Decision Time
3. Decision Time
A couple of weeks later, my wife and I had another meeting with my urologist. This was the time to review all the medical evidence, thoroughly explore all the available options once again and ultimately, to arrive at a decision as to which option my wife and I wished to pursue: prostatectomy, radiology, chemotherapy or simply, to watch and wait.
Whilst I was happy to listen to his opinion and to discuss his recommendations, my wife and I had already decided upon our preferred course of action. We had taken on board earlier advice from my urologist and had done a huge amount of research on the web, reviewing medical sites across the globe and also, sites presenting the experiences of others who have traveled this route, and we had identified our available medical options, together with the surgical implications and any possible or even, probable, side effects.
In a nutshell, and without meaning to be too indifferent to the well intentioned medical community, I had come to the conclusion that “If the cancer didn’t get me, the treatment probably would”. Now if that seems harsh – so be it. I make no apology here. But I am happy to explore with you my reasoning…
But please keep in mind here that our doctors are trained to treat the symptoms of illness and disease, not the origin or cause of the problem.
Time and time again, I have read where medical doctors have said that a patient, who has undergone medical treatment for his prostate cancer, didn’t ultimately die from his cancer, but from another illness. That maybe so, but it surely begs the questions “How?” “Why?” and “What if?”
The ‘How’ relates to the circumstances surrounding the death; from what specific illness or disease?
The ‘Why’ seeks to know how the illness or disease was contracted and what could have been done to protect him from it?
The ‘What If’ questions his medical treatment pertaining, in particular, to the amount and types of drugs absorbed by his body, their regularity over what length of time, and, the extent of any known side affects to individual organs, to his immune system and, to his body as a whole.
Quote: “Physicians pour drugs of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less, into humans of which they know nothing” Written by Voltaire more than two centuries ago. Can we honestly say anything has changed?
Now, can anyone guess as to the probability of the doctor certifying the death asking these questions? Oh, yes! He will want to satisfy himself as to the cause of death but that is where it usually ends. It could even be a different doctor to the one who initially treated him for the prostate cancer, so this chap certainly wouldn’t want to be going over unfamiliar ground. Even, if he had the time. And as for the treating doctor, it is unlikely that he would have the time or the inclination to explore the clinical history of the deceased, especially if it could possibly suggest that in some way his treatment might be the prime cause, or could have contributed to, the death.
Oh dear, there I go again, getting sidetracked.
Having told my urologist that I preferred the ‘watch and wait’ option I accept his recommendation that we meet again in two months time for further review and to check my PSA levels. He gave me a script to enable me to have the blood test prior to the meeting.
I left that meeting happy to realize I was on the right track and that he had said nothing that questioned or contradicted my own research and observations. Moreover, I even felt elevated by the thought of the challenges ahead. I felt as if I had already caught the ball and the responsibility for my future battle with my cancer was well and truly mine, well, mine and my darling wife, Dorothy, who has stood by me over 48 years without a murmur of complaint, through thick and thin.
“You cannot sit back and do nothing because you’ll never have perfect intelligence on the enemy…Get on with it.”
General Norman Schwarzkopf said after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer
I like nothing more than a daunting challenge. Particularly one that other’s are inclined to reject or fear to tread. In my corporate life, I had been identified very early on to be a change agent, a trail blazer, one who is happy to strike a new path or to challenge the status quo. This was no different. Yes, another place – another time – different criterion, but the principals to be applied were the same. Hey! I was on a roll…
I knew that I had my wife’s full commitment for attacking this problem in a non-conventional way and for accepting the risks of doing so, and I also knew how essential it was to me to have that unswerving commitment from her. Without it, there simply wouldn’t be enough wind in my sails.
Besides, an essential aspect of the battle ahead was a complete revision of my diet. It would require her (if I had to feed myself I’d probably die within days – I’m such a lazy eater) to use her brilliant improvisation and cooking skills to develop a diet regime appropriate to my specific that is, enhancing my general wellbeing and building up my immune system. We would also have to monitor my vitamin and mineral intake via the numerous herbal and natural medicines I propose taking, in order to ensure a proper balance. Incidentally, some of these will be specifically targeted at the cancer cells, but more about that later.
“Man is not disturbed by events but by the view he takes of them.”
Epictetus
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