There's a phrase going around about prostate cancer diagnosis which is "watchful waiting." In other words, don't really do anything about it for now. Just wait and keep checking on it to see if it gets worse. That's a bad move - to not move at all!!! Remember, prostate cancer is slow-growing in its early stages as long as it is contained within the prostate. But, it is growing.
In October 2007, the first week, I had the gracious opportunity to give my testimony at church twice - first during our Wednesday night Bible study and then Saturday during a monthly Men's fellowship. At the Men's fellowship (which is every first Saturday) we also had our annual free men's prostate screening following the service - which is how I was diagnosed in 2006!!! I found out later that a few brothers had high PSA numbers. One of them introduced himself to me at another men's Bible study group that I attend on Monday nights. He told me that he was tested the year before and had a high PSA result but didn't do anything about it. I told him, "That's not good." He went on to say that he was still waiting on the results from the '07 screening and that he really enjoyed my testimony. About a week later he grabbed me and said, "I got my results back. I'm in trouble." I told him, "No you're not. Let's talk." I shared with him more information and directed him to read my blog for more details and doctor info. The last time I spoke with him he told me that he had his biopsy done and the results were positive. His next step was to speak with the doctor about surgical options and he was very interested in the robotic procedure.
The brother could be in far worse shape, but the point is this: DON'T PUT IT OFF, BROTHERS!!!!! Get yourself tested! Early detection is a blessing! Being tested positive is only a negative if you wait too long!!! Make that doctor's appointment and MAN-UP to take the finger (digital exam) and the needle (PSA)!!! PEACE!!!
1.11.2008
Part Fourteen: The Right Perspective, pt. 2
In a previous post (Part Five) I talked about having the "right perspective" when trials and tests come to basically invade our comfort zones. I addressed the question "Why Me?" and how the better, more divine focus should make us ask "Why NOT Me?"
To really hone in on the exact purpose for trials, tests, and even temptations, it's good to look at Paul's assessment as he and other followers of CHRIST were persecuted and made to suffer for what they believed in even though they did nothing wrong. We think our trials are bad - try constantly being sentenced to death and always being sought after to be executed for what you believe to be the truth! With all that in mind, Paul told the disciples in Corinth, Greece in his second letter to them that "... we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself."(1:8) But then, he hits the nail on the head and explains the reason for going through it all: "Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on GOD Who raises the dead!"(v.9) That's the right perspective!!! In fact, that's reality - whether I perceive it or not!
So, for the follower of CHRIST - is your trial or test an attack from the enemy or negative circumstances, or are you being "pruned" to bear fruit or rather "broken to serve" in order to rely totally on the One Who saved you in order to use you? For we are His workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:10
For the non-Christian - is your trial or negative experience a result of bad luck or bad karma, or is this the time and opportunity given to you to realize that life is not about you? There is someone who is absolute and far greater than your experiences who can not only solve your problems, but is Himself the solution to everything! His peace is that which passes understanding - incomprehensible by human knowledge because it is a peace that lives in the hearts of men even when circumstances haven't changed. I know what you're asking: "Why does God have to afflict me or anyone else to get my attention to surrender to His will? Why can't he just tell me?" Maybe He has. How many times have you heard the Gospel?
JESUS is LORD, and I am not!!! He is the Shepherd - I am but a sheep, lost without His authority, wisdom, guidance, truth, and peace! Robotic prostatectomy didn't save me. Early detection didn't spare me. It is the Sovereignty and Providence of The Almighty Lord JESUS Who strategically orchestrated it all so that I would have the perfect wife to encourage me to be medically responsible and get myself checked and then to get checked when I did before it got any worse!!! That's divine providence! That's grace and mercy!!! There is no luck! For from Him and through HIM and to HIM are all things. To HIM be glory forever. Amen! - Romans 11:36
To really hone in on the exact purpose for trials, tests, and even temptations, it's good to look at Paul's assessment as he and other followers of CHRIST were persecuted and made to suffer for what they believed in even though they did nothing wrong. We think our trials are bad - try constantly being sentenced to death and always being sought after to be executed for what you believe to be the truth! With all that in mind, Paul told the disciples in Corinth, Greece in his second letter to them that "... we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself."(1:8) But then, he hits the nail on the head and explains the reason for going through it all: "Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on GOD Who raises the dead!"(v.9) That's the right perspective!!! In fact, that's reality - whether I perceive it or not!
