No cancer, that's the verdict from the last biopsy described in my last post. Well, it is a relief though I must admit with no symptoms I didn't really think I was afflicted. An elevated PSA scares doctors apparently, a mildly elevated score even more so. At least now I have a baseline from which to judge future test results.
My advice to anyone reading this is to research the subject thoroughly before agreeing to any procedures. The Johns Hopkins website is a good place to start; even though they are selling pamphlets.
So now we my life off hold for a few more months, physically, perhaps the subconscious tension will disappear and sleep will become a regular event.
Getting older is not a pleasure but it is interesting, especially when you consider the alternative. Actually considering the alternative can be very interesting too. What is prolonged illness ended by death? Why should death be of concern to anyone? What is it?
These and other questions will form the basis of future discussions, and if anyone is reading this, some interesting insights from others can be gained.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Forty One Years and Counting
Today my wife and I celebrate our 41st wedding anniversary; time moves at a fast clip. We are slowing down a bit at this point but are still willing to get up every morning. We have two daughters who have married brothers. We have four grandchildren who are double first cousins. It is a nice mix.
During the past 41 years there have been many ups and downs, more ups I guess as we are still going. One thing about marriage is that you certainly get to know each other better over the years. The influences of life skew the development of personality; people can and do change. Married life seems a bit better than single life, particularly if one or the other needs help. Research purports that men live longer if they are married. I think it just seems longer.
Living single is only for those that enjoy taking care of themselves in almost every aspect of life. It seems obvious that talking to oneself only must get a bit tedious. Still no conflicting opinions can make things simpler. I know a couple of folks who live the single life and for the most part seem happy. I don't think I would have been so. That doesn't mean I can't live alone. A second marriage is not for me should my wife die first; at this point neither of us is leaving.
Tolerance and patience are virtues upon which a successful marriage is built. Love is the beginning but it doesn't conquer all despite the greeting card writers admonitions.
One interesting thing about aging and children is that they only come around when wanting something; a favor or babysitting. That's all right as they have lives and will experience the same thing as time goes on. Another aging trait seems to be record setting. I have noticed that as people pass various milestones their consciousness of such events makes them want to last longer than their friends or anyone else for that matter.
Several of my friends habitually read the obituaries to make sure their name hasn't appeared, then cross check the ages against their own, and finally see if anyone they know of or personally have died. This is another form of humanity's desire to make lists and compile statistics. Some consider this morbid but I think it is quite normal even though I have no interest in such activities. I get the odd email reminding of someone I knew who has passed on to whereever but that is the extent of my interest.
Age is exempting me from reading the newspaper or even worrying about current events as such things never change only the actors are replaced by new power hungry leaders.
A long marriage keeps life in perspective I highly recommend it.
During the past 41 years there have been many ups and downs, more ups I guess as we are still going. One thing about marriage is that you certainly get to know each other better over the years. The influences of life skew the development of personality; people can and do change. Married life seems a bit better than single life, particularly if one or the other needs help. Research purports that men live longer if they are married. I think it just seems longer.
Living single is only for those that enjoy taking care of themselves in almost every aspect of life. It seems obvious that talking to oneself only must get a bit tedious. Still no conflicting opinions can make things simpler. I know a couple of folks who live the single life and for the most part seem happy. I don't think I would have been so. That doesn't mean I can't live alone. A second marriage is not for me should my wife die first; at this point neither of us is leaving.
Tolerance and patience are virtues upon which a successful marriage is built. Love is the beginning but it doesn't conquer all despite the greeting card writers admonitions.
One interesting thing about aging and children is that they only come around when wanting something; a favor or babysitting. That's all right as they have lives and will experience the same thing as time goes on. Another aging trait seems to be record setting. I have noticed that as people pass various milestones their consciousness of such events makes them want to last longer than their friends or anyone else for that matter.
