[2006] Hey Guys...anyone having prostate problems?/Merged

[bogey21]

Remember that surgeons tend to recommend surgery, and radiologists recommend radiation. It's complicated.

This is almost always true. Add urologists that perform cryo-surgery (freeze the prostate to death) will recommend cryo. The main problem is that most practitioners know their area of specialization well, but know little of the other treatments.

What I did was study, study, study, then ask a lot of questions and listen well. I then asked my urologist, who was a surgeon, why he recommended surgery. I visited radiologists and asked them why they thought radiation was the way to go. Same thing for a cryo experts. My quest took me to the suburbs of Atlanta, GA; to Hackensack, NJ; to Houston, TX; and to Rochester Hills, MI. Figuring that I was pretty well informed I cancelled scheduled trips to Cleveland, OH and Tulsa, OK.

IMHO it is you the patient who should decide how you want to treat your cancer. It is complicated and there are a lot of variables to take into account.

GEORGE

 

[AwayWeGo]

Did You Select Door No. 1 ?

I then asked my urologist, who was a surgeon, why he recommended surgery. I visited radiologists and asked them why they thought radiation was the way to go. Same thing for a cryo experts.

Which treatment did you go with ?

Cut ?

Zap ?

Freeze ?

I have an old friend out in California who recommends I think positive thoughts, pray, & visualize a Bright Green Line.

I believe I'll need a 2nd opinion on that.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[pwrshift]

You guys motivated me to have a PSA test. Results came in today at 0.015 whatever that means. The doc said it was great. Whew.

Now I have to get my mindset on a colonoscopy!

Good thread. Best of luck to you all.

Brian

 

[AwayWeGo]

Cutta-Cutta-Cutta.

Met with the doctor today -- went over treatment options & recommendations, etc., in detail.

Afterward, I find myself leaning strongly toward the surgical option.

Before I commit, maybe I ought to fly over to some world-class European experimental medical research center & see if I can get any pioneering surgeon to fix me up with the world's 1st Prosatate Transplant.

Wouldn't that be something ?

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[Jaybee]

This medical journey can be "fraught with terror", as an old friend was fond of saying about life.
Philip had the not-so-fun bladder scan on Weds. I was called in from the waiting room, and then Philip & the dr. came in. This is the dr. who did the biopsy, and was going to do the Cryo surgery. He discussed how it would go, what we could expect, and was looking at scheduling, when P. asked him if his prostate would shrink back down. The dr. looked back at something in the chart, put his hand to his forehead, and said, "Your prostate is HUGE!" This apparently was a big surprise to him.
So we go to plan B, the seed implant, but we'll go to Palm Desert, to the Eisenhower Medical Center, assuming we can get an appt. I think it's a blessing in disguise, since that other dr. doesn't seem to have his ducks in a row, so to speak. Jean, thinking we may have dodged a bullet.

 

[Miss Marty]

Prostate Cancer Symposium

National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month focuses on raising awareness about a disease that is both common and highly treatable, and during this month Eisenhower Medical Center recognizes the importance of providing the public with vital information regarding prevention, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

On Tuesday, September 16,

The Arnold Palmer Prostate Center at Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center will sponsor a free Prostate Cancer Symposium. The symposium is open to the public and will be held from 1 to 7:30 p.m. Dinner will be included. To make reservations, call 760-834-3798. EMC .org

 

[Jaybee]

Thanks so much for that information, Marty! Jean

 

[AwayWeGo]

Operation Scheduled.

Surgery is set for October 15.

I'm to show up at the hospital at Oh-Dark-Thirty, ready to go.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[bogey21]

Which treatment did you go with ?

I went with a double dose of radiation. First IMRT, followed up with HDR radiation. Absolutley zero discomfort. About 3 years later PSA started to increase; more biopsies; then Cryo-Surgery on only one side of the prostate. Clean for 4 years since my Cryo.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably opt for surgery. But I must say that I am very impressed with Cryo. Less invasive, no cutting; just probes in the soft area between the scrotum and the anus. What is really nice about Cryo is that it can be used post failed (or partially failed) radiation while surgery cannot.

George

 

[Passepartout]

Alan, you will be in our thoughts. We wish you speedy recovery and successful outcome. We will be TSing in Europe, and NO. I won't swap places with you.

Just curious, why the month wait? I'd be anxious as all getout and need tranq's. OTOH, in my opinion, this 4 weeks is about my favorite time of year. Enjoy it as much as you can before the big event.

Jim Ricks

 

[AwayWeGo]

Time Heals All Wounds.

Just curious, why the month wait?

The doctor said they can't operate till 6 weeks have gone by following biopsy -- so the affected area can heal.

The hospital's operating room schedule was full up for October 8, so I got October 15.

(My urologist & his surgical team operate on Wednesdays. Other days they go out & play golf, I suppose.)

So it goes.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[rapmarks]

our friend was diagnosed in Jan. and had to wait til Jan 29th for his prostate surgery.

I had to wait 6 weeks for a surgery date for invasive cancer and they would have made me wait another month but I refused. They finally postponed some elective surgeries to get me in. One of my surgeons does surgery every day. He greeted me at the hospital at 5:30 am, my surgery lasted til 11:30, he has office hours every day til late, I don't know how he does it.

 

[Miss Marty]

Colon Health

Seen a show on PBS Television about The H.O.P.E. Formula
High Fiber & Probiotics - ordered 3 books by Brenda Watson
to learn more.

Seen a commerical for Probiotic Supplements tonight &
was wondering if this is something new or something
that I just missed.

