The Beginning
June 16, 2023
When I woke up the morning of June 15th, a mere two days after my birthday, I happily sighed as this thing was about to come full circle. The medical procedure I was now looking at was dead in my sights, once again, was going to happen today. The prostate biopsy both my primary and cardiologist had suggested I have done back in November of last year. It had been a long haul to get to this stage of the game and for the first time I was actually anxious to get a procedure over with.
I wasn’t feeling indifferent like the procedures that followed my first visit here, where days before its’ undertaking, a ‘perfect storm’ of events occurred that prohibited it from being accomplished. After scheduling the procedure back in February for early March, three major events crept their way into my life. It was discovered my defibrillator (ICD) needed changing out, my heart was no longer close to beating in rhythm and would require a dual cardiac ablation, later a cardioversion would be required as well.
Seven weeks of office visits, followed by hospital procedures while only recovering long enough in between each to have the next, had taken its toll. Add in the emotional distress over a dear friendship that turned south, and I had gotten to the point of being numb to it all. I was there physically, but not mentally as the procedures were being done. That continued until the cardioversion, only then did I finally manage to regain focus of the seriousness of it all.
After all the above, I still had to wait another two months while blood thinners did their thing, long enough, before I could be taken back off of them, once more, to have the biopsy. That day had come. Finally!
Present Day
The prostate biopsy was first addressed by my primary doctor, Dr R, after she had a ran prostate-specific antigen (PSA) lab test which is done via blood draw and found my numbers slightly elevated at a little over 5. Normal range is 4 and below. However, they vary by age and the individual. Since this was my first PSA test and there were no previous numbers to rely on as a base, I had agreed to the biopsy. PSA testing is used to help determine if cancer is present. It’s also used to help determine other prostate issues.
I originally had seen a doctor, whom I scheduled the biopsy with, for late January. But a lack of doctor-to-doctor communication with either my primary or cardiologist had me concerned. In hindsight, after the other health issues cropped up, I am doubly glad I had sought someone else. Someone not so overly anxious. I have 110% trust in both Dr R and Dr S, my cardiologist, and refuse to move on anything without one or both of their consent. With that said, and a gut feeling about the other not contacting them, I canceled.
One must have trust and comfortability in a medical professional’s ability, and I simply didn’t with him. He very well could be the best in his field, but I’m going with my gut when it comes to my health concerns over continually unanswered questions. I sought a different urologist and found Dr L.
THE PREP
It’s pretty cut and dry. Simple, yet maybe confusing, if you’ve never given yourself an enema. Yes, not only does the procedure involve ur-anus (pun intended) so does its prep.
I had talked to my cousin, a Registered Nurse (RN), and still had no conclusive explanation. She was likely as embarrassed to discuss it with me, as I was asking her about it. I then went to YouTube and came across a video by @lulapaloozah which helped. Here it is, don’t be embarrassed, I’m not. There is no nudity.
Also, there are a couple antibiotics that are required. One before and after the procedure.
The Procedure
First Dr L began with a physical exam of my prostate with his finger and followed up by applying numbing jell around and inside my rear. Next an ultrasound camera was inserted for some photos of my prostate. I later seen one of the photos, but it didn’t amount much to me. He did his best to explain but it was all gibberish me, until he said he hadn’t noticed anything abnormal.
The probe, as I’ll call it, was inserted and twelve samples were taken. He had explained I’d hear a click and small prick before one was extracted. It was moved in various positions inside me and like he said, I heard the click and small prick. Like sticking yourself with a safety pin after each one. The device felt uncomfortable, but I kept focus by counting down from twelve to finally that last one. Then it was over. The entire procedure lasted 10 maybe 15 minutes.
Dr L and the nurse then left the room and let me dress.
Whether or not this has brought the year’s medical issues full circle is yet to be known as I return next week for a follow up and the pathology results.
I feel good today, the day after, with no signs of blood in either urinating nor in bowel movements.
On a sidenote, I’d like to address the fools telling frightening stories of this procedure. JUST STOP IT! There’s no gushing blood out of your anus afterwards. There’s no pain. Only thing you’re doing is scaring someone off, of a procedure that very well could save their life. I’ve heard the stories, laughed at your face when you told them. But some people believe and that’s why I wrote this.
As Franklin D Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” And you have my word, there is no fear in this! If you have questions or concerns, ask your doctor.
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