Bad News and Good News

[Ross]

I too will hold you in thought and prayer. I don't really know what to say. Sorry to hear it doesn't much seem like it covers it. I hope they can get it all without causing too much damage to you. I'll be watching and waiting for the results.

 

[Les]

Al,
In my thoughts for best results. Glad it was detected early!

 

[Joe Parker]

Al:
Keeping a good postitive attitude and doing what the doctors tell you to do is the best advice I could give you. But be agressive with the management to lick it.
My wife is a cancer survivor so I know the pain and diffculties you and your family are going through.
My prayers are with you.

Joe Parker
Aortic Valve Replacement 01/21/2004
St. Jude 27mm

 

[RCB]

A warning to us all!

A warning to us all!

Al,
Very sorry about your condition, but it serves a warning flag
that all men over 50 should have a baseline PSA test and prostate
exam. According to the American Cancer Society and the
National Cancer Institute almost as many men die from prostate
cancer as women die from breast cancer, yet breast cancer gets
much more funding and notice than does prostate cancer.
Men, for your own future and your families- GET TESTED.

P.S. If you are really interested in the subject of health funding
for men and the inequitable differences- read "The Myth of Male
Power" by Warren Farrell, Ph.D/Simon & Schuster. The above
items are listed in footnotes 44 and 45.

 

[tommy]

Al,

I'm sorry to hear, but glad that you let us know. Hopefully, you will be able to get rid of it. March 12th seems like a long time to wait. We'll be thinking of you.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all of your messages. They are important to me or I would not have posted the info on here.

While March 12 seems like a long ways away, my lab values and age predict that I would have a 50% chance of living another 15 years if I did nothing. So it is not anything that needs to be rushed.

I'm sure most of you waited what seemed like ages to have your heart repaired even if it was almost an emergency.

 

[Nancy]

Our neighbor across the street had surgery for prostate cancer last summer. He was a little sore for about 2 weeks, but is doing fine now. It was scary for his family and for him as well, I'm sure.

March doesn't seem that far away, but when you're waiting for something like this, the time goes so slowly.

 

[Missy]

I don't know what to say except good luck. I don't know much about prostate cancer. Have read a little and the dr. told my husband to get checked soon after 50 and he hasn't done it. I think I will remind him and see if I can talk him into going. Early detection is the key as everyone is saying and I am so glad that you caught it early. We have come to depend on you. You are better than my doctor who supervises my coumadin.
Hang in there and don't worry too much. I read everyone's post and maybe it won't be so bad.
I like the others will mark my calendar.
My best to you.

 

[Guest]

The PSA test is no more than a blood draw.

One of the odd things about prostate cancer is that there is little evidence that catching it early saves lives. It would seem like it should but it grows so slowly that this is hard to prove.

A doctor that recently died told his partners that he thought that the treatment hastened his demise. He said that he was sure that, being a doctor, treatment was better than no treatment. However, he suffered a complication from the treatment and it hastened his death.

Along with the diagnosis, the doctors tell you that you could
1. Do nothing (for me that would mean about a 50% chance of living 15 years
2. Have radical surgery. That would mean I might have an 85% chance of living 15 years
3. Have radiation and probably have somewhere between a 50% and 85% chance of living 15 years
4. Have cryosurgery - unknown what the life expectancy is but is the least invasive of the choices so far. To further complicate this, they recently changed from Nitrogen to Argon gas so while they think it is better, they really do not know.
5. Have hormone therapy. Probably not a good idea at my age (61) since it will eliminate all male hormones and possibly grow boobs^^

Can you imagine if the doctor gave you 5 choices of what to do for your bad valve and then said that you had to make up your mind, that they would not try to influence you??? Your choices are don't do anything, choose what type of surgery and which surgeon you want or take a pill that will essentially change you to the opposite sex.

 

[bvdr]

Which way are you leaning? I can see it is a hard decision.

My father-in-law was diagnosed with prostate cancer when he was about 83. He died at age 90 of another ailment. Unfortunately I also know it can sometimes be more agressive. I hope which ever way you decide it has a good outcome.

 

[Rich]

Hi Al,
I'm sorry to hear this news but hopefully you will be just fine.
I've been battling this prostate problem for years, three rounds of biopsies so far and nothing found.
Two of those rounds wee since I've been on Coumadin, needless to tell you it wasn't much fun.
For the guys out there get that PSA test.
It won't show cancer but will indicate something is going on.
Other than visual evidence biopsies are the only way I know of to detect cancer, however it's like looking for the proverbial needle in that haystack.
There is a doctor here in the Detroit area that has been doing prostate surgery using a minimum invasive method, the recovery time is much faster and a lot easier on the patient.
Growing old sure isn't fun Al but it beats the alternative.
My best to you for your upcoming treatment.

Rich

 

[Missy]

I wish I could help you make the decision. The only thing I might take into consideration would be the risk of the surgery and if it was slight I might opt for surgery to increase the chance of living a few more years. You are just on the good side of middle age and have lots of living to do and people to help. Don't give up! Check out the statistics.
I know this is difficult for you.
I hope you share your decision with us. I am praying for you.

 

[terry40]

Al

Al

I can see this is a hard decision, if only we had a crystal ball.

We are going through a battle with colon cancer in my family, with my father, he's being a real trouper, he was also given similiar options when first diagnosised. It's a hard decision you have to make.

I wish you the best and send my hopes and prayers to you and your family, keep us updated.

Terry40

 

[Valve-Viking]

Al,

Sorry to hear about this, but at least there are 5 paths
to choose from, maybe a few too many, but it shows
there are good alternatives.

What is "radical surgery" and what would be the downsides
of that? Isn´t surgery the best alternative or there are any
given complications to it?

 

[Guest]

I have scheduled the cryosurgery for March 12

 

[Marty]

You'll do fine!

You'll do fine!

Al, sorry to hear about the diagnosis of prostate CA. However I will say if you have to get something this is one of the better diagnoses. I see a lot of cancer here at Kaiser and the prostates caught early like yours do the best of all. Remember , gettin' old aint for sissies.!

 

[Rain]

You?ll be fine, I know you will.

You?ll be fine, I know you will.

Al?!!

This is like hearing that your Dad or Mom is sick..... it?s just not supposed to happen!!

I have a friend who was diagnosed with prostate cancer and they put something under his skin... I think it?s doing a slow radiation therapy type thing to him. I didn?t ask a lot of questions.. but I?ll find out more about it if you want me to.

I?ll never forget the day my gynecologist came back in the room and said, ?Lorraine, it?s cervical cancer... we have to get it out ASAP?. Three days later I was in Denver with my favorite oncologist/gynecologist operating on me. My darling Sara had just turned a year old.

You know I love you, Al!! Warm hugs. Take care!!

 

[Guest]

Thanks Rain and Marty.

Rain, I have thought about the radiation seeds. They do it at our hospital. But I decided on the freezing. It seems to be the least invasive with the fastest recovery time.

 

[Bryan B]

Al,

Sorry to hear of your news. I wish you the best for a speedy recovery. If I may ask a personal question, did you ever have any problems with chronic prostatitis in the past? My doctor has wanted to do the PSA test on me but said my level would come back high due to my chronic prostatitis.

Thanks for all you do for us here!

 

[Guest]

Never had any problem or complaint of any type. The only reason that a PSA was done was because I was approaching 60. Then we watched it creep up 4 -- 5-- 6 over 2 years and decided to investigate further.

I have not missed a day of work in about 10 years and that was for a bad cold.