Well I guess there is no point in beating around the bush. My Urologist's office called Thursday afternoon with the results of my prostate biopsy a couple weeks ago and I have tested positive for prostate cancer.
The lady on the phone said she would send a requisition to the blood clinic at Goderich's Maitland Valley Medical Clinic right away and I was to get that blood work done as soon as possible. She also said she will get back to me with the dates of two scans I now need to have. One is a Bone Scan and the other is a Cat Scan. It will depend on the results of these two scans as to what happens next. Lady on the phone also said Doctor Bukala would speak with me at that time to discuss my options.
Okay, so how do I feel about all this?? First let me say I was not surprised by the diagnosis. I had kind of expected and had a feeling it was going to come back positive. I've been gearing myself up for that eventuality for quite awhile now. Some other symptoms besides my high PSA numbers had made themselves known awhile back. As I have said many, many, times in my posts over the years I am a realistic thinker and know enough not to fool myself by sugar coating things. Not a matter of positive or negative thinking for me, just a matter of thinking realistically about where I am, where I am going, and how I am going to handle things. So, from that standpoint today I begin an unknown journey and we'll see where it takes me. It is still my intention to share my thoughts and feelings about all this just as I have been doing with most everything else these past number of blogging years.
Okay, enough about all that stuff for now so let's get on with our usual ho-hum daily happenings. Temperatures really plummeted Thursday evening and I think we may have even dropped into the high 50's overnight. What a pleasant relief from the past few days heat and miserable humidity.
Because I had to go to Goderich for bloodwork later this morning it was a shorter drive for Pheebs and I. Slipped out around our usual route Southeast of Bayfield for an hour or so. Reason for not doing the bloodwork earlier in the morning was to avoid the crowd. Most bloodwork folks pile in there first thing in the morning and it's standing room only sometimes in the little waiting room they have.
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| NICE LOOKING MORNING AT BAYFIELD'S BEACH EARLIER TODAY |
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| 'OKAY AGNESS WHO'S THIS GUY HANGING AROUND OVER HERE'!! |
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| 'OH ALBERT DO I DETECT SOME JEALOUSY HERE' |
Home again we picked up Kelly who had a few errands in Goderich and we all headed off under cool cloudy skies. Took care of Kelly's errands first then headed for the blood clinic. I was surprised there were only 4 people ahead of me and doubly surprised when they took me right in ahead of the others. I have no idea why but I sure didn't look at anyone in the waiting room on my way out. I am sure they were all glaring daggers at me.
Our next stop was A&W for a couple Teen-burgers then over to Wendys for a couple Frosties. We were back home shortly after 12.
The un-named pink flowers in my Thursday post have been identified Sweet Pea. Thanks to an email from blog reader Les and a blog comment from fellow Blogster Stew at The Furry Gnome for their response. I just can't seem to retain flower names from season to season. Birds and shrubs and a whole bunch of other stuff fall into that same category as well.
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| SWEET PEA |
GROANER'S CORNER:(( A man is skydiving, enjoying his free-fall, when he realizes that he has reached the altitude where he must open his parachute. So he pulls on the rip cord, but nothing happens. “No problem,” he says to himself, “I still have my emergency chute.” So he pulls the rip cord on his emergency parachute, and once again, nothing happens. Now the man begins to panic. “What am I going to do?” he thinks, “I'm a goner!” Just then he sees a man flying up from the earth toward him. He can't figure out where this man is coming from, or what he's doing, but he thinks to himself, “Maybe he can help me. If he can't, then I'm done for.” When the man gets close enough to him, the skydiver cups his hands and shouts down, “Hey, do you know anything about parachutes?” The other man replies, “No! Do you know anything about lighting a gas stove?”
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Having done the cancer dance myself (though not prostate), there are SO many more effective avenues for you to go than there used to be. If you have the ability where you live to hunt for a good, a really good oncologist, ask friends for recommendation. Ask your personal doctor. Google the recommended names and find out if there are places you could go other than local clinics. Not being familiar with your medical system, I only have my own experience to go on, but since it's your body and your life, you should have the right to push for immediate treatment, as fast as it can be served. Don't take any excuses as to why something cannot happen immediately. In my case, waiting would have caused the tumor to metastasize, so I wasn't waiting around for someone's vacation to be over. Be your own advocate. No one else has your body. Just you. My "self" is right behind you in support. Many good thoughts heading your way.
