Prostate cancer

[Barnbuilder]

Anyone here dealt with it? I'm having surgery the 29th.

 

[LouNY]

They say it's the most common and the most curable;
I'm not going the surgery route with my heart and copd it wasn't the recommended method'
I get my first anti-hormone shot tomorrow and start the radiation treatments in about 6 weeks, daily for several months.
Supposed to be the best way for me, we will see.
Good luck with the surgery.

 

[zzvyb6]

Anyone here dealt with it? I'm having surgery the 29th.

I am 5 years out and declared cured. Robotic surgery at Univ. of Michigan hospital. No pain at all from the deal except that they fill your gut up with CO2 to expand the work area. I got the bends in my left shoulder. Yeow, that was tough.

Mine was Gleason 9, 6 out of 12 biopsy samples were "highly agressive". No symptoms, just a routine physical required by my Medicare supplement [ Humana ] with a PSI jumping from 4 to 12. Afterwards, diapers not needed and a great stream and perfect control. You'll be on a catheter for a week while the glue dries. [ I was slightly re-plumbed ]. Viagara for ED. I get to live my life while I'm alive. Total bill was $129,000. I have paid ZERO. Medicare and Humana paid for ALL of it. My friends with Blue Cross have both paid about $20,000 out of pocket. Go check it out while you are waiting. Overall, NOTHING to worry about. It might be hard on your family, but you need to assure them that you'll be fine. All men get it eventually. After a certain age, they won't fix it anymore.

 

[fried1765]

They say it's the most common and the most curable;
I'm not going the surgery route with my heart and copd it wasn't the recommended method'
I get my first anti-hormone shot tomorrow and start the radiation treatments in about 6 weeks, daily for several months.
Supposed to be the best way for me, we will see.
Good luck with the surgery.

I completed Proton Radiation treatment at Loma Linda University Medical Center in March of 1996.
That will be 23 years ago this coming March.
I was 55 years old then, and am 79 now.
Fantastic, state of the art treatment.
My current PSA is "not measurable".
No side effects ever!
Loma Linda was the only hospital environment treatment center in 1996.
There are now 27 proton treatment centers in the USA.
Proton Radiation treatment is the best of the best, and is Medicare approved.

 

[deserteagle71]

It must depend on the type of prostate cancer you have. My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer 20 some years ago but was told that the type he had was so slow growing that he would die of old age before the cancer got him. They were correct. He died in his sleep just about a year ago at 103. The prostate cancer never was a problem.

 

[Barnbuilder]

I'm 53. It seems pretty common among firefighters. Our new chief implemented mandatory NFPA physicals and caught it. PSA of 8.2. 5 of 12 biopsies were cancerous. I must say I'm pretty nervous. I'm at a level 6. Also taking my lymph nodes.

 

[goeduck]

It must depend on the type of prostate cancer you have. My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer 20 some years ago but was told that the type he had was so slow growing that he would die of old age before the cancer got him. They were correct. He died in his sleep just about a year ago at 103. The prostate cancer never was a problem.

103, wow! Maybe it prolonged his life. :confused3:

 

[rekees4300]

Anyone here dealt with it? I'm having surgery the 29th.

There are many variables to consider re Prostate cancer. If you have the luxury of time, educating yourself would be a good first step. I recommend a book called "Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer". The worse course of action would no action since death from Prostate cancer is horrible. Assuming you have caught the cancer before it spread outside of the Prostate gland, surgery should solve the problem for the rest of your life.

There are many good forums on this topic. This is one of the best: Prostate Cancer Support, Forums & Message Boards - Cancer Forums

 

[East30]

I was diagnosed 2 years ago, had robotic surgery August of 2017. Came out of it just fine. Not to say I wasn't nervous going into surgery, but I felt all would be fine as it was caught early. Diagnosed 4+3, surgery pathology downgraded it to 3+4. The day after surgery was a big relief for sure. Feel free to PM if you'd like more details. Keep a positive attitude, I felt that was key for me. The mind is a powerful thing.

 

[fried1765]

There are many variables to consider re Prostate cancer. If you have the luxury of time, educating yourself would be a good first step. I recommend a book called "Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer". The worse course of action would no action since death from Prostate cancer is horrible. Assuming you have caught the cancer before it spread outside of the Prostate gland, surgery should solve the problem for the rest of your life.

There are many good forums on this topic. This is one of the best: Prostate Cancer Support, Forums & Message Boards - Cancer Forums

I had an appointment for surgery with Dr Patrick Walsh at John's Hopkins, before I decided on Proton treatment at Loma Linda.
I did 8 months of research!
I could tell you a story about the Walsh scenario, but it would be more like a short book.
Bottom line: After consulting with the Mayo Clinic (Rochester), and Pat Walsh (John's Hopkins), I opted for Proton radiation treatment at Loma Linda, and I am VERY glad that I did!

 

[SJay]

Regrading any medical procedure - Do not listen to anyone that has a negative story to tell. Stop them in their tracks. You don't want to hear about the next door neighbor, someone's brother-in-law, some friend of a friend who had a problem. Negative people are everywhere - you don't need them.

