Welcome


Welcome.

When I wrote that banner above, I was just days into this adventure. I'm a pretty analytical guy, and the simple act of writing every day helped me wrap my head around the fact that I had just introduced the word "cancer" into my vocabulary, and it helped me rationalize my treatment options. It also helped keep friends and family informed on my status.

Those daily updates tapered off to weekly updates and eventually to monthly updates (which I continue to do on the 11th of every month, the anniversary date of being told I have cancer).

I've kept this blog going because I remember how helpful it was for me to hear first-hand experiences of other prostate cancer patients. I wanted to return the favor by sharing my own journey in order to educate others and increase prostate cancer awareness.

But I wanted it to be a truthful sharing of details, so you will quickly see that I didn't sugar-coat much of anything. That means that you'll find some pretty graphic descriptions of the male anatomy and biological functions in this blog.

Finally, if you're reading this as a fellow prostate cancer patient, please understand that I am not a medical professional, and you should not construe any of the content of this blog as medical advice. Each case is unique, so please solicit the advice of your own medical team.

I wish you all the best as you go through your own journey.

-- Dan

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Day 41 - Selection

A day of meetings kept me pretty busy and my mind occupied on things other than the upcoming surgery.  But when I returned home for lunch, there were two messages on my answering machine—one from the insurance company and the other from the hospital.
The call from the insurance company was interesting. They said that they learned that I’d be an inpatient at t a hospital soon, and that they needed to collect some important information.  When I dialed the number that they left, the entire battery of questions that needed to be answered was done with an automated voice recognition system.  I didn’t speak to a human once in the entire call, yet I answered everything they needed to know.  Isn’t technology wonderful?  (Sarcasm.)
The call from the hospital was to schedule some pre-surgery tests—an EKG and some blood tests.  Those will occur Thursday morning in Cincinnati. 
Later in the afternoon, I had to call the hospital again to preregister for my stay.  Again, another battery of questions.  I’ve never been asked what my birthday is so many times in my life!  J
I’m going to schedule one more meeting with Dr. Cincy to ensure that we’re both on the same page prior to the surgery.  As far as I’m concerned at this point, he’s the guy.  No more research.  No more reading.  Move the burden from my shoulders to his and have faith that he’ll give me the best possible outcome.
I feel comfortable with my choice and I don’t feel as though I’m settling.   Let’s move forward and take the next step in the process.

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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousDecember 21, 2010 at 4:47 PM

    glad that you have been able to get "here". I have always struggled with decision making so I feel for for you. I guess what I try to keep in mind these days is that not making a decision is a decision in itself. Only without the "control".
    Sounds like you are in control.
    SteveL

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