Like a thirsty sponge, my mind absorbs Will's answers to questions, which fly out of my mouth as fast as a popper pops kernels of popcorn into the air ...
As listening to Will stirs my energy source too much to sit still, I arise from my ergonomic chair, as though to fortify myself while listening attentively to that which instinct does not want to hear ...
What's a psa test?
It's a blood test, indicating the health of the prostate ...
Are you saying this test is used to indicate ... prostate cancer?
(And there it is ... hanging in the air, one of the most dreaded words ever uttered anywhere ... the word my parents' generation had feared so deeply as to whisper it with a shudder, because at that earlier time the big C was a death sentence ...)
Yes, Annie. But my psa is still in the range of normal, so most likely, there's nothing wrong.
What's considered normal?
Anything between negligible up to five.
What's yours?
4.5
So why does Michael want you to see a urologist?
Because my last psa was just over two.
When was that?
Five years ago.
Five years ago? But Will, you have a physical every year.
Yes, but psa tests are so unreliable that it's not considered necessary to repeat them annually.
Wait, now I'm confused; they're unreliable? ...
Yes.
In what way?
Their findings are not always accurate.
Will, you're losing me ...
Look, Annie, the only reason to have a psa test, annually, is to indicate whether levels are rising.
Well, doesn't that seem important in the light of what I'm hearing, today?
With a sigh, Will replies, It's water under the bridge, so let's just take it from here ...
As listening to Will stirs my energy source too much to sit still, I arise from my ergonomic chair, as though to fortify myself while listening attentively to that which instinct does not want to hear ...
What's a psa test?
It's a blood test, indicating the health of the prostate ...
Are you saying this test is used to indicate ... prostate cancer?
(And there it is ... hanging in the air, one of the most dreaded words ever uttered anywhere ... the word my parents' generation had feared so deeply as to whisper it with a shudder, because at that earlier time the big C was a death sentence ...)
Yes, Annie. But my psa is still in the range of normal, so most likely, there's nothing wrong.
What's considered normal?
Anything between negligible up to five.
What's yours?
4.5
So why does Michael want you to see a urologist?
Because my last psa was just over two.
When was that?
Five years ago.
Five years ago? But Will, you have a physical every year.
Yes, but psa tests are so unreliable that it's not considered necessary to repeat them annually.
Wait, now I'm confused; they're unreliable? ...
Yes.
In what way?
Their findings are not always accurate.
Will, you're losing me ...
Look, Annie, the only reason to have a psa test, annually, is to indicate whether levels are rising.
Well, doesn't that seem important in the light of what I'm hearing, today?
With a sigh, Will replies, It's water under the bridge, so let's just take it from here ...
Though a sudden burning sensation shoots through me, Will's tone cues me to rein in this natural reaction to cast blame, so pausing to calm my mind and refocus on problem-solving, I ask my husband and dear friend, What happens, next?
I'll make an appointment with the urologist Michael suggested ... and don't worry, Annie, because during my physical, Michael did not feel a polyp ...
Well, thank goodness for that! What do you know about this urologist?
So far, I like what I've heard. After seeing Michael, I stopped at the hospital for lunch and asked around in the doctor's lounge. Evidently, Dr. B has a sterling reputation. He had prostate cancer ten years ago at the age of fifty, and following his surgery, he limited his practice solely to studying up on the most current methods for curing this cancer.
So he's done nothing but prostrate for ten years?
Yes.
Wow! That very reassuring ...
I thought so, too ...
With that vote of confidence, the positively focused side of my conscious mind gains control over my thought processor. As anxiety relaxes into the wings, most of my muscle tension does,
too ... And in this way, while opening my arms to welcome Will into a warm hug, does the first inning of this game of wait-and-see begin ...
I'll make an appointment with the urologist Michael suggested ... and don't worry, Annie, because during my physical, Michael did not feel a polyp ...
Well, thank goodness for that! What do you know about this urologist?
So far, I like what I've heard. After seeing Michael, I stopped at the hospital for lunch and asked around in the doctor's lounge. Evidently, Dr. B has a sterling reputation. He had prostate cancer ten years ago at the age of fifty, and following his surgery, he limited his practice solely to studying up on the most current methods for curing this cancer.
So he's done nothing but prostrate for ten years?
Yes.
Wow! That very reassuring ...
I thought so, too ...
With that vote of confidence, the positively focused side of my conscious mind gains control over my thought processor. As anxiety relaxes into the wings, most of my muscle tension does,
too ... And in this way, while opening my arms to welcome Will into a warm hug, does the first inning of this game of wait-and-see begin ...
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