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 . . . .