So, for the follower of CHRIST - is your trial or test an attack from the enemy or negative circumstances, or are you being "pruned" to bear fruit or rather "broken to serve" in order to rely totally on the One Who saved you in order to use you? For we are His workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:10
For the non-Christian - is your trial or negative experience a result of bad luck or bad karma, or is this the time and opportunity given to you to realize that life is not about you? There is someone who is absolute and far greater than your experiences who can not only solve your problems, but is Himself the solution to everything! His peace is that which passes understanding - incomprehensible by human knowledge because it is a peace that lives in the hearts of men even when circumstances haven't changed. I know what you're asking: "Why does God have to afflict me or anyone else to get my attention to surrender to His will? Why can't he just tell me?" Maybe He has. How many times have you heard the Gospel?
JESUS is LORD, and I am not!!! He is the Shepherd - I am but a sheep, lost without His authority, wisdom, guidance, truth, and peace! Robotic prostatectomy didn't save me. Early detection didn't spare me. It is the Sovereignty and Providence of The Almighty Lord JESUS Who strategically orchestrated it all so that I would have the perfect wife to encourage me to be medically responsible and get myself checked and then to get checked when I did before it got any worse!!! That's divine providence! That's grace and mercy!!! There is no luck! For from Him and through HIM and to HIM are all things. To HIM be glory forever. Amen! - Romans 11:36
1.09.2008
Part Thirteen: PSA - post surgery
It's about 4 weeks out from surgery around the end of January and time to get my blood checked at UT. Now, the goal is to have almost nothing show up since the surgery removed the entire prostate, and with it, the cancer. To be more specific, the PSA number should read "equal to or less than" 0.05. One week later the results came back at 0.09, which is above the expected result. The doctor (Roerhborn) assured me that this is normal since I'm only about a month out of surgery and it takes time for the blood stream to be cleared of the protein which gives off the reading of the PSA number. He tells me to check back in another 4 weeks or so to see if it's lower, same, or higher. A rapid increase in the number indicates that cancer has spread to other parts of the body and further treatment is necessary.
Speaking of further treatment, my wife and I thought that it would be wise to do research to see if this was necessary. She spoke with an oncologist, who we met through a church member, to get advice on this. She was told that it would be wise and was referred to another one at a different hospital. We made the appointment and drove there when the day came. The oncologist received the data on me a made his assessment. Now, I have to explain something: One of the things that the data revealed is that I have what's called "positive margins" meaning that there is prostatic tissue that remains inside me where the prostate was which may (or may not) contain cancer cells. These cancer cells can become dormant and die off or grow. Knowing this, the doctor recommended that I should immediately start radiation and hormone treatment. Now, understand this - whatever state I was in at this time regarding continence or anything else in that area would be locked in with no chance of physical improvement, healing of nerves, etc. Plus, hormone treatment would cause such side effects like hot flashes, tenderness in the breasts (yeah, you read right), and etc. again. Think of it as early menopause for men (yikes)! We left and thought about it for a few days. Dr. Roerhborn received the oncologist's recommendation for me in his office and was "furious!!!" He told us later that he immediately sent him an email asking him why in the world would he recommend treatment with only 1 PSA reading right after surgery!!!??? By the way, he told us this when I went back a few weeks later after my second PSA result which was "less than or equal to" 0.05 which is undetectable!!! Praise the LORD!!!!!
We then found out that the first hospital (Methodist), where I had the biopsy, gets PSA results out to the thousandths, called "ultra sensitive," whereas the normal PSA readings are out to the hundredths. We went back there and requested their reading. One week later the results came back and it read 0.008!!! We gave this reading to Dr. Roerhborn and he was floored at the number and exclaimed, "That's pretty d@#m low." We laughed as he followed that with a modest, "Excuse me." He then went on to vent about why in the world would the oncologist recommend that I get treatment (with its side effects) after only 1 PSA reading when I may not even need to go through all of that!
