Courage is the measure of our heartfelt participation with life, with another, with a community, a work; a future. To be courageous is not necessarily to go anywhere or do anything except to make conscious those things we already feel deeply and then to live through the unending vulnerabilities of those consequences.
David Whyte
Will meet my friend Dennis this morning at 10:30 for coffee and conversation. We will meet at a coffee shop I have not been to in years called the Alley Cat Cafe ( be sure to play the opening video) 😂.
Back in August during my physical they discovered my PSA numbers were high. Since I had a UTI the previous week and was on antibiotics they waited a week then retested. Still high. So we scheduled an MRI rather than do an invasive biopsy. Had an appointment with the urologist yesterday to discuss the results of that test. From the MRI results all looks good and he is not concerned about prostate cancer. We’ve come up with a plan to do another PSA test in 3 months, just to keep track of those. If the PSA numbers go up, then he wants to see me about changing our plans. He reminded me the PSA numbers are not the most exact test for prostate cancer. Otherwise, I have an appointment to see him in 6 months. For me this is all good news. So, I plan on continuing my participation with life as David Whyte says; coffee shop adventures, Natural Area adventures, reading and journaling, daily walks, blogging, photography and taking the steps necessary to stay healthy. And, it all takes courage. Stay warm and thanks for being the online community you are!
Today is my oldest daughters birthday. Hoping she knows she is the gift! Happy BIrthday Christine!!
10 Comments
Mark
Happy Birthday to Christine!
Good for you in keeping an eye on the numbers and glad you have a doctor that knows they don’t necessarily mean bad news. I read an article some time ago about concerns about PSAs and driving unnecessary and invasive tests when they really weren’t needed. So always good to try to correlate to other tests. It’s something I keep a wary eye on given I have some related cancer history and know first-hand the benefits of catching things early.
Monte Stevens
I read the same stuff about the PSA numbers as you have, Mark. And there is also a risk of infections involved when they do biopsies. Actually, any invasive procedure has a risk too it. Another factor that we have to take into consideration is that I am on a blood thinner Eliquis. So to do a biopsy would required me to stop the Eliquis 48 hours prior to the procedure and another 48 hours after the procedure. You are right in that catching cancer really is so very important. So far, I’m okay with everything, not in any kind of a panic mode or in a place of fear. Thanks for your input.
And, anyone who has had to face cancer, of any kind, has taken on courage.
Mark
I am on Eliquis also – are you sure we aren’t related? 😉
Monte Stevens
Second cousins maybe?
Earl
I’m pleased it all sounds good with your test and results, Monte. I usually go annually for a full line of blood tests. My current GP recommended not testing PSA levels yearly because they often present “false results” and drive unneeded evasive tests. However, my visit and test in about a week will be one in which we include PSA levels. My previous GP ran PSA levels yearly, but I never had elevated results. We’ll see this time.
I hope you and your “second cousin” have a great weekend! 😆
Monte Stevens
Yes I am pleased with the test results also. It seems more physicians are looking at PSA tests that way. What it tells them does very and if they can be less invasive, the better. Hoping for the best on your test results. And, may you enjoy your weekend!
Faye White
Belated birthday wishes for Christine, I hope it was a most happy day. And good news from the medical front is always reassuring. Keep on keeping on!
Monte Stevens
It was good news from the doctors office and so glad to have her in my life.
geri oster
Glad that so far so good on the doctoring, Monte. I too am glad that you are keeping an eye on things, and it sounds like you have a good medical team that is watchful and careful but not pushing you to do more invasive testing at this stage. It is so important that we inform ourselves about our own health as well so that we can actually discuss procedures with our Doc’s. As you so often share in your photographs and writings that we need only to look at nature to find God and of our great responsibility to Creation. Well, you, Monte, certainly are a beautiful part of that very Creation, I am happy that you are being responsible to you and your health to keep this part of Creation whole. Blessings.
Monte Stevens
Thank you for the compliments, Geri! It would behoove our world if we all looked Creation as beautiful. Probably have peace. Blessings to you two!