Ode to a Prostate

[Chas]

There lives in your body down near your bottom
An organ that for years is completely forgotten.
But as time passes and you get older
That organ decides to become bolder and bolder.

It gets bigger and grows
and disrupts important flows
so to stop the advance of this terrible beast
every day you ingest a chemical feast

The chemicals change but do not work
the beast continues to grow and lurk
the doctor tells you the time has come in your life
when you have no option but to go under the knife

You do not really consider when you sign the waiver
that there may be problems perhaps even failure
There is always the risk with all operations
afterwards they use that wonderful word complications

You realise that you have run out of luck
that you can no longer
there are other issues that impact you too
that you have time to consider as you sit on the loo......again!

So you have to make choices you think are for the best
and when you stand before God you hope you passed the test
You realise you are lucky, you are warm and well fed
With wonderful kids and roof above head

You count your blessings at this time of year
As you partake of the festive cheer
Surrounded by family, friends and other kind folk
you smile and laugh and tell a joke

It is in the middle of the night when you cannot sleep
Your thoughts are dark and often deep
You consider what might have been with sadness
And hope you are not being driven to madness

So my friends the organ that lives down near your bottom
Will we are sure never again be forgotten!

(This is poetry Captain, but not as we know it. Stardate 2011)

[Edwin]

Yes, Chas, I have been down that road with things not working, then a TURP procedure in 2004. Then I had a bleeding session last June 18th, then I had a biopsy the same day Sir Michael did. I had a 2 hour problem, but it turned out okay, and I was very sorry for what happened to Sir Michael. I am due for another PSA test in less than a week, and they told me over the telephone that it my PSA is high they will want to do another biopsy, and I don't like that thought. I thought I was going to need to have another TURP because I have stones growing on my protate and I have regrowth of tissue, and the doctor told me I was going to need another TURP, but when I had my appointment with him, when he told me I was cancer free, that I would not be getting another TURP right away, but they are going to watch and see how I do. That made me very happy, and I guess as long as everything works I will be fine without another TURP. I don't really want one if I can live without one, and that remains to be seen. When I had mine in 2004 I was completely shut down, so I had no choice then, and it turned out great with no bad side effects. I wanted them to promise me that it would turn out as good the next time around, but they won't make that promise, so I hope and pray that another procedure will be unnecessary.

[jadegil6]

Chas will be designated as the Poet Laureate of the jaderune forum for 2011.

As far as the question of biopsy, here is something that one should consider: A major problem with biopsies is that each time you have a biopsy, it tends to increase the level of your PSA so it’s very easy to get into a spiral of biopsies, ever-increasing PSA and worry. Plus multiple biopsies can do you serious harm. I would seriously question the need for another biopsy this soon after just having one. That doesn't sound logical. Usually, such procedures are spaced years apart. Having an enlarged prostate can cause a high PSA score. The prostate has become the most overly treated condition in medicine. New theories are to stop doing biopsies because they often do more harm than good.

[Edwin]

I think I agree with you, Sir Michael. When they did the last biopsy my PSA was only .6 above what they consider normal. That along with the fact that I had been bleeding made them decide that they needed to make sure I didn't have cancer. The results proved that I didn't have cancer. My brother had the same TURP as I did, and he had the same bleeding, only his came earlier than mine. I went from 2004 until last June 18th before I experienced bleeding. My brother went to a diffent doctor who examined him, and told him that he looked normal, and my brother told me that he has just not worried about it since. I was working pretty hard when it happened, but of course I have worked hard before without those effects. I worked just as hard early fall with no problems. What you said, Sir Michael makes perfect sense, and I am going to tell them I don't want another biopsy, especially this soon after the last one. It just does not stand to reason. As long as I feel okay and everything works that is all that is necessary. Thank you, Sir Michael; you helped me decide how I think about that, and I think you are correct.

