Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

I was told today that I've got prostate cancer--anybody willing to share experiences?

If this isn't right place or topic I'll delete thread--

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Sorry to hear this. I have two relatives that were diagnosed with Prostate cancer. Both cancers were discovered by a high PSA number and then confirmed with a needle biopsy. In both cases they opted for having the prostate removed. Both have had full recoveries with no recurrence of cancer. There are many options and thoughts about the treatment of prostate cancer. I would do a Google search and sit back for lots of reading. Hope everything works out for you.
Dan

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Sorry to hear man. :(
Best wishes and good luck.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Sorry to hear the news. Best of luck for a swift recovery!

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

I know people who have this cancer and they were treated by a doctor at JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL in MARYLAND.I do not remember his name but he is the best doctor in the country for this illness.I would call the hospital as I am sure they could locate him.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

I know of two gentlemen who have had prostate cancer and survived. As above they opted for "surgical removal". It can have some "side effects", decreased sexual activitiy the worst, but that can now be overcome as I understand it.

As stated above learn as much as you can then try to find some people who have been through the same ordeal. Find a Doctor you trust.

Go into it with a "take no prisioners" attitutde. That is the strongest suggestion I could offer.

I go later this morning for my 35th Major skin cancer surgery, and while that is no comparison to what you have, it's still about attitude.

Good luck and stay strong. You can beat this. Russ

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

My father was diagnosed with postate cancer 10 years ago at the age of 55. He had the surgury and made a full recovery. These type of procedures have come along way, thank god. I hope everything goes well with you.

Greg

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

I will have the name of the doctor at JOHNS HOPKINS shortly.I know this is not a local hospital for you but it is only a short trip by plane and this hospital is the number 1 rated in the country.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

My dad got diagnosed when he was 77. He was to old for the removal so he had 3D radiation at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA. The radiation oncology department is run by Mass General from Boston. He had to go every morning for a ten minute treatment for seven weeks. It made him tired, but he got over it. His PSA level is still low. So far so good. I have talked to many people who were younger and had the removal and they are all doing well and everything still works. They all used a doctor at Mass General. If you need his name and number I could still get it.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Here is my advice-- Get yourself to Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. The best place to go for big problems. They will fix you. Don't waste any time on this. I have a friend who is dying right now from Prostate cancer. He did not get treated early enough and it is too late to save him.

Guys-- If you are over 35 you better get a yearly PSA test for early detection. My friend is 42 and hadn't had a physical in 6 years. I am the same age and I go every year.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Bigwavz has offered the best advice to all of you! It is so important to take care of yourselves guys. The best prognosis' is given when any illness is caught early. Agressive diseases call for aggressive action!

Poorsche we will all be thinking of you!

Julie

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

THanks fro the feedback from everyone. My PSA jumped from neglible/normal to 7 in 1 year. So get the test and the DRE faithfully.

I'm working with Moffett Cancer Center in Tampa for intake interview as we speak.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

My Dad is being treated for it right now. Fortunately, it was caught very early, by way of needle biopsy.
He opted for the radioactive "Seeds," rather than removal. To be honest, I don't know all the reasons he chose that route, but I do know that the seeds have come a long way in recent years. When he was having the conversations with his doctor about options, the doctor told him that if it had been a year ago, he would have absolutley recommended surgery. With the recent advances, and statistics that have been reported, he now recommeds the seeds in some cases, my Dad being one of them.
The procedure couldn't have been that bad, since he went to work two days later. (He's retired, but works part-time out of boredom.) A little sore, and a few side affects, but nothing terrible. Monday will be 4 weeks since he got the seeds, which means they have pretty much depleted themselves by now.
He's still going to have to go for radiation treatments, which is supposed to be more of an inconvenience than anything else. 5 days / week for 6 weeks. I think the treatments themselves are only a couple minutes. They equated it to getting an x-ray every day.
The other thing, aside from early detection that nay have helped my Dad, is that he's in great shape for 59. He runs and or walks a coulple miles every single day, lifts weights, etc.
If there are any questions you have, post them here or pm me, and I'll ask him. Has to be today though...he's going to Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

I know several. One was 77 when diagnosed. They removed his. He continued to have "adult recreational functionality" via a comical "pump up bulb" device, and lived another 7 years after his diagnosis until related cancers took him out. His boozing and womanizing probably did nothing to prolong his time..

