prostate

[kennyd]

Finally went to the doc for a checkup.  PSA is a bit too high.  There is a history of cancer with Dad.  Went to the urologist, and naturally he wants to do a biopsy.  Right now I have elected to have a second blood test taken and then take things as they come.


The things that bother me are:  the lab report seemed to recommend a prostactomy to lower the PSA, that seems a bit over board to me.
                                                   Since Dad had the "hormone" therapy, (removal of testes) we discussed that.  The doc said it doesn't bother most men at all.  I must not be most men.
                                                   A sample of some "free flow" drug is making me dizzy and light headed.  I was doing OK on saw Palmetto, but it isn't something they can make money on.


If I can hold out for another year I will qualify for medicare.  Right now if I have anything much done I will lose my job provided insurance and can't afford the COBRA (when I got hurt a couple years ago, they billed me every week for insurance).  The wife is disabled, so needs me, but I also do not want to slpend my bit of life insurance and retirement and leave her impoverished.  We already checked and you have to check in any paid up life(the paid up value will pay for about one day of hospital, otherwise the wife will get enough to move to an apartment) and retirement if you get low income aid.


A lot of us face this, any of you have any comments on the biopsy stuff, and the after affects.  The prostate websights are a mess and should be avoided.


I also had a liver spot I didn't understand, so they referred me to a skin cancer specialist, without telling me anything other than that it needed immediate attention and biopsy.  I jumped to the wrong conclusion on that one since it looked just like a melanoma and appeared overnight.  I was so depressed I decided against going target shooting for a recreational outlet.


thanks for listening.

[scotsman]

Sorry to hear of your trouble. I have no expertise to share other than like you I would get a second opinon and go slow and weigh the options. I am always a little concerned when the first reccomendation is a drastic procedure. Stay as positive as you can and educate yourself as best as possible to make the best decision. Best of luck to you.

[BBF]

Arrgh ! 
 Man, my sympathy !  I've had some work done on the family jewels that turned out badly. As far as offering them up, that would only happen after I'm cold and stiff.

[Old Syko]

Biopsy is the ONLY test to properly identify whether or not you have cancer or something else such as BPH.  If it turns out to be prostate cancer there are a multitude of treatments available nowadays.  None of them are cheap so that you will just have to deal with.  The thing is, if it is an agressive type such as mine was you likely don't have a year to wait.  Prompt and agressive treatment may be the only answer.  A proper biopsy is the only way to get the right answers.  There are countless facilities dealing with this.  If you don't like the response you're getting from your present doctors then go to another but don't allow money to make your decisions.  If you make the right decisions you can come out of this as good or better than you went in as myself and others here can verify. 

[victorcharlie]

I had mine check earlier this month.

My doctor told me that almost everyman will have prostrate cancer, and most all will die before it kills them.

I got the impression not to worry about it.

[KIMBER45]

I'm speaking from experience- I had my prostate removed last year about this time. My PSA  was only 3.8 but it had been steadly increasing. I had a biopsy and they found a small amount of cancer. I chose to have my prostate removed. Get a PSA and see if it changes. Things like having sex a few days before the PSA can cause a spike. A biopsy isn't as bad as it sounds - I had 2. The results will tell you what to do next.Feel free to PM me if you want to know more. I'll be more than willing to help. Go to a urologist- they know alot more than some Family Practice guys. There alot of options other than being castrated. Like I said - feel free to PM me. I was treated at Johns Hopkins and learned alot about Prostate problems. Hang in there - it DOES  get better.

[Old Syko]

Just a note about PSA numbers.  It's not unusual for a man's PSA to gradually increase over time.  A few tenths between tests is usually not a big deal as long as that increase is not accompanied with other symptoms.  Sudden spikes on the other hand should be checked out immediately.  Mine went from 2.2 to 5.7 in 90 days.  Big red flag!  Absolutely no treatment involves removal of the testes unless there are much more pressing issues than prostate cancer such as a spread of the cancer to lymph nodes and other other places.  At that time it doesn't matter because nothing will be functional anyway. 


