Mind if I Rant?

I know that it is up to us to be our own advocate, but there are things that happened on my journey that really make me mad. At least some of it was my own darn fault.

I am upset with my original Uro. I opted for ‘Active Surveillance’ starting in 2014 but I really did not know the protocols. I just knew that what showed up on my original biopsy, and my low PCA, did not warrant RALP. I even went to Mayo for a second opinion and they agreed. Unfortunately, to my Uro that meant PSAs every 6 months along with a DRE. When I learned more about AS, I asked my Uro for an MRI, and he literally said these exact words:

Why would you need an MRI? I already know you have cancer.

At that point, I should have found a Doc to put me on a proper AS regimen. That was about 5 years ago. My bad, I will regret not doing that for the rest of my life.

Secondly, I was due for an exam and a PSA in March or April 2020, but it was canceled due to the COVID shutdowns. I never got another PSA until at least 9 months later, and that was ordered by my GP when I told him what was going on. I had been trying for at least a month to get an appointment with my Uro but they were so backed up, I couldn’t even reach them by phone. Their system hung up on me after being on hold many, many times.

When my PSA came back at 4.8 (if memory serves), I knew I was in trouble. You can review my sig for the rest of my sad story.

Bottom line, if I had done things differently I would not be in the situation I am in now. I could have easily been cured long ago.

Anyway… I suppose this is a cautionary tale for newbies, but I am very, very angry with my original Uro. He should have known better. I learned better, but it was too late before I acted.

was the original uro the same guy who operated on you?

Brother, I understand, really I do.
Undetectable is great!! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!

My first PSA when I was 50 was 4.0, my PCP didn't even tell me he did the test. HIS FAULT
A couple years later it was 7.8, he referred me to a Uro. I blew it off, I figured I could right the ship with prostate supplements. MY FAULT
NOTE to all: THEY DON"T WORK FOR PROSTATE CANCER.
A couple years later it was 20.6, referred for a biopsy and went. Got a ralp and radiation and started ADT.
Fired my Uro when he basically shrugged his shoulders when my PSA started to rise. HIS FAULT!

GeetarMan said...

F8 said...
was the original uro the same guy who operated on you?

Nope. I have a whole different team now.

good !

I, too, was diagnosed with G6 in 2014 and have been on AS since. When diagnosed I had PSA and appointments every 3months. After a couple years we went to 4 month visits. Last year we switched to 6 month visits. My last PSA was the lowest in three years. The only treatment is finasteride every day. My uro always answers all my questions and I consider myself lucky. This uro was who my family doctor referred me to when my PSA rose. The uro waited for one more rise in PSA before we did my first biopsy. Have had three biopsies and the last showed less than the first two but all G6. I think the extension to 6 months is at least partly due to my age which is 73.