August 2014 and I will be meeting with my GP for a follow up annual physical. I feel quite confident because despite being 68 years old I have always maintained my weight, exercised, eaten well and taken my vitamins. I have never smoked, well at least not since I got out of the Navy about 44 years ago and I only drink occasionally.

Don’t worry, I told my wife as I walked out the door. But thirty minutes later my world turned upside down. I knew from last year’s test that my PSA (prostate-specific antigen, which is a protein produced by the prostate and elevated levels could indicate prostate cancer) was slightly elevated. But having read that there are a number of reasons other than cancer for an elevated PSA and that many times the test can give a false reading, I wasn’t worried.

Now, however, my PSA had almost doubled! I could feel my heart rate jump and my palms were beginning to sweat. The doctor recommended a urologist and strongly suggested that I make an appointment as soon as possible! He also said that the urologist would perform the dreaded prostate biopsy.

So two weeks later I’m at the urologist’s office. We just finished with an examination of my private parts. He had joked earlier about knowing me very well and if this exam was any indication, I think we could get engaged!

We scheduled the biopsy. She had asked him about watchful waiting (more on this in another article). But she told me that with my rapidly rising PSA level, this was not an option. She had talked to some friends who had had a biopsy and had heard all the horror stories about the pain and embarrassment, so she wasn’t looking forward to it.

Prostate biopsy involves the doctor inserting a device into the rectum and then shooting twelve needles into the prostate to remove tissue samples. When I say fired that’s exactly what I want! These needles are spring loaded. The doctor counts 1, 2, 3 and hits a needle that penetrates through the wall of the rectum and into the prostate. Despite being uncomfortable and embarrassing, it was not painful.

Three days later I got a call saying the biopsy was positive and to come in and discuss my options. They are only two real options. Radiation in which radioactive seeds are implanted and surgery to remove the prostate. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I’ll go over the benefits of each in my next article.

After discussing all of this with my wife, we decided to remove the prostate and schedule surgery. In future articles I will write more about my trip.