Another friend is 63. Was diagnosed in October. Opted for the seeds. Is claiming that all is well for the moment. Each visit back to the doctor is greeted with continued good news.

Best of luck.
We're with you.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Poorsche...

Just curious how old you are and how you found it?

Good luck. We will be praying for a full and speedy remission.

Like others have said it's about attitude.
Attack it and crush it.
We've got your back.
The power of OSO is strong mojo.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

My Father and his 2 brothers all were diagnosed. All 3 took different treatments. One had surgery, the other brother did radiation and "seed" implants and my father did radiation and hormones. They all did it about 5 years ago and all are doing fine. All were in their 70s.

As far as Mayo, depending on which one you go to they will recommend different treatments. Thats what we were told when we checked into it for my father. In the end they all used their local doctors.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Age has a lot to do with treatment ....it is a slow diease especially inolder men ..In Some older men ..late 70's -80's they do nothing cause age will usually cause problems before the cancer does ... I would def go to more than one Doctor and also try to find the best available .... good luck ...Anthing you need up here near jax ..(mayo Clinic) let me know ..Mike ...

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

I believe the name of the specialis at Johns Hopkins is Dr Walsh. He operated on my friend about seven years ago using his nerve sparing technique. He's fine now. Good luck!

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

rainm~
We have a friend that did the same thing and he seems to be fine now.

Poorsche~
I wish you all the best and will keep you and your loved ones in my thoughts and prayers!


~Cat

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Mr P, you reading this? Love ya honey.

Poorshe
I have been acquainted with several people who have had great recoveries from this. I am sure your mind is spinning from this news. There are a lot of options and a lot of people that have been gone through this, hopefully some of their advice will lead you in the right direction. Best wishes we are all praying for you. Donna

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

The doctor to contact at JOHNS HOPKINS is DR.Alan Partin,he is the director of the department of urology.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Prostate is about the most treatable and survivable cancer there is!

You will do fine. Decide on a treatment according to age, lifestyle, and risk.

It's a maintenence thing...1/3 of all men will have prostate issues, the most common being cancer. That's why the treatments are so well scienced....experience!

Again, you will do fine. Just get on with the treatment of choice, and be done with it before boating season!

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Poorsche sorry to hear that news. That said, the good news is it is very treatable, depending what stage, and how aggressive you want/have to go.

My father-in-law chose the 'seeding' (one of the first to undergo this procedure back then in Staten Island, NY), was the least invasive, and has been free for at least 7 or 8 yrs. or more. He checks his PSA constantly.

Only fall out for him seems to be he had to urinate frequently. Not sure about the sex part ... he and my mother-in-law prolly had sex 5 times, one for each kid, and that was it ... I think ... the youngest is 35yrs old so that's not an issue with him.

Good luck and we'll pray for you.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

I've had Ulcertive Colitis now for about 8 years (a cousin to Chrones disease). Increases my risk of prostate cancer by about 50% over the normal man, so I read this thread with some concerned interest. Please keep us informed of your decisions as I'm sure you and I are not the only ones who worries about this form of cancer.

Hope everything works out for you.

Mike

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

I'll second that. Very high cure rate if it hasn't spread to lymph nodes.
Good luck.
Gary

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

My dad was diagnosed last year (he is 77). They gave him the surgery or the raidation treatment. For him to have the surgery, he'd have to go off his blood thinners, which would leave him at risk for stroke or hear attack, so he went with the same treatment as wannanewboat's dad did. I discussed it with him, and told him since he was retired and didn't have to be anywhere at any specific time, I'd opt for any treatment that didn't put him under the knife. He is still checked, and it's all good still.

Poorsce, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you? The reason I asked is a few years ago when I had kidney stones, they said my PSA was a tick high.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Again thanks for info and openess everybody is going with here--

For more background--I'm a 61 y/o 6'--190 # smoker, drinker, single (for 22 years) white male and the only other health problem I've got is Crohns that's been inactive for about 8 years. I've had three major bowel resections due to the Crohn's over the last 30 years.

Both my folks and 2 uncles died of one form of cancer(Dad=bladder,uncles= kidney,Mom= bone).

Think I said earlier my PSA went from low normal to 6.4 in one year and DRE identified lumps in both lobes. Biopsy cqme back positive in all 18 samples. One of the scans identified somethine in my left kidney that they are looking at Monday with and IVP but Doc said it def wasn't cancer (some good news).