Several of my friends habitually read the obituaries to make sure their name hasn't appeared, then cross check the ages against their own, and finally see if anyone they know of or personally have died. This is another form of humanity's desire to make lists and compile statistics. Some consider this morbid but I think it is quite normal even though I have no interest in such activities. I get the odd email reminding of someone I knew who has passed on to whereever but that is the extent of my interest.
Age is exempting me from reading the newspaper or even worrying about current events as such things never change only the actors are replaced by new power hungry leaders.
A long marriage keeps life in perspective I highly recommend it.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Prostate Biopsy: What To Expect
I just had my third prostate biopsy and it occurred to me that others waiting for this procedure might wonder what to expect. I had my first biopsy in 2000 and it was most unpleasant. I was referred to a urologist who performed this procedure in his office. At the time the thinking was that 7 samples were enough to determine the presence or absence of cancer. Today that number is 12. Well, the first experience was certainly kind of keystone cops affair. The doctor used a bit of lido cane on the prostate surface in an effort to reduce the discomfort/ That did not work very well.
Next he informed my the he was training his PA and would be using me as the experimental subject. If given the chance to refuse this honor my recommendation is that you do so; emphatically. The biopsy itself was quite painful under this condition.
The next time I had this procedure was Dec. 15, 2010 at the VA hospital in Salisbury, NC. Don't underestimate the VA, an overestimate is also recommended against. Anyway the primary interview went very well, with the procedure clearly explained and the necessity for it; my PSA is 10.9. Partial disrobing is required for access. The process begins with the patient reclining and the left side on an operating table; positioning for the doctor's convenience and patient comfort is paramount.
The first sensation is that of uncomfortable pressure as the lido cane is applied to the prostate. The next sensation is very uncomfortable as the additional injection of anesthetic is applied; sort of like a dental procedure at the other end. This without a doubt is the most discomfort one should experience. After a brief interval to allow the anesthetic to take effect the procedure begins. There is again pressure as the instruments are inserted. The only sensation then is the pressure of the punch which is extracting the tissue. The entire procedure takes about ten minutes.
Here your problems begin. You must successfully urinate to be released from medical care. The worry is that the bladder may spasm and/or blood clots will block the urethra preventing any urine flow. Most of the time this does not happen but should it then catherization is necessary to prevent injury and alleviate pressure. Once you return home plan on blood in your urine for at least three days; sometimes quite a lot of blood. If you are afflicted with hemorrhoids your recovery will be that much more uncomfortable and bloody.
There will be blood in your semen for a few weeks as well. Generally by week's end you will be feeling back to normal.
My third and latest biopsy was last week and was needed because the results of the previous one were inconclusive. "The cells aren't cancer but they are not normal" was how it was expressed to me. I waited six weeks to re submit to this invasion.
The latest exam was much worse than the previous and I can only conclude the one's choice of practitioner is paramount. This recent biopsy was marked by the haste of the physician as he did not wait for the anesthesia to take complete effect. The result was a great deal more discomfort and a longer recovery. Though I successfully urinated twice before leaving, lots of blood clots, apparently my bladder went into spasm. This meant a constant urge to urinate without success. Naturally I drank a lot of water to flush the system but the outcome was a swollen, full bladder and discomfort. I had been lying down, which I now advise against should this condition occur.
By coincidence I was seated at my desk in a bit of a cramped position discussing this with the VA urology nurse. He advise a return to the emergency room for a catherization flush. As the trip is an hour one way I decided to wait. Soon after my conversation I felt the urge again, most uncomfortable, and passed a series of large clots and urine. The deep red surprised me based on previous experience, but at least the worst was over.
I can only conclude that the doctor was determined to get larger samples to obviate the necessity of trying again so soon.
I am still waiting for the results which should come some time next week.
Next he informed my the he was training his PA and would be using me as the experimental subject. If given the chance to refuse this honor my recommendation is that you do so; emphatically. The biopsy itself was quite painful under this condition.
