sky diving.”