Johns Hopkins is the king of most of today's diagnosis and approved treatments and they are there to teach others. Finding someone who either learned through them or works with them is always a plus.  Like Kimber45 if you shoot me a PM I'll give you my number if you want to talk. 

[quickdtoo]

Been there with prostate cancer at 50 and survived fortunately, here's a previous related disussion, the younger you are, the more agressive it can be, age can make a big difference in the treatment strategy and outcome.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,242606.0.html

[kennyd]

Thanks, all.


While we don't know each other by face, character can be judged by the posts here.


Like I said, the web sights have all the bad things that can happen, not the happy stories.


I will get the second PSA, talk things through with the urologist, and then weigh my options.  As long as I can take care of the girl I married things will be ok.  We had thought that we could start paying down her breast cancer & complications bills now.  Maybe we still can.


What bothered me was a workmate's friend who went the whole chemo, losing everything route, so he could have another year.  I can't imagine doing that and  then leaving the wife with the bills anyway.


Thanks again, including the PM.






Kenny

[KIMBER45]

Kenny- you are at a place that seems dark right now, just hang in there- things WILL get brighter. We always think the worst and thank God, it's usually not as bad as we imagine. I'll give you a small plus. I no longer get up several time a night to pee and when I do Pee, the stream pushes the blue scent cake up the back of the urinal. lol

[tobster]

kennyd- I suggest you get the second psa and a biopsy if needed. I,. like Quick, had a radical prostatectomy for prosate cancer at age 50.  Been cancer free for 10 years. Don't believe all the horror stories you might hear about the side effects of the surgery. Talk to some one who has actually been there and done it ( P.M. me if you wish)  Medical science has come a long way even in the last 10 years. A friend recently had his prosate gland removed via laproscopic surgery. After only two days in the hospital and three weeks recovery he was ready to return to work. Luck and think positive. An infection can cause an elevated PSA reading.   Tobster

[briarpatch]

I am scheduled to get a biopsy in two weeks.... High psa. The day I was in scheduling the biopsy my younger brother was in Orlanda getting everything remove from inside including a section of intestine due to prostate cancer, in an effort to save his life. He has not received any results from the operation or test which took place 2 weeks ago. My Dad is laying on the couch in the next room, we dont expect him to survive but a few more weeks, again from prostate cancer. We are praying for the best.
Get help now as some have said and dont wait.
Dad had radiation treatment about 12 years ago and about 2 years ago his psa went high and the cancer came back in a big way but for some reason they could not operate. Maybe someone on here can explain why?

[KIMBER45]

Radiation basically turns the prostate into a scar, making it very difficult to remove once radiated. That's one reason I chose surgery. You can have radiation after surgery , but not surgery after radiation. This book will answer most of the question about prostates = Dr. Patric Walsh's GUIDE TO SURVIVING PROSTATE CANCER. From Johns Hopkins.

[Hit or Miss]

You guys are great!


Kenny, I'll pray for you!  Right now that's all I can offer.


Scott

[magooch]

The absolute key is early detection.  The biopsy is practically a non-event; I didn't feel a thing.  They found a little cancer and lucky for me, they found it early.  My prostate was removed about four years ago and I don't miss it at all.  Nothing was better than hearing my Urologist tell me, "you're cured", after the follow-up testing. 
 
I spent one night in the hospital after the operation, which was late in the afternoon.  The recovery takes about 6 weeks until you are able to resume full activity.  I went kayaking after 5 weeks, which might have been a little fooish, but I was ready.
 
If cancer is discovered in your prostate, consider yourself extremely lucky if they say you are a candidate for removal.  New procedures are coming along all the time, but when I had mine, cutting it out was the "gold standard" and I was very lucky to have a very, very good doctor.
 
Today, I am pushing 69 and am in great physical condition and so happy not to have to worry about a diseased prostate.  And one more thing, I can put out a bonfire without an extinguisher if need be.

[quickdtoo]

To all current and future cancer survivors, knowledge and well informed decisions can save lives,  live long and prosper!!

Tim

[KIMBER45]

To all current and future cancer survivors, knowledge and well informed decisions can save lives,  live long and prosper!!

Tim

Amen Brother