Since going onto a second medication for advanced prostate cancer I’ve had unmeasurable PSA for about a year. At the quarterly consultation with my specialist the other day I was speculating about how long this excellent state of affairs might go on and whether an indication of possible diabetes was really worth worrying about.
Then I said, "Of course, I can't ask you the real question, can I?"
She said, "Yes, you can."
So I said, "How long do you think I can plan on?"
Immediately she replied, "Definitely from six months to ten years."
Don’t you just love a specialist with a sense of humour…
It’s just eight years since I was enduring the rather unpleasant extracting of biopsies from my prostate. Cancer cells were found in four out of the six. And they were Gleason Grade 7 which, out of ten, indicated fairly strong and lively activity. After the surgery which followed I remember researching the odds and giving myself 80% chance of surviving three years and 30% chance of eight years.
Then I said, "Of course, I can't ask you the real question, can I?"
She said, "Yes, you can."
So I said, "How long do you think I can plan on?"
Immediately she replied, "Definitely from six months to ten years."
Don’t you just love a specialist with a sense of humour…
It’s just eight years since I was enduring the rather unpleasant extracting of biopsies from my prostate. Cancer cells were found in four out of the six. And they were Gleason Grade 7 which, out of ten, indicated fairly strong and lively activity. After the surgery which followed I remember researching the odds and giving myself 80% chance of surviving three years and 30% chance of eight years.
Within a year the cancer was active again and since then I have had another unmeasurable year on Zoladex injections before it resumed. And climbed steadily for three years. Now Bicalutamide on top of Zoladex has given me an unmeasurable PSA for nearly all of the eighth year.
But life is always uncertain. If we had buses around here I should be careful not to step under one. Meanwhile, I’m grateful that today is going to be a great day. And maybe tomorrow, too…
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And many more, my long-lived and long-married friend from so many years ago. Remembered like yesterday. Hang in there, and keep on going.
ReplyDeleteDavid G Mullan (The initial makes all the difference, eh wot?)
Hi David - great to hear from you and thanks for your good wishes. We are very pleased for this ongoing respite.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you and Arlene.
Dave and Bev
Greetings to you, friend of longstanding.
ReplyDeleteTo say that you have been an inspiration to many, may tell part of your life story,the greater part is that you have shown many people that GOD is out there, on the street in the living rooms, even in the busy offices of commerce.Maybe on Google too. Who knows?
You taught that GOD was not stuck between the covers of a book on a lectern.
Go well Dave and Bev, you are in our prayers.
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ReplyDeleteDave
I couldn't refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!
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