Anyone take Phillips Colon Health Probiotic Supplement
by Bayer for a healthy immune system

 

[AwayWeGo]

Dumping Saw Palmetto Supplement Capsules.

No need taking those any longer once radical prostatectomy is done.

Too bad -- I bought a large-size package at Price Club right before all this prostate business got started.

Maybe I can swap what I have left for some St. John's Wort or Ginkgo Biloba or some such.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[SusanMu]

Away We Go - My thoughts and prayers are with you. My DH had surgery last October. Then found out it had spread beyond the prostate and had to have radiation. He just had his 6 month check up and is doing awesome. After 3 months his PSA was at .05 at 6 months it is .06. I'm sure you will come out with flying colors. Best wishes

Sue

 

[AwayWeGo]

Signed Up For 2nd Opinion.

I am going to Johns Hopkins up in Baltimore this week for a 2nd opinion.

I have full confidence in my local urologist & I plan on going ahead with my scheduled operation October 15 in Washington DC.

But for sure it can't hurt to get another expert opinion beforehand, if only as a Reality Check.

If my local doctor had pooh-poohed the idea of a 2nd opinion, that would have raised concerns. As it is, my local doctor encouraged me to get a 2nd opinion -- which only serves to reinforce my sense of confidence.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[Miss Marty]

Biopsy slides and PSA results for consultation


PLEASE BRING WITH YOU:

• PSA history
• Glass pathology slides
• X-Ray reports (not films)
• Name and addresses for refering physicians

Don`t forget to take a copy of your (3) PSA Lab Test Results with you.
Also, have you considered having your new Dr review your Biopsy Slides?

Give the extra Saw Palmetto Supplement Capsules to your son...

 

[Miss Marty]

EPCA-2 testing

HOPKINS RESEARCHERS FIND A BETTER
BLOOD TEST FOR PROSTATE CANCER

EPCA-2 testing curtails unnecessary biopsies and can differentiate disease that has spread outside the prostate from cancer within the prostate,

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2007/04_26_07.html

 

[AwayWeGo]

All In The Family.

Give the extra Saw Palmetto Supplement Capsules to your son.

Already gave the remaining Price Club saw palmetto supplement capsules to my brother (age 54).

Might help.

Can't hurt.

So it goes.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[Jaybee]

Alan, I'm sure you are very smart to go to Johns Hopkins for a second opinion. We did that when Philip was first dx'd with A-fib.

I'm confusedn now, about your surgery date. Is it Oct 15, or Oct. 5? I wish you a perfect outcome, whichever date it is.

We're still waiting for a referral for Philip to Eisenhower Med. Center. Good health wishes to all!

I am going to Johns Hopkins up in Baltimore this week for a 2nd opinion.

I have full confidence in my local urologist & I plan on going ahead with my scheduled operation October 5 in Washington DC.

But for sure it can't hurt to get another expert opinion beforehand, if only as a Reality Check.

If my local doctor had pooh-poohed the idea of a 2nd opinion, that would have raised concerns. As it is, my local doctor encouraged me to get a 2nd opinion -- which only serves to reinforce my sense of confidence.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[AwayWeGo]

What A Doofus! (Me, Not You.)

Is it Oct 15, or Oct. 5? I wish you a perfect outcome, whichever date it is.

It's set for October 15 -- date corrected after the fact in the entry that caused the confusion.

Thanks for your positive comment.

All good wishes are gratefully received & greatly appreciated.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[AwayWeGo]

Spam From Canadian Pharmacies.

I am starting to view some of the junk E-Mail in a different light these days.

So it goes.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[rapmarks]

when I decided to drive from Florida to Wisconsin after my cancer diagnosis, I was told to bring all kinds of things. When I got to the Univ of Wisc cancer center, they told me they would not read outside MRI's, etc. I had to go thru all kinds of tests over again. You might find the same thing at Johns Hopkins.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Medical Records, Test Results, Tissue Slides, Etc.

when I decided to drive from Florida to Wisconsin after my cancer diagnosis, I was told to bring all kinds of things. When I got to the Univ of Wisc cancer center, they told me they would not read outside MRI's, etc. I had to go thru all kinds of tests over again. You might find the same thing at Johns Hopkins.

Hopkins said to hand-carry with me the reports, findings, ultrasound, PSA results, etc., from my local urologist -- also to have the biopsy slides & reports sent to them directly from the pathology lab.

The slides, etc., have been sent & I have the other stuff from the urologist's office, so I'm hoping the Hopkins urology wizards won't throw me any curves when I get there. We'll see, eh?

Meanwhile, I'm having a couple of pints of my own blood banked for transfusion back into me during surgery, plus having EKG & chest X-ray & I don't know what-all pre-surgical stuff done in anticipation of going ahead with the scheduled October 15 operation.

Shux, I just started on Medicare not 11 months ago & I'm already cashing in bigtime -- a prize all things considered that I would rather not be winning.

So it goes.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[rapmarks]

yeah, I was hoping to put off major illness until I got on Medicare, but I didn't make it. I estimate $100,000 on medical bills for the diagnosis and surgery I had. (not the treatment). That was all prior to June 30. My deductible starts over on July 1 and i really tried to get as much in by June 30 as I could. My original plan was to not visit a doctor from July 1 to Dec 1 but i didn't make it.

I've never heard of needing a blood transfusion for prostate surgery. Is what you are doing common?

UW did tell me to bring all my records and a cd of the MRI, then they refused to read it, they read the written report though.