Why did he get the MRI in the first place?
Because he had back pain. His other doctors thought the pain was from accommodating a tear in his hamstring, and had sent him to a physiatrist, who is the doctor you see to help you deal with something you can’t fix. The physiatrist said, “i didn’t think your symptoms match that. Let’s take another look.” She may very well have saved his life.
We were finally contacted by the doctor in Japan saying that they have the MRI results from May 27th and scheduled an appointment for the 17th. They don’t seem to be in a hurry. I haven’t decided what to do about finding a new doctor in Japan, but I will go in and hear the results of that test.
In the meantime, on Friday I will get the results of the MRI I had done here in Taiwan last week.
Two bits of news:
My doctor’s office in Japan called my wife since they couldn’t get a hold of me and scheduled an appointment for next week. This is for going over the results of the MRI I had in Japan. The nurse sounded serious and said it was important that both of us go on. They wouldn’t share the news over the phone.
Better news here in Taiwan. From the results of the MRI here, the doctor said it’s unlikely to have clinically significant cancer, and can go back to active surveillance. No need for a biopsy.
I go back to Japan on Monday (when the flights were considerably cheaper than today) and then compare the results.
I’m inclined to find a new doctor in Japan, anyway.
Hooray for good news!
Will continue to cross fingers 
that it all goes well. And that there’s less ominous dread being applied for… reasons.
I endorse looking for a more communicative local specialist.
Great news.
Thanks everyone.
Yeah, this could have all been avoided if the initial report had been more nuanced. It had definiately changed my mind on the necessity of a communicative specialist.
It will be interesting to see what my current doctor has to say and if he recommends treatment or a biopsy based on the MRI there. I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it, but in the meantime, I feel so much better.
All MRI’s are not created equal. If possible, it’d be good to have the actual images from both of them looked at side by side by one team or the other.
That’s definitely a belt-and-suspenders play. But since you already have, and somebody already paid for, two scans, may as well use them.
Exactly. I was able to get the electronic images from the MRI here in Taiwan to take back to Japan.
My latest PSA remains ultra low at 0.08 so I’m still in remission. Next check in 6 months.
Another round of congrats! Yaay!
Congrats!
Oh good! The Taiwanese doctor sounds so much better than the Japanese one.
terrific news!
Congratulations!!
There’s really quite a difference in medical culture in the two countries.
It’s getting off topic, so I’ll hide the explanation.
Summary
When the Japanese doctor requested an MRI from the local hospital, they gave the referral request in a sealed envelope. They had told me that they were going to be looking at my prostate, of course, but the actual request was sealed.
Back when I was first in Japan in the 80s, doctors apparently often made decisions concerning treatment for the patients, and wouldn’t inform the patient themselves if there was cancer.
From the 90s, they started talking about “informed consent” which they adopted the English words with Japanese pronunication.
Japanese informed consent often developed as “the doctor explains and the patient agrees” rather than as a strong assertion of the patient’s right to make an independent choice.
My Japanese doctor looks like he’s in his 70s, so he started off was a Minor Deity and hasn’t gotten the news that things have changed.
I went in today for the results from the MRI here in Japan.
“Same as before.” So it looks good. Back to active surveillance. We’ll check PSA again in three months.
I’ll find a new doctor. It looks like there is someone in a city about an hour away. He’s in his mid 60s, but he’s studied in the US as well so he may be more open with information.
Those are questions to ask very pointedly during the hiring interview.
Best of luck finding a physician who is a good fit. Rarely easy in any city, state or nation.
Yes, I plan on that rather than just hoping.