Tuesday, October 18, 2011

What's A Bejesus And Has Anyone Seen Mine?

I didn't say anything at the time but my little trip to the doctor three weeks ago scared the bejesus out of me! Like most men of a certain age, I have an annual PSA test. "Normal" or "Safe" for a man my age is below 4.5 (the further below the better) and I have always been 1.3 to 1.5. Nothing to worry about. Safe. Healthy. Perfect.

A couple of days after my last blood test my doctor called me in to tell me my latest result was 11.5, way up in the flashing red light range! I felt fine, he gave me the finger (a physical exam) and said it felt "OK" to him too, BUT... I had to wait two weeks and get another lab test. This has been the toughest three weeks I have gone through in a long time. I now know exactly what it feels like waiting for the jury to come back after you have been tried for a crime you did not commit.

I went to the doctor this morning and the last result was 1.5, right back in extremely safe territory! A perfect ass!

What caused it? No one knows. Error in the lab? Unlikely but maybe. According to the doctor it was more likely a slight infection that I did not know about. Anyway, it was a tough three weeks that I would not wish on anyone!


Well, back to getting ready for Mexico!
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12 comments:

  1. Kevin ReadOctober 18, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    Interestingly, I read an article just the other day that said if a woman has an annual mammogram, she will have a false positive once every ten years.

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  2. Laurie and OdelOctober 18, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    I am surprised your doctor didn't tell you several other things (besides infection) that can raise your PSA:

    Riding a bicycle within 2 days prior to your PSA test.

    Certain antihistimines (like a cold pill) taken before or on the day of your PSA test.

    Sexual activity (alone or with other/s) within a couple days of your PSA test. I could be more specific but I'm sure you can imagine.

    Moral is, for two days before your PSA test, don't be physically or sexually active, and don't take any drugs! :)

    How do I know? My husband had prostate cancer (treatable and treated) and has very regular PSA tests now. We've learned everything there is to know about PSA. I'm glad yours returned to normal. To long life!

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  3. JonnaOctober 18, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    Scary! Glad it turned out fine and you are heading south. We'll put the beer in the cooler :)

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  4. RaeOctober 18, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    Thanks for the update, I was worried.

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  5. ElaineOctober 18, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    so glad to see alls well that ends well...Rick gets checked every 3 months he rated last week at 2.9 ....it can be scary....
    Head south young man....!! and Be Safe

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  6. ElaineOctober 18, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    And no sex on a bicycle -while you have a cold and have meds into you...2 days prior to the next test..:) sorry Laurie I couldn't resist...

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  7. CroftOctober 18, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Darn! Back to renting movies on Saturday nights!

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  8. BobOctober 19, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    I'm still trying to figure out that "sex on a bicycle" part.

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  9. DonOctober 19, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    Glad it was a false alarm. You darn Canadians and your sex on a bicycle!

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  10. JonnaOctober 19, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Heh! I forgot about Canadians and bicycle sex, now it all makes sense eh?

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  11. living.boondockingmexicoOctober 19, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    I have my test on Friday morning. Yes, they told me no sex of any kind and no heavy exercise. Went to the gym this morning but will skip tomorrow.

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  12. living.boondockingmexicoOctober 19, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    BTW, one of my brothers had prostate cancer. Did the chemo, three years ago. Said it was painless and is healthy today.

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