This morning I received a return call from my Urologists office.
I received some great news....I don't have prostate cancer.
This last several months have been quite the drain on Veronica and I. It seemed like every time we turned around another doctor was telling me that I might have some sort of cancer. This didn't happen with just one doctor but several doctors in several different medical fields.
It turned into one big mind game...I don't know why but for some reason doctors seem to throw these words out there without having any real medical proof that a person actually has this disease. That's what I heard a lot of over the last several months...you might have this or it kind of looks like that...on and on it went. No matter what I want to call it or how I feel about the way the last several months have gone down, the latest news was great and very well received.
Now with that issue out of the way, I will start getting things set up so that I can get some work done on my lower back....which is the real culprit to all of my upper leg, hip and groin pain and problems. Those issues have been going on for about 1 1/2 years now and with my prostate now being cleared of any wrongdoing or involvement in those issues, it is time to move on and address my back problems.
I sure hope my falsely accused and innocent prostate doesn't hold anything against me as far as what it has been recently put through. Sorry there Mr. Prostate. I hope that you will forgive me.
Showing posts with label Prostate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prostate. Show all posts
Follow Up on My Prostate Biopsy
I had my biopsy done this last Monday and today is Friday. Yesterday I started my walks again and got in 9 miles with no problems.
Today I did a 5 mile walk and then I started back on my weight lifting.
I experienced some fatigue while doing my weightlifting but I don't know if it was caused by the procedure or the heat/humidity or a combination of everything.
Other than the fatigue, I have experienced no ill effects caused by the biopsy and for the most part, I escaped the procedure pain free...except for a bit on the day of the actual procedure and the morning after.
I decided not to push things too much and have opted out of my usual 4 mile walk this afternoon.
The heat index is way up there...around 110 degrees f. With everything going so well from the biopsy, the worst thing I could do is push everything and cause an unneeded issue.
I will take it one day at a time and slowly build up to where I was prior to the biopsy.
The only thing left that is biopsy related is to get the results of the biopsy.
Today I did a 5 mile walk and then I started back on my weight lifting.
I experienced some fatigue while doing my weightlifting but I don't know if it was caused by the procedure or the heat/humidity or a combination of everything.
Other than the fatigue, I have experienced no ill effects caused by the biopsy and for the most part, I escaped the procedure pain free...except for a bit on the day of the actual procedure and the morning after.
I decided not to push things too much and have opted out of my usual 4 mile walk this afternoon.
The heat index is way up there...around 110 degrees f. With everything going so well from the biopsy, the worst thing I could do is push everything and cause an unneeded issue.
I will take it one day at a time and slowly build up to where I was prior to the biopsy.
The only thing left that is biopsy related is to get the results of the biopsy.
The Day After
Last night I had some pain from my Prostate Biopsy. The level of pain was what I would call moderate.
I was fine after taking a pain pill and had no problems throughout the course of the night.
Since having the biopsy procedure completed, I have urinated several times and I have had one bowel movement.
Of course these major earth shattering events are not usually something that is considered blog worthy, at least on this blog. I mention it only to let inquiring minds know that I observed no blood in my urine and no blood has been observed in my bowel movement. I was kind of pleasantly surprised with no blood being visible at all. Truly a reason to celebrate...WOO HOO!!!!!!!
Now that the celebrating is done....today very minimal pain. I seem to be getting more pain from the issues caused by my back than those that might be caused by the biopsy and those back and leg pains are a daily issue with me.
As soon as I get the all clear from the results of this biopsy and get the radiologist official results from my most recent round of back x rays, I will be contacting a local chiropracter/spine type of doctor and start getting my back and legs issues resolved.
I plan on taking it easy today.
No long walks and definitely no lifting.
I will probably make a post office run and then I might clean our bedroom.
Depending on how I feel tomorrow I might try to go for a walk.
I will have to wait and see but so far so good..
I was fine after taking a pain pill and had no problems throughout the course of the night.
Since having the biopsy procedure completed, I have urinated several times and I have had one bowel movement.
Of course these major earth shattering events are not usually something that is considered blog worthy, at least on this blog. I mention it only to let inquiring minds know that I observed no blood in my urine and no blood has been observed in my bowel movement. I was kind of pleasantly surprised with no blood being visible at all. Truly a reason to celebrate...WOO HOO!!!!!!!
Now that the celebrating is done....today very minimal pain. I seem to be getting more pain from the issues caused by my back than those that might be caused by the biopsy and those back and leg pains are a daily issue with me.
As soon as I get the all clear from the results of this biopsy and get the radiologist official results from my most recent round of back x rays, I will be contacting a local chiropracter/spine type of doctor and start getting my back and legs issues resolved.
I plan on taking it easy today.
No long walks and definitely no lifting.
I will probably make a post office run and then I might clean our bedroom.
Depending on how I feel tomorrow I might try to go for a walk.
I will have to wait and see but so far so good..
The Day In The Life Of A Prostate Gland
Last night I spent about 2 hours dealing with a Fleet enema.
The enema was needed to clean out the lower part of my bowel so that the chances of infection would be less after my prostate biopsy.
As a result of the enema and because my anxiety level for this procedure was rising quickly, I did not end up getting to sleep until around 11.30PM.
Unfortunately our alarm clock started chirping around 5AM.
Let me tell you...life does not get any better than getting up at 5AM, laying on the cold bathroom floor with a couple of bath towels beneath you and waking up to a nice warm Fleet enema.
I doubt if Jimmy Buffett has it this good.
Because of my concern about getting cleaned out well...I ended up doing the enema about 5 times.
I wonder if they have a word for someone that has a phobia about getting an infection in their bowel or prostate...at least a word other than crazy or lunatic.
I was originally planning on doing the one enema and then getting back in bed for a few additional minutes of sleep.
Obviously that plan went out the window after the 5 fill up.
It was then shower time.
Before I knew it, Veronica was up and in the bathroom getting ready for our 2 hour drive into Virginia Beach.
I asked her what time it was and she said it was around 6:15-6:20. We had planned on leaving around 6:45. Man times flies when you are having several enemas.
