General Practitioner

I am a young spirited 74 year in age. I am married to my Lovely wife for 45 years. We have a Yorkie breed dog who is 12 years young, Cesar is very much loved. Recently assisting a friend, who was having little difficulty standing up to get off a couch. I assisted this friend to stand up. Within hours after assisting friend to stand. I noticed pain, discomfort in my lower male area. Urination became difficult instantly. Burning, pain while urination, and urination flow stream had changed. I felt that I may have had a "hernia",? This was on a Thursday, by Monday I realized I was going to require medical evaluation. Even though I was thinking was a hernia, I called a Urology Specialists for appointment. The Urology doctor was not certain about the hernia. But ordered a Cat Scan of my abdomen and Pelvis area with contrast and without contrast. As it all turned out, I did not have a hernia. But the CT Scan revealed many areas of lymph nodes being enlarged as well as a distended bladder. The Prostate appeared to be enlarged. Also a nodule was showing on one of my lungs. So the urology doctor ordered a MRI Scan of prostate only with and without contrast. The reason MRI of Prostate was ordered was upon a Digital Rectum Exam, urology Doctor felt a large nodule and the prostate should not have felt the way it felt unless suspicious for CANCER. The Primary care Physician ordered a Pet Scan with concern with the Lung Nodule. The result of MRI of Prostate as per the Radiology Doctor who reviewed felt the findings were concerning for metastatic disease and Prostate cancer. The urology physician then performed a Procedure of biopsy removal on the Prostate. These findings of the prostate biopsies were worrisome at removal time of Cancer of a aggressive type. The Pet Scan findings did not reveal any cancer findings? After being turned over to a Medical Oncology Physician on Dec 3, 2021. This physician suggested a Port insertion for chemotherapy. After much blood tests being sent to special labs to determine type of cancer and the best chemotherapy medicine to help. Oncology physician said the cancer was determined to be very rare. Also Bone Scan was performed and determined to be found on right side of pelvic area, bone cancer findings as well as the rib areas and thoracic area, particularly T6 vertebrae. The Lung Cat Scan was felt nodule may not be cancer. But the lungs in general didn't appear to be healthy. So, the Port insertion was performed on Dec 16, 2021. The target date scheduled for two different chemotherapy medicines is Dec 30, 2021. Pending Boston lab results to determine best medicine option. The incident of helping a friend with standing was on Sept 16, 2021. After many tests, procedures and Life changing experiences. The total time is 3 1/2 months from "helping a friend getting up to stand". I suppose, at some time had the incident not taken place, help friend getting up. I would have most likely not had these chances of getting tests, treatments of chemotherapy. There is NO CURE FOR VERY RARE CANCER. BUT MEDICINES TO EXTEND MY LIFE. If any bright side to become from my experience that would be for any male that has not been examined by a physician for a Digital Rectal Exam. Please do not rely on the ANNUAL BLOOD TEST CALLED PSA WHICH IS A MARKER TO DETERMINE A MALE LEVEL IN DETERMINING PROSTATE CANCER. I HAD THE PSA BLOOD TEST ANNUALLY AND MY PSA BLOOD TEST RESULTS WAS CONSIDERED "EXCELLENT". IT WAS NEVER SUGGESTED TO ME TO HAVE A DIGITAL RECTUM EXAM BY A PHYSICIAN WHICH TAKES 1 MINUTE. MALES CAN HAVE NORMAL PSA TEST, AS IN MY CASE. BUT 1% (ONE PERCENT) CAN BE DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE METASTATIC CANCER, AT THE TIME OF BEING DIAGNOSED. WHICH HAPPEN IN MY CASE WITH A VERY RARE CANCER. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO SYMPTOMS UNTIL I HELPED A FRIEND GET UP TO STAND. I PLAN TO FIGHT FOR MORE TIME TO LIVE. BUT HOPE IF ANYONE CAN BENEFIT FROM MY EXPERIENCE, THAT MAY BE ONE LESS LIFE THAT HAS TO SUFFER AND BE TAKEN. BECAUSE IN THE END, ISN'T IT THE PHYSICIAN'S KNOWLEDGE AND TRUST THAT WE EXPECT TO GUIDE US IN GOOD HEALTH? I DO NOT FEEL (ONE PERCENTAGE) IS WORTH TAKING THE CHANCE OF ANY LIFE BEING LOST TO CANCER BECAUSE OF DOING STEP 1: PSA BLOOD TEST LEVELS TO DETERMINE A MARKER FOR DETERMINE PROSTATE CANCER. AND OMIT DOING STEP 2: DIGITAL RECTUM EXAM (DRE) WHICH TAKES ONE MINUTE TO HAVE A PHYSICIAN GLOVE UP AND EXAMINE THROUGH RECTUM TO FEEL THE PROSTATE FOR ANY UNUSUAL FINDINGS. SUCH AS; NODULE, HOW THE PROSTATE FEELS WILL DETERMINE THE HEALTH OF THE PROSTATE ORGAN HEALTH. THIS IS MY STORY BLESS ALL AND BEST OF LUCK.