Dr Gerry Cabalo

[Robert]

Get well soon, Gerry.

Robert

[Gerr]

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LynnDel said:

It concerns me that it took from the first signs last summer until now to get the cancer diagnosed. I can't help but wonder if managed care is sometimes at fault for situations like this - although I know that nothing is for certain sure in medicine.

LD

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[:"blue"]Before I reply to Lynn, once again I thank everyone for your prayers & concern.

Lynn, the delay had nothing to do with managed care in my case. Recall that from the first positive PSA, I didn't rush to a biopsy. I repeated it, I believe about 4-6 wks later. Then I went to the Urologist who gave me antibiotics to take for 10 days & then repeated the test again a few weeks later. Then I had a commitment to go on a mission trip to Ukraine first two weeks of Sept. When I got back, I then went for a biopsy. There was no rush because most prostate cancers are slow growing. By the time the report came back it was already mid-Oct. A bone scan was scheduled, and after that was done, a CT Scan of the abdomen was done also.

I remember very well when the CT scan was done because it was a Fri, Dec 3. That was actually my personal 9/11, if you please. That was when I was sitting with the radiologist looking at the films & he turned to me & said, "Gerry, you have a tumor in the left kidney, and it looks malignant."

That blew my mind. Now I not only had prostate ca but a kidney ca also!!! The prostate news did not alarm me at all because as I already pointed out, most prostate ca are very slow growing. But kidney cancer is a different story. Very lethal unless removed early completely. Nobody knows for sure what causes it. The only thing that has some association with it is smoking. As I already mentioned previously, I've only tried two puffs on two different occasions in my life which made me so ill I never tried a third time. It was a totally accidental discovery by a CT scan that was being done for a totally different reason. There had been absolutely no signs or symptoms for either cancer whatsoever.

For this one I acted quickly and surgery was done on Monday, Dec 6. I thank & praise God that the kidney ca was totally contained within the kidney capsule and was removed completely. There was no sign of spread. Neither chemotherapy nor radiation works for renal cell ca. Once it has spread, you pretty much have to say your good byes. This surgery took more out of me than this more recent one; I was in hospital 3d.

After my recovery, I was going to go for bracchytherapy (radioactive seeds implanted into the prostate) but that's another story. So as you can see, I have much to be grateful for. For friends who have prayed for me having never even met me, and our loving God who, I believe, in His providence, led to the early discovery & removal of two very serious cancers.

Again, thank you one & all. [/]

Gerry