My Urologist won't recommend knife or radiation--he says I have to make informed choice and he will "execute" my wishes (gallows humor).

I meet with the Radiaion Oncologist next Friday to talk about gettig his silver bullet treatment.

I'm doing a John Kerry flip-flop for now--surgery v radiation v surgery ad nauseum.

I've got an intake appointment at Moffett Cancer Center in Tampa in the works with the Chairman of the Urological Oncology Department.

I'm leaning towards Moffeet because I've got a lot of family in Tampa that can help me with the recoop period after surgery. I have fonally found a second reason not to be single -- after al these years.

TO close this reply--I was extremely hesitant to start this thread because it's so damned peronal and I was concerned that folks migh be offended by the topic or view me as a puss for even bringing up personal problems.

Guess I underestimated the issue and the general good nature of the boating community--

THanks Again--

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Poorsche- I don't have any well saged advice for you on this. Fortunately that is the one type of cancer that hasn't hit my family. The best I can do for you is pray as I'm sure that most everyone else on the board is doing for you right now. But just by reading this thread, your hopes and spirits should be just a little bit higher. It seems there is a really high recovery rate! Any good news helps.

Keep us updated

Terra and Sean

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

I wish you the best and don't anyone ever feel that if they need to vent about something that they shouldn't do it here. I don't post much(but I read a lot) but it certainly seems that there are an above average amount of great people on this board and if someone was ever offended about someone reaching out for alittle help, guidance, support, etc than I probably wouldn't care much of their opinion. Good Luck
Bill

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Poorsche, I'd take any option not to go under the knife if possible. Let us know what you decide. You've got a large family here pulling for you.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Poorsche,

My brother has been battling it for 4 years now. His first doctor should have treated him sooner than he did and this has caused numerous complications.

Here is a link to my home page that has a link to my cancer page that has 9 links to different information on Prostate cancer. Lots of different treatments available and the links on my site talk about many of them.

www.mtboats.com

Be sure to do a lot of research and do it fast and I would get at least 3 doctor/surgeon opinions.


Best wishes for a complete recovery.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Poorsche,

First off I hope you make a full & speedy recovery.

My father was diagnosed almost two years ago. Somehow even with regular check ups and PSA's it wasn't discovered until it was in it's worst stage of Cancer. It had spread to five lymph nodes and left a tumor in his bladder. By the grace of God my neighbor is a O.R. nurse for the Chief of urology at John Hopkins and was able to pull some strings to get my dad into see the right Dr's. To make a long story short, he had regular radiation on all Cancer areas, Hormone therapy (to shrink the prostate) and the tumor in the bladder removed. It has been a long road for my dad but he is almost cancer free!!! :D My recommendation is to educate yourself as much as possible (as you already have begun) and don't settle for the first option of treatment. If my dad stayed with his first doctor he may already be dead. The first Dr. only wanted to treat the prostate cancer and get to the other problems later :mad: WTF

If you can swing a trip to John's Hopkins I would highly recommend it. I believe they are #1 in urology and #2 for Cancer in the world (or something like that... still damn good)

Good luck and if you have any more detailed questions about my dad's case please feel free to contact me

God Bless,

Rob

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Stay up ..and kick its ass .. I know two guys that had it ..not sure what they elected for but both are clean and healthy ..

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Poorsche, be strong, we're all here pulling for you.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Poorsche,
I wouldn't worry about airing your dirty laundry here. We may not be experts on every subject , but there are a lot of years of lifes experience's that may help to steer you in the right direction.
And by the way , most people I've known , have done very well with prostate cancer.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Poorsche,

All the best with this - I had Testicular Cancer in 1988 and I have been lucky enough to have come through completely unscathed if a little one sided down there! I think most people know someone who has gone through something like this and I for one have never had a problem discussing it, especially if it helps someone going through a similar experience.

Re: Not Sure ABout this--Prostate Cancer ??
 

Again many thanks to everyone who took the time to comment and offer information and support--here's a quick status report.

I've been accepted for intake review on March 9 at Moffett Cancer Center in Tampa with the Chairman of the Urology Dept. For me this is more than a God-send because my brother and his family lives in Tampa and he's been treated there for the last 8 months.

Film at 11--as Dan Rather used to say--
:evilb: