16 Comments
User's avatar
Tim G's avatar

It is good to read that your symptoms were almost certainly not a stroke or TIA, as I’m sure you are. I’m a retired internist and geriatrician who practiced from 1979 until 2020, so I have seen lots of changes in the way medicine is practiced. For all of my career I practiced in New Jersey so all of my physicians were people I knew and who knew me. Now that I’ve moved to Connecticut and am seeing all new doctors they spend less time with me and the exams are often much more cursory that how I was trained or experienced. While advanced technology has helped make a diagnosis, the human aspects of providing care are lost when you know little about your patient and have barely put your hands on them. The trust a patient puts in their doctor still is an important part of healing. Best wished for continued good health despite the prostate cancer.

Keith R. Holden, M.D.'s avatar

I completely agree with you Dr. G! Thanks for your wisdom.

Paul Thompson's avatar

Dear Dr. Keith--long-ago, ashort-term pt of you in NE FL. Heck of a tale you told. Will look for your thoughts on the rising PSA. Plan to share this with my solo practice, former nurse turned physician, here in Orange Park. Carry on with life. And with Mike.

Lynda Quillen's avatar

You need IMT for your neck disc. Wish we were there to help.

Keith R. Holden, M.D.'s avatar

Hi Lynda. I agree! Miss y'all!!

Howard Wolinsky's avatar

Just catching up. Wow, what a story. Still catching up, but speedy recovery, Keith.

Keith R. Holden, M.D.'s avatar

Thanks Howard! I'm doing much better.

Christina Terrance's avatar

I am the advocate for my Mark who has advanced prostate cancer. I subscribed to your Substack early on in our journey. I find your posts helpful & this post was compelling. I found myself feeling what undoubtedly Mike must of been feeling. Concerned, scared, the need to be strong & supportive. It can be exhausting as I am sure you’re aware. Blessings to you & Mike. May brighter days be ahead! 🙏🏻Christina

Keith R. Holden, M.D.'s avatar

Hi Christina. I don't know how you caretakers do it. To walk along with someone you love so much, go through it with them, and yet put on a strong front and continue to advocate. It takes a special person to be that loving and loyal. Thanks for what you do and may brighter days be ahead for y'all too.

John's avatar

What a rollacoster ride of physical and emotional symptoms. I certainly can identify with your experience having been hospitalized twice this last year for a STEMI and then a massive GI bleed related to antiplatelet therapy several months later. I am sad to say that physicians in the current world of hospital medicine almost seem perfunctory. The systematic elimination of primary care physicians making hospital rounds is a huge contributing factor, but a good nurse at your bedside is as good as gold. Keith, I am relieved to hear that this situation did not result in your greatest fears. I too echo your sentiment that by the grace of God, I would not become disabled and become a burden to my family. You remain in my thoughs and prayers.

Keith R. Holden, M.D.'s avatar

Hey brother. So sorry to hear what you've been through. Thank you! And you too are in my thoughts and prayers.

John's avatar

More fun this week as I am off my anti platelet meds in preparation for a Optilum

Procedure to address recurrent UTI’s related to my chronic urethral stricture.

John Pavy's avatar

God bless u for letting us journey with u

Keith R. Holden, M.D.'s avatar

Thanks for your support John!