Thought #1 guys...give yourself plenty of time for preparation for the biopsy. Those enemas take time and you want to make sure that it all gets out of you before you do any traveling to your doctors office or the procedural location.
Last thing you will want is an accident.
Thought #2..bring a change of clothes anyways. You know that old saying that 'shit happens"...well nothing is worse or more embarrassing than it happening all over yourself while you are in a vehicle and your wife or significant other is driving.
Veronica and I arrived in Virginia Beach just a little early. This allowed us some time to run just a few errands before heading to the hospital where the biopsy was to occur. Thought #3...keep busy and occupied so that your mind will hopefully be on other things besides the upcoming procedure.
We arrived at the hospital with plenty of time to spare. I signed and initialed the usual medical paperwork, got my official medical wristband and had a seat in the small waiting room.
So here I was with Veronica, sitting in the waiting room getting more and more anxious and nervous as the moments went by.
I ended up playing Slingo on Veronica's Ipod.
Here is a 56 year old male with a medical wristband who is awaiting his Prostate Biopsy and he is playing Slingo. Quite the sight to see but like I said in thought #3 guys...keep yourself busy and mentally occupied.
Unfortunately they were running a little behind...no prostate biopsy pun intended.
It was around 10:20 that I got my official call and welcoming in to room number 2, which is where my biopsy took place.
The nurse that took my vital signs was very compassionate and friendly and took my prostate biopsy humor in style.
I was told to remove everything from my waist down but I was told that I could leave my boxers and shorts around my ankles if I wanted. Because that is not really my fashion style, I decided not to go that route and removed those items completely reverting back to my true fashion style...caveman. I did leave my socks on...must have been one of the security blanky things.
I was then told to lay on my left hip with my hiney sticking out just over the side of this procedural table/bed and was given one of those paper gowns just to lightly place over my body.
The nurse then took quite a bit of time going though everything that would be occurring in a step by step fashion. She showed me the wand that would be inserted, the biopsy needle unit that slides into the wand unit, the actual noise that the biopsy needle unit makes when taking a biopsy sample,..a clicking sound the syringe and long thin tube that the lidocaine goes through when giving me the local. The syringe unit also slides into the wand that is inserted into the rectum.
Now for the wand. It is approximately 1 - 1 1/2 inch in diameter and is tapered.
After being lubed up well, this wand was inserted approximately 4 inches into my rectum.
My doctor was great. He kept talking to me and was explaining each and every move that was going on so that I would be more relaxed...which was not really happening during the procedure.
I forgot to mention that I had taken 1/2 of a xanax pill about 1/2 hour prior to the procedure and it seemed to be enough to take my anxiety down a notch or two but didn't know me out not make me so groggy that the doctor might be reluctant in doing the procedure.
Thought #4...drugs react to each person differently so if you are taking something to relax you, be careful not to go overboard. Nothing worse than going through all of the preparation work, along with all of the stress and anxiety involved that leads up to the actual procedure and then have the doctor cancel and re-schedule your procedure because you self medicated too much. Believe me...you don't want that to happen.
I noticed that it was rather cool in the room but I felt really warm...almost to the point of breaking out in a sweat.
After taking the time to explain the whole procedure to me and taking my vitals, first nurse left and then the doctors nursing assistant arrived in the room. She would be the one staying in the room during that actual procedure.
My doctor arrived in the room in short order and he also took the time to explain everything to me.
He also advised me that he would do a countdown from the number 3 each time that he would be taking a biopsy sample and I would hear a click and feel a pressurized type of sticking feeling each time a biopsy sample was being taken.
After inserting the wand into my rectum, he started to move it around a bit which felt like pressure on my prostate. I was equating what he was doing as getting a "lay of the land". He was looking on a ultra sound type of television screen which showed him live images of my prostate and surrounding areas.
The doctor told me that I my prostate was rather large. Actually he stated that it was a "citation" prostate. Anyone in Virginia that catches a fish that is over a specified and official size get what they call a citation...a certificate that honors the person that caught the fish and the large size of said fish that was caught.
I asked the doctor that because my prostate was rather large, if the results turned out negative for prostate cancer, would it be wise to get some medication that would shrink my prostate. He told me that unless I was having difficulty urinating or that I was urinating very frequently during the night, shrinking my prostate would not be all that necessary.
I do have problems urinating at times...not a constant thing and I do get up usually once and sometimes twice a night to urinate. The night time urination is most likely due to the amount of liquids that I drink right up until my time top go to sleep.
After getting a good look around via the inserted wand, it was time for my local to get administered.
I was given 2 "shots" of lidocaine which was delivered via the syringe and long thin tubular device that had been inserted into the wand.
I was given the official countdown from the number 3 and felt a pin prick type of brief sting as the lidocaine was administered. The doctor the moved the wand around to another location of the prostate and another countdown was given for the next shot of lidocaine.
It was at this time that something happened that gave me a bit of a scare.
After giving me the 2 locals, I got this flush feeling coming over me and all of a sudden my face and especially my mouth area started getting numb. I verbalized what was going on to the doctor and I am sure that he could read the concern in my facial expressions.
I actually thought that I was going to black out for a minute there.
It was a feeling that I have never felt before. I have felt flush before but this was a lot different and that why I got somewhat concerned.
My doctor told me that this type of reaction occurs with a few patients.
As time passed this feeling slowly subsided.
It also should be noted that once the wand is initially inserted into the rectum, it stays there until the procedure is completed, which was probably around 10-12 minutes for the whole procedure from start to finish.
Prior to getting this procedure done, I had thought that they would take 6 biopsy samples all at one time...with one click of the biopsy needle until and then another click for the other 6 biopsy samples.
As it turns out, each sample gets taken on its own and comes with the countdown and accompanying clicking sound coming from the biopsy sample unit.
After taking a biopsy sample, the doctor moved the wand around to another on the prostate for the next sample to be taken.
After several minutes, which seemed a lot longer, my doctor stated that this would be the last sample taken and with that final click coming from the biopsy sample unit, my prostate biopsy procedure was completed.
