February 6, 2023

After Dr. Brian Davis (the radiation oncologist) on Friday had told us that the best treatment for me for the prostate cancer would be radiation, not surgery, I wasn’t looking for this morning’s appointment with the urologist to be too productive.  I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Dr. Igor Frank walks in, sits down and the first thing that he says to me is this, “I am a surgeon who performs prostate cancer surgeries.  As a surgeon, I wish I could say to you that the best treatment for you is surgery.  But I am here to tell you that would not be your best treatment.  Radiation is.”

How’s that for a magnificent doctor?  Dr. Frank has a persona about him that few people have.  You can tell immediately that he is extremely bright and knowledgeable.  But there isn’t an ounce of haughtiness in him. He also comes across as a very caring man.

He had gone over all my tests, scans, etc., and even knew who the surgeon was who did my abdominal surgery in 2012.  Dr. Frank was to consult with Dr. Davis sometime today and the two of them will determine the next step for me.  It is his opinion that I have something in the bone that is an issue. 

So, it appears that a bone marrow biopsy may be the next major test.  I asked him how painful that will be.  He chuckled a bit and said, “Well, you’d be under sedation, but they do have to get to a bone and drill through the bone.”  Maybe a special DeWalt drill? Hopefully not a cheap one from Harbor Freight.

Dr. Frank confirmed that I do have a moderately aggressive prostate cancer that cannot be left untreated.

We spent the day anticipating some word on the next step but that word didn’t come.  I have an appointment with the hematologist in the morning.  Hopefully we will get some clue as to how they will proceed.

Some things I have learned since the last post:

1.) The key card at the motel doesn’t work no matter how many times you swipe it at room 123 when you are staying in room 119.

2.) Minnesotans must have really thick blood.  We stopped in Sam’s to pass some time over the weekend and they had bathing suits and ski life jackets on display.  Hum.  It was just 15 below. 

3.) It’s a wonderful thing to have worship online when you can’t be there in person.  But it’s nothing like being there with others. 

Much love and thanks for the prayers.