An Epitaph and an Elegy for a Prostate (Incontinence, Impotence and Artificial Urinary Sphincter), Part I

About the Book

AN EPITAPH AND AN ELEGY FOR A PROSTATE is a record  (8 years so far) of the author's experience with the effects of a prostatectomy (RP). Salient among these effects are incontinence, impotence and almost 5 year experience with the use of an artificial urinary sphincter  (AMS Sphincter 800ä Urinary Prosthesis). In addition to being a record of a life-changing experience, AN EPITAPH AND AN ELEGY expresses the author's belief that writing about a traumatic event like a prostatectomy can become a form of control, especially control over one's response to trauma and an answer to the insistent question, "Why Me?"

The author believes also that AN EPITAPH AND AN ELEGY will be useful to readers in making a decision, if the need arises, about the treatment of prostate cancer. Where to find information about such treatment appears in the book in the form of web-sites, books, and articles from medical journals.  

AN EPITAPH AND AN ELEGY carries, as one of its sub-titles, Part 1. This is meant to hold open the possibility of a Part 2, Part 3 and so on. But in all these matters, the author stays with the opinion, best expressed by Jonathan Swift, that "Fortune turns on a Wheel."

About the Author

Gene Washington has a Ph.D in English Literature. He is now an emeritus professor of English Literature at Utah State University. He lives in Logan, Utah where he spends his time gardening, skiing, writing and rambling in the mountains. Gene believes that one writes books, both fiction and non-fiction, because one looks for but does not find what one wants to read.