OT - Bad news for me

Many of you might remember that last year I went through a prostate biopsy. Last year the news was that I didn't have prostate cancer. This year during my physical the PSA and Free PSA tests came back unfavorable.

The end result was another biopsy this time with cancer found on the left side of my prostate. I will be meeting with my doctor to discuss options. From what I can ascertain at my age "53" the recommended option for a greater than 10 year survival is to have the prostate removed.

If any of you out there have had this done and wouldn't mind sharing your results please give me an email.

Thanks, Tom

Hi Tom,

that's quite a shock to read about your results.
As a nurse I have seen a lot of people that lived a lot longer than 10 years.
Don't make this a self fullfilling prophecy.
Always keep a positive outlook on the outcome.
My prayers are with you.

Eric

Tom,

I know of three individuals that had a protatectomy, which is a micro-surgical procedure that was developed at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. This technique utilizes micro-surgery, performing the operation under a microscope and disecting the prostate from around the urethra without damaging the prostate nerve and the adjacent sphincter muscle. While the procedure takes a bit longer to perform, the outcome is much better, eliminates incontenence problems and has few sexual side effects as well. Long term survival rate is right at the top, and recovery time is relatively short.

Good Luck my friend,

Gary

Tom, I'd advise going to a newstand and reading pg. 30 of Discover Magazine, January 2005 issue. This discusses what was declared this past October by a Stanford guy, THomas A. Stamey.

Basically, it says they don't even know if PSA tests save lives.

Now, you DO have cancer. So, that's a bit different. But I will type a key paragraph. Then you can discuss this with med people.

"When doctors follow up a high PSA level with a biopsy, they often find cancer. But this is only because most men have some degree of prostate cancer. Studies have shown that 80 percent or more of men over age 70 dies with -- but not from -- prostate cancer. As counterintuitive as it seems, detecting prostate cancer is not always in the patient's best interest. Once cancer is diagnosed, most men opt for treating it either with radiation or removal of the prostate. In many cases, that leads to impotence, urinary incontinence, and other unpleasant side effects."

I have no med training, so it would be best if you read the whole thing and it's just another piece of the puzzle. But it is new information.

hi tom,my uncle was given the news he had terminal cancer and was given less than a year to live ,he was given this info 4 years before,he explained he would try anything that he could,the result (ESSIAC)he did a search on the net (you do it too)he read this story about this nurse (caisse)thats essiac backwards,i,m not going to spoil it for you look it up,and anyone else that has an interest,here is the link read ALL of the info, http://essiac-info.org/ ,,,,mike ps. prostrate is also dealt with here

[This message has been edited by nardoni2002 (edited 01-04-2005).]

[This message has been edited by nardoni2002 (edited 01-04-2005).]

Tom, I'm sorry you have to go through this, my friend. Listen to Gary. I've heard of others having this procedure and they were very happy with it. They are learning new things every day, do don't hesitate to get second and third opinions and do your own research.
I will say a prayer for the positive outcome that I know will result!
DonM

Tom, I'm really SORRY to hear the news about you having prostate cancer. The GOOD news is that its one of the cancers with the highest success rate of cure when caught relatively early (of which appears to be the case with you). The best to you on your path to recovery. Our prayers are with you my friend. - Scott

Tom....Right now, I'm going through the same thing with the PSA Tests....I'm 65 and have been taking the Psa tests for about 3 years now...they started out low then went over the 10 mark then went down again to the 4-5 mark now it is well over 14 and they are sending me to specialists that tell me that the PSA test don't mean all that much so they did an ultra sound last week and said that my prostrate was very enlarged and that
there was a small black spot and I have to go back on the 3rd of Feb for more tests...
about two months ago I started to take this
Re-Liv products and I mean to say that I feel so much better and don't have the other problems relating to enlarged prostrate any longer....I refuse to let this thing get the best of me and you should not let it get to you....check out the procedure that Gary mentioned....God Bless and good luck..our prayers are with you....

Good luck to you, Tom.
I don't pray, but I will keep my fingers crossed!

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Roy-Andrè

No advice here, Tom... just a note of best wishes. Try to stay as positive as possible and let's hope for the best.

Glenn

Dear Tom.

I want to tell you, my experience.
Past August , during a complete test for a hernia surgery , the PSA level reached 4.2.
My son Dr. Daniel conducted me to an Urologist that recommended a radical prostatetomy (made in August, 16).
Today I am glad to say that the problem was
solved.
No chemio and radioterapy was necessary.
Today my PSA level is 0,001.
Past September I made the second surgery (hernia)with 100% of success.
I think that you will pass through a hard way, but I am sure that you, as me, will be victorious.

Cheers and best regards
Chico

[This message has been edited by ChicoBrasil (edited 01-04-2005).]