The doctor left the wand inserted and was putting pressure on various areas on my prostate, where the samples were taken. He kept the pressure on my prostate for several minutes. This was done to stop or slow any internal bleeding that might be occurring because of trauma to the prostate.
I was allowed to sit up on the table after a few minutes of relaxing, then allowed to stand up and get dressed.
Before leaving the area my doctor told me that we would have the biopsy results in about a week or so but if I did not hear back from him in 2 weeks, that I should give his office a phone call.
My doctor also told me that if the results were good and nothing bad noted, that I could go back and see him in about 6 months but if something bad showed up in the samples, then he would give me a referral to see one of his compatriots that deal with those that have prostate cancer.
I was also given details as far as what to expect after having this procedure done.
It is possible that I could have some rectal bleeding and that there could be some blood in my urine.
If this bleeding continued for several days and/or is really heavy, I should get back with my doctor or if I get a fever/chills and other signs of an infection, I might be told to go to the hospital if needed.
I am to continue taking my Cipro to fight off the chance of infection but only take it for another day or so.
The aforementioned issues, along with any pain or discomfort that I might feel, should go away in a matter of days...3-5 with 7 being the most...at least usually. I have read that these issues usually only last a couple of days.
I will let everyone know how these issues are going as the days go by.
Another issue that would most likely occur would be some blood in my semen/ejaculate. I was told that it would start off being red in color and as time goes on, the color could turn to brown.
The doctor told me that this was not harmful to neither myself nor my partner should I be sexually active.
Thought #5...out of thoughtfulness and caring for your sexual partners emotional well being, I would strongly advise that you get a package of condoms to use when you become sexually active again after this procedure and continue using them until everything in this issue returns to a normal color. Last thing you need is to put your significant other in an emotional state where the discoloration is something that is embedded in their memory banks especially if you want to have future sexual interactions with this person.
After I returned home, I stayed up for a little bit and then went to bed and slept for a while.
Tomorrow I will be taking it easy too.
On Wed, depending on how I am feeling, I might try to take a walk. I might have to build up the number of miles I can do depending on how I am feeling.
I definitely do not want to push things to far to fast. The sooner I heal up, the sooner I can get back to my "normal' life routine.
Right now the pain level is not too bad but I am taking some pain medication and will over the next few days until everything settles down a bit.
After I get through the healing process on this, I will need to find a local spine doctor to help me out with my back issues.
I have noticed that after I had that bout of extreme leg pain while Veronica and I were in Orlando, the inside of my upper right leg from the inside groin/thigh area down to almost my knee, is about 65% numb. the numbness runs in an area about 3-4 inches wide. Not sure what is going on but seems logical that there was some type of nerve damage done during that really painful event while we were at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando.
More info will follow over the next couple of days.
Guys...got a question about an upcoming Prostate Biopsy...drop me an email and I will give you honest and straight forward answers.
The enema was needed to clean out the lower part of my bowel so that the chances of infection would be less after my prostate biopsy.
As a result of the enema and because my anxiety level for this procedure was rising quickly, I did not end up getting to sleep until around 11.30PM.
Unfortunately our alarm clock started chirping around 5AM.
Let me tell you...life does not get any better than getting up at 5AM, laying on the cold bathroom floor with a couple of bath towels beneath you and waking up to a nice warm Fleet enema.
I doubt if Jimmy Buffett has it this good.
Because of my concern about getting cleaned out well...I ended up doing the enema about 5 times.
I wonder if they have a word for someone that has a phobia about getting an infection in their bowel or prostate...at least a word other than crazy or lunatic.
I was originally planning on doing the one enema and then getting back in bed for a few additional minutes of sleep.
Obviously that plan went out the window after the 5 fill up.
It was then shower time.
Before I knew it, Veronica was up and in the bathroom getting ready for our 2 hour drive into Virginia Beach.
I asked her what time it was and she said it was around 6:15-6:20. We had planned on leaving around 6:45. Man times flies when you are having several enemas.
Thought #1 guys...give yourself plenty of time for preparation for the biopsy. Those enemas take time and you want to make sure that it all gets out of you before you do any traveling to your doctors office or the procedural location.
Last thing you will want is an accident.
Thought #2..bring a change of clothes anyways. You know that old saying that 'shit happens"...well nothing is worse or more embarrassing than it happening all over yourself while you are in a vehicle and your wife or significant other is driving.
Veronica and I arrived in Virginia Beach just a little early. This allowed us some time to run just a few errands before heading to the hospital where the biopsy was to occur. Thought #3...keep busy and occupied so that your mind will hopefully be on other things besides the upcoming procedure.
We arrived at the hospital with plenty of time to spare. I signed and initialed the usual medical paperwork, got my official medical wristband and had a seat in the small waiting room.
So here I was with Veronica, sitting in the waiting room getting more and more anxious and nervous as the moments went by.
I ended up playing Slingo on Veronica's Ipod.
Here is a 56 year old male with a medical wristband who is awaiting his Prostate Biopsy and he is playing Slingo. Quite the sight to see but like I said in thought #3 guys...keep yourself busy and mentally occupied.
Unfortunately they were running a little behind...no prostate biopsy pun intended.
It was around 10:20 that I got my official call and welcoming in to room number 2, which is where my biopsy took place.
The nurse that took my vital signs was very compassionate and friendly and took my prostate biopsy humor in style.
I was told to remove everything from my waist down but I was told that I could leave my boxers and shorts around my ankles if I wanted. Because that is not really my fashion style, I decided not to go that route and removed those items completely reverting back to my true fashion style...caveman. I did leave my socks on...must have been one of the security blanky things.
I was then told to lay on my left hip with my hiney sticking out just over the side of this procedural table/bed and was given one of those paper gowns just to lightly place over my body.
The nurse then took quite a bit of time going though everything that would be occurring in a step by step fashion. She showed me the wand that would be inserted, the biopsy needle unit that slides into the wand unit, the actual noise that the biopsy needle unit makes when taking a biopsy sample,..a clicking sound the syringe and long thin tube that the lidocaine goes through when giving me the local. The syringe unit also slides into the wand that is inserted into the rectum.
