“70,” said my Doctor’s nurse at the counter of the waiting room.
Her concerned face and my naïveté prompted me to ask what this test result number meant.
She replied in an official voice, “The Doctor said that 70 is your PSA test result number, so he wants you to make an appointment with a Urologist as soon as possible.”
Suddenly, the people talking in the waiting room behind me stopped their conversations. They must have known something I didn’t. So I asked again, “But, what does ‘70’ mean? Should it have been 100?” She looked at me incredulously and quietly said, “It should have been lower than 4.”
“Oh oh! May I see my Doctor?” I asked anxiously.
“Sorry, he’s not available right now,” she replied.
My wife, who was a social worker, had pressed me to ask my general Doctor for the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test which identifies any Prostate cancer growth.
She told me, “Normally they give the test to men age 50 and over.”
(Early detection of single digit PSA numbers can result in simple treatments in the Doctor’s office that have high success rates.) This all surprised me because I was age 61 and still feeling healthy. So, I asked him to test me because he never said I needed a PSA test during my other annual physicals. I was afraid and angry with these PSA numbers. But I forgave him.
Thank God I followed my wife’s advice – otherwise I would have been dead in 12 months.
The next day I briefly met with a local Urologist, Dr. Giblin, who immediately had me take another PSA test in his office in order to confirm the number. After more tests, he ushered my wife and me directly to his patient conference room to lay out the numbers and options. “77 is now your PSA number and your Gleason scale number is 7.6 out of 10 – a sign of a very aggressive Prostate Cancer. Your only options now are: radical surgical removal of the Prostate, radiation, or do nothing. Here’s a book you should read to understand the details of this cancer and the options.” After he gave us the numbers and book, he proved to be very warm, understanding and compassionate, and answered all our questions patiently, thoroughly, and realistically. I turned to my wife and she agreed with me that I needed to have this silent, killing cancer removed from my body without delay. He immediately scheduled hormone shots for me that would hinder the cancer’s growth in the meantime.
5 year survival rates for patients at my high level of aggressive Prostate cancer were discouraging. So, my next steps were: prayers, repentance, and preparation of a Last Will and Testament and of a Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care.
2 weeks later I was in the surgery-prep room, praying with my wife and her mother. The anesthesiologist said, “Count backwards from 100 out loud.” “100, 99, 98, 97.” – and that’s all I remembered saying until I woke up in the afternoon in my hospital room.
Dr. Giblin was at the side of my bed and told us the good news: “We believe we surgically removed all the cancer from your Prostate area. Your initial lymph nodes tests did not show any cancer spread. It was a close call. Your PSA just before surgery was 119 and usually a patient is inoperable after 120. It was a miracle. We’ll check your PSA readings monthly. Remember, some of that cancer may still be around hiding somewhere, so stay vigilant.” We were joyful and grateful. Then followed 3 weeks at home of recovery from this surgery.
6 months of testing afterwards showed that my PSA number dropped lower than 0.008 – un-detectable by definition. I returned to work. I followed the recommendations: the tasty and delicious Mediterranean diet and more walking exercise. However, later monthly readings showed 0.1, 0.2, and then 0.3. Sadly, the cancer had returned. 30 days of 15-minute Radiation treatments and continued hormone shots followed. “+14.5 degrees, 6.25 millimeters…” were numbers they would call off and check to set up their high-tech radiation machine for my daily doses while I laid on a padded table.
My wife was a “Nurse Nightingale.” Without her loving care, I would not have been able to make it through the ordeals and physical exhaustion. She was an answer to my prayers. I love her.
After these treatments, my PSA numbers again showed less than 0.008 – undetectable – for months and then years. My energy level came back quickly, but there were lifestyle changes that resulted from the surgery. Still, I was alive, my wife loved me, and I loved her. I again returned to full time project work with vigor, and worked until retirement – constantly advocating PSA testing for men.
“Over 8 years now since your surgery.” Dr. Giblin smiled as he spoke to us last year. “You know, I never thought we would be having this conversation when you walked into my office the first time. Congratulations! By the way, my family and I go to the same Church as you two.”
“Thank God for His healing and for providing cures!” I exclaimed. “And for my wife! And for you and your surgery team! And for those who gave us encouragement and prayed for us! Thank you.”
The moral of this true story is: all men over 50 need their PSA number tracked annually. If you and your Doctor do not know what your PSA number is, get it today and annually. The costs vary: about $28 for PSA screening (at Sun City Wellness Center) to over $80 for an independent lab PSA test (usually covered by insurance). If your tracked numbers start to move up to 3 or 4, there are still many alternative, minor treatments that have an excellent success rate. Prostate cancer starts off quietly with no symptoms, but in advanced stages it can lead to a very painful death. This is avoidable. Early detection works.
Well, I will die sometime from something. But today, I am a happy “prostate cancer survivor.” I now stop to smell the flowers. By the way, 70 is now just the number of my age.
