Prostate Cancer Really Sucks - Pt2
So the journey begins...
I have been diagnosed and confirmed by my doctor. The reality sinks in and so begins my dive into the internet with Dr. Google. I will caution anyone doing the same, please stick to the reputable sites that give you real information and not the many "alternative" medical sites that claim curing anything with a few vitamins and 'special cocktail of supplements'.
What Dr. Google told me was what I would hear from my doctor when he reviewed the options. The difference was, I was already familiar with many of the options and had my questions ready. My spouse and I spent time with the doctor and rattled off many questions about each option. After the details were discussed, the doctor suggested a second opinion to talk about what may be best for us. I did say "US" as this is a relationship changing disease/diagnosis. This will affect a spouse as much as the one who has the cancer.
As I did my dive with Dr. Google, I decided to reach out for support via social media. Boy was that a MISTAKE! As with social media in general, it is the one with the poor experience that is the most vocal. Very rarely do you read about a patient that states "yea it sucks, but the effects are nothing." It is the miserable patients who had very difficult problems and did not fare well. They make it their mission to pass their misery on to everyone else as a warning. I did not need that kind of support. At that time, I needed to hear that you will emerge from this on a positive side and all will be well. I ditched that idea of cancer support after about 4 days of reading the dribble.
My wife and I did discuss the options and after experiencing cancer through the eyes of my mother, opted for the surgery as that was the only way to truly rid my body of this monster. With the removal, the tissue could be examined and tested. We would be able to learn if the cancer had broken through the prostate and posed a greater risk of a metastasized cancer elsewhere in my body. We made the decision and scheduled the surgery date for about 45 days out to allow my prostate to heal from the biopsy.
The decision was not easy! We knew there would be side effects that we had to deal with. Yes, again, it is something that we both had to make adjustments for. This is not easy on a relationship! You need to talk to each other and perhaps you need to talk it through with a professional to get your head in the game. The mind games that you can play with yourself can really get to you. There is no shame in talking with someone about what is going through your mind.
I will continue with our journey, but remember, this is not medical advice and I am not a medical doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor, not Dr. Google or any social media support group!
Please feel free to leave comments. It is only with sharing that those with this disease can help each other and those that come after us.