I kept going back to both UT and Methodist for PSA readings every 2-3 months as was needed. The UT readings remained the same! At Methodist, the "ultra sensitive" reading jumped up just a little with 0.012. However this is still below the normal reading and remains in the "undetectable" range!!! Dr. Roehrborn stated that with the ultra sensitive readings you'll get a few "ticks" of variation in the reading, especially in the thousandths place, so there's no need for alarm. Next reading, around late July 07, my reading was 0.011. The urologist at Methodist told me, "You're doing good. I'll see you again in 6 months!" So, spreading out my visits for the PSA blood test is a good sign!
Speaking of further treatment, my wife and I thought that it would be wise to do research to see if this was necessary. She spoke with an oncologist, who we met through a church member, to get advice on this. She was told that it would be wise and was referred to another one at a different hospital. We made the appointment and drove there when the day came. The oncologist received the data on me a made his assessment. Now, I have to explain something: One of the things that the data revealed is that I have what's called "positive margins" meaning that there is prostatic tissue that remains inside me where the prostate was which may (or may not) contain cancer cells. These cancer cells can become dormant and die off or grow. Knowing this, the doctor recommended that I should immediately start radiation and hormone treatment. Now, understand this - whatever state I was in at this time regarding continence or anything else in that area would be locked in with no chance of physical improvement, healing of nerves, etc. Plus, hormone treatment would cause such side effects like hot flashes, tenderness in the breasts (yeah, you read right), and etc. again. Think of it as early menopause for men (yikes)! We left and thought about it for a few days. Dr. Roerhborn received the oncologist's recommendation for me in his office and was "furious!!!" He told us later that he immediately sent him an email asking him why in the world would he recommend treatment with only 1 PSA reading right after surgery!!!??? By the way, he told us this when I went back a few weeks later after my second PSA result which was "less than or equal to" 0.05 which is undetectable!!! Praise the LORD!!!!!
We then found out that the first hospital (Methodist), where I had the biopsy, gets PSA results out to the thousandths, called "ultra sensitive," whereas the normal PSA readings are out to the hundredths. We went back there and requested their reading. One week later the results came back and it read 0.008!!! We gave this reading to Dr. Roerhborn and he was floored at the number and exclaimed, "That's pretty d@#m low." We laughed as he followed that with a modest, "Excuse me." He then went on to vent about why in the world would the oncologist recommend that I get treatment (with its side effects) after only 1 PSA reading when I may not even need to go through all of that!
I kept going back to both UT and Methodist for PSA readings every 2-3 months as was needed. The UT readings remained the same! At Methodist, the "ultra sensitive" reading jumped up just a little with 0.012. However this is still below the normal reading and remains in the "undetectable" range!!! Dr. Roehrborn stated that with the ultra sensitive readings you'll get a few "ticks" of variation in the reading, especially in the thousandths place, so there's no need for alarm. Next reading, around late July 07, my reading was 0.011. The urologist at Methodist told me, "You're doing good. I'll see you again in 6 months!" So, spreading out my visits for the PSA blood test is a good sign!
1.08.2008
Part Twelve: Recovery, pt. 2
Well, it's December 29, 2006, again, and I'm at home recuperating. The first week goes really well. I make sure that I have that big 40-ounce hospital cup sitting on my nightstand filled with water. I go through about 4-5 of those a day. It's impotant to do this so that the surgical area (mainly the bladder) is constantly being cleaned out. Not to be gross, but there is blood in urine and this is common. That's why is important to drink lots and lots of water to clean the bladder out and avoid blod clots and other impurities. My sweet wife was constantly emptying my catheter bag and bringing me more water and cooking me the best, healthy meals which she brought to me in bed. My sweet, sweet mom came by later a few times to check on me and help out, as well. Even my kids would come in and bring food and other things I needed. They would spend time with me and watch movies. Through all of this they remained calm as I rested and healed - and my youngest is about to turn 4!