ReplyDeleteAh shoot Al. Been there done that. The fear of the unknown is far worse than the treatment. Soon you'll get a protocol and be on your way to be done and moving on to a much more appreciated life. We are all cheering you on!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures today! Here’s another two people who are cheering you on. Take care you two.
ReplyDeleteWe can always count on dear Al. Always speaks from the heart. And we hear you. The fact that you got in and got started on the road forward by getting the blood work done is a good thing. I’m sure all of your docs are aware of the need for speed. Your story about being taken in ahead of those already waiting is like our experience in the ER with Old Man. Daughter’s 31 years at the hospital gave us a cut in line. ‘Course all those people waiting didn’t care about that.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, thanks for keeping on with your wonderful pictures, and your honest outlook on life. You know we are all pulling for you.
Husband tested positive for prostate cancer in 2005. Surgery to remove prostate & cancer had not spread. Hang in there & think positive. Good luck & blessing to you, Kelley & Pheebs.
ReplyDeleteAt least you know what's going on and can get things take of siooner than later, Good luck with and the tests and whatever else is involved , Hopefully will be take care of quickly ,
ReplyDeleteAww crap! what a pain in the patootie! The good news is that I have a LOT of men friends who have had the dreaded prostate cancer diagnosis and have beat it. Not fun, but with good care, and quick care as others have said, you will no doubt be on that list of guys who have beat it. Lots of love and blessings and big hugs to you both. And those daylilies are just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSending a ton of love and healing hugs your way...hoping you kick cancer's butt!!!
ReplyDeleteHopefully it has been detected soon enough and with advancements in medicine today you will be back to yourself again soon. A coworker had a Radio-active pellet placed in the cancer and is still going strong after Thirty Years.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy Life. You'll both be in our prayers.
It's about time.
Realistic thinking makes great sense. You will find your new normal. We have wild sweat peas growing along the side of our garage. Really like the bumble bee pictures. I have tried to take shots of bees, but they are always out of focus!
ReplyDeleteWell Al, I had a feeling you were going to say you tested positive, just by the little hint the other day.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the best in whichever treatment option you choose. My husband chose the Brachey therapy. He received it at Sunnybrooke Hospital. We were there for maybe 6-7 hrs on the day of. He had follow up visits yearly for five years afterward. It has been 7yrs or more now and he is cancer free.
Hope the same for you.
My husband had a prostatectomy 23 years ago at 58 years of age. He is still healthy as can be. I wish you good results in whatever procedure you decide on.
ReplyDeleteHugs, sending positive vibes your way.
ReplyDeleteIf you google "Dean Ornish prostate cancer" you will find information and a study showing that diet and lifestyle changes may be effective in reversing prostate cancer.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics as always Al. Knowing what is and getting the best game plan and moving ahead with whatever procedures necessary is a good thing. I wish you the best in whichever treatment chosen. Stay positive Al, you are a fighter and a man that faces situations head on. Our thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of friends who beat PC Al. And with your energy and optimist personality, I’m confident your team will get you through this with God’s blessings.
ReplyDeleteWishing you the best results in treatment plans. We are all getting over that hill now. I had one positive test that needs attention soon to.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you as you begin your journey towards future good health. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers were just gorgeous tonight. What a talent and eye you have with the camera.
I have two older friends who beat it and then went on to have hip and knee replacements. They both had them removed but there a lot of options on treatment now. Wish you the best in whatever path you take. Great flower and bee pics.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flower pictures, as always. I will keep you in my prayers as you go forward through this process towards better health.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear this news...we are all supporting you!
ReplyDeletePretty wildflowers in your neck of the woods. I really liked the soothing photo of the fence in the shadows. Took me back to my younger days at my grandfather's house. I'm sure you have caught the PC early and it will soon be just another experience documented in your blog.
ReplyDeleteYou always touch my heart, Al. Was gonna give you my 2 cents worth of advice - but decided to keep 'em in my pocket. You will do fine and continue your blog and beautiful photos for many years. You have thousands of prayers & supporters. 🌷🍀💕
ReplyDeleteI was sorry to read about your diagnosis, but as my son would say,,,, "it's just another thing." Nuff said, uh?
ReplyDeleteMany, many friends who have had prostatectomies and they are healthy as can be. Mike and I wish you all the best Al as you go down this path--keep in touch!
