It seems there has been some sort of policy change at our GP practice. John rang for his latest PSA result on Friday and the receptionist refused to provide it - said that it needed to be reviewed by the GP first. He must have been a bit worried about this but didn't mention it until last night. He phoned again today and was told the same thing - he explained that he has this test every three months and needs the number so that he can inform his onco and urologist but the receptionist said that it had been referred to the hospital for advice. You can imagine the scene - a now anxious husband got cross - they could only offer that a GP would phone him back.
GP phoned back this evening - "result is fine"
John - "what is the actual number?"
GP - "It's fine - nice and low"
John "what is the number?"
GP says 0.09
Now, the GP may not have known that John has no prostate. She may have no idea that he has had prostate cancer. He says that she and the receptionist both spoke to him like he was a child; my instinct is that they may have assumed - because it was prostate-related - that he was some doddery old man. I have suggested that he e-mails the practice tomorrow to point out (politely) that he has a brain and to ask whether thye have changed their policy on giving results over the phone.
I am away but John sounded stressed on the phone - maybe too many hours thinking about it and getting cross which is unusual as he is normally the most calm, placid guy you could ever meet. I said that 0.09 is still undetectable and nothing to worry about so hopefully he is now reassured until we see the onco. Privately, I am a little disappointed for him - was really hoping that the last rise to 0.08 was simply to do with cycling in France. In fact, as I type this I am thinking that he may have had a big bike ride the day before the most recent test - I must phone him back and ask.