The next time I had this procedure was Dec. 15, 2010 at the VA hospital in Salisbury, NC. Don't underestimate the VA, an overestimate is also recommended against. Anyway the primary interview went very well, with the procedure clearly explained and the necessity for it; my PSA is 10.9. Partial disrobing is required for access. The process begins with the patient reclining and the left side on an operating table; positioning for the doctor's convenience and patient comfort is paramount.
The first sensation is that of uncomfortable pressure as the lido cane is applied to the prostate. The next sensation is very uncomfortable as the additional injection of anesthetic is applied; sort of like a dental procedure at the other end. This without a doubt is the most discomfort one should experience. After a brief interval to allow the anesthetic to take effect the procedure begins. There is again pressure as the instruments are inserted. The only sensation then is the pressure of the punch which is extracting the tissue. The entire procedure takes about ten minutes.
Here your problems begin. You must successfully urinate to be released from medical care. The worry is that the bladder may spasm and/or blood clots will block the urethra preventing any urine flow. Most of the time this does not happen but should it then catherization is necessary to prevent injury and alleviate pressure. Once you return home plan on blood in your urine for at least three days; sometimes quite a lot of blood. If you are afflicted with hemorrhoids your recovery will be that much more uncomfortable and bloody.
There will be blood in your semen for a few weeks as well. Generally by week's end you will be feeling back to normal.
My third and latest biopsy was last week and was needed because the results of the previous one were inconclusive. "The cells aren't cancer but they are not normal" was how it was expressed to me. I waited six weeks to re submit to this invasion.
The latest exam was much worse than the previous and I can only conclude the one's choice of practitioner is paramount. This recent biopsy was marked by the haste of the physician as he did not wait for the anesthesia to take complete effect. The result was a great deal more discomfort and a longer recovery. Though I successfully urinated twice before leaving, lots of blood clots, apparently my bladder went into spasm. This meant a constant urge to urinate without success. Naturally I drank a lot of water to flush the system but the outcome was a swollen, full bladder and discomfort. I had been lying down, which I now advise against should this condition occur.
By coincidence I was seated at my desk in a bit of a cramped position discussing this with the VA urology nurse. He advise a return to the emergency room for a catherization flush. As the trip is an hour one way I decided to wait. Soon after my conversation I felt the urge again, most uncomfortable, and passed a series of large clots and urine. The deep red surprised me based on previous experience, but at least the worst was over.
I can only conclude that the doctor was determined to get larger samples to obviate the necessity of trying again so soon.
I am still waiting for the results which should come some time next week.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Exercise : Is it worth it?
Most likely you have exercised most or at least part of your life. This is especially true of baby boomers who started the jogging nation. For me I have been at it steadily since the age of 14. The next year I gave it up for cigarettes and then alcohol. I managed to letter in high school track and qualified for the state championship; I didn't win. That was probably because of my age and lack of coaching. Anyway the letter represent a ticket punch and I was on to girls and vice.
During my military career of four years I devoted my self to staying alive, doing my job and in my spare time getting high. Leaving the military I turned over a new leaf; stopped smoking and joined the college cross country and track team, this required 8 to miles a day of running and some other short fast runs to develop speed. At the time I had a new familiy and a full time job to support them. My class time was night school. I probably could not have met schedule if I had been out of shape.
As the years passed I tried to stay in shape with light weights and running. First the knees went , with an ACL tear. OK so let's just walk. No problem five miles a day for years. Then Plantars Fasciitis struck.
Now no walking at all till that heals.
I have never had a health problem related to heart or blood pressure. No other disease has seen fit to plague me as yet. I put this down to the beneficial effects of life long exercise. So from that point of view, yes exercise is worth it. Is it still valuable in later life?
If you are just starting and are overweight, over 40 or have any health problems : get a check up first. Then start slowly walking a quarter of a mile increasing 10% a week until you can manage three miles a day in less than an hour. A light weight workout is a must. Some combination of curls, presses, and flys is essential, but not more than 20 pounds two sets of 10 repetitions to start should be adequate.
