That's what my GP told me about a month and 1/2 ago. It was time for my annual physical. I felt great. All of the tests were good. Blood Pressure, weight, Heart Rate - everything was going good. Of course, they had to wait for the blood test results.<br><br>
I received the call two days before my daughters wedding, "Mr Ford: Your PSA test came back too high - we need to refer you to a Urologist"..<br><br>
For those who don't know - PSA is the test that screens for Prostrate Cancer. I'm not used to getting anything other than - Everything is fine.<br><br>
So.. off to the new doctor. As he explained the results and kept using the "Cancer" word - it was like a movie... He told me what the result should be for a man my age.. (you know how THAT sounds??? ). He even described what would happen if the new test indicated Cancer.. walking me through the process and what would be next... hell, I hadn't even failed the test yet - but he was efficient and wanted me to know - just in case...<br><br>
The next blood test was more exacting - but the waiting period for the results was now 7 days and not 2 days... The results? Undetermined.. The score was 'iffy'.. not too high but not low enough to discount the first test result.<br><br>
So - for the last 30 days, I've had the unknown hovering over my head as I have been on anti-biotics ahead of repeating the last test. 30 times taking a pill every night - reminding me each time that I could have cancer. 30 days during a time when I've got plenty of other things to keep me awake at night - this was one I didn't need.<br><br>
I went in last Friday for a retest. Today - I received my call.<br><br>
"Mr Ford - your test results came back. All levels are back to normal and everything looks fine. That's great news. The Doctor would like you to follow up in six months..."<br><br>
The uncertainty of the last 30plus days have been nuts. Thankfully, whatever the issue was - the antibiotics cleared it up.. But just having the talk - the possibility - the realization of my mortality... it gave me a much stronger appreciation for those who's test results weren't quite as positive and made me realize that we never know what each day will bring and how one event can completely change your perspective on the world about us.
I received the call two days before my daughters wedding, "Mr Ford: Your PSA test came back too high - we need to refer you to a Urologist"..<br><br>
For those who don't know - PSA is the test that screens for Prostrate Cancer. I'm not used to getting anything other than - Everything is fine.<br><br>
So.. off to the new doctor. As he explained the results and kept using the "Cancer" word - it was like a movie... He told me what the result should be for a man my age.. (you know how THAT sounds??? ). He even described what would happen if the new test indicated Cancer.. walking me through the process and what would be next... hell, I hadn't even failed the test yet - but he was efficient and wanted me to know - just in case...<br><br>
The next blood test was more exacting - but the waiting period for the results was now 7 days and not 2 days... The results? Undetermined.. The score was 'iffy'.. not too high but not low enough to discount the first test result.<br><br>
So - for the last 30 days, I've had the unknown hovering over my head as I have been on anti-biotics ahead of repeating the last test. 30 times taking a pill every night - reminding me each time that I could have cancer. 30 days during a time when I've got plenty of other things to keep me awake at night - this was one I didn't need.<br><br>
I went in last Friday for a retest. Today - I received my call.<br><br>
"Mr Ford - your test results came back. All levels are back to normal and everything looks fine. That's great news. The Doctor would like you to follow up in six months..."<br><br>
The uncertainty of the last 30plus days have been nuts. Thankfully, whatever the issue was - the antibiotics cleared it up.. But just having the talk - the possibility - the realization of my mortality... it gave me a much stronger appreciation for those who's test results weren't quite as positive and made me realize that we never know what each day will bring and how one event can completely change your perspective on the world about us.
