Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Onward and ...

...upward? Well, perhaps.  I was thinking this morning how many people helped me and my family along the way through the treatment regimen, and importantly, the recovery struggle  (because struggle it was).  Without help, I don't know how anyone manages this kind of experience.  The blanket "thanks everyone!" seems inadequate. Specific thanks would be unnecessarily lengthy, yet something remains.

Today I finally sent an email to Dr. Nelson Stone who, when asked for information, took the time to reply, request information, and provide unsolicited input. His unbiased view allowed me to make decisions based on data, not emotion.  (The emphasis on data started with my radiation oncologist, Dr. Peddada, and I credit Dr. Kraft with insisting that I consult with him.)  When I contacted Dr. Stone initially (still, I think) prostate cancer required a fair amount of decisions on the part of the patient, unlike some forms of cancer.  Dr. Stone helped me form a plan with my doctors.  My recent visit to my urologist, Dr.Kraft, indicates a continued PSA level of less than 0.1 (which is as close to zero as labs will say), and testosterone level is still in the normal-high envelope (it's a big envelope).  And those consistent numbers mean I can now switch to yearly visits.  Small victory, and I'll take it.

Somewhat related to moving on, I had my tonsils out 3 weeks ago. And how are tonsils related to prostate cancer? Good question. My tonsils have been large since childhood, but after having cancer, my PCP started a campaign to get me to a specialist because she thought my tonsils might be harboring something. I have seen no data to back this up, specifically, but prostate cancer, if it spreads, can show up in lymph nodes (usually in the pelvis) and to bones (top two). Tonsils are lymph nodes, but clearly not in the pelvis, but they're lymph nodes.  Do you see the circle forming?  (Mayo lists bones, lymph nodes, lungs, liver, brain as the top 5 common sites.)

But I went (finally) to the otolaryngolgist (what a word! ENT is easier) and he said they should come out ("let's pop those bad boys outta there").  I thought a second opinion was needed, not only because I didn't like his answer, but he had an OfficeNazi on his staff.  Yeesh.

Second ENT was very chatty. Ended up saying I had 2 out of 3 factors indicating they should come out. So, not a requirement, but if I didn't do it, I should be seen by a specialist every 6 months. I thought "oh right... that's not going to happen".  He also said, in the interest of full disclosure, that "of all the surgeries I do, this one is the most painful".  Thanks, doc.  Me = Drag feet for a few months.  Finally scheduled the surgery and did it.
  (Sidebar) Oh baby!  If you're an adult and still have your tonsils, make them say "you're going to die unless you do this" because you'll want to for a couple of weeks after the surgery.

At any rate, the pathology report was clear (yay!).  I wasn't overly concerned about that, but had no idea that Ginny was worried about it until she visibly relaxed when the doctor told us at the post-op appointment. Unfeeling, insensitive American male that I am.

Point is, once a cancer patient, always so labeled.  Fair or not, it's the case.