No, I’m fine. The surgery for the prostate cancer was completely successful (as far as we can tell), so I’m still alive and kicking.
The PSA test is, indeed, a simple blood test. If you are getting any blood tests with your annual checkup, it’s just filling another vial. The DRE (digital-rectal exam) is undignified and unpleasant, in my opinion, but it has served as an early warning for many men.
And thanks for the concern, Mama Zappa!
Wow. I’m not sure how I would react if someone said, “hey dude, you smell funny. Are you sick?” no matter how tactfully it was phrased.
couple of things, one kinda funny, the other not
Kinda glad this thread came up, I need to go have The Test (first time for me) Gary(just gonna type your first name) the original timing of your OP corresponds roughly with my dad’s prostate cancer and surgery, and you have the same first name, so, ummmm, Dad?
Wow. I’m not sure how I would react if someone said, “hey dude, you smell funny. Are you sick?” no matter how tactfully it was phrased.
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Well, I wouldn’t lead off with that.
It would inevitably come up, though, so you can see why I am concerned with embarrassing someone. If I can confirm which I’m picking up on–cancer or treatment–it will no longer matter. If it’s treatment, I can simply keep quiet. If it’s cancer, and they don’t know about it, it’s well worth the awkwardness to warn them. It’s confirming the hypothesis that’s sticky; I might have to ask a number of people, and I don’t want to leave a bunch of cancer patients thinking they have a BO problem on top of everything else, and everyone but one rude jerk feels too bad about it to tell them.
It doesn’t help that I don’t really know how to describe the odor. It is very distinctive, which makes it recognizable, but also makes it hard to compare it to anything else. The best I’ve come up with is that it’s something like dirt and dead flowers, which is neither the most encouraging imagery nor all that precise.
I got a different and stronger smell when I was undergoing chemotherapy. I thought I could smell it myself and asked some friends, they confirmed that I had a different smell so I’d guess it is the treatment.
Even just out of the bath I smelled a bit.
Wombat, glad you are doing well. I see this thread is a bit of a zombie. I’m running with Team In Training currently, would you mind if I added “Wombat” (or your real name) to my jersey as an Honored Teamate? I’m in California if privacy would be a concern.
Stay well -
Since the zombie has been raised… Saint Zero had non-hodgkins Mantle Cell lymphoma, stage 1. It was only found in the one lymph node on his neck. He’s been through chemo and radiation. Everything looks wonderful.
As a point of info, some studies recently have shown a significant false-negative from PSA screening (no cite, my doc told me so). Digital rectal exams are making a comeback (or maybe my doc just likes doing them :)).
I guess this is why we have two different tests, MMM. My prostate wasn’t enlarged, so the DRE didn’t catch it. The biopsy works very well, but that’s no stinking fun AT ALL.
UPDATE: I just left the doctor’s office. PSA blood test: negative. Pathology report: cancer appears to have been localized. For the second time in my life, I am pleased to report that it looks like I have beaten cancer.
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Cool. I’ll be running the Santa Barbara Half Marathon. I’ll get my daughter, who will be illustrating my shirt, started on cartooning a wombat. If anyone is interested, the Leukemia and Lmyphoma Society, which sponsors Team in Training, uses about 75% of donated funds raised directly on research and pt services. Give 'til it hurts!
Thanks Gary. I get the results day after tomorrow.
I have never really thought about it much, but my Dad did have an operation on his prostate. He is almost 90 and I don’t know how serious it was or if he reads any Playboy magazines.