 

[Norm W]

At this point I'm 73 and have a PSA of.04. The fact that it is that low surprises me. It got my Dad at 90 and his father at 84. I'm waiting for the shoe to fall. The Dr.s look me over real well, as kidney stones seem to like me, although I don't think much of them. After a number of laser treatments, to get the stones, I have the feeling that I have a four lane highway up the pipe. I guess time will tell.

 

[goeduck]

Regrading any medical procedure - Do not listen to anyone that has a negative story to tell. Stop them in their tracks. You don't want to hear about the next door neighbor, someone's brother-in-law, some friend of a friend who had a problem. Negative people are everywhere - you don't need them.

Exactly. :thumbsup:

 

[fried1765]

Exactly. :thumbsup:

For those seeking reliable prostate cancer information, check out the website (non profit) below.

Proton BOB Home | Proton BOB

You will learn a lot ....from over 8,000 men, who have been through prostate cancer treatment (me being one of them).
If anyone would like to send me a PM on this subject, please feel free to do so.

 

[EddieWalker]

Anyone here dealt with it? I'm having surgery the 29th.

Praying for successful surgery and a full recovery!!!

I don't know anything about it, but did learn a little bit about cancer treatment when my wife had colon cancer last year. She has been a RN for almost 30 years and held just about every management position there is at different hospitals from CNO on down. There is a huge difference in who you get to treat you. We have 3 major hospitals here and there was only one doctor that should wanted to treat her. Most are OK, some are horrible. The nurses that work there know who the good ones are and who to avoid. They do not share this with everyone, and it can be hard to get this information, but it's important to find out who is the best at treating your cancer, and where is the best place to go.

On a side note, my mom has a family history of cancer and her siblings passing away from it. She went to the wrong hospital when they first moved here and had a breast exam. The doctor found something, so they did an xray and saw multiple lumps, or issues. Since my mom wanted to go back to Canada to visit family, the doctor said not to worry about it and they would schedule her for a biopsy of those lumps some time after she got back in a few months. My wife freaked out over this and took the xray to the doctor that she feels is the best in the area. He couldn't believe how bad the xray was, and had another done. He then scheduled her for a biopsy the next day. Fortunately it turned out to be nothing, but that is the difference between good and not so good.

 

[rekees4300]

I had an appointment for surgery with Dr Patrick Walsh at John's Hopkins, before I decided on Proton treatment at Loma Linda.
I did 8 months of research!
I could tell you a story about the Walsh scenario, but it would be more like a short book.
Bottom line: After consulting with the Mayo Clinic (Rochester), and Pat Walsh (John's Hopkins), I opted for Proton radiation treatment at Loma Linda, and I am VERY glad that I did!

Happy the radiation treatment worked out for you. Sage to do 8 months of research. :thumbsup:

 

[zzvyb6]

I had an appointment for surgery with Dr Patrick Walsh at John's Hopkins, before I decided on Proton treatment at Loma Linda.
I did 8 months of research!
I could tell you a story about the Walsh scenario, but it would be more like a short book.
Bottom line: After consulting with the Mayo Clinic (Rochester), and Pat Walsh (John's Hopkins), I opted for Proton radiation treatment at Loma Linda, and I am VERY glad that I did!

If you had 8 months for doing research, that indicates you had a very slow growth version of the cancer. I was told that mine was high growth rate and that if left untreated, I would not make Christmas [ on May 29th, 2014 ]. I could refer you to 4 fellows in my hockey league as additional fast-growth cancer patients, but they're dead. Once it gets 'out' to your liver, kidneys, spine or brain, you aren't going to complete your research project.

 

[PILOON]

Well I 'enjoyed' (LOL) prostrate problems for longer than I liked.
(like wearing a bag)
Well they removed my prostate and a year later on 'call back' with tests my MD said he did not want to see me again as every thing was A-OK.
That was 2 years ago.
Must add that in Canada my only costs were parking lot fees.

 

[RBLapham]

I am 77 and had prostate cancer treated 2 years ago. Had the radioactive seeds implanted all 77 of them. One problem I had is frequent urination prior and adding the seeds made that worse by enlarging the prostate, after 1.5 years the urgency to go has gotten back to almost what it was before. One note on PSA readings, My PSA was 1 when the Dr found a lump with his finger, biopsy found cancer so don't rely on the PSA. I researched all the treatments for months. Didn't find anything about the seeds enlarging the prostate. I still think the seeds were the best for me.

 

[fried1765]

If you had 8 months for doing research, that indicates you had a very slow growth version of the cancer. I was told that mine was high growth rate and that if left untreated, I would not make Christmas [ on May 29th, 2014 ]. I could refer you to 4 fellows in my hockey league as additional fast-growth cancer patients, but they're dead. Once it gets 'out' to your liver, kidneys, spine or brain, you aren't going to complete your research project.

Slow growth of PC cancer is usually not measured in weeks or months.
"Slow" is usually measured in years,....but admittedly, may be only a very few.
After the diagnosis,....all logic is often lost, and pure panic becomes the major factor!
My dad died of metastasized PC, but it took 3 years to kill him.

The major issue with PC surgery is there are often "positive margins".
That means there were cancer cells outside the edge of the removed prostate.
Some type of radiation treatment is the only way to treat that.