prostate cancer update

[BigBill]

Bill, cancer stomped on my dad, myself and now my brother with both feet. Dad beat it, as did I, and my brother is on his way to beating it. So just remember:

Taint no thang but a pit stop on the road of life. Modern medicine is unbelievable. My misses had cancer twice before me. I was her rock. She beat it. Then it was my turn and she's been my rock.
I never once asked why us or why me I just accept it and vow to fight it. Never give up.

Jimmy V coach said cancer can ravage my body but it can't touch my soul. How true.

 

[unclebob]

Congrats!!
That's great news.
I am doing watchful waiting along with acupuncture, so far psa and dre hasn't changed.

 

[pawncop]

Great news and a prayer for continued good news.

 

[BigBill]

I'm going to be here a while yet to bug you guys/gals about s&w

 

[BigBill]

Great news Bill. Wondering why you chose radiation over surgery (Hope this question isn't too personal). Every guy 50 and over should have an exam once a year....twice if the PSA is rising.

I was 390lbs when they told me I had prostate cancer. The radiation machine was good for 360lbs. They took so long testing my psa went from 4.1 to 8.4. I was dropping weight quickly even though i wasn't eating. I was 340lbs by the time the radiation started. I was 322lbs when the radiation was done. I had no appetite.

 

[BigBill]

Sounds like you are doing very well! Congrats!!

I had robotic surgery seven years ago this coming October. PSA afterwards was .001 for five years then it started climbing again.

Had 37 radiation treatments 16 months ago. PSA is now higher than before radiation and still on increase...checked three times since completing radiation.

Back to the Doc in September to check again and figure out next steps...probably shots if still rising numbers.

C&L they move so slow I have no clue why. I waited a longtime for the radiation to start. They did the biopsy then gave me a hormone shot and sent me home for months. I went from November to June then the radiation started.

Hang in there. If you need to talk in here brother. I understand.

 

[raisedin99]

Congratulations !

Bigbill,

I congratulate and understand your joy and wish to share with you and others a similar experience.

Two years ago I was experiencing all forms of male plumbing problems.

Once I got an appointment I was informed by my family doctor that I hadn't seen him in over 8 years ( I know my bad ). He checked my prostate and said it was large and hard also did a PSA. Doctor called me a few days later that my PSA was 15.8 and said to see a urologist right away which I did, the urologist did a 12 needle biopsy of my prostate and confirmed that I had prostate cancer.

The following week a radiation oncologist evaluated me with stage 4 aggressive prostate cancer and told me that I was one of the worst cases as he had seen and flat told me he gave me no hope of a cure as it had metastasized into some of my bones. At the same time he suggested I go through 45 days of radiation along with hormonal injections and 50 mg of Casodex daily just to get some form of control.

This past February I questioned my radiation oncologist whether he would consider ordering a PET scan to see what was going on in my body, to see where the cancer was, he agreed and I had the PET scan done and saw him a week later. He quizzed me briefly and then smiled and said that I was cancer free and a PSA of less than 0.01, he stood up and hugged me and then my wife. Ironically the doctor told me that he did NOT cure me that it was God that intervened.

From the beginning of this ordeal of cancer I knew it was the biggest hurdle that I had ever experienced in my 63 years of life. I gave it up to God, telling Him that there was nothing else for me to do than to put it in His hands and that I would not be afraid and I would not allow the cancer to rule my life. And let me tell you I lived that promise and still do everyday.

This is the first I have mentioned anything concerning my cancer on this forum I hope it is helpful to anyone who reads it.

terry

 

[Cocked & Locked]

BigBill...thanks for those words! They do like to wait.

I had my biopsy and got the results seven years ago this next Friday. The biopsy was the worst experience. I'd rather had the surgery/recovery a 2nd than to have repeated that biopsy! No sedation=very painful. That was 1st week in August. Robotic surgery came 2.5 months later on my 65th birthday.

tick tock, tick tock....seven years later now and still have rising PSA. That supposedly means (as I understand it) some cancer cells had previously escaped into the bloodstream. It is much lower than the pre-surgery readings but higher than before radiation.

Really doesn't bother me as I feel just fine. I do think about it but don't dwell on it or get in a funk about it.

My dad had prostate surgery in 1970 at the age of 51. He died two years ago at age 94...he whipped it for sure.

 

[Cyrano]

I had radiation for prostate cancer at M. D. Anderson in 2003. Had nothing else, injections or anything. Also had no adverse symptoms of any kind; it was like I never had cancer or any treatment for it. Now my PSA level is up to 0.7. I just turned 82 and will probably die of something else before prostate cancer gets me.

 

[Kinman]

Congratulations Bill...as well as the rest of my fellow prostate cancer survivors. They claim that prostate cancer is one of the easiest to treat...they should give it a try.
I was diagnosed with a highly virulent strain with a Gleason score of 9 when I was 53, no cancer in the family on either side, no indication of any problem. My physician didn't like the "feel" of my prostate while giving me her yearly handshake and immediately checked my psa level, which was at something like 25. I was sent to a urologist for the biopsy and the results had me on the operating table within a couple of weeks. That was eleven years ago this month and I have maintained a basic 0 since that time. I wish for all of you the results I have experienced, I do not worry about it ever coming back. That is the one thing that radical prostatectomy provides, providing the cut ends of the offending gland are clear of any cancer cells meaning that it was totally encapsulated and removed. I have a couple of friends that are doing the "watchful-waiting" thing and sadly watching their psa levels climbing every year, some are older men that have lead full lives and accept their fate...something has to kill you eventually.

 

[BigBill]

At first My urologist after the biopsy fired away that I had prostate cancer.
He explained a few things and like goodbye and ran out of the room. Got a hormone shot. Off to the cancer center for radiation. To me it's no big thang. If I live, ok, if I move on to the next life ok. Our bodies are vessels to get us to the next life.

Now I feel everyday is a gift. Now about that new bike, don't know which one yet.

I play with the grandson.(4 1/2yo) it's dirt bikes, quads, slotcars, fishing and imagination stuff.

 

[samuelrp]

I had the surgery in '02. That was before the robot. PSA at zero since then. If your father, uncle, or grandfather had it, start getting checked at 40. It may be comparatively easy to cure, but it will kill you if not caught in time. Congratulations Bill.

 

[ibewbull]

We are happy for you and keeping up the prayers.
I have two months before my next scan. I am hoping gain some muscle and weight in case another chemo round is in order.
God has a reason we are still here.
Take care.

 

[hoc9sw]

Bill, good news!
I am also a PCa guy. Surgery, ART, Lupron, Zytiga, Casodex. We just keep trying new stuff. My PSA looks like 6 years of stock market graphs.

 

[BigBill]

Thanks to everyone here for your support. And telling your experiences.
God bless you all.

 

[BigBill]

Get your prostate checked now don't wait. I don't care how young u are. It's a blood test that could save your life. This is curable.

Women need to get the breast exam too don't play if you have lumps get it checked.

My wife survived breast cancer three times. She's doing great many years later. We can beat it if you get to the doctor.

I did notice that some in the medical staff like puts us down for the count the second they hear cancer. They see so much of it.
Don't count us out right? Cancer is in the ring with George forman(me) its time to woop it. I always told my misses it's not time to worry yet. Every time she pulled through. There is strength in prayer. I never prayed so much in my life as I did for my misses. She's my rock I'm just the brawn.

God bless.

When they told me I had cancer I shifted gears. Unstoppable low/low. Dont let it beat u before the fight. Never give up.

 

[luangtom]

I thought I would give my Prostate Cancer add-on, as I sit here in my pad having graduated from the diapers after the daVinci Prostatectomy in late May. I went in before Christmas for my annual physical and my young family doctor suggested a PSA this time, as I had opted-out the last two years. Well, glad I did it. He called with the results and said my 3.4 of two years ago was now a 9. He set me up with a urologist that was really a winner. He did not answer any questions nor did he have any options to run by me/ He said,"Here is what you are going to do." NOT. I do not take orders very well.

I contacted my insurance company and got a list of "In Network" urologists and I personally contacted one and set up an appointment. He went over my PSA results, ran another, and it had climbed from 9 to 15 in two months. He wanted to wait another 6-weeks and do one more. Well, in six weeks it had gone up to 24. He then did a biopsy and the Gleason-score came back as 4 plus 3 = 7 on the high-side. He listed my options of surgery, radiation, chemo. I opted to go with him and his daVinci robotic surgery. So, he did the surgery in late-May and I am recuperating from that and the follow-up infection that settled as "epididymitis" and swelled things up to the size of a tennis-ball on one side and ping-pong ball on the other. Lovely and painful. I was given IV-antibiotics in the hospital and a regimen of pills for home. Still bad, so another round of both. Finally, after three weeks things got better and I am now sitting here doing physical-therapy to regain continence. It is a long road, but better than being 6-feet under.

My cancer was isolated in the prostate and was about to burst out and who knows where it would have gone had we not done the surgery when we did. My mother passed the day before my surgery, some 1,300-miles away. I was going to delay things to say my good-bye and be there, but my two sisters convinced me to stay on schedule and do the surgery. Bless them for their understanding. The doctor said had I delayed surgery, I would be dealing with radiation follow-up or chemo. I am doing neither, as my PSA is now undetectable.

What I am trying to say is DO YOUR PSA and DIGITAL EXAMS. The life you save may be your own. My urologist is leaning toward this being a result of exposure to Agent Orange. I also have Ischemic Heart-disease and Eczema from that tour. Yet, I am still alive and able to sit here and plead for others to get tested early and often.

That's my story and I am sticking to it.

 

[BigBill]

I agree get tested to catch it early. You can survive it. This is why I talk about it. It knows no age. A 17yo young man had it. Get yours checked.
Godbless

 

[BigBill]

I was a heavy drinker of diet coke really heavy. Since it caused cancer in lab rats. I'm thinking prostate cancer caused by liquid.

 

[hoosierone]

Just found this thread. I go for my next PSA and Dr. review next month. It will be the two year mark. I will never be the same again, but had I not gotten a PSA annually it would have spread before they caught it.

Guys, get the PSA every year!!