[Edwin]

We got up very early for us anyway, lately. We got up at 5:30 a.m. We made the 3 hour trip to Wenatchee where I was to see the doctor. We got down there about an hour early, and it was a good thing because no one told me that they needed blood drawn before my doctor's appointment, so that they would know what my PSA was. In that hour they managed to draw my blood and get the PSA reading before the doctor came in to see me, so it worked out fine anyway. My PSA went from 4.6 to 4.9, and the doctor said that may be normal for me, and that I shouldn't be unhappy about that, so I told him that I would be happy about it then. He is scheduling me for another PSA in 6 months. This one was after 4 months, and he said that he thinks they need to watch me closely for a while I guess. He said that if it shot way up then there would be concern, but the way it is, is okay. We then went to a place where they have lots of stalls with used items in them. People pay a little rent for the spaces, sell their stuff, and hope they make enough to pay the rent and a little for profit. I found a church hymn/song book that was reasonable, but I have those songs in others of my books, so I elected not to buy. I found a nice piano bench wtih a padded seat, but it would look very out of place at my old piano, and we managed to get the bench we have sturdy enough not to worry that it would calapse, so I decided not to get the bench. We got a large caserole pyrex glass dish 50% off, and it was a bargain. Carol found some handkercheifs that she will give away for Christmas, and a purse she likes, so we have fun looking at everything and then came away with a few useful items. We left early, got back late, and it was a good day.

[Edwin]

A little humor here, okay? When I first read Chas' subject I thought it was Ode to a Prostatute! It was a quick glance, and more careful reading told me what it was. I read the first 6 letters, and glanced at the last 2 and it looked like the word Prostatute. Well, the 2 subjects are hardly related, and after thinking about that I thought it was pretty funny!!!! Chas' poem has special meaning to some of us who are over 60 years old. We often wish it were different, but we are living with what we have. I had a little scare last June 18th with bleeding, which happened to my brother, and I suspect a lot of other people have experienced that, although I hadn't, so it was a shock. I am thankful to the Lord that everything is working fine for me, and I am able to work hard for now anyway without more adverse consequences. Now the doctor is watching me to see that everything is working for me, and that is good. I am trusting the Lord and taking life as it comes! Time to walk the doggies!

[edeline]

Chas will be designated as the Poet Laureate of the jaderune forum for 2011.

As far as the question of biopsy, here is something that one should consider: A major problem with biopsies is that each time you have a biopsy, it tends to increase the level of your PSA so it’s very easy to get into a spiral of biopsies, ever-increasing PSA and worry. Plus multiple biopsies can do you serious harm. I would seriously question the need for another biopsy this soon after just having one. That doesn't sound logical. Usually, such procedures are spaced years apart. Having an enlarged prostate can cause a high PSA score. The prostate has become the most overly treated condition in medicine. New theories are to stop doing biopsies because they often do more harm than good.

I agree with what you said Michael, Poet Laureate.

[tom]

i agree with everyone who posted here, chas is jaderune's poet laureate... thats an amazing poem... very creative...

and, i found it, surprisingly, pleasantly light-hearted and humorous, as well... considering the disturbing subject matter...

anyway, considering the subject, i'd like to nominate chas' poem for consideration as jaderune's "Edgar Allan Poem"... and chas as jaderune's "Edgar Allan Poet"...

seriously though, this poem has raised a lot of questions in my mind...

maybe this is too personal to ask, but most of my questions can be summed up with a one word question.....

"NEVERMORE???"

[Edwin]

Yes, Chas did a magnificent job of that poem, and who among us is not envious! It is a very serious subject, and those make the best material for something like what Chas has done. Chas had a lot of truth that he put into that. I know it was true with me, that I didn't even know it was there until it started causing me problems. I had a good solution, but it maybe an ongoing problem for me also, I don't know. I am fine for now, and maybe fine forever, but who knows. I am trusting the Lord to take care of me anyway. I am very thankful for modern technology, and for skilled surgeons who can help us to have a future when without them and technology some of us might not have any future at all. Thanks Chas for the brilliant poem.

[Chas]

Thanks to all for the kind comments. The poem was written between 2am and 4am when sleep escaped me and writing it was therapeutic.