Cancer Still Sucks

With a three-month oncology follow-up coming this week I was obligated to have some lab work done. Nothing out of the ordinary, routine so to speak. A jab with a needle and a bit of blood is all that’s required. The process takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on how many others are there.

I did that this past Friday. I found out the results later that day via my online hospital chart. Yet, I’ve waited until now to write about it. Multiple reasons I suppose delayed it. But none greater than my own thoughts and the timing.

I’ve been moving on from other issues that plagued my life. My heart condition is under control as best as can be expected. Even had an appointment with cardiology this past week that verified it.

Battery’s good for roughly five and a half years and the device is working properly. Best part is I haven’t had any issues requiring it to do its thing other than pacing. Which is great by me, because when it does discharge, it’s like be smacked with a board from behind. There’s no real pain. Just a jolt out of the blue to put my heart back in its proper rhythm.

I’ll never forget the first time one went off on me. This is my fourth unit. I was eating a chocolate covered donut in my cousin’s kitchen when it happened. After its discharge, my body reacted to the jolt. The donut went soaring into their ceiling fan which was on. It wasn’t funny at the time but two decades later I can laugh about the flying donut.

Anyway, back to the matter on hand. The test results.

Dr Z from oncology had warned me from the onset there could be a ‘bump‘ in my PSA levels after radiation therapy. Being well aware of that entering each test I was ready for a small jump in the numbers. But was taken by surprise at my ‘bump,’ more like a leap, from the two’s where I had been for the past year to a full five plus this week.

Then the mind did its dirty thing. It started the process of reminiscing of the December 2023 therapy all over. I though, damn, it’s only been thirteen months, how can cancer be back. My PSA was 2.3 this past October, norm is between two and four. I was good. Why, my mind spun. Then I remembered DR Z and oncology nurse, Becca’s sessions on the disease. Learning sessions are what they were.

Then I dug deeper by going online to reputable sources.

I sought information from the Mayo Clinic and the Prostate Research Institute‘s YouTube Page. It was at the later where I was able to regain focus on what was happening inside me.

Yes, I had done the two-week radiation process but had thought I had passed the time frame of a ‘bump.’ I hadn’t realized it could take up to four years to happen. And here I sit at a mere thirteen months after its completion. The National Library of Medicine has the most layman terms I’ve come across when defining the probable culprit, prostatitis.

Reason for concern yes. But worry worthy, no. It’s still early.

You learn to either love or hate the online hospital charts available to you and what’s included. Like these test results. I said it back in 2023 and I’ll say it again, I like them. It gives me time to research and get a grasp on what’s happening. I can’t imagine my heart dropping if Dr Z would’ve told me face to face of the results in his office. I would’ve frozen. With them I have that needed ‘ME‘ time in advance.

Salutations

For those of you reading and fighting a similar battle, I hope this helps.

To tomorrow’s birthday girl (1/13) I wish you the best.

To my friends in the LA area know that I’m here for you.

To MG and LR sorry I couldn’t bring this up to you. I’ve been fighting this cancer on my own and find talking to people about it directly is as if I’m seeking added attention. That’s not what I’m after, so I’ll continue writing about it.

To Jen, know you’ve got a friend in your corner as sometimes that’s all we need. I know firsthand.

You can find my sites on Linktree.  And if you enjoy my writings, please consider hitting that cup of coffee and making a donation. Thank you!