Get a Second Opinion

[Guest guest]

I am writing to share my recent experience. After living with a prostate cancer

diagnosis for six years, it appeared that I had reached a crisis and would need

treatment. This fear was prompted by a sharp rise in my PSA. As part of the

process of deciding on treatment I joined discussions on the internet and found

many intelligent and sympathetic men and their wives. I must say you brought me

great comfort with your compassion and solid information, and I appreciated you

greatly. As it turned out the spike in my PSA was temporary, and a new biopsy

[2010] did not find cancer. The biopsy before that [2006] also did not find

cancer. This is not to say that cancer wasn’t present, but only that none was

found. Because of discussions on the internet, however, I was emboldened to

seek a second opinion on the original diagnosis made in 2004. The second

opinion from s Hopkins University disputed the original finding. The

original pathology report found adenocarcinoma with a Gleeson score of 3+3. The

second opinion said the tissue in question was actually benign crowded cells.

In other words, I never had cancer in the first place. The doctor who made the

original diagnosis re-examined the sample and came to agree with the second

opinion. He called me to apologize for his mistake and also wrote a gracious

letter expressing sympathy for the fact that I went through seven years of

needless anxiety.

I have been reluctant to share my good news, since so many of you are suffering.

From what I’ve seen of your kindness and compassion, however, I am thinking

you will be glad for me. I am grateful to all of you for the support and

information you gave when I was contemplating surgery. Believe me when I say I

wish all of you the best in dealing with this disease.