ReplyDeleteProstate cancer is one of the easiest to cure. If they caught it early enough it becomes simply a huge inconvenience. Mine was treated with drugs and radiation 10 years ago. It took a few months but all is OK.
ReplyDeleteIt is what it is. The next steps will determine which way you are going to beat this and move on. Sending you all hugs.
ReplyDeleteAs a cancer survivor myself I send you healing thoughts as you go through this.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Al.
ReplyDeleteCancer is not terminal.
I cured myself of lung cancer that metastasized to my adrenal gland.
I was diagnosed in October 2017.
We made RSO ( Rick Simpson Oil or cannabinoid oil)
Not hemp oil. Not cbd oil. pure thc.
Last Wednesday I met with my Oncologist to review my 6 mth scan and rso
is still doing it's magic.
It's hard to wrap my head around the events.
I went to Rick Simpsons website http://phoenixtears.ca
read it thoroughly and made the choice to cure myself.
Rick's 24 min video saved my life. ( Making Cannabis Oil with Rick Simpson)
https://phoenixtears.ca/rso/video-library/
I've met folks w/ pancreatic cancer, esophagus cancer, many who were
stage 4 that made rso and now are cancer free.
There's no money in curing ourselves but there's much money keeping us
sick with chemo and radiation.
The value of rso needs to be validated over and over.
Cannabis cures.
Somewhere, somehow, missed the sale of the RV!!! Wow, that must have happened fast!
ReplyDeleteSorry for the cancer scare, i am sure you will get a 'handle' on it and all will be well. know there are lots of us, thinking of you and yours and wish you all the very, very best. Take Care and God Bless
Have said before and will again that i DO so enjoy your blog and wonderful, beautiful pictures....
So sorry to hear this news. The bad news is that you have prostate cancer. The good news is that you are old enough that prostate cancer is not what is going to ultimately end your life. Prostate cancer is usually a very slow growing disease and with advancements in treatments you can still live a pretty full life. Take care and keep on keeping on. Love Dee and Mike.
ReplyDeleteI'll add my two cents even though we don't know each other. I am a two time cancer survivor ...29 years breast cancer and 14 years uterine cancer. I will never forget where I was and how I felt when I was told. One was a phone call and one was in the doctor's office. Those memories will be with me forever. But according to my doctor, I beat the odds. It can be done. Great strides have been made in treatments. I feel you are a person that will say..."OK. This is what I'm dealing with right now and let's do what we have to do". You will be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteContinued prayers for you and Kelly as you deal with medical issues. Loved all your pictures tonight as always
ReplyDelete~Betty
I’m so sorry Al! Having dealt with prostrate cancer with my dad for the last 10 years I know what you’re going through. The good news is that prostrate cancer has one of the highest recovery rates of any cancer, and is extremely treatable if caught early. It’s a shock to hear you have cancer (such a hard-hitting shock) but keep your head up. There are SO MANY treatment options for the prostate these days! Plus recovery tends to be really fast and cure rates are excellent. The scans will tell you more, and then your docs can come up with a plan. Just take it one day at a time, and try not to worry too much (hard I know!!)
ReplyDeleteOh and definitely continue to travel! My father was first diagnosed 10 years ago. He’s had a recurrence now (it’s rare, but that’s the reason we’re here), and he has had further treatment. He is still feeling great, traveling and enjoying life. And you should too!
Nina
Al
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear this but if they caught tin the early stages it's very curable. And as cantankerous and ornery as you're you will win. Good luck I have two friends that have beaten it and a cousin that has beaten Prostate cancer so I know you will.
So sorry to hear the news Al. I am a Prostate Cancer survivor as well. After the radical prostatectomy and then radiation(the cancer was on the outside of the prostate) there is no sign of it today. That was 13 years ago, when I was 55. Take care.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear this news Al but you will make the best decision for yourself in how to move forward. All men with die WITH PC but not FROM it. Take care, You got this!!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you both through this.
You got this Al... positive thoughts! Xo
ReplyDeleteAs others have said above, been there done that. I had my cancerous prostate removed in 2002. There are a number of options to treat this successfully. I chose surgery and have remained free of that cancer for 17 years. This is something you can overcome and keep having fun!
ReplyDeleteI don't comment often, but I read everything. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, you're in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteWe have a good friend who had the seeds planted literally, some radioactivity, but he came out just fine....If you have to get Cancer, prostate is the most easily handled..You got this, my friend!!!
ReplyDelete