Now for the wand. It is approximately 1 - 1 1/2 inch in diameter and is tapered.
After being lubed up well, this wand was inserted approximately 4 inches into my rectum.
My doctor was great. He kept talking to me and was explaining each and every move that was going on so that I would be more relaxed...which was not really happening during the procedure.
I forgot to mention that I had taken 1/2 of a xanax pill about 1/2 hour prior to the procedure and it seemed to be enough to take my anxiety down a notch or two but didn't know me out not make me so groggy that the doctor might be reluctant in doing the procedure.
Thought #4...drugs react to each person differently so if you are taking something to relax you, be careful not to go overboard. Nothing worse than going through all of the preparation work, along with all of the stress and anxiety involved that leads up to the actual procedure and then have the doctor cancel and re-schedule your procedure because you self medicated too much. Believe me...you don't want that to happen.
I noticed that it was rather cool in the room but I felt really warm...almost to the point of breaking out in a sweat.
After taking the time to explain the whole procedure to me and taking my vitals, first nurse left and then the doctors nursing assistant arrived in the room. She would be the one staying in the room during that actual procedure.
My doctor arrived in the room in short order and he also took the time to explain everything to me.
He also advised me that he would do a countdown from the number 3 each time that he would be taking a biopsy sample and I would hear a click and feel a pressurized type of sticking feeling each time a biopsy sample was being taken.
After inserting the wand into my rectum, he started to move it around a bit which felt like pressure on my prostate. I was equating what he was doing as getting a "lay of the land". He was looking on a ultra sound type of television screen which showed him live images of my prostate and surrounding areas.
The doctor told me that I my prostate was rather large. Actually he stated that it was a "citation" prostate. Anyone in Virginia that catches a fish that is over a specified and official size get what they call a citation...a certificate that honors the person that caught the fish and the large size of said fish that was caught.
I asked the doctor that because my prostate was rather large, if the results turned out negative for prostate cancer, would it be wise to get some medication that would shrink my prostate. He told me that unless I was having difficulty urinating or that I was urinating very frequently during the night, shrinking my prostate would not be all that necessary.
I do have problems urinating at times...not a constant thing and I do get up usually once and sometimes twice a night to urinate. The night time urination is most likely due to the amount of liquids that I drink right up until my time top go to sleep.
After getting a good look around via the inserted wand, it was time for my local to get administered.
I was given 2 "shots" of lidocaine which was delivered via the syringe and long thin tubular device that had been inserted into the wand.
I was given the official countdown from the number 3 and felt a pin prick type of brief sting as the lidocaine was administered. The doctor the moved the wand around to another location of the prostate and another countdown was given for the next shot of lidocaine.
It was at this time that something happened that gave me a bit of a scare.
After giving me the 2 locals, I got this flush feeling coming over me and all of a sudden my face and especially my mouth area started getting numb. I verbalized what was going on to the doctor and I am sure that he could read the concern in my facial expressions.
I actually thought that I was going to black out for a minute there.
It was a feeling that I have never felt before. I have felt flush before but this was a lot different and that why I got somewhat concerned.
My doctor told me that this type of reaction occurs with a few patients.
As time passed this feeling slowly subsided.
It also should be noted that once the wand is initially inserted into the rectum, it stays there until the procedure is completed, which was probably around 10-12 minutes for the whole procedure from start to finish.
Prior to getting this procedure done, I had thought that they would take 6 biopsy samples all at one time...with one click of the biopsy needle until and then another click for the other 6 biopsy samples.
As it turns out, each sample gets taken on its own and comes with the countdown and accompanying clicking sound coming from the biopsy sample unit.
After taking a biopsy sample, the doctor moved the wand around to another on the prostate for the next sample to be taken.
After several minutes, which seemed a lot longer, my doctor stated that this would be the last sample taken and with that final click coming from the biopsy sample unit, my prostate biopsy procedure was completed.
The doctor left the wand inserted and was putting pressure on various areas on my prostate, where the samples were taken. He kept the pressure on my prostate for several minutes. This was done to stop or slow any internal bleeding that might be occurring because of trauma to the prostate.
I was allowed to sit up on the table after a few minutes of relaxing, then allowed to stand up and get dressed.
Before leaving the area my doctor told me that we would have the biopsy results in about a week or so but if I did not hear back from him in 2 weeks, that I should give his office a phone call.
My doctor also told me that if the results were good and nothing bad noted, that I could go back and see him in about 6 months but if something bad showed up in the samples, then he would give me a referral to see one of his compatriots that deal with those that have prostate cancer.
I was also given details as far as what to expect after having this procedure done.
It is possible that I could have some rectal bleeding and that there could be some blood in my urine.
If this bleeding continued for several days and/or is really heavy, I should get back with my doctor or if I get a fever/chills and other signs of an infection, I might be told to go to the hospital if needed.
I am to continue taking my Cipro to fight off the chance of infection but only take it for another day or so.
The aforementioned issues, along with any pain or discomfort that I might feel, should go away in a matter of days...3-5 with 7 being the most...at least usually. I have read that these issues usually only last a couple of days.
I will let everyone know how these issues are going as the days go by.
Another issue that would most likely occur would be some blood in my semen/ejaculate. I was told that it would start off being red in color and as time goes on, the color could turn to brown.
The doctor told me that this was not harmful to neither myself nor my partner should I be sexually active.
Thought #5...out of thoughtfulness and caring for your sexual partners emotional well being, I would strongly advise that you get a package of condoms to use when you become sexually active again after this procedure and continue using them until everything in this issue returns to a normal color. Last thing you need is to put your significant other in an emotional state where the discoloration is something that is embedded in their memory banks especially if you want to have future sexual interactions with this person.
After I returned home, I stayed up for a little bit and then went to bed and slept for a while.
Tomorrow I will be taking it easy too.
On Wed, depending on how I am feeling, I might try to take a walk. I might have to build up the number of miles I can do depending on how I am feeling.
