Nov 10 • The Cancer Journey
“Sit-Rep” .. No.35
“Sit-Rep .. No.35”
“Slight Change of Plan”
I said I wouldn’t post until something happened that indicated a change.
Well something has changed. Some of the change is tangible and part of it has more to do with the thought process, so I guess that’s intangible.
It did however lead to some real tangible changes.
Okay, enough with the “word salad”.
The last two weeks have definitely been eventful.
There was the cancer-related death of one of the really good people in my league. He was 44 years old and the epitome of Jimmy V’s phrase “Never Give Up!”
His doctors decided it was time to put him in hospice care. He passed away 24-Hrs later.
That really hit hard for so many reasons. He had done everything possible to beat cancer and…
That happened while I was having some trouble with pain management.
I had just had Labs done and a follow-with my Oncologist.
The PSA had risen from “23.08” on 22.July to “69.42” on 22.October.
It had tripled in three months.
‼️Spoiler Alert‼️
I continually advise you guys not to play “Internet Detective” but…🤷🏽♂️
I can’t help myself 🤡
This is what I found… not that I didn’t already know .. and not that my very capable Doctors at the VA hadn’t already told me…
Quick Course in PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Indications for those who are unfamiliar with the term as it pertains to Cancer.
🤔 Cancer Borderline … When does Cancer jump to the front of the line in diagnosis?
PSA above 4.0 in anyone over age 60, or above 2.5 in anyone younger than 60.
👉🏽 PSA doubling time:
- A doubling time of less than three years is a strong indicator of potentially aggressive prostate cancer, even if the absolute PSA level is not yet high.
For example, a PSA rising from 2 to 4
in 18 months is more concerning than a stable PSA of 6
PSA that triples in 3 months Suggests aggressive activity
This pattern is something doctors treat as urgent, not something to “wait and see.”
🙄 Okay … enough of that!
So, my PSA tripled in three months, which meant that it might not be a coincidence that the discomfort and various pains have been increasing.
Now, here’s where the Sit-Rep portion comes together.
When the conversation at the follow-up session got beyond what’s going on in the sports world and the current political environment, we finally began to discuss the health issue.
We talked about my use of the prescribed pain 💊 medication. We discussed my “Macho-Man Mentality”🤷🏽♂️ for one, and my wish not to become dependent on the medication.
That has been my reason for not taking a pill until it was absolutely necessary.
Here is where I have to once again say how much I appreciate my Doctors and the entire VA Staff.
In an earlier Sit-Rep, I talked about an article/survey where it was revealed that it is not uncommon for doctors not to tell patients everything involved in their diagnosis, if the news is not good.
‼️Maybe we’ll have an opportunity to talk about that during one of the upcoming Podcasts‼️
My Guys are not in that category. My Doctor said… (not directly quoted but close enough for government work 🤡) “So, you’re worried about abusing the substance or being abused by it.
A part of the problem has to do with that stuff on your hat. You think you’re not supposed to show weakness.”
I suppose I sat there and grinned.😏
Then he asked… “What’s your situation? You chose not to continue treatment because Quality of Life was more important than more time.”
“Isn’t that what the pills are for? So… use them!”
“When you find yourself taking too many, we can revisit the subject and find another solution. Take your Pills!”
I hadn’t thought about it in that sense.
Here’s the kicker.
The following Thursday, my Hospice Nurse came to visit. She told me that Medicare wanted to take me off of Hospice. I said, fine with me.
She said there were a few formalities to take care of.
One was getting an opinion from my Oncologist, so I sent him an email, while she was still in my apartment.
To my surprise, he answered in just a few minutes.
Reply: “Continue Hospice”
So, I was officially discharged from Hospice Care on 29.October and enrolled in Hospice Care on 30.October at 16:21.
I have been taking my medication 💊 once daily and for the most part, the pains have “significantly” decreased.
You need only ask the guys in the League how I’m doing.
My “Mini-Me” Crew is having a ball talking trash and some of the guys say, I’m writing like I’m on drugs😈
If there’s a downside, it’s that because the medication masks the symptoms and pain, so I don’t know what’s going on.
Oddly enough, I did get a sneak peek.
I went to the funeral service yesterday and was tired when I got home.
I took a nap, and slept through the alarm. That meant that I missed my dosage time.
I decided to skip it and see how I felt after a few more hours passed.
“Oops…!”😬
So, now we know where we stand.
I hope to see some of you on the new Website:
There’s gonna be a lot to talk about.
You might even run into a former teammate.
The first one will be Thursday 13.November at 6:30pm (Central)
The initial topic will be “The Cancer Journey”
After that, we’re gonna discuss everything under the sun.
I will publish a schedule.
That’s all for now. “The Pot-Stirrer
1:32
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“Sit-Rep” .. No.35
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Been there, Done that, Got the T-Shirt
I learned, There’s more to getting ahead than just being good.
My goal is to help you get to “your” next level
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