This always happens....
to the other guy. Right? Wrong! I'll cut to the point quickly, and then add details for those who are interested, as I couldn't find enough information myself just a few short months ago. Today I received my 2nd class medical certificate 7 weeks and one day after having undergone a robotic nerve-sparing prostatectomy. Yes, you can read between the lines on that one. And, YES, I am a very happy person today!!! I wasn?t looking for surgery after having never had any for the first 55 years of my life. As a matter of fact, I had NONE of the symptoms associated with prostate issues, let alone cancer. Yet this has been a very long year for me that has come to a very happy ending. Here's the story....
I am an avid, open-level racquetball player. I find it a great stress release, as well as fun. But, it is a rough game in its own way, and every once in a while something gets hurt. In January of this year I thought I had pulled a hamstring, but the pain was excruciating
and unlike anything I had ever experienced. I could hardly walk without tears almost coming to my eyes. So, I went to see the orthopedic surgeon. After many tests, including an MRI, the diagnosis was ?soft tissue damage, no need for concern, and here?s some therapy exercises." Of course, by this time I am feeling better, too. A few days later I am having a casual phone conversation with my lifelong pilot friend and AME Dr. Chuck Hoyt (many of you may know Chuck if you are in the Ohio area), and I mention my leg pain to him and he says go get your PSA checked. I think Chuck is joking, because he is always yanking my chain. Turns out he will be one of many that I owe my future to. I go get it checked, and the number comes back 3.1. No big deal according to the urologist, but since it had changed from 1.6 the last time it was checked 16 months ago, he thought a regimen of Ciprofloxin for 6 weeks followed by 6 weeks of waiting and another PSA test would be the right course of action, as it could just be Prostatitis. Well, 12 weeks later the PSA is still 3.1, so he recommends a biopsy. Not fun. Then the call I will never forget, the evening of our 33rd wedding anniversary. Your results came back positive. Of the 12 core samples taken, 1 showed 5% carcinoma and 1 showed 13% carcinoma. Now we had to decide on a course of action. Just sit back and wait? Do you think I know how to sit back and wait for anything to happen? So we looked at the choices: Radioactive seeds, High Dose Radiation, or surgery (laparoscopic or robotic). I was all scheduled for HDR, because it is very quick. No time lost at work. Then another great friend, Dr. Jim Frank, called to give me a hard time about my future and turned us on to robotic (DaVinci) surgery and a great doctor by the name of Scott Miller right here in Atlanta. I do listen when family and good friends get in my face, so we went to see Dr. Miller. I interviewed him like I was hiring someone, promised I would be a good patient if he would be a good doctor, and the rest is history. The procedure went well. I only took a Percocet for the ride home, and lived on Tylenol and Advil after that when needed, as I had read that healing would be faster without narcotics. I don?t like them anyway, so no problem there. The first week with a catheter is not fun, the second week is with Depends, and after that things just gradually get back to normal (yes, the sex has been completely normal since the day after the catheter removal. It?s too bad there is so much negative info out there regarding this particular topic). At 6 weeks my PSA came back <0.10, which the doc says is virtually undetectable.
The coolest thing is that another great friend and AME, Dr. Alan Kozarsky, kept in touch throughout the process. As soon as I had my ?no limitations? letter from the urologist he started working with the FAA, and in 1 week I had my medical back. The Young Eagle rides I will be giving this week end at our Community Fly In will have special meaning to me.
And best of all, Carol and I are headed to LOE!!! We actually made our hotel reservations the same day the notice went up on VAF, and have been keeping out fingers crossed. It?s good to have a goal when you have to go through something like this.
For the guys out there, stay on top of your PSA. And if any of you need support or have questions, don?t hesitate to contact me.
Guess what's common between Dr.'s Chuck Hoyt, Jim Frank, and Alan Kozarsky? They are avid pilots and love flying as much as we do. These guys are the pinnacle of doctors for us pilots, and from what I understand they are role models in their own professions, too. I am humbled to have friends such as these.
Now, I?ve got some flying to catch up on!!!
Vic