I definitely do not want to push things to far to fast. The sooner I heal up, the sooner I can get back to my "normal' life routine.
Right now the pain level is not too bad but I am taking some pain medication and will over the next few days until everything settles down a bit.
After I get through the healing process on this, I will need to find a local spine doctor to help me out with my back issues.
I have noticed that after I had that bout of extreme leg pain while Veronica and I were in Orlando, the inside of my upper right leg from the inside groin/thigh area down to almost my knee, is about 65% numb. the numbness runs in an area about 3-4 inches wide. Not sure what is going on but seems logical that there was some type of nerve damage done during that really painful event while we were at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando.
More info will follow over the next couple of days.
Guys...got a question about an upcoming Prostate Biopsy...drop me an email and I will give you honest and straight forward answers.
Medical Update
Veronica and I got up early again this morning and headed up to Norfolk, VA.
I had an appointment to see my Oncologist, so that we could get the results of the last 2 procedures that I had done along with the results of several blood test and a urine test.
All of my test came back as either being normal or no change since the last test or procedure was done. There is no bone cancer nor metastasis in my body.
I ended up giving some more blood so that they could run an additional PSA test.
With these recent findings, my Oncologist strongly suggested that I have a Prostate Biopsy done to get a more definitive answer as to what is occurring in my body. This test should be able to tell me whether I have prostate cancer, prostatitis or if my Mast Cell disease is effecting my Prostate. Depending on what the biopsy findings are will dictate what direction I need to go from that point.
My Oncologist gave me the name of 3 of his top rated Urologists in the area. I will be reviewing their medical history and background and from there I will make a decision as to whom I will be allowing to perform the Prostate Biopsy on me. Not something I am looking forward to at all, but this is unfortunately the only way we will know with any level of certainty what I have.
I really hate being backed into a corner with no viable options other than to have this procedure done.
I could decide not to do it but if something is going on and I wait until years later to find out about it, it could very well be too late to take care of it with the outcome being on a positive note.
I will have to decide by Monday as to which Urologist I decide upon and then make contact with him, so that I will feel comfortable with him doing the procedure. Plus I want to make sure that whoever does it will not just use a local anesthesia compared to what I want, which is a general anesthesia. Not doing general anesthesia as I want would be a deal breaker.
More info to follow.
I had an appointment to see my Oncologist, so that we could get the results of the last 2 procedures that I had done along with the results of several blood test and a urine test.
All of my test came back as either being normal or no change since the last test or procedure was done. There is no bone cancer nor metastasis in my body.
I ended up giving some more blood so that they could run an additional PSA test.
With these recent findings, my Oncologist strongly suggested that I have a Prostate Biopsy done to get a more definitive answer as to what is occurring in my body. This test should be able to tell me whether I have prostate cancer, prostatitis or if my Mast Cell disease is effecting my Prostate. Depending on what the biopsy findings are will dictate what direction I need to go from that point.
My Oncologist gave me the name of 3 of his top rated Urologists in the area. I will be reviewing their medical history and background and from there I will make a decision as to whom I will be allowing to perform the Prostate Biopsy on me. Not something I am looking forward to at all, but this is unfortunately the only way we will know with any level of certainty what I have.
I really hate being backed into a corner with no viable options other than to have this procedure done.
I could decide not to do it but if something is going on and I wait until years later to find out about it, it could very well be too late to take care of it with the outcome being on a positive note.
I will have to decide by Monday as to which Urologist I decide upon and then make contact with him, so that I will feel comfortable with him doing the procedure. Plus I want to make sure that whoever does it will not just use a local anesthesia compared to what I want, which is a general anesthesia. Not doing general anesthesia as I want would be a deal breaker.
More info to follow.
Hopefully A Step In The Right Direction
Veronica and I left early this morning to head to Norfolk, VA for an important Oncology appointment with my original Oncology doctor. He is the doctor that performed the tests that showed that I had Mast Cell Disease in the first place.
Before going to the doctors office, we stopped off at a Super Walmart that they have in that area.
We have a local Walmart where we live but it is a lot more expensive than the ones in Virginia. We can usually save at least 10% by shopping at the Virginia Walmarts.
My doctors appointment was at 11:45. It was really great to see him again. I feel that I get excellent medical care from him and feel extremely comfortable discussing issues with him.
I caught him up on my medical history since it had been a little over a year since I had last seen him.
After a discussion and brief physical exam, we came up with a direction and game plan for me.
Although he did not have any definitive answers as far as what was going on in me, it was decided that this next upcoming Thursday, I will be returning to Virginia and have 2 different test performed.
The first will be an Ultra Sound exam on my Prostate and that general area. About 1/2 hour after that test/exam, I will be having a CT Scan taken of my entire abdominal area.
For that test I was given 2 plastic bottles full of a contrast medium type of chalky liquid. I have to drink one bottle 3 hours before the CT Scan and the 2nd bottle 45 minutes before the start of the CT Scan.
The next day I will call my Oncologist and let him know that the tests were completed and he will contact the reading radiologist and discuss the test findings with him.
I will then return to see my Oncologist on 5/5. We will discuss the findings at that time.
My Oncologist also mentioned that the only real way to know whether or not that the Mast Cell has effected my Prostate or that I have Prostate Cancer, would be to do a Prostate Biopsy.
This most likely will be the next step in getting to the bottom of this issue. I will take the advice of my Oncologist as far as which Urologist he would recommend for this procedure.
I am supposed to continue taking the rest of my Cipro, which I have about 2 1/2 weeks worth left.
As of now, I still have no new knowledge of what is going on inside of me but I still feel better knowing that we have a plan and that I have a doctor that I really feel good about and trust. That alone is a big part of the battle.
Before going to the doctors office, we stopped off at a Super Walmart that they have in that area.
We have a local Walmart where we live but it is a lot more expensive than the ones in Virginia. We can usually save at least 10% by shopping at the Virginia Walmarts.
