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Posted 9/11/2009 4:52 AM (GMT 0)
I had a biopsy 8/21/09 and I guess I'm now a member of the club. I was schocked, I had a low PSA, no sympthoms other than an  abnormal feel to my prostrate during a digital exam. I am totaly ignorent on this subject. I guess I'm a Tc1, my Dr. did not give me a lot of information, just a booklet to  read. I had no idea what to ask.  He said he was goinng to take a wait and watch approach and do another PSA test in 30 days. I could use some advice.  Thanks, Bob
Posted 9/11/2009 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
I'd be firstly inclined to say, "Sorry that you have to be here," but, actually, I'm glad you found the forum . . . and I think you should be grateful that your physician followed a "hunch" and proceeded further with diagnosis . . . and that you'll now have the opportunity for treatment and a better and longer life.

I, too, was shocked when I was given the "news."  Today is the 1st Anniversary of the removal of my cancerous prostate and I visited with my surgeon/Urologist.  I feel great and appreciate the work of the medical professionals who have been advising me - and my life is good.  This "news," shocking as it is, doesn't have to be doom and gloom.  Yes, it takes some time to get accustomed to the situation but, thankfully, for many or most of us, there are treatment options that'll take care of the problem.  My wish for  you is that you'll fall amongst the group of us for whom the prognosis for a long life is excellent.

Take the time to read through the many prior discussions here to gain a better perspective of the road ahead, options to consider, after-affects of the various forms of treatment, etc.  But I urge you to place your confidence and guidance in the professional medical community - the people who will know you, your past medical history and the disease as it sits in you at this moment . . . and allow them to do the testing and analysis sufficient to make recommendations for your situation. 

As you read through the discussions on this forum and also receive suggestions to your posting in this particular discussion make some notes of things you want to ask your professional advisors about so that you don't get rushed or forget when you meet with these folks.  From what you've told us in your brief introductory remarks it seems your physician(s) don't have concerns about the immediate future, and that's a good sign.

After I was diagnosed and the schedule was set for surgery, I flew to Rio de Janeiro for a pre-surgical visit . . . and lived it up . . . because I didn't know what the future held.  I had a hell of a time in Rio.  A year later I can stand in front of anyone and be proud that I'm alive, that I think I made the right treatment choice for me . . . and that I just returned from a 12 day trip to Istanbul . . . to celebrate my first anniversary free and clear.

Best wishes for a healthy future.  Keep us posted along the way.  There are lots of folks here who will offer support, and no question is too "stupid" to ask.

 

Posted 9/11/2009 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
Bob, welcome to the club nobody wants to belong to.

You will find a lot of knowledgeable guys on this forum that will be able to answer your questions or lead you in the right direction.

I myself was just diagnosed in July and am having surgery next Thursday.

There was a lot of information left out of your post that guys will need to be able to answer your questions. Usually we put it in the signature line where it is easy to find.

See mine at the end of this post.

Good luck in your search for answers. We are a supportive group and will do all we can to led you through this time.

God bless you and your family,

Sonny
Posted 9/11/2009 5:41 AM (GMT 0)
I really don't have much more information, I'm 58. If a Gleason score is from 1 to 10 my Dr. said I was a 3. I won't have much more info. until I see my doctor again... Bob
Posted 9/11/2009 6:52 AM (GMT 0)
Your Gleason is probably a 3+3=6, which is the lowest level that would ring any alarm bells. If so, there is no rush, and it is a valid for you and your doctor to watch and wait.

There a surprisingly high numbers of men our age who have low level PCa and most of us don't even know about it. Now that you do know about it, you still have plenty of time to consider all the options. For a low level PCa such as yours seems to be, the watch and wait (also referred to as AS -- Active Surveillance) may be a perfectly valid treatment. This is not a "do nothing" approach, rather it means regular PSA tests, DREs, and biopsies when indicated.
Posted 9/11/2009 9:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bob,

Glad they caught yours extremely early, a Low PSA does not mean a lot. They felt a nodule on mine and the Biopsy showed cancer cells, yet my PSA was very low

While waiting is an very valid option there is a lot more to it than doing nothing, regular PSA, regular DRE's and regular Biopsy sampling

You have a lot of options, and a lot of time to decide. Catch your breath and learn what your options are, it will help you fell better about what you need to do

If you decide on Surgery, the younger you are the better your recovery will be

Naturally, going into get treatment Before you have symptoms also helps greatly
Posted 9/11/2009 11:47 AM (GMT 0)

Dear Bob:

Sorry you have to be here but we are glad you found us.  I have a couple of immediate suggestions:

1.  Go out and buy the book by Dr. Patrick Walsh, "Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer".  This is an excellent primer and will give you a lot of good basic information about the disease and treatment options.

2.  Visit the many links at the top of this forum.  Our excellent moderators have put a lot of time into identifying resources that are particularly useful to the new patient.

3.  Get your pathology report from your biopsy.  Do two things with it:  (a) see your urologist and demand that he/she go over it in detail with you and explain what everything means and (b) post the details here with your signature so people on this forum can help you interpret it and make suggestions.

