Counting Our Blessings

Yesterday was a day that found lots of people in our family weeping with joy and relief. I have to back up a bit to tell you why. A few weeks ago Andy went for his yearly physical and learned that his PSA was higher than expected. This had happened a few years ago and he got checked out by a urologist, so he made an appointment to go back there. Our internist's feeling is that although the PSA test is not the most reliable of indicators, it's all that's currently available, so it's wise to pay attention to it. Also, Andy's biological father had prostate cancer, which pretty much doubles his chance of getting it.

Well, the urologist did not like what he saw felt, so he scheduled Andy for a biopsy ten days later. This was the first time we'd ever even considered the word biopsy with regard to someone in our family, so we really went into shock a little bit. It's quite an invasive procedure, so it's not something that's recommended lightly. The procedure itself was extremely unpleasant and uncomfortable (I know that all my male readers are wincing and squirming right now), not to mention the heavy-duty antibiotics he took the day before, of, and after, which thoroughly nauseated him. Then came the worst part: waiting for the results, which were expected to take "about a week." Whatever that means. So that was last Tuesday, and when Andy called Friday and was told the results weren't back, we knew were in for a very long weekend indeed. Then this past Tuesday, we had fully geared ourselves up for the results, only to learn that the pathology office was backed up from the holiday weekend, so we got to have yet another night of fitful sleep. Finally, yesterday, Andy got the word that he is OK. Completely clear. Cancer-free. He made the doctor say it over and over again just to be sure. They took 12 different samples, and all came back negative, with no qualifications.

It's hard to explain the gamut of emotions we've all been experiencing these last few weeks. There were days when I actually practiced saying aloud, "Well, my husband was just diagnosed with cancer, so...." I tried to focus solely on the good parts: He's young (46), he's in (otherwise) great health, this was likely early detection, Boston has world-class medical care, etc. I didn't really let myself entertain the idea that he was fine; all I kept thinking was that he's high-risk and that his manual exam had turned up physical abnormalities in addition to the high PSA, which could only mean one thing. What a wonderful feeling to be wrong!

So we're feeling very much like we dodged a bullet, and really still taking some time to process all the different emotions and thoughts that were swirling around. I find that I want to just stop people on the street and say, "Hey, my husband doesn't have cancer!" I guess that's what I'm doing right here.

Comments

[nina]

Oh, I'm so glad it all turned out OK! How horrible to go through that. The waiting must have been hell. Big hugs and congratulations all around.

[Mir]

Ack, no fun at all. I'm so glad Andy's okay. There was a brief period of time when my (ex)husband was very ill and the doctors were telling us they expected to find cancer on the next test. I remember that horrible waiting limbo, and wouldn't wish it on anyone.

And now, celebrate! :)

[scott]

Hugs to all of you.

[James]

Phew!!!

[cmaine]

WHEW!!!

go buy a unconscionably expensive bottle of wine and celebrate!!! you probably feel a few inches taller, don't you. I'm so happy for you and Andy (and the kids)!

[Tonya]

Oh, such a relief. Seems there is so much bad news these days and it's wonderful that it doesn't always have to be that way. You really do need to celebrate. I'd recommend a nice romantic weekend away...

[Margaret]

That's wonderful news! I'm glad that all is well.

[Erin]

Wonderful news for a wonderful family!

[pam]

What a relief! I'm so happy for Andy and his beautiful family!

[Kathy]

good news! my husband also has a Dad that had prostate cancer, so I am always making sure he goes and gets tested each year.
What a GREAT way to start the New Year!

[Loren]

Yikes. As a man clinging to the twilight of his 30s, this was a reassuring read. I second the motion for a bottle of wine!

[Joel]

So glad to hear that all is well. The "C" has taken my wife's sister and my brother, so knowing that Andy came up clear is a source of happiness to us both. A New Year indeed! Prost!

[David Jaggard]

Hi Karen -

My messages to Comcast get bounced back these days, so here's a copy of a message I sent a couple of days ago :

Just read your blog. Was it Churchill who said "there's nothing quite so exhilarating as being shot at and missed"? (I paraphrase.)

We had a happy-ending cancer story in my family last year:
My brother (two years older than me and thus 8 older than Andy) was diagnosed with a rare form of intestinal (small intestine) tumor last year -- they found it during a routine colonoscopy, which he and I get every five years because our father died of cancer that started in the colon and got to the liver before they figured it out -- and they snipped it out and he's fine and for this type of slow-growing tumor it would take him another 54 years to develop another one. Apparently. So we were (are) all quite elated about that, as you are now.

Early detection is the thing, huh? I've been encouraging everyone I know over 40 to get whatever kind of check(s) their doctor recommends early and often. Also, apparently in the US when you get a colonoscopy they give you a DVD to take home. Sound hilarious to me at first glance, but I suppose it's for malpractice insurance purposes.

For years I've been thinking about how to use in some kind of literary form the theme of how something can suddenly happen that makes you yearn with all your soul to get back to plain old everday normal banal boring life. It's interesting, huh?

Anyway, here's wishing you and yours a REALLY happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

See you,
DJ

[sheila]

So glad to hear that he is fine! Health scares are the things that put all the small stuff into perspective for you, aren't they?