1.) Wednesday, April 13 8pm To: Manfred and Susan
M-
I got some sobering news on the medical front over the past few weeks that might make us compadres. Based on rapidly elevating PSA levels and last Monday’s biopsy, I’ve been diagnosed with large volume aggressive prostate cancer (9 on the Gleason Scale). The next step is to do imaging (CT & Bone scan) to determine if the cancer is solely localized to the prostate. I hope to have this data by early next week. Based on this new data a plan of treatment will be decided upon.
I was wondering if, as a patient yourself, you could share advice and observations on the process. Did you use the multi-disciplinary prostrate cancer clinic at OHSU? Did you trust test results (eg. biopsy, imaging etc.) or did you seek second opinions? How frustrated did you get dealing with waiting on doctor calls and dealing with their medical staff? Did the seeming sense of urgency cause you to rush through stuff that in hindsight should have been thought out better? Anything else?
I am confident that it will work out in the long run; but must admit it seems quite taxing now.
Thanks,
M-
2.) Thursday, April 14 3am To: Susan
S-
Yes Susan I would like your 2 cents (I think I got it, in your follow up email). True?
My present frustration is that I do not feel fully cared for by current doctor – a specialist in urological oncology. It seems that he has too many patients, insufficient time, hard to get a hold of and an office slow to respond. However, assembling a new team of care at OHSU seems daunting – you talk of 2 surgeons, 2 oncologists, and 2 radiologists. The pressure increases with what seems to be a dire sense of urgency!
Not sure what I’m asking; perhaps advice given the above?
Thanks,
M-
3.) April 14 8am To: Me (from Susan)
Call me. I have a plan.