Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2008 > September > 17 > Entry
9/17: WXIA’s Jerry Carnes and his prostate cancer battle, “Somebodies” ratings
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jaquitta Williams, who recently left WSB-TV as an anchor/reporter, last year publicly chronicled her fight with breast cancer.
Now it’s Jerry Carnes, a reporter at WXIA-TV, who has chosen to publicize his prostate cancer battle.
He was diagnosed in early August. At first, he didn’t want to say anything but he said that wasn’t his nature. “I rely a lot on faith and prayer,” he said. “I talked to my wife. I realized this is the kind of thing people need to know about. A lot of people I know don’t get tested for it. I can spread the word. I’d feel heartbroken if I kept this to myself and someone I knew didn’t get tested and discovered he had prostate cancer and it’s too late.”
Cancer runs in his family. His dad is going through chemo for prostate cancer. His dad has five sisters, all of whom have had some form of cancer. Three of them lost the battle. Jerry’s sister had breast cancer. So he’s chosen to get his prostate taken out completely.
“There is a risk of impotence,” he said. “But I’m willing to take a risk. The more I read, the more I talk about it, they’ve been able to regain all their functions as time passes by.”
Since the doctor caught his prostate cancer early enough, Carnes isn’t going to get the prostate taken out until November. “I’m a little anxious,” he said. “I’m ready to get it done.”
Recovery, he said, will take two or three weeks, maybe a month. “They don’t want me to rush back,” he said. “I’ve got to wear a catheter a week. That sounds like a real joy!”
Here’s some more info on the WXIA-TV Web site.. And here’s his page on the site.
He said he’s getting a lot of “get well” notes though the most heartening was his son’s former Boy Scout leader telling him he’s going to get tested now.
Do you like it when newscasters reveal their personal stories and use it to spread awareness of X disease or ailment or affliction?
-“Somebodies,” BET’s first scripted show in its 28 year history shot out of Athens, opened modestly at about 600,000 viewers nationally on Sept. 9. A repeat of “Comicview” a week earlier in the same 10:30 p.m time slot had 735,000 viewers, followed by a repeat of “Soul Plane” at about 600,000 viewers. A repeat of “Somebodies” this past Saturday night actually pulled in more viewers at 735,000. The key for its future is its ability to build an audience. The comedy was repeated several times and a total of about 5 million people saw the show through Sunday.
Comments
By Tillandsia
September 17, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Go see Dr. Frey Marshall at Emory. He did my husbands’s surgery at Johns Hopkins in 1997. He does nerve saving technique. Good lunck and God Bless….
By T Knight
September 17, 2008 11:25 PM | Link to this
Mr. Carnes we will keep you in our prayers. Thank you for talking about this experience. You may never meet them, but your talking about your battle will help someone else. May God Bless you and your family.
By Brenda
September 17, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
Getting tested is very important.My husband has colon cancer.He was in fourth stage when he was diagnosed.It had spreaded from his colon to his liver and lung.He has been in treatment for a year. His doctor made it very clear that the treatments were to prolong his life not to cure his cancer.It could have been in his colon for years before he started to get sick.He had never had a colonostomy.I had one immediately after he had his.I urge everyone to get the test done!He has been through quite an ordeal. Get tested please!!!!!
By Aw
September 17, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
Brenda, I hope your husband is doing better, and not having much pain. My father is going through the same problem, his doctor said there was no drugs to slow the progression. What drugs did they recommend to prolong his life? I would love to know.
By Frank Eskridge
September 18, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
Welcome to the club. I had a prostectomy on 8/8/08 (and watched the Olympics opening from my hospital bed). I went for the robotic procedure, which is less invasive and has a shorter recovery time. My six tiny incisions have pretty much healed, and the worst part at this point is the incontinence, which means using Depends Guards, and peeing about 50 times a day. I’m told that this, too, will pass, eventually. I’ve been back at work for two weeks, and seem to be doing fine. My first post-op PSA test comes next week, and the Dr. is very optimistic. Hope you have the same good result. Good luck, and be sure to contact me if you want to know more.
By CP
September 18, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this
I really enjoyed “Somebodies”. I think it is worth a watch. I truly does have shades of Seinfeld. It can be a show that could slowly build a following. I hope BET doesn’t give up on it too soon.
By Jeanne
September 18, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this
Brenda,
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband. What were his symptoms regarding his colon cancer?
By Jeanne
September 18, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this
Brenda,
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband. What were his symptoms regarding his colon cancer?
By Willis in Covington
September 18, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
I had the prostate removed in August 1998 due to a diagnosis of cancer. I am now a 10-year survivor and doing well.
I decided soon after the surgery that I was going to live my life as best I could and that cancer was not going to dominate my life. I chose not to go to support groups, belong to on-line prostate cancer groups, or spend a lot of time worrying about the consequences of the surgery.
I wish you the best as you face the days ahead.
By rptrcub
September 18, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
I think both Mr. Carnes and JaQuitta Williams have performed outstanding service to metro Atlanta in being open about their struggles. I wish the best for both of them, and for everyone else here whose lives have been affected by cancer.
By Mary Law
September 18, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
My husband had the robotic surgery on 08/02/07, and his recovery has been remarkable. We are so happy that we chose that route! Good luck and our prayers are with you!
By ricecakes
September 18, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
I THINK IT’S FINE FOR SOMEONE TO SHARE SOMETHING SO DEVASTATING! THIS BRINGS AWARENESS TO THOSE WHO ARE STUBBORN AND DON’T GET REGULAR CHECKUPS. So whoever did the story on Jaquitta Moore (sp?) need to apologize to her (A PRINTED APOLOGY!)
By Brenda
September 19, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this
To: AW Right now he is on xeloda. In the begining he was on several medications.I have to go through his papers to get the names for you. I will post it for you as soon as possible. You are in my prayers.
By Brenda
September 19, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
To Jeanne: My husband started out with vomiting everyday several times a day. He could not keep anything on his stomach. He was being treated for an ulcer but the symtoms did not get any better.That’s when he had some scans done and extensive blood work done. The scans showed the masses and colonostomy confirmed the cancer. He also has excessive weight loss.
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