Cancer Journal #34 May 17

 I had my PSA# measured again today.  It is still undetectable.   I also met with the oncologist and tried to get a projection as to what the normal expectation would be with my track record of very low or undetectable numbers (it's been going on since December or January).  Couldn't get one out of him.  Simply too unpredictable he said.  Well, OK.  Would have been nice to have something to beat.  And I was looking for an average, not a prediction for me personally.  But, OK.  

Regarding the unpredictability of cancer, I commented that that was "part of the fun."  Knocked him off his balance a little.  His default manner with patients is somber and not looking for what's fun with cancer.  He might be a little different with colleagues.  Outrageous is a good way to relieve the pressure of a job like his.  But not with patients.  He did recover enough to note that humor was a good way of dealing with cancer.  And, of course, it's easy to talk about the ways that cancer is fun when there are no symptoms and the number is low.  See how much laughing I do if the worm turns.  Which I pray it won't do.  But it might.

Comments

  1. Jan CMay 19, 2021 at 11:23 AM

    Glad to hear the numbers are still low.

    Humor IS one good way to cope with cancer, for sure. Or with anything.

    Unpredictability is definitely part of life, but gosh is it hard. We so much prefer the familiar, the more or less expected, the semi-certain. At least I do. Except sometimes in the arts. In the arts a degree of unpredictability seems to make the art better if presented with a degree of balancing predictability. Funny that I don't tend to see it that way in life.

    Keeping you always in my thoughts and prayers, Charlie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. charlieschaeferMay 20, 2021 at 7:08 PM

      Like you, I like the expected, the semi-certain. In conversation, I cherish the opportunity to say what is really not expected. As a cancer patient, I get more of a chance to do that than I would have otherwise. Do what you can with the cards that have been dealt to you. And then I want to dispel if I can the grave and heavy tone people can take with cancer. If I'm light hearted, it gives others a kind of permission to be the same.

      Delete
    2. Jan CMay 22, 2021 at 6:20 PM

      I love that, Charlie. :)

      Delete

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