On Friday, January 5, 2007, it's time to take a trip back to the hospital (UT Southwestern) to have the catheter removed. Thank GOD!!!!! The doctor told me that while I have the catheter in I would have a constant feeling of having to go to the bathroom. And I did! It was uncomfortable, but not painful. The nurse told me to lie back on the table as she did what one of the doctors did after my surgery - take a huge syringe and inject saline solution through the tube which went into my bladder (that weird feeling again!). Then she tells me to take a deep breath as she prepares to pull the tube out. She asked me, "Are you ready? Then take a deep breath..." Just as I begin to inhale she quickly pulls the tube out (weird feeling yet again) and tells me to hold the fluid and stand up. It is now time for me to "pee" in a square plastic container to test my continence. This is why the Kegal excersices are so important before surgery. As she had her back turned she said, "Ok, start peeing...now stop..." I did this about 3 times before emptying my bladder and demonstrated that my "muscles" are in tip-top shape! Now, I have to mention that I did wear the "man pads" for a while - just in case. I did experience from time to time what one of my doctors described as "stress incontinence." This is where you may have small leakage after getting up from a chair too fast or laughing too hard. This was quite minimal though. I was concerned as to how long I would need to wear the pads and if they would show through my dress slacks and jeans. Well they're pretty well hidden and kind of comfortable for a while. I wore them for about 5-6 weeks and decided one day to go cold-turkey and told myself that I would stop wearing them and see how I would do. I have to say that I did good and I'm very thankful that I was able to stop wearing them.
I returned home to continue to heal for the next 4 weeks. As I mentioned before, I'm very blessed and thankful to have a supportive job which allowed me to heal in the time needed and even work from home when necessary on a laptop. Speaking of time, another blessing is that since I haven't used a lot of sick time, I had about 25-27 days of sick time that I had earned and never had to use any vacation or personal time!!! I've learned that it's very important to give thanks for "everything," whether small or great! As I returned to work, I was able to take my time and come back slowly and work part time until I was comfortable enough and ready to come back in full. At this time, it's still important for me to get plenty of rest because there's lots of time needed to heal. The beauty and blessing in all of this is that I'm not only able to rest my body to heal but also my mind. Having a great, loving wife and a great job from the Lord allowed me to not have to worry about anything which supercharged the healing process and I'm very, very, very thankful for that!!!
On Friday, January 5, 2007, it's time to take a trip back to the hospital (UT Southwestern) to have the catheter removed. Thank GOD!!!!! The doctor told me that while I have the catheter in I would have a constant feeling of having to go to the bathroom. And I did! It was uncomfortable, but not painful. The nurse told me to lie back on the table as she did what one of the doctors did after my surgery - take a huge syringe and inject saline solution through the tube which went into my bladder (that weird feeling again!). Then she tells me to take a deep breath as she prepares to pull the tube out. She asked me, "Are you ready? Then take a deep breath..." Just as I begin to inhale she quickly pulls the tube out (weird feeling yet again) and tells me to hold the fluid and stand up. It is now time for me to "pee" in a square plastic container to test my continence. This is why the Kegal excersices are so important before surgery. As she had her back turned she said, "Ok, start peeing...now stop..." I did this about 3 times before emptying my bladder and demonstrated that my "muscles" are in tip-top shape! Now, I have to mention that I did wear the "man pads" for a while - just in case. I did experience from time to time what one of my doctors described as "stress incontinence." This is where you may have small leakage after getting up from a chair too fast or laughing too hard. This was quite minimal though. I was concerned as to how long I would need to wear the pads and if they would show through my dress slacks and jeans. Well they're pretty well hidden and kind of comfortable for a while. I wore them for about 5-6 weeks and decided one day to go cold-turkey and told myself that I would stop wearing them and see how I would do. I have to say that I did good and I'm very thankful that I was able to stop wearing them.
I returned home to continue to heal for the next 4 weeks. As I mentioned before, I'm very blessed and thankful to have a supportive job which allowed me to heal in the time needed and even work from home when necessary on a laptop. Speaking of time, another blessing is that since I haven't used a lot of sick time, I had about 25-27 days of sick time that I had earned and never had to use any vacation or personal time!!! I've learned that it's very important to give thanks for "everything," whether small or great! As I returned to work, I was able to take my time and come back slowly and work part time until I was comfortable enough and ready to come back in full. At this time, it's still important for me to get plenty of rest because there's lots of time needed to heal. The beauty and blessing in all of this is that I'm not only able to rest my body to heal but also my mind. Having a great, loving wife and a great job from the Lord allowed me to not have to worry about anything which supercharged the healing process and I'm very, very, very thankful for that!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)