FinallyRetired
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2002
- Messages
- 1,322
Ironically, after all of the discussion we’ve had on the advisability of PSA testing for prostate cancer, I myself was diagnosed a couple of months ago. My PSA had been bouncing up and down for the last couple of years, as high as 4.1 and as low as 2.9. My digital exams were negative, and I had a mixed set of recommendations from doctors on what to do about it, so I decided to wait and retest every three to six months.
Three months ago my PSA rose to 5.7, and my urologist felt a spot on my prostate for the first time. Even then, he said he doubted it was cancer, because of the way my PSA behaved. He thought it was an infection, but recommended a biopsy to make sure. I had the biopsy, and was diagnosed with intermediate grade PC of high volume (many places in the prostate), but still early enough to allow a good chance for a cure.
I went through extensive reading about options, and I won’t bore you with details, but last Friday I chose to have a robotic prostatectomy by one of our most experienced local urologists. The surgery went fine, I was home in 24 hours with only six bandaids on my midsection, and little or no pain. Been recovering at home, and will have the pathology report early next week, along with removal of my catherer and staples. I won’t know for sure how everything went until the pathology report comes back, but my doctor is hopeful, and the numbers for cases like mine show about a 90% chance this not coming back in the next 10-15 years. He also saved both of my nerve bundles, so I have a very good chance of regaining potency.
I appreciate the support I’ve received through private emails, and the information shared on this board concerning prostate and other cancers. I’ll be glad to answer specific questions here or in private, but thought it more appropriate to give you my thoughts and observations from a medical and retirement perspective.
Medical
1. In spite of all that has been written and studied about PSA it’s still a pretty good tool, in the hands of an experienced urologist, to find PC at an early enough stage to cure it. I saw 4 or 5 urologists, and not one jumped right on the PSA, they only used it as an indication that something might be going on. They don’’t look only at the absolute PSA number, there is also something called free PSA, as well as PSA velocity, PSA density, etc etc. So, my advice, don’t be afraid of PSA testing, use it as a valuable tool – one of the few we have – and consult with experienced urologists if anything looks funny.
2. In spite of anything you may hear, a prostate biopsy is no big deal. I went and played 9 holes right after the biopsy. Again, it helps to have a good urologist.
3. Catherers are #&%$& but they do the job.
4. Every nurse definitely looks gorgeous under versed, but it’s hard to reach them in a drugged state before they move away from you.
Retirement
1. I retired fully last February and, since my PSA had been bouncing around, I made sure my medical insurance was set up the way I wanted it before retirement. It’s a lot harder to change insurance after retirement, and especially with a medical issue.
2. Same with life insurance, if anyone uses it, make sure it’s set up before retirement and before health issues arise. I would not be insurable at this time, but I arranged for a 10 year term policy a couple of years ago when I was still clear of health issues.
3. Some lifestyle hobbies and activities are harder to do once health issues arise, and they will. So, when planning for retirement, plan activities that you will be able to pursue regardless of health. In my case, I’m a big sailor, but realized that I can’t pursue that hobby the way I once did. So I’ve scaled back over the years and have added a small pontoon boat that I can ride around in even while recovering from surgery. I plan to return to golf in a few weeks, but that may also have limits as I get older and encounter other health issues. So I have my fallback hobbies, such as guitar playing and reading, that I can always pursue.
4. With the uncertainties in health insurance, it’s best to take care of issues at the earliest opportunity, before costs increase out of reach or they become unavailable.
And the most important thing, it would be pretty difficult for me to get through this without my faith and the support and love of my DW. It's hard to appreciate. I't's easy to take a loving partner for granted until something like this happens.
Three months ago my PSA rose to 5.7, and my urologist felt a spot on my prostate for the first time. Even then, he said he doubted it was cancer, because of the way my PSA behaved. He thought it was an infection, but recommended a biopsy to make sure. I had the biopsy, and was diagnosed with intermediate grade PC of high volume (many places in the prostate), but still early enough to allow a good chance for a cure.
I went through extensive reading about options, and I won’t bore you with details, but last Friday I chose to have a robotic prostatectomy by one of our most experienced local urologists. The surgery went fine, I was home in 24 hours with only six bandaids on my midsection, and little or no pain. Been recovering at home, and will have the pathology report early next week, along with removal of my catherer and staples. I won’t know for sure how everything went until the pathology report comes back, but my doctor is hopeful, and the numbers for cases like mine show about a 90% chance this not coming back in the next 10-15 years. He also saved both of my nerve bundles, so I have a very good chance of regaining potency.
I appreciate the support I’ve received through private emails, and the information shared on this board concerning prostate and other cancers. I’ll be glad to answer specific questions here or in private, but thought it more appropriate to give you my thoughts and observations from a medical and retirement perspective.
Medical
1. In spite of all that has been written and studied about PSA it’s still a pretty good tool, in the hands of an experienced urologist, to find PC at an early enough stage to cure it. I saw 4 or 5 urologists, and not one jumped right on the PSA, they only used it as an indication that something might be going on. They don’’t look only at the absolute PSA number, there is also something called free PSA, as well as PSA velocity, PSA density, etc etc. So, my advice, don’t be afraid of PSA testing, use it as a valuable tool – one of the few we have – and consult with experienced urologists if anything looks funny.
2. In spite of anything you may hear, a prostate biopsy is no big deal. I went and played 9 holes right after the biopsy. Again, it helps to have a good urologist.
3. Catherers are #&%$& but they do the job.
4. Every nurse definitely looks gorgeous under versed, but it’s hard to reach them in a drugged state before they move away from you.
Retirement
1. I retired fully last February and, since my PSA had been bouncing around, I made sure my medical insurance was set up the way I wanted it before retirement. It’s a lot harder to change insurance after retirement, and especially with a medical issue.
2. Same with life insurance, if anyone uses it, make sure it’s set up before retirement and before health issues arise. I would not be insurable at this time, but I arranged for a 10 year term policy a couple of years ago when I was still clear of health issues.
3. Some lifestyle hobbies and activities are harder to do once health issues arise, and they will. So, when planning for retirement, plan activities that you will be able to pursue regardless of health. In my case, I’m a big sailor, but realized that I can’t pursue that hobby the way I once did. So I’ve scaled back over the years and have added a small pontoon boat that I can ride around in even while recovering from surgery. I plan to return to golf in a few weeks, but that may also have limits as I get older and encounter other health issues. So I have my fallback hobbies, such as guitar playing and reading, that I can always pursue.
4. With the uncertainties in health insurance, it’s best to take care of issues at the earliest opportunity, before costs increase out of reach or they become unavailable.
And the most important thing, it would be pretty difficult for me to get through this without my faith and the support and love of my DW. It's hard to appreciate. I't's easy to take a loving partner for granted until something like this happens.
One of those things my doc shames me into letting him do.
, I will get him lined up for an exam/test. His doc is also my doc, so he is cornered. 
