My story appears to be much different. I had an occupation for 27 years that required stem to stern physicals every 8 months. I continued that schedule for years after my retirement at age 49. In 2007 I had to get a new PCP. My every 8 months physical and blood work continued.
I saw my new PCP for 11 years or so. I do know I had 14 visits. In May of 2019 I had my 14th exam. I left 2 days later to do the IBA RIDE AROUND TEXAS. Half way through my PCP called to say I needed to come in ASAP. I finished the RAT, but will say I didn’t enjoy the last half. When I saw my PCP, he asked, when’s the last time we checked my PSA. I said, you’re the doctor, and I said I was there eight months earlier. He checked the records and said we should do both a PSA and digital exam. Three days later his nurse phoned and advised me to see a Urologist. I did.
PSA was 18. Scans and biopsies done. By August of 2019, I was told I had extremely aggressive prostate cancer that had spread to my bones. They told me it was so wide spread I might not live till Christmas 2019.
I gathered all my data and went to MD Anderson in Houston. There the tests showed my PSA was now 30+. Not good. Their bone scans, PET scans and MRI showed non curable bone cancer in both hips, pelvis, femurs, sternum, ribs, both shoulders, both clavicles and the skull. I volunteered to take a experimental course of chemo. My Doctor asked me to sign a waiver, she said I had a 50% chance of dying from the treatment. I will say I had days following each dose I thought death might be preferable. It actually showed promise for 12 months. The cancer in my sternum and skull actually regressed. This past March during a IBA 50CC attempt it raised its ugly head. For the first time during this journey the pain was to much.
They put me on immunotherapy. Zytiga. It failed 2 months ago and had horrible side effects.
I’m now back on chemo with no hope of survival but we’re buying time. Maybe my cure is just around the corner. BTW, I’ve been enjoying Lupron every 90 days since my diagnosis.
When I finally got all of my medical records from the PCP, not a single PSA was ordered over 11 years and 14 visits. The moral of my story is, don’t trust a single medical person to be actually doing their job. You must advocate for your self or find someone to do it for you.
On a positive note, I had a great 250 mile ride today.