Jonathan Zierdt

November 12, 2013


Welcome to our CaringBridge site. We've created it to keep friends and family updated. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement during this time when it matters most.

My story begins about three years ago when my family physician recommended that I participate in annual Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screenings due to there being a family history of prostate cancer and “it is just good practice.” So for the past three years, my PSA levels tipped just short of the point of concern.  In May 2013, in addition to the PSA level being elevated, my physician could feel a slight abnormality during my yearly exam. It was then felt that a referral to a urologist would be the prudent course of action.

In June, my urologist concurred, and in addition to my relative young age, felt a diagnostic biopsy ought to be conducted.

On Friday, November 1st, I had the diagnostic exam performed.  My weekend recovery seemed relatively normal, but was cautioned to keep an eye on potential infection.  On November 5th, my urologist confirmed a positive result for prostate cancer.

Over the weekend of November 10th, following two Emergency room visits,   I was diagnosed with an internal infection, and when unresponsive to the initial prescribed medications, I needed to be hospitalized for more aggressive treatment.   It was on admission to the hospital that a CT scan was ordered and revealed a mass on one of my kidneys.   The assessment at this point is renal cell cancer (kidney cancer) as well. 

As my photo shows me studying a map, determining where to go, I view this experience, too, as a journey to new places I’ve not been.  Thank you for following my journal where you can join me on this journey, filling in the map as we go, and thank you for your care and endless support.