4.  Get ready to be proactive.  You said that your doctor was going to take a wait and watch approach.  You will find that YOU will need to be the one that gets educated and makes many of the critical decisions.  Yes, you need to depend on your medical experts but...this is a complex disease and one where you need to be personally very educated.

5.  Be prepared to seek multiple opinions.  You will want to talk with a prostate oncologist, both robotic and open surgeons, a radiation oncologist and perhaps seek the option of proton beam therapy doctors.  If your stats allow, you may also want to consider active surviellance aka watchfull waiting.  But, if you do that, you will need a doctor who is experienced working with those type situations.

This is a big deal but, if you caught this at an early stage, you have a lot of options and should be cured and - potentially with minimal side effects.  You will find lots of help, eduation and support on this site and I would encourage you to keep us up to date and ask anything you want...someone here probably has an answer.

Good luck.

Tudpock

Posted 9/11/2009 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
I also recommend buyint the book by Dr. Patrick Walsh. I read three other books before having the robotic surgery and then purchased Dr. Walsh's book after surgery. He has lots of good useful information.

Larry
Posted 9/11/2009 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Bob,

I am sorry that you have had to join the club, but welcome aboard to a place where you will obtain lots of answers and support.  Obtaining a diagnosis early in the game, as you have, is fortunate and leaves you in a good position to research the options available for treatment. Take your time and get all the answers that satisfy you before making your decision. It is a personal decision and only you and your family can arrive at the correct one.

Patrick Walsh's book is an excellent start in the education process.  As well, keeping a positive attitude and your sense of humour will be a great help at this time.

Good luck and keep well,

Regards,

Bill

 

Posted 9/11/2009 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bob...just wanted to welcome you to Healingwell. You have already received excellent advice so far and I have nothing additional to add. Keep us posted and ask any question you can think of as you gather more information in your new journey in life.

Again welcome
Posted 9/11/2009 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome to the club, Bob. Ignorance just means you don't know something, it won't take you long to gain knowledge on the subject. Good suggestions above were givien. Dr. Walsh's book is a good primer, and there are many others. The internet is full of good sources on learning about prostate cancer.

Your doctor's willingness to wait a bit is a good sign to me, that you probably have a low grade case of PC. Good thing about that, is you probably won't have to rush to make any decisions, and you should be open to most if not all primary treatments, or it may be low enough and slow enough to watch and observe carefully over a longer period of time.

You are officially a member of the club by default now, glad you are here, it sucks that you had to join. But if you are going to be dealing with PC, this is a great place to be. We are here for you brother.

David in SC
Posted 9/11/2009 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
I can't add to anything the rest of the guys said, just Welcome and educated yourself about the disease and your many options.
Posted 9/11/2009 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Greetings, Bob.  Not much to add - just want to add my welcome to the club.  It does apprear you have lots of time to make a good decision.  Explore all the options, make your decisions and don't look back.  Just press on to getting well.  Look forward to hearing from you from time to time. David

Posted 9/11/2009 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Bob,
Sorry that you had yo join us on this forum. As you get more information from your doctor, please post them here and you will get a lot of information from those of us with similar numbers. PC is not the same for everyone. There are those with aggressive PC, who need immediate and aggressive attack, and there those like yourself who have a lower grade PC who can take their time and look for the best approach with the minimum side effects.
Posted 9/11/2009 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
Bob,
Welcome, I don't have a lot to add to the advice you have been given here. "A Primer on Prostate Cancer" by Dr Stephne Strum is the best book out there when it comes to evaluating your options.
JohnT
Posted 9/11/2009 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the site Bob, I to wish you did not have to be here. I would encourage you to tap into the wealth of knowledge that is here. I see there have already been so great responses. I look forward to sharing this journey with you and what ever emotional ups and downs you have we want to hear it. Everyone at HW cares deeply about its members.

peace and love
Dale
Posted 9/12/2009 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry your here but welcome,

Get and read "You can beat prostate cancer ( and you dont need surgery to do it) by Robert J. Marckini

I assume your in califiornia and if so you close to the oldest Proton Center in the US, Loma Linda.

My story is on my website www.gleasonscore10.com

Stay positive, do lots of research, then do what cha gotta do and don't look back.

Richard

 

Posted 9/12/2009 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Since your levels appear to be low, check out the PCRI web site. It might ease your mind just a bit.
Posted 9/12/2009 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
Bob, Welcome to HW. This place is full of info and you can always ask any question.

Jeff T
Posted 9/13/2009 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bob,

Low PSA, Tc1, Gleason 3! You can sell those numbers to 95% of the guys here! Heck I'd trade in a second. Oh.. wait... never mind. My prostate was yanked out 7 weeks ago... My numbers look much better now.
I was too lazy to read a whole book about PC. Mine was so aggressive my p*nis would have fallen off before I finished reading. My wife got "Prostate Cancer for Dummies" out of the library and I looked at specific chapters. Also there are lots of medical sites. I just did a quick search and found this one:
http://www.henryfordhealth.org/17800.cfm It tells you what the grading means.
Most important - you found this site. By reading the signatures, you'll be able to see where you stack up. (You should also add yours to the pile to help the next guy.)
Good luck. Looks like you got it early.
Jeff
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