Tom,

So sorry to learn about your illness, but the good news is it has a high survival rate when diagnosed before spreading outside of the prostate gland which seems to be true in your case. I happened to read a bit at http://www.prostate-cancer-institute.com/index.html . I know anybody can find it, but thought it wouldn't hurt to include that anyway.

I wish you best of luck and strength to make it through.

Shiral

Tom,
So sorry to hear that your tests came back unfavourable.

Keep positive, and just like last time you will come out the other end smiling.

Remember that through it all there are HUNDREDS of synthzoners, all over the world who are sincerely wishing you nothing but the best.

Very best wishes
Tony

Tom,

We're all with ya man. Be strong, be positive, and be determined to kick this thing.

We are all facing a similar situation.

To all you men out there, get your PSA checked, get a digital exam, check your blood pressure and cholestrol, and get that colonoscopy. Don't be thick-headed, just do it!!!!

God bless you Tom....... you're not in this alone. My prayers are with you and your family.

I am so sorry to hear this Tom. I really hope that surgery can clear up this problem for you. At 53 you are still a relatively young guy and able to overcome the treatment that is required to beat this. All the best and keep that good attitude to life that you have always had.

Cheers,
Nigel

Thanks everyone. I finally talked to my doctor last night (after a very encouraging conversation on the phone with Gary Diamond). He said not all the samples had cancer cells in them and that it was a low grade cancer at this point. For those of you who know about the Gleason index I was a six. I'm not really worried about my long term survival. Removal of my prostate should give me at least 10 years and by then if there should be a problem I'm sure science and modern medicine will have some more treatments and options available. I'm just not looking forward to the surgery's side effects.

In an effort to maintain confidentially I won't name names but I did talk on the phone to a forum member who had the same procedure done. I want to thank him for the call and encouagement. Thank you also to the members who emailed me. Again thanks to all the members for their concern and encouragement.

Tom

Tom ... So sorry to hear the news ... Like some others here I faced the same situation, with a Gleason score of 6 as well ... The biopsy showed a few samples to be 3% malignant ... In 2003, at 62 yrs of age I opted for the radical surgery, especially when I was told that if I tried the radiation there would be 2 concerns: 1) I would have to stay away from young children for 4 - 6 months due to the possibility of exposure - with 4 grandchildren under the age of 5 at the time that was NOT an option; 2) should the cancer come back there would be no option of surgery as the radiation would turn the prostate to "mush" ...
I have heard of the micro-surgery being done at some hospitals now, including Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC, where I had my surgery. This procedure was not being performed there at the time ... I hear the results regarding 'side effects' are MUCH better ... Good for you, and others to follow ...
BTW, my last PSA in Dec. was 0.05, or as they say "undetectable".
Do the 'Kegel' exercises (even before the surgery), go in with a positive attitude, and may the Good Lord Bless you as he has me ...
t.
PS ... I expect to be around a LOT longer than 10 years!!!
t.

Tom...you are in my thoughts.
We're ALL in your corner.

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...L

Tom....Good Luck I know you'll get thru this & recover nicely....I'm pullin for ya ......

God Bless

Tom,

So sorry I’m late! I read a lot, and any of the reviews I’ve read about, all claimed that most any type of microsurgery is outstanding for side affects, recovery etc. If it is available where you are, consider it friend.

As far as for the hernia, I laid bricks with one for 6 months, not because I’m tough but because I was terrified to go under the knife. Looking back in comparison to the way I felt at the time, it was literally nothing!

I entered the hospital at 6:00 AM for the prep work. At 11:00 AM I was climbing out of the wheel chair without any help into my auto to go home. You’ll be surprised how the surgery goes. They may have sent me home early because I had no insurance. If you have insurance they may want to keep you for a while. Every place is different.

If I may, I’d like to take the opportunity to mention Saw Palmetto. Ask you Urologist about it. On my annual prostate check-up, which cost $15, and is sponsored by a cancer research organization, I asked the Urologist if I was wasting my money for the past 8years on Saw Palmetto. He was familiar with the product and told me to continue to take it.

It’s not very expensive. I take two in the morning and two pills in the evening. I recommend everyone from the middle 40’s to take it. I think it helps keep the prostate from swelling. I don’t get up in the middle of the night anymore like I once had to.

The annual check-up for the $15 of the prostate probably is in your area also. Call the cancer society where you live. It’s worth it.
Hope I haven’t offended anyone.
Boo Hargis

God bless you, Tom. My prayers are with you.

Armando

Hang in there bro... you'll make it, my prayers are with you, God BLess You.. :love:



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ViLo
HE'S COMING, MAKE MUSIC, GET READY!

