In August 2014, I meet with my doctor to monitor my annual physical. I am very confident because despite 68 years I still maintain my weight, exercise, eat right and take my vitamins. I have never smoked, well at least not since I left the Marina there are some 44 years and I drink only occasionally.
Do not worry, I told my wife that I left the door. But thirty minutes later, my world upside down. I knew from the review last year that my level of PSA (prostate specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate that may indicate high rates of prostate cancer.) Was slightly higher. But after reading that there are a number of reasons besides cancer for a high PSA and often the test can give a false reading he was not worried.
Now, however, my PSA had almost doubled! I could feel my heartbeat jump and palms begin to sweat. The doctor recommends a urologist and strongly suggested that I make an appointment as soon as possible! He also said the urologist would execute the dreaded prostate biopsy.
So two weeks later I am in the office of the urologist. We have just completed a review of my soldiers. He had joked earlier about know very well and if the test was an indication, I think I could participate!
A biopsy was planned. I had asked for watchful waiting (More on this in another article.) However, he said with my rapid rise in PSA that was not an option. I talked to some friends who had gone down a biopsy and had heard all the horror stories about the pain and discomfort, so I'm looking forward to it.
Prostate biopsy involves inserting a medical device into the rectum and pull twelve needles into the prostate to remove tissue samples. When I say goodbye means exactly you are going on! These needles are spring. The doctor has 1, 2, 3 and hit a needle penetrates through the wall of the rectum into the prostate. Despite being uncomfortable and embarrassing, it was not painful.
Three days later, I received a call saying that the biopsy was positive and come in a discuss my options. They are only two real options. Radiation in which radioactive seeds and surgery to remove the prostate are implanted. Both have advantages and disadvantages. I will review the benefits of each in my next article.
After discussing this with my wife, we decided to have planned the operation and prostate removed. In future articles I'll write more about my trip.
