Cancer Sucks

I know I’ve told you ‘Cancer Sucks‘ before. But really it does. Actually, it does more than suck. It bites; it suffocates, it strangles, and it messes with your mind. Pretty much the whole month of May. cancer has been on my mind. Beginning on the 14th when this little amount of blood was drawn for a follow-up PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) test. It’s a screening test for prostate cancer. I’ve had to have it done several times since I completed radiation therapy for the disease in late 2023.

However, the results came back higher than expected. And on the 15th while at a follow-up urology appointment I was given an order for a second PET Scan (Positron emission tomography scan). It’s used to determine if the cancer has returned after treatment (recurred) and if it had been missed or spread.

This is where all the fun begins (sarcastically speaking). What one would think of as easy, the scheduling became a real ‘bite’ in the ass!

When I first called, the scheduler said, sorry I don’t have everything I need. ‘What is it you need, ” I asked. She rattles off a few things in my hospital chart like past PSA results and doctors’ notes. I tell here where to find them. But guess what? Those are from my oncologist not my urologist that made the order and he doesn’t work at the hospital. This goes back and forth for days and finally I receive a call from the urology department I’m with, and she tells me, she’s on it.

In the meantime, I had a follow-up with my primary physician (I add her here because she makes me smile). I’ve never had to see her when I’ve been sick (knock on wood) with hospital visits excluded. But she’s saved me from worse things by being proactive with my health.

Afterwards, I’m still chasing an invisible tail in circles as the woman in scheduling keeps telling me she hadn’t received a thing. At one point she even asks me if I think she’s lying. Well, someone is, I ponder, as I let the question slide. Thanks to Caroline‘s meditation techniques and a short breath I refrain from calling her out in a non-Italian vocabulary. Perhaps I need a lesson, Sara.

Gary Lee‘s, The Rodeo Song is as good as they come for this article. Hey, Jodika, do you think there’s any ‘dramatized reflections‘ I should be aware of in this tune? Ok, so a little humor. It made me smile and gave me the opportunity to promote one fine therapist! But wonder if you and Agnes think this is a healthy out. You know, casting a shadowy yet fun light on something so serious. Hope you both let me know.

Back to the story. This morning, my regular follow-up with oncology came. It was his PSA order that was used taking the blood sample from me nine days ago which set this all in motion. After niceties were exchanged, he asked if I had a date for om PET Scan. After explaining what had been going on, he informed me he had also submitted an order for a PET, on the 15th. Two orders, two doctors, no test nor date. His staff immediately took care of that.

A date is set in minutes, in what I couldn’t get in nearly two weeks. And it happens to fall during my Birthday Month, June. A whole new story here for a different day! But talk about The Universe and synchronicities!

Before I left, I spoke with my oncologist/radiation therapy doctor about the uncertainties. Seems first PET Scan, before my original treatments in ’23, were set to detect masses of cancer cells. But not individual ones which could be the culprit of the cancer possibly being spread to my bones. Thus, causing the elevated levels in the PSA test. That he says is the worst-case scenario, in which case may involve hormonal therapy. Yet it’s still possible it may have been a bounce. But he, like my urologist, feel the need to look at it further because of the unusual results from my past PSA’s.

By the time I left the hospital I contacted that scheduler. She should’ve known. She should’ve seen. She should’ve looked. Because there wasn’t one but two orders in front of her and both were turned in with the required information. That error cost me two weeks. Two weeks in a cancer fight seem like forever. I let her know my unadulterated feelings before hanging up.

June is going to be a busy month, but one thing is for sure, I’m still going to celebrate it! No not even the possibility of cancers return is going to spoil my Birthday Month. The festivities I have in store for not only me, but you readers as well does not collide with any appointments or tests lined up. So please stay tuned and be kind to everyone as May is Mental Health Awareness Month and you’ve no clue what they’re going through.

Finally, to Linda, I would’ve texted you too had I know beforehand. There’s absolutely nothing to feel bad about. Love you forever, my friend!

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