Diagnosis

One already has a sort of feeling before the all-telling visit back to their doctor after what may have been a series of biopsies. Maybe you started clearing out boxes in storage, going through keepsakes to hand out to your children to ensure they get them, or you have taken those long surrealistic zombie-like walks you can't quite remember details about.

Being under observation for elevated PSA levels (prostate-specific antigen) since 2004 (or 2005) and having had 2 biopsies already, prepared me somewhat for the biopsy results of the "Third Time's a Charm" visit to my new urologist. I asked, he stated the results, onward we went ...

First, I will have some shots that he said will castrate me for a short time, not permanently - he meant they will cause impotence (I am in a english-as-a-second-language speaking country). No big deal ... no pun intended.

Second, will come the bone scan to determine if metastasis has occurred. so, now it's time for more of that underlying stress one attempts feebly to ignore while waiting for the appointment, tests and results to take place. Hopefully, nothing is in the bones - if tumors grow in the bones they eventually burst/break. I'm only suspicious due to the biopsies and the possibility of cells entering the blood stream these last 3 times over 6+ years. The joys of life! Or, is this the joys of death? Oh, well, maybe someone can write a cookbook or something.

Third, an MRI of the area(s) in question will occur. The doctor asked once more, he had previously questioned me about this, if I had metal in my body or was claustrophobic. I just watched Myth Busters demonstrate that a small RFID implant did not explode during an MRI, but I do not have one anyway, or metal, so I am safe. I have already experienced MRIs in the past and the only problem is listening to that bang, bang, bang chatter going on as the machine performs its function.

Fourth, will be the radiation treatments. The doctor said x-rays, but I figured out what he meant. It was understandable because in this country they use the name of the discoverer (Röntgen i.e. Röntgen ray) rather than a pseudo-science fiction sounding "X-Ray" title.

Enough for my December 19, 2011 visit for now.  Anyone in for skydiving lessons? Or, better yet ... the flying wing suit!

Like my late father used to say, "Cheer up, things could be better!"