Month: April 2016

Thursday 4/14
3am. Could not sleep……….duh……….spurred me to request Susan’s 2 cents.  Thus, I wrote a desperate early morning note to Susan. Her response was so simple and effective (both attached) – key event.
7am.  Laurie and I awoke to the almost perfect RR climbing day. We did, however, have other plans for this big day.  The three goals were: get imaging data on my body to determine if my cancer had metastasized, make contact with Justina, the multi disciplinary prostate cancer clinic coordinator at OHSU and set ourselves up for a killer climb tomorrow.
8am. We departed condo for all day-imaging fest at VWI.
9am. We arrived at the suburban strip mall, home of VWI.  We entered as the doors were unlocked and the staff sipped their morning coffee.  We were checked-in by simple, friendly, efficient staff.
10am. The CT scan had been completed, I had been injected with the radioactive isotope in preparation for the bone scan (3 hour wait) and Laurie had been in close contact with Susan.  We exited the clinic for a walk around the city park and cancelled all plans with future climbers.  Great conversation with Dave!
1pm. Trisha commenced bone scan as Laurie curiously and anxiously compared real time images with those of healthy and unhealthy ones on the Internet via her phone.
2:30pm. We exited the clinic to lunch at Giuseppe’s across the street.  The plan was to return to pick up the Radiologist report before closing (5pm).  We maintained continued contact with Susan and Manfred.
3:15 pm. The extremely empathetic, helpful and wonderful Justina called – delightful, reassurring conversation!  Chris rocks in making sure this happened –key event.
4:45 pm. We were able to obtain the radiologists report – key event.  The report bore grim news, evidence of METASTASIS.
5:00pm. We photographed and sent the image reports to Chris and Justina – totally key event.
6:30pm. We arrived at the condo and shared news with Bob. We spoke with Chris who confirmed the ominous image results.  He said: “You must come see us, now!”  This mandate is consistent with Susan’s intuition that we should have started treatment last week.
8:30pm. I fall asleep (almost standing up) from the day’s excitement.
10:30pm (While asleep) I receive 10:30 pm. email from Justina ………………..

Wednesday 4/13
7am.  Climbed “The Great Red Book” and a few other sport climbs with Bob.  Very Fun!  More back and forth with UOI & WVI for tomorrow’s 9am all-important imaging appointment in Henderson.
5 pm. Picked Laurie up at LAS – Great to see her!

Expectedly our frazzled nerves, fear, loneliness, lack of direction and raw emotions collide.  We synergistically spiral down a dark hole..  We feel rudderless – where to turn – how to start healing?  We flounder almost desperately!  Saddled with frayed, exposed nerves and emotions!  Intense!

8pm. Note to Manfred and Susan – Start cascade of hope!
Amazingly our first random attempt to crawl out of the hole was a desperate email (attached) to Manfred.  Six years ago we walked the beaches of Manzanita learning of his prostate cancer pains and trials.   This email also spurred the tenacious Susan into action – she was now thinking for us!  Light, perhaps?

Friday 4/1
4 pm. Wednesday’s  PSA results posted on Portal. PSA = 48.5
5:30pm.  Smiling Laurie cycles up to my sunny reading spot on the porch, she asks, I inform, we are now concerned!

Saturday 4/2
Excellent day with Laurie – wonderful coastal hiking excursion.  Worked on mental preparation for upcoming biopsy and physical preparation to reschedule RR departure.  Poor Chris and Linda, am I stiffing them?

Monday 4/4
11:30 am. Biopsy.

Tuesday 4/5
12:30 pm.  DEPART for RED ROCKS!    Say goodbye to Laurie.
Barely feel well enough, physically and emotionally to depart.  Expect to see Laurie in 8 days as she is flying down to visit me at the condo before launching on her Utah backpacking journey. Definitely not feeling smug.

Thursday 4/7
 9:30am. Standing at the base of “Prince of Darkness”, preparing to climb. This is a climb I had been dreaming of attempting for over 15 years. Totally psyched – Thank you selfless Linda!

Monday 4/11
7 pm.  Bob and I at condo.  Received call from Dr. Walker informing me of sobering biopsy results (high volume, aggressive cancer, Gleason Scale 9).
8:30 pm. Called Laurie. Talked with Chris who said I MUST get in touch with Justina at OHSU. Sent out second “Health News” email (attached).

Tuesday 4/12
7am. Tried to set up West Valley Imaging appointment (WVI) – scheduling, referral, records & insurance.  Portal request to Oregon Urology Institute (OUI) & subsequent multiple calls.
10 am. Stated climbing “Cat in the Hat”  with Bob. GREAT!  Throughout the day, continued back and forth with OUI and VWI – ughf.
5pm.  Finally got Moni to fax records –YES!

 

Wednesday 2/10
9am. Uncharacteristically sunny Eugene winter day. I casually stroll to my biyearly physical.
10am. I exit knowing all is well. Feeling great and smug. I note that doctor requested a lipid panel in the near future.

Monday 2/22
7:30 am. On the stroll over to get the blood draw for the lipid test, I decide, oh what the heck, they are taking blood, let’s add a data point to my 10 year running log of PSA levels. I arrive lab, get a little push back on my request, but it goes smooth enough.
8:15 am. I exit knowing all is well. Feeling great and smug.

The next two weeks:
Receive my first ever evening call from my concerned primary care doctor. PSA = 18.1 – way up from 1.9, 20 months ago. He says, he can make time; come see me very soon.  DRE does not look good.  Refer me to urology specialist. They make time. Diagnosed with cronic prostatitis, recommended treatment of 30-day drug regiment modified to to 20-regiment in order accommodate my pending departure for my major Red Rocks climbing journey.

Wednesday 3/23
8 am. Blood draw for PSA test and upcoming urology appointment to confirm cronic prostatitis diagnosis.  Hoping drug treatment is working. Feeling good, little less smug.

Wednesday 3/30
9am. Laurie and I cycle over to the urologist shop.  PSA = 36.5. Biopsy recommended and scheduled in 5 days. Informed that probability of positive cancer diagnosis will be about 70%. Discussion a little more intense. Mood darkening. PSA ordered.

Thursday 3/31
We struggle with how to inform family of unfolding situation. Climbing friends especially impacted because of pending RR trip. Insufficient data makes it hard to accurately portray. Don’t want to alarm, but want to be fair. Hard to do, but know it is the correct plan.

8 pm. I write first “Health News” email (attached), shyly strike the ‘send’ key. Phone rings in less than 4 minutes. Lana’s concerned, yet soothing voice on the other end!