After another biopsy and additional testing, my doctor explained the seriousness of what we were facing and the decisions that could no longer be postponed.
My PSA had been rising aggressively and had reached 17.2. That number did not, by itself, establish the stage of the disease. It was the warning signal that led to the deeper testing that ultimately resulted in a Stage IV prostate cancer diagnosis.
The treatment paths before me included chemotherapy or a prostatectomy. I did what many people do when confronted with a life-changing diagnosis: I spent considerable time researching the disease, the treatment options, and what each path could mean for my health and future. Either course would require me to step away from educational leadership and devote meaningful time to my health.
This was also the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students, families, faculty, and the school district had already endured extraordinary uncertainty and constant disruption. I did not believe it would be fair to introduce another extended period of transition while I faced an uncertain treatment schedule. Over the Christmas holidays, I made the deeply personal decision to pause my educational career—giving the district the opportunity for stable leadership and giving myself the time necessary to confront what lay ahead.