My doctors appointment was at 11:45. It was really great to see him again. I feel that I get excellent medical care from him and feel extremely comfortable discussing issues with him.
I caught him up on my medical history since it had been a little over a year since I had last seen him.
After a discussion and brief physical exam, we came up with a direction and game plan for me.
Although he did not have any definitive answers as far as what was going on in me, it was decided that this next upcoming Thursday, I will be returning to Virginia and have 2 different test performed.
The first will be an Ultra Sound exam on my Prostate and that general area. About 1/2 hour after that test/exam, I will be having a CT Scan taken of my entire abdominal area.
For that test I was given 2 plastic bottles full of a contrast medium type of chalky liquid. I have to drink one bottle 3 hours before the CT Scan and the 2nd bottle 45 minutes before the start of the CT Scan.
The next day I will call my Oncologist and let him know that the tests were completed and he will contact the reading radiologist and discuss the test findings with him.
I will then return to see my Oncologist on 5/5. We will discuss the findings at that time.
My Oncologist also mentioned that the only real way to know whether or not that the Mast Cell has effected my Prostate or that I have Prostate Cancer, would be to do a Prostate Biopsy.
This most likely will be the next step in getting to the bottom of this issue. I will take the advice of my Oncologist as far as which Urologist he would recommend for this procedure.
I am supposed to continue taking the rest of my Cipro, which I have about 2 1/2 weeks worth left.
As of now, I still have no new knowledge of what is going on inside of me but I still feel better knowing that we have a plan and that I have a doctor that I really feel good about and trust. That alone is a big part of the battle.
WTF - Also Known As Another Day Another Medical Issue
This morning I went to my Chiropractor in an attempt to get my back to feeling better.
I arranged to have a copy of the MRI that I had taken on my hip faxed to him.
When I got there for my appointment, he sat me down and was obviously somewhat confused.
He asked me to go over what tests had been done on me and what doctors I have seen and he wanted it in a chronological order.
I did the best I could to fill him in.
He then discussed the findings that were on the MRI.
I kind of knew what was on there based on what my family doctor had discussed with me.
What I could not remember is if my local Oncologist had discussed these findings with me. As hard as I tried, I could not remember him ever discussing the results of an MRI that he prescribed for me, after I complained about the pain that I was experiencing in my upper right leg and hip.
The first time that I can remember anyone discussing the results with me was when my family doctor talked to me about the findings during an office visit 5 weeks after the MRI was done. My family doctor suggested that I go to an Urologist for followup.
I finally got a copy of this report from my Chiropractor and I was rather alarmed at what I read.
I am really perplexed as to why my Oncologist never reviewed the results with me.
Because I was not happy with this Oncologist, even prior to these findings coming to light, I had already made a change so that I could go back and see my old Oncologist that I had been seeing for years, prior to moving to the Outer Banks.
I suppose that it is possible that I somehow "fell through the cracks" after I switched back over to my old Oncologist.
But I would also think that a doctor that sees these types of results,would have at least made telephone contact with me even if I had switch him for a different doctor.
After discussing the MRI findings with my Chiropractor, he promptly faxed the findings to my Oncologist in Virginia and also made a telephone call to them to let them know that the MRI had been faxed to them.
After leaving the Chiropractors office, I went to the Regional Medical Center where I have had all MRIs and X-Rays done since we moved to the Outer Banks.
I will be picking up copies of everything that they have on file for me on Monday.
I will either take those files with me personally or have them shipped overnight to my Oncologists office.
I wanted him to have them before I go to see him, which is this next Thursday. I am hoping that if I get them to him early enough, he can have one of his radiologists read the MRI and X-Rays because they are more experienced with seeing and understanding what Mast Cell Disease looks like on the MRIs and X-Rays.
Other than that, there is not much more that I can do. Unfortunately I might have lost some valuable time depending on the outcome of the Radiologist readings and interpretations of the MRI and X-Rays.
I also just started taking my 30 day supply of Cipro treatment today.
So to say that things are all up in the air and that I have even less answers than I did before, that would be a great understatement.
Good news...I got the ok to start back into my weight lifting workouts as long as I watch the type of movements and lifting that I do, so that I don't further aggravate my lower back.
I will start my weight lifting routine up again tomorrow. It will give me something to keep me busy and to focus on other than all of this other medical stuff. But for today, I think that I will try to relax as much as possible and just let everything sink in.
Below is a copy of the MRI results that I finally got to see. To enlarge it, just click on it:
I arranged to have a copy of the MRI that I had taken on my hip faxed to him.
When I got there for my appointment, he sat me down and was obviously somewhat confused.
He asked me to go over what tests had been done on me and what doctors I have seen and he wanted it in a chronological order.
I did the best I could to fill him in.
He then discussed the findings that were on the MRI.
I kind of knew what was on there based on what my family doctor had discussed with me.
What I could not remember is if my local Oncologist had discussed these findings with me. As hard as I tried, I could not remember him ever discussing the results of an MRI that he prescribed for me, after I complained about the pain that I was experiencing in my upper right leg and hip.
The first time that I can remember anyone discussing the results with me was when my family doctor talked to me about the findings during an office visit 5 weeks after the MRI was done. My family doctor suggested that I go to an Urologist for followup.
I finally got a copy of this report from my Chiropractor and I was rather alarmed at what I read.
I am really perplexed as to why my Oncologist never reviewed the results with me.
Because I was not happy with this Oncologist, even prior to these findings coming to light, I had already made a change so that I could go back and see my old Oncologist that I had been seeing for years, prior to moving to the Outer Banks.
I suppose that it is possible that I somehow "fell through the cracks" after I switched back over to my old Oncologist.
But I would also think that a doctor that sees these types of results,would have at least made telephone contact with me even if I had switch him for a different doctor.
After discussing the MRI findings with my Chiropractor, he promptly faxed the findings to my Oncologist in Virginia and also made a telephone call to them to let them know that the MRI had been faxed to them.
After leaving the Chiropractors office, I went to the Regional Medical Center where I have had all MRIs and X-Rays done since we moved to the Outer Banks.
