PSA went up

[kennyd]

Well, I made the return trip to the urologist, PSA went up to 6.8 from 5.6 in a couple weeks, so now I am headed for the needle biopsy in another 2 weeks.




Work has been forcing me to take my PTO or lose it, so I won't have time built up next month.  It really makes me sore as I need sick time for myself now, and the wife is needing a hip replaced.  They are making one from Titanium foam right now, and it will hit at the same time as this other stuff.


Apparently, so far, the insurance has paid well, it justs costs me $50 every visit to the doc.  Since we are still paying on the wife's cancer bills from the last 3 years any more bills are a worry.


I really hoped I could go another year and get Medicare and a supplement like the wife has this year,  Way less premiums and pays better.  Also, if I do end up sick, I could draw SS, maybe even disability, and make the payments.  The regular insurance is too high to pay without a full time job, that is the only thing keeping me there right now the way they are treating me (33 years, run the shop, and troubleshoot/redesign fix everything that goes wrong).  All I want is to be able to get things done right now and then have paid time when I have to nurse the wife, and possibly be laid up myself.


One option is to ignore the PSA stuff for a year and see what comes of it then.  I have already decided on the "short" course if it is the agressive cancer, other wise I will take the least intrusive treatment.  I can't take a chance on going bankrupt and leaving a destitute widow; right now she will have my retirement funds and life insurance, apparently you cant keep any of it and get any help.


All you who replied on my first post on this really helped me get over the depression I had then.  Thanks..  I still fear that the light at end of the tunnel we thought we saw when the radiation ended and we got out from under the  crushing insurance bills is really a train coming the other way.

[KIMBER45]

Alot of things are running through your mind now. Wait for the biopsy results and you'll have a better idea as to what to do. Your rising PSA could be caused by an inflamed prostate. Hang in there.

[magooch]

I sure don't want to give you false hope, but my brother-in-law had a significant sudden rise in his PSA count, got the biopsy and nothing was found.  A few years later he got a ream job and he's fine as frog hair. 
 
I hope for you that the rise in your PSA is something other than cancer, but in no case should you ignore it and let it go for awhile.  The very best thing that can happen is that prostate cancer is detected early.  After it gets too far, it is inoperable.  Some doctors might have the opinion that you can just keep an eye on it and you might croak from something else before it takes you.  That is stupid advice in my opinion.  If it is operable, go for it as soon as you can.  That was what I did and I would do it again wihtout any hesitation whatsoever. 

[KIMBER45]

It's really sad that you are put into that position. You would think that living in America , you wouldn't have to worry about going bankrupt when so much is at stake. Shame on America for allowing this to happen to good hard working folks.

[S.S.]

+1 it is a shame that this has been allowed.
God Bless!  Hope everything goes well

It's really sad that you are put into that position. You would think that living in America , you wouldn't have to worry about going bankrupt when so much is at stake. Shame on America for allowing this to happen to good hard working folks.