Had positive biopsy last March Fortunately my hospital has one of the 2 doctors in the world who does HAND (NOT ROBOTIC!)(Lahey Clinic)laparascopic Prostate surgery. Does 2/day, 4 days/week. Been here from Germany 2 years, after doing 700 there. May 6th was operated on. Had zero pain.very minor discomfort. Less than getting a tooth filled. Would have gone home that day if they let me.Walked 30 mins. next day, 60 minutes 2 days later - 4 miles after 3 days. Minor incontinence gone in 30 days.September 10% impotent. Sent 3 others with same unbelieveable results. Go laparascopic. Recurrence is less than 8%.

Good surgical numbers. Glad everything is working out OK for you.

Gary

lightning... first, welcome to the 'Zone' ...
Your post-op report is great ... I spent 10 days in agony with that damned catheter in me ... I'm convinced that was invented by somebody who HATES men ... BTW, if you don't mind my asking... how old are you? ... from what I hear that's a big factor in the recovery process...
t.
PS: ... Tom ... when I saw this thread I held my breath until I read it ... Hope all is well with you ...
How's that grandson doing?
t.

Tom,
a big hug from me too.
I am positive that everything will be all right with you.
Please, don't think in terms of "survival" and leave that kind of lingo to surgeons: I hate it!

I must admit I was very surprised to see this topic at the top of the list. I'm doing great. I just had my PSA and there was none to be found. That's the way we want to keep it.

Thanks for the well wishes but they should have been directed to Lightning. Lightning I too wish you well and I'm sure Dreamer does also. I pray that you found it early and it hadn't spread to the surrounding parts.

The only side effect I still have is I need to take the little blue pill. The Viagra works well for me. I tried the others and the effectiveness and fewer side effects make the blue pill my drug of choice. I fully expect to not need anything in the future. My doctor told me there were many 50s something men that need to take the blue pill that haven't had prostate surgery. As the Beatles said "It's getting better all the time".

Tom

Tom ... Happy for the good news... BE CAREFULL ... "any erection for 4 hours or more should have immediate medical attention .." ...I NEVER thought that would be a problem... .. a DREAM maybe ?!?
t.

As a matter of fact, at this very moment my father is in a hospital, waiting for his prostate to be removed. It is very large and so they will probably not do the procedure via the urethra, they will open him up. My only concern is that he has a pacemaker and he is 77 years old.

His PSA is 5.4. I talked to the doctor about that and quoting his exact words "0 to 4 is normal, 4 to 10 makes us more careful, and at 10 and more we are suspicious. Suspicious DOES NOT mean there is cancer involved, we just look on the matter more carefully."

I wish you luck Tom, but I have to aggree with the others here that these things are curable. My prayers are for you.

As for the blue pills and their side effects, I posted a joke on the Bar some days ago, and I will repost it here, hoping it'll make you laugh:

A young man enters a pharmacy, and asks the middle aged lady behind the counter,
"Can I talk to the pharmacist please?"
"Go ahead" she says, "I am the pharmacist"
The guy hesitates for a moment, and says "..errm no, thanks, I think I'll better go"

The woman says "Wait, you can talk to me, we see and hear all sorts of things every day, come on, don't be shy"

"Ok" says the guy, "I have this problem, whenever it gets up (you know what) it stays up for hours on end, no matter what I do... can you give me something for that?"

The woman disappears in the back of the shop and returns 5 minutes later.

"I had to talk about it with my sister" she says, "we can give you $2000 in cash and one third of the pharmacy, is that enough?"


Hoping for a quick recovery,
Theodore

Tom,
I'm sending good thoughts and prayers your way.

Keep your chin up, and please keep us posted.

Kind regards,

Jill

Tom,

So relieved that you are doing well. My best wishes to continued good health.

Linda
Colan Cancer Surviver!

Tom,
Relieved you are doing well. Has anyone read the following book: "Prostate Health in 90 days, without drugs or surgery" by larry Clapp. I am starting to read it and will try the fast he recommneds next week. I have an enlarged prostate as well. I'm 57.
Starkeeper

Tom, I just found this post. Prostate surgery (in the case you need it) has a very high percentage of success. Listen to Chico, he has been through all this and he is such a strong soul. Surround yourself by the best doctors. I hope this evolves in the best possible way.

-- José.

[This message has been edited by Route 66 (edited 09-13-2005).]

Go laparascopic-had surgery 3 months ago,zero PSA now-was walking immediately as there was zero pain, just minor discomfort-walked 4 miles 3 days after surgery- incontinance was minor for 3 weeks- now,on cialis and back in shape- surgery was laparascopic by hand-Surgeon does 8/week and has done over 1000 in past 5 years-find surgeon who has done over 200-walk allot and do kegel exercises and you will not have anything to be concerned about-I'm was chicken as anyone for nothing-Good Luck