I will be picking up copies of everything that they have on file for me on Monday.
I will either take those files with me personally or have them shipped overnight to my Oncologists office.
I wanted him to have them before I go to see him, which is this next Thursday. I am hoping that if I get them to him early enough, he can have one of his radiologists read the MRI and X-Rays because they are more experienced with seeing and understanding what Mast Cell Disease looks like on the MRIs and X-Rays.
Other than that, there is not much more that I can do. Unfortunately I might have lost some valuable time depending on the outcome of the Radiologist readings and interpretations of the MRI and X-Rays.
I also just started taking my 30 day supply of Cipro treatment today.
So to say that things are all up in the air and that I have even less answers than I did before, that would be a great understatement.
Good news...I got the ok to start back into my weight lifting workouts as long as I watch the type of movements and lifting that I do, so that I don't further aggravate my lower back.
I will start my weight lifting routine up again tomorrow. It will give me something to keep me busy and to focus on other than all of this other medical stuff. But for today, I think that I will try to relax as much as possible and just let everything sink in.
Below is a copy of the MRI results that I finally got to see. To enlarge it, just click on it:
A New Battle Arises
I have been deliberately withholding the writing of this entry until I had a little more information to share.
I think that the time might be right to put out there, what is going on here.
Over the last few years I have had my PSA taken at irregular intervals but there was enough of a pattern building to look a little more in depth at what my numbers were trying to tell me.
About 2 or 3 years ago, I remember going to a Urologist and discussing my PSA test scores...Prostate Specific Antigen. For info on what a PSA test is all about, click here.... PSA
Back then my score was around a 3.2 Because this particular Urologist felt that my PSA was higher than what he would have liked to see, he wanted to jump right in and do a Prostate biopsy on me, even though he did a DRE (Digital Rectal Exam) and found nothing.
This sort of brazen devil may care attitude did not set well with me, especially since he was so eagerly wanting to invade MY body parts.
That visit to the doctor really had an effect on the way I looked at a Urologist and the overall taking of PSA tests by yours truly.
So over the next couple of years, I shied away from a majority of PSA test and those much dreaded DREs.
I has a few PSA tests done here and there along the way but anytime a DRE was mentioned, I poo pooed it off as being totally unnecessary.
That is the way it was until I moved here. Once I got hooked up with a very good and talented local doctor, I stated to get my PSA taken at regular intervals. I have probably had more PSA tests done in the last 12 months than I have had over the last 5 years.
One things that was becoming apparent from all of these PSA tests was that my PSA score was on the rise.
A year or two ago it was around a 3.2 or so. I had another one taken about 3 weeks ago and it was a 5.2.
After having that score in the books, I was referred to a local Urologist. This was the first time that I had been to this doctors office. During this visit, he decided that I would go through one of those dreaded DREs.
So with drawers down and me grabbing my old knees, this Urologist went for pay dirt.
After doing what felt like figure 8s and spending just a little more time that what I was comfortable with his finger up my rectum, he withdrew his digit and told me that everything felt normal except...(insert long artistic pause here).......that I had a small hard spot or nodule on the right side of my prostate.
In my lifetime, I have heard this word mentioned a few times but never really had much of an idea what this prostate thing was and what usefulness it served.
Because I am not a doctor and a little tired, I will not bore you with my attempts of describing what the prostate is, what is does nor where it is located. I will provide you a link that can better explain it than I could... The Prostate- What Is It? and for the male readers in the group, you might want to take note of what you are reading because it could be you in the same position that i find myself in and I am not just talking about the position with my drawers down and my hands on my knees.
With the knowledge of what he found inside me and the ever increasing PSA test numbers, this Urologist wanted to do a prostate biopsy on my. What is it with these guys...they all seem so anxious to prod and probe you and take pieces from your body. Its no wonder why I really tried to stay away from them.
I told him that there was no way that I was going to have a biopsy done on my prostate. He wanted to know why and I politely informed him that I had read some horror stories about the pain involved and how it screwed up ones sex life.
He stated something to the effect that wouldn't I want to get it done if it would keep me from dying.
Nice guy...throwing out the death card at me.
We left things in this fashion...that I would get another PSA test done in a couple of weeks and then return to see him and discuss this biopsy thing further. I left knowing that I most likely would not be seeing him again, which is exactly how that will be playing out. I just was not comfortable with this guy.
So I made an appointment with my local family doctor and discussed what had happened and what should I do next.
I really like my family doctor and have complete faith in her. She decided that i should have another PSA test taken and we discussed her doing a DRE on me to confirm what the other Urologist had told me.
When it was all said and done, she did find the smallest of nodules on the right side of my prostate. She said it was extremely small and she wasn't positive that it was a nodule but with my PSA scores where they were, that we should probably figure out some sort of game plan.
First she wanted to give me another PSA test.
I just got a call from her a little while ago and my PSA was up to 6.7....yikes...it was just 5.2 a couple of weks ago. I found it to be an alarmingly quick jump in numbers.
My doctor told me that it could be some type of bacterial infection in my prostate and that she would suggest that I take Cipro and another drug for a period of a month. For information about Cipro
I am hoping that my body will tolerate this drug. I have had some problems in the past with my body able to handle certain medication.
After being on the Cipro for a month, I will have another PSA test performed and see if the Cipro brings the numbers down. Even if it does, there still is the fact that I have this little itty bitty nodule on my prostate.
Trusting my doctor the way I do, she recommended a Urologist that she trusts, that would be able to perform the prostate biopsy on me. Because my doctor trust this doctor, the Urologist was "grandfathered" and included under my umbrella of trustworthiness.
When and if the time comes, I would see this Urologist locally here one time. He only comes to this area once every 2 weeks. I would then travel to his location, about 55 miles away and have the procedure done there and then all followups would be done locally every two weeks.
I haven't even touched on what would happen should the biopsy results show a high Gleason Score. Yes...yet another new word to throw in your vocabulary to impress others. What is a Gleason Score?
