Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Personal - Thanks Doc . . . .

 

August 2002 . . . . The “plumbing” just isn’t working right . . . . and it’s becoming one of those nagging feelings that’s the beginnings of an alarm bell. My personal Doc suggests we do some blood work  -  just in case.  The results confirm that something is off, my PSA is pushing 5 . . . not one of the better results. 

November 2002 . . . . A second test . . . . PSA still right at 5 . . . . . my personal Doc is officially concerned.  I play the “Christmas” card . . . . an appointment is set with a Urologist for February 2003 . . . .

March 2003 . . . . Dr. Richardson looks thing over . . . . schedules yet another PSA test . . . . slightly over 5 . . . . shit!!!  A prostate biopsy is scheduled for 3 weeks later . . . . shit!!!

Mrs. B is workin’ . . . . I go to the clinic to meet Dr. Richardson . . . . straight shooter, direct, honest, confident . . . . looks me in the eye . . . “You have prostate cancer Bill . . . here’s your options.”  Shit!!  We chat, I listen . . . a follow-up is set for a few weeks . . . .  I research . . . . and choose.  Let’s just take the damn thing out!!!

April 2003 . . . . I look at Dr. Richardson as he has me count backwards from 100 . . . I get to 90 . . . . and I’m waking up in the recovery room . . . . the Doc looks at me . . . “it went well Bill, it was contained . . “

And so began 10 years of visits, waiting, “hoping” . . . . those 10 years ended today.

April 2013 . . . . today . . . . 10 years . . . .  I graduated . . . . I’m officially a survivor.

For those of you looking at this particular monster . . . . take heart . . . .

. . . . . you can beat it, you can be a survivor as well.

Thanks Doc . . . . for a new start, a clean bill of health, the ability to hold 3 great granddaughters, see a  son get married and for these past 10 years with my  wife. 

And knowing that there’s more years to come . . . .

5 comments:

  1. That is great news BIll! Congrats!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy to hear you went to the Dr. when you first realized something wasn't right! Wonderful for you and your famiy to enjoy you for years and years to come. Thanks for the happy story!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jim - thanks. It was a good day!

    Kat - It was one of those time I actually "listened" - a good choice! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. WONDERFUL, Wonderful news!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rabid, Shelby - Yep, fully agree!! :)

    ReplyDelete