Another Six Months and ...

August 23, 2009 I checked the bicycles for a Labor Day trip to Michigan. I checked Sally's bike, inflated the tires and lubricated the chain, adjusted the brakes and rode it around the block. It worked good. Then I did the same for mine and rode it around the block. I got the bike rack out and mounted it on the truck and got the tie downs out. I am ready for Grand Haven!

Monday morning I had blood in my urine and a couple of clots floating in the bowl. I didn't have any pain of note. Just some mile 'awareness'. It became less each time I voided during the day. Tuesday onward I didn't see any and assumed it must be from the bike ride. I wasn't too alarmed other than to remember to mention it on my next visit with the doctor.

I have been in a diabetes study group for the insurance company. I don't know what that is for; but it has required closer monitoring. The insurance company has not paid me. They have required me to visit the doctor every three months for blood test and check up. So it has actually cost me more. But this time I was going to the doctor on Friday, August 28, and would mention the blood then.

The doctor ordered a urinalysis and PSA; it did show microscopic hematuria. If you see it with the naked eye it is gross hematuria. If it is detectable but not visible it is microscopic. He said a lot of people have that and it is probably nothing. He didn't think it was from the bike ride. He wanted to see me again in a week and we would check again.

So it was back to the doctor again on Friday, September 4. Another urinalysis, another positive for microscopic hematuria. The PSA was .004 (zero) so it isn't a return of adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Better go to the urologist to see what the continuing bleeding is from. Referral was ordered and I made an appointment for September 23, Wednesday.

They too found blood in the urine and asked for an abdominal and pelvic CT with and without contrast and a cystoscopy. Since I have BCBSIL HMO my urologist can't order tests. That means another trip to the Primary Care Physician. He ordered the tests and I waited for the referrals. Nothing by Friday so I called IPA and she said, "They are working on it right now. It will be ready by Tuesday, September 8, because of the holiday.

Wednesday, September 30, the imaging lab called to make an appointment. They had the referral and we are all set for the week after I return from my trip. We are going to my reunion and to visit family. (The trip was a blast)

The Scans were done. I got the cystoscopy. My urologist said I healed great. Except for the absence of the prostate you couldn't tell I had any work done in there. The scans were good. The old granulomas are unchanged, the one lymph node is unchanged and the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm has not grown beyond 3.6 cm. I am cancer free and good for another six months. The bleeding was probably from riding the bicycle for the first time since the surgery. Adjust the seat to provide relief for the urethra and take it easy.

Keep up with your checkups. Live well and stay tuned.