I have read some articles on how they perform these prostate biopsies and guys, let me tell you, it is one of those things that while you are reading it you will start to close your legs and butt cheeks together in almost a death grip and you will probably find yourself grimacing at the thought of it while little beads of sweat trickle down from your forehead and down your face. It is one of the EEeewwww!!! and YIKES!!! moments.
Needless to say, I am not looking forward to any of this happening but once again I find myself preparing for battle.
I will let you know how things are going as time goes by but first I must take the meds for 30 days and who knows, maybe everything will totally disappear and my PSA will come back a 1.5 and I won't have to concern myself with having prostate cancer.
Ok...so I did some mind altering drugs before writing that last sentence. You can't really blame me can you?
I think that the time might be right to put out there, what is going on here.
Over the last few years I have had my PSA taken at irregular intervals but there was enough of a pattern building to look a little more in depth at what my numbers were trying to tell me.
About 2 or 3 years ago, I remember going to a Urologist and discussing my PSA test scores...Prostate Specific Antigen. For info on what a PSA test is all about, click here.... PSA
Back then my score was around a 3.2 Because this particular Urologist felt that my PSA was higher than what he would have liked to see, he wanted to jump right in and do a Prostate biopsy on me, even though he did a DRE (Digital Rectal Exam) and found nothing.
This sort of brazen devil may care attitude did not set well with me, especially since he was so eagerly wanting to invade MY body parts.
That visit to the doctor really had an effect on the way I looked at a Urologist and the overall taking of PSA tests by yours truly.
So over the next couple of years, I shied away from a majority of PSA test and those much dreaded DREs.
I has a few PSA tests done here and there along the way but anytime a DRE was mentioned, I poo pooed it off as being totally unnecessary.
That is the way it was until I moved here. Once I got hooked up with a very good and talented local doctor, I stated to get my PSA taken at regular intervals. I have probably had more PSA tests done in the last 12 months than I have had over the last 5 years.
One things that was becoming apparent from all of these PSA tests was that my PSA score was on the rise.
A year or two ago it was around a 3.2 or so. I had another one taken about 3 weeks ago and it was a 5.2.
After having that score in the books, I was referred to a local Urologist. This was the first time that I had been to this doctors office. During this visit, he decided that I would go through one of those dreaded DREs.
So with drawers down and me grabbing my old knees, this Urologist went for pay dirt.
After doing what felt like figure 8s and spending just a little more time that what I was comfortable with his finger up my rectum, he withdrew his digit and told me that everything felt normal except...(insert long artistic pause here).......that I had a small hard spot or nodule on the right side of my prostate.
In my lifetime, I have heard this word mentioned a few times but never really had much of an idea what this prostate thing was and what usefulness it served.
Because I am not a doctor and a little tired, I will not bore you with my attempts of describing what the prostate is, what is does nor where it is located. I will provide you a link that can better explain it than I could... The Prostate- What Is It? and for the male readers in the group, you might want to take note of what you are reading because it could be you in the same position that i find myself in and I am not just talking about the position with my drawers down and my hands on my knees.
With the knowledge of what he found inside me and the ever increasing PSA test numbers, this Urologist wanted to do a prostate biopsy on my. What is it with these guys...they all seem so anxious to prod and probe you and take pieces from your body. Its no wonder why I really tried to stay away from them.
I told him that there was no way that I was going to have a biopsy done on my prostate. He wanted to know why and I politely informed him that I had read some horror stories about the pain involved and how it screwed up ones sex life.
He stated something to the effect that wouldn't I want to get it done if it would keep me from dying.
Nice guy...throwing out the death card at me.
We left things in this fashion...that I would get another PSA test done in a couple of weeks and then return to see him and discuss this biopsy thing further. I left knowing that I most likely would not be seeing him again, which is exactly how that will be playing out. I just was not comfortable with this guy.
So I made an appointment with my local family doctor and discussed what had happened and what should I do next.
I really like my family doctor and have complete faith in her. She decided that i should have another PSA test taken and we discussed her doing a DRE on me to confirm what the other Urologist had told me.
When it was all said and done, she did find the smallest of nodules on the right side of my prostate. She said it was extremely small and she wasn't positive that it was a nodule but with my PSA scores where they were, that we should probably figure out some sort of game plan.
First she wanted to give me another PSA test.
I just got a call from her a little while ago and my PSA was up to 6.7....yikes...it was just 5.2 a couple of weks ago. I found it to be an alarmingly quick jump in numbers.
My doctor told me that it could be some type of bacterial infection in my prostate and that she would suggest that I take Cipro and another drug for a period of a month. For information about Cipro
I am hoping that my body will tolerate this drug. I have had some problems in the past with my body able to handle certain medication.
After being on the Cipro for a month, I will have another PSA test performed and see if the Cipro brings the numbers down. Even if it does, there still is the fact that I have this little itty bitty nodule on my prostate.
Trusting my doctor the way I do, she recommended a Urologist that she trusts, that would be able to perform the prostate biopsy on me. Because my doctor trust this doctor, the Urologist was "grandfathered" and included under my umbrella of trustworthiness.
When and if the time comes, I would see this Urologist locally here one time. He only comes to this area once every 2 weeks. I would then travel to his location, about 55 miles away and have the procedure done there and then all followups would be done locally every two weeks.
I haven't even touched on what would happen should the biopsy results show a high Gleason Score. Yes...yet another new word to throw in your vocabulary to impress others. What is a Gleason Score?
I have read some articles on how they perform these prostate biopsies and guys, let me tell you, it is one of those things that while you are reading it you will start to close your legs and butt cheeks together in almost a death grip and you will probably find yourself grimacing at the thought of it while little beads of sweat trickle down from your forehead and down your face. It is one of the EEeewwww!!! and YIKES!!! moments.
Needless to say, I am not looking forward to any of this happening but once again I find myself preparing for battle.
I will let you know how things are going as time goes by but first I must take the meds for 30 days and who knows, maybe everything will totally disappear and my PSA will come back a 1.5 and I won't have to concern myself with having prostate cancer.
Ok...so I did some mind altering drugs before writing that last sentence. You can't really blame me can you?
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