I just want to thank you all for your support. I realize I crafted myself here as a neurotic nervous nellie. Oddly enough, I am completely opposite of that in real life. I am relaxed and laid back. I am not pleased with the way I handled all this stress, but it "is what it is." Obviously, it is understandable. There is something about
cancer that shakes one (well, me) to the core. Let's be honest: there is this vision of someone in the latter stages and it is just very unpleasant (quite horrible). None of us want to go that way. Fortunately, this is the type of cancer that will still spare most of us that fate!
The biopsy went well -- no complications. I never had to take that tylenol. I was quite sore for about 3-4 hours. The day after (today) I woke up with no pain, but feeling quite tired. I suspect the stress of all this is also starting to tell, physically. Incidentally, the first pee had a drop of blood at the start but only a slight tinge thereafter. Subsequent urinations have looked completely clear and normal. I am awaiting my first bm. and I fully expect to have red food coloring in my ejaculate!
I am glad I elected to do the sedation routine. I would not like remembering a painful experience, especially if there will be more biopsies in my future!
Now it is waiting time. I was told I might conceivably have biopsy results tomorrow but more likely Friday or Monday. You know, someone said that I am not yet a member of this club. But, in a sense, I really am. Even if the biopsy is negative (and that would be a pleasant SURPRISE), there will still be the concern of did the 12-core biopsy miss something. (Incidentally, I was kind of disappointed that my suggested to do more cores was rejected! ) The doctor said if this happens they will be closely monitoring me. So, like all of you, I will be living (ie: learning to live with) from PSA test to PSA test! No fun, indeed.
It's waiting time. I am looking forward to going back to work. Tomorrow is an "off-campus" day for me. I will resume teaching on Thursday. I am happiest at work and I rarely think about PC there. Being busy is a boon!
Mel