This will invigorate and use too much energy.
In my opinion light exercise as you age is essential. Just be careful or injuries will result.
During my military career of four years I devoted my self to staying alive, doing my job and in my spare time getting high. Leaving the military I turned over a new leaf; stopped smoking and joined the college cross country and track team, this required 8 to miles a day of running and some other short fast runs to develop speed. At the time I had a new familiy and a full time job to support them. My class time was night school. I probably could not have met schedule if I had been out of shape.
As the years passed I tried to stay in shape with light weights and running. First the knees went , with an ACL tear. OK so let's just walk. No problem five miles a day for years. Then Plantars Fasciitis struck.
Now no walking at all till that heals.
I have never had a health problem related to heart or blood pressure. No other disease has seen fit to plague me as yet. I put this down to the beneficial effects of life long exercise. So from that point of view, yes exercise is worth it. Is it still valuable in later life?
If you are just starting and are overweight, over 40 or have any health problems : get a check up first. Then start slowly walking a quarter of a mile increasing 10% a week until you can manage three miles a day in less than an hour. A light weight workout is a must. Some combination of curls, presses, and flys is essential, but not more than 20 pounds two sets of 10 repetitions to start should be adequate.
This will invigorate and use too much energy.
In my opinion light exercise as you age is essential. Just be careful or injuries will result.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Where did my life go?
This month is the end of my 64th year. I must say it got here awfully quickly.. Current events are a good reason to consider one' s life as is the potential for debilitating disease. Of course there are many reasons for reflection; each one specific to the person doing the thinking. Have at it.
As I look back 64 years I grateful for the experiences and the times which form their context. From my earliest memories of family, various local and global events it seems that the blink of an eye can barely contain them. Listening to the Korean War updates on the radio, through being drafted for Vietnam, to watching the same mistakes unfolding on television today confirms my view that human nature is immutable.
Getting old is just not that much fun. Everything fades including memory, but the worst of aging is the boredom. Even when doing something one enjoys there is the knowledge that meaning is being lost little by little. This blog is an effort to make sense of the aging process both physically and emotionally.
I stopped working every day about six years ago, involuntarily as is quite common these days. Old people cannot get good jobs; there is a very strong prejudice against age. Experience counts for little as employers are afraid to hire anyone who might leave at the first opportunity or have to pay more than entry level wages. This is true even though most codgers will work for less and stay on as long as they can make a contribution.
It seems that young folks don't quite know what to think of old folks. This despite the fact that today's old is still pretty young. I now work when I want selling insurance; which is something I never thought I would do. It has it's moments.
This first post is merely a starting point. Anyone who reads this will see life through my eyes and may leave a reaction as they please.
As I look back 64 years I grateful for the experiences and the times which form their context. From my earliest memories of family, various local and global events it seems that the blink of an eye can barely contain them. Listening to the Korean War updates on the radio, through being drafted for Vietnam, to watching the same mistakes unfolding on television today confirms my view that human nature is immutable.
Getting old is just not that much fun. Everything fades including memory, but the worst of aging is the boredom. Even when doing something one enjoys there is the knowledge that meaning is being lost little by little. This blog is an effort to make sense of the aging process both physically and emotionally.
I stopped working every day about six years ago, involuntarily as is quite common these days. Old people cannot get good jobs; there is a very strong prejudice against age. Experience counts for little as employers are afraid to hire anyone who might leave at the first opportunity or have to pay more than entry level wages. This is true even though most codgers will work for less and stay on as long as they can make a contribution.
It seems that young folks don't quite know what to think of old folks. This despite the fact that today's old is still pretty young. I now work when I want selling insurance; which is something I never thought I would do. It has it's moments.
This first post is merely a starting point. Anyone who reads this will see life through my eyes and may leave a reaction as they please.
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