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Talking Frankly about Living with Advanced Cancer

Cancer | Last Active: Jun 18, 2023 | Replies (508)

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@dutchman09

Very interesting question, Colleen. I guess my simple pleasure today, and any other day right now, would be the ability to sit by this computer without the dread of Tuesday's second appointment with the Urologist constantly occupying the back of my mind. On November 12th I went for a PSA test (results were 7.6) and subsequently asked my Primary Care to refer me to a Urologist since my last encounter was a Lupron Injection on April 2nd and I cancelled the followup appointment due to the Pandemic. I secured a Urology appointment with a Dr. Jenkins on December 17th (with a different facility) but when the doctor found out I had a Prostectomy 15 years prior I was referred to Dr. Dunshee. This doctor told me the imaging company would call me for a PET Scan appointment. I waited 2 weeks before calling about the appointment myself and found out Dr. Jenkins had failed to order the PET Scan appointment. I was so disgusted I found another Urologist, Dr. Choi. He suggested I get a PET Scan performed and on January 31st he told me my PSA was 2.83 (lower because it had Metastasized) and that I should go back to see Dr. Dunshee. Hense, Tuesday's appointment. In my eyes, THREE MONTHS have been wasted because of this Three Stooges type organization my Primary Care found! And in my layman's mind, the Cancer keeps growing! The past three months, Colleen, seem fairly ridiculous, but I really couldn't make this up! Hope I didn't use up all your patience in deciphering this episode.

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Replies to "Very interesting question, Colleen. I guess my simple pleasure today, and any other day right now,..."

@dutchman09 Frustrating as all get-out, isn't it? We expect that when our medical professionals tell us they will do something, it will get done. I know for myself, and I'll bet many others here, we have had to do the follow-up ourselves. Only to find out something fell through the cracks, which causes yet more anxiety and wait time. Since we are closest to our health issue, it feels magnified, right?

I will be interested to hear what the urologist says tomorrow, as no doubt you will be, too. Meanwhile, what are you doing today to help you relax a bit, take the edge of the "what ifs" you are feeling? Would taking a walk outside help?
Ginger