PSA Anouncement**

Gentlemen, please do several things for yourself.  First, have a competent Primary Care Provider, visit them annually, and take their advice seriously.  Second, check your PSA at least annually and make sure your PCP sees your results.

A year ago in June 2023 my PCP noticed that while my PSA was well within normal limits, it had gone up about a point.  She recommended that I discuss the test with my Urologist.

I scheduled an appointment with him, and in fairly quick succession I endured a TRUS (Trans Rectal Ultrasound), where the results suggested an MRI of the Prostate.   That resulted in a PIRADS score that suggested a MRI assisted biopsy was next.

My Urologist said that we could follow our summer travel plans, which included a trip through South East Alaska, on the Alaska State Ferry, and complete the biopsy in the fall.

The biopsy revealed prostate cancer.  My Urologist said that I could do “Active Surveillance”, the first level of treatment.  This means routine PSA checks, an annual TRUS, and if indicated additional MRI’s or biopsies.

In June of this year I visited both my PCP and my Urologist.  The TRUS resulted in a new MRI.  The MRI found an additional suspicious nodule, suggesting another biopsy.  This all quite expected when you are on active surveillance.

I could continue active surveillance, but I knew that at some point I would have to begin active treatment.  My Urologist agreed, and my PCP was strongly suggesting that I begin radiation treatment.

Gold standard treatment for Prostate Cancer is either Surgery or Radiation.  While their success rates are similar, they each have their pros and cons.  For me, the physical limitations for surgery would significantly impact our life style.

It would necessitate storing AIROSMITH, our home, and finding some place to rehab for at least 12 weeks.  Radiation requires daily treatments, 5 days a week for at least 28 days, but I could expect to maintain my current activity level.  This would let me both move and maintain our home, while getting treatment.

Our winter travel plans included traveling into mainland Mexico.  So we were working to start my treatment in the Spring.  However, a recent PSA result suggested that I should begin treatment sooner.  So we are back in Lyons, and I begin treatment in November.

A number of years ago Channel 9, a local TV station, began a public service campaign encouraging women to work with a friend to remind each other to do a monthly breast self exam.   It called for women to remind their friend, on the 9th of each month to do the exam.  The campaign was called “Buddy Check 9”.


At the time, my colleagues, more appropriately, rowdy and irreverent detectives (just the guys mind you) riffed on the idea.  We began calling for a “Buddy Check ☝️”.  Yes, we held up an index finger, while miming the final stages of pulling on a latex glove.  Yes, we did that.  Now, it doesn’t seem like a bad idea.  Prostate Cancer is curable, but your chances are much better when you catch it early.

**  You saw what I did there, right?

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