Been a
hectic day in the midst of a hectic week, but today was my 2 month visit with
my oncologist. He was overbooked and
running late, so it was a shorter visit than usual, only 45 minutes instead of
my normal hour. However, there was ample
time to cover all the topics.
On the
digestive issues, the worse of the problem seems to be resolving itself. I have gained back 6 lbs in 2 months, but
told the doc, that was mostly because I have been having to fix 3 meals a day
for my wife since she went out with her back injury. My natural appetite really hasn’t increased
per say. I am having less cramping
problems on the intake side. On the “exit”
side, if my bowels are full, the cramping is still pretty bad. I can still see his other gastro specialist
anytime I want, so that helps knowing that in case it starts getting bad again.
We mutually
agreed not to do a PSA test this time around.
It was just 2 months ago that I had one done, and we didn’t feel it
would prove anything to know this soon, as only another rise was expected. I know it’s hard for many of you to
understand, but I honestly no longer care what my PSA is or isn’t. I have no fears or anxiety surrounding it, it
doesn’t matter. What matters to me, will
be when and if there are any signs of mets developing. Constantly testing one’s PSA doesn’t make
sense to me at all, and from reading the many accounts here – too many men are
getting hung up on very small increases by constant checking. Just my opinion.
What we are
doing, is buying me some QOL time, at least as diminished as it is for me. He thinks I should be good for at least
another year doing what we are doing, which is watching. He didn’t feel that any more scans would be
useful at this juncture, he’s more concerned about additional radiation
exposure with testing.
He is now
got my consent to make arrangements for me to meet with the Urologist
Specialist at MUSC in Charleston. First
visit should be in late January, early February at the latest, the guy is
really booked. I asked him if there was
anyone more local to me because of the logistic of having to drive 225 miles to
see a doctor, but he feels this guy is the best in the state, and told me that
he had trained some of the best urological surgeons in SC.
The other reason
he wants me to see this guy, is that he is a leading prostate cancer expert as
well as being a specialist with unusual bladder issues. From the conversation my doc had with the
other doc, is that at some point, there’s no doubt that my bladder will have to
be removed at some point – and that it should have been done 2 years ago by my
regular urologist. Seems to be a real
point of contention now, is why a damaged bladder left was in place to cause
even more problems. He felt there is a
very good chance there could be prostate cancer in the bladder, thus explaining
my fast rising PSA the past year or so.
He said if
the Charleston doctor felt surgery was needed, he might be able to farm it out
to one of his protégées more in my area, to make things easier. In larger centers, they can remove a bladder
robotically, but in my case, due to all the heavy radiation damage, it was
unlikely that would be possible, meaning another major open surgery.
He left all
my pain meds as is for now. And he’s
going to help me once again, with some documents and records pertaining to my
malpractice suit with the radiation center.
There is still no doubt in his mind, to why I was left in the condition
that I am in.
He will see
me again in April, unless something new arises.
Still a great and caring doctor in my opinion.
David