Today I got the word.

Today I got the word, and now I am a member of this group. I am 58, have no symptoms, but my PSA was 6+ in July and 8.9 in August. I had 10 biopsy samples taken, and four turned up something I didn't want. My urologist tells me I am at stage 3, my prostate looks and feels normal, although a little darker appearing in the ultrasound than normal. He says he believes that the cancer is confined internally to the prostate, and I am at the best possible position for a positive outcome and says there is a 90% chance of a complete recovery. I have yet to meet with him in person since he phoned me with the news. I have more questions than answers, and I am studying, but I realize that I will need more tests before choosing treatment. He is encouraging me to get a second and third opinions, and so here I am at the beginning of this journey, My father had prostate cancer at a much later age, but he sucumbed to a different cancer at age 88. But with my family history, I guessed I would face this sooner or later. I would have preferred later.

I will have lots of questions as I learn more about this. I want to thank everyone in advance just for having the courage to be here, exchange information, and for offering suggestions and advice. I have been reading through some pf the forums. And thanks to the people who run this web site for their kind attention and support.

I live in the Twin Cities in Minnesota, so I have a lot of local choices. Anyone from this area I especially am eager to hear about your experiences. I wish you all well. I will check back soon.

Greetings, Gopher.  Welcome to the site and welcome to the club no one wants to be a part of.  At this point, as hard as it is to do, relax and get some rest.  It's difficult.  But you need to rest.  Start doing your research as to what treatment choice is best for you.  There are lots of options and many different ways to explore your options.  There are several good books and of course this site is a good place to start.  Ask your questions and different ones will chime in - and usually fairly quickly.  Please keep us posted and we'll trust that you will have a peace that passes all understanding and you will come to just the right treatment option for you. David

Welcome Gopher,

Well you live in a great state so your options should be wide open. After my biospsy I called my Dr to see what the results were because I didnt want my wife to have to take time off from work for nothing. When the nurse tols me two cores tested positive I was in shock as I thought for sure that all I had was an enlarged prostate. After my visit to the Dr. he gave me a manusrcipt of a book that he was writing which helped men look at the different variables before making a tx. choice. It was helpful and then I stumbled upon this site and it also proved both hepful and supportive. Look at your tx. options, discuss with family and then make a choice and never look back. Take care and keep us posted.

Michael

Hello and welcome, Gopher,

So glad you found us early in your dx, and while I wish you didn't need to be here, you are, and this is a great place to be when dealing with Prostate Cancer. I have been here as a member since about a month before my surgery, but lurked for months before, never even been to another group online, this has been my home, and here I stay by choice.

You said you were stage 3, do you remember your gleason score? Perhaps you can put up your stats at the bottom of your posts, as it makes it easier for anyone here to get a feeling about your journey, and makes it easier to offer help/advice.

Now that you know for sure, researching and studying the myriad of options is the most important thing you can do. As you and other's mention, getting 2nd and 3rd opinions. Beware of outrageous claims and miracle supplements, they are just snake oil and will do nothing to help you.

At this point, until you are told differently by your doctors, assume you have all treatment options to you. None of them are perfect, none of them come without a price in terms of side effects now or later. I say this jokingly, but sometimes I felt like I was being asked the proverbial question, "do you want to get shot with a gun or stabbed with a knive". Obviously, the correct answer is neither.

Despite being Stage 3, you should feel that you have plenty of time to do your homework. When you see the doctor(s), take a notebook or handheld recorder, and don't let their "lack of time" intimidate you. For what they cost, you calmly sit back and ask and ask and ask, and if you don't get an answer, don't leave till you get a satisfactory reply. THey work for you, not the other way around.

You may not haven chosen this path, but you are now officially a brother of ours, and we will take good care of you.

In between, try not to worry yourself to death. You have only just begun your journey. One step at a time.

My best to you, our newest brother.

David in SC

Here is yet another warm welcome. I like you found this site while beginning my research and gaining information to allow me to make an informed choice. I was diagnosed June 25th.

While I have been to many forums on PC, I believe you are most fortunate to have found this one. The guys here are knowledgeable, supportive, encouraging, and perhaps the most experienced I have found.

You will find that there is not much you can ask that someone here does not have experience with. You will find experience with every treatment imaginable and the pros and cons experienced by each individual. All of this information will really allow you to make a confident and informed decision.

Our Dr.s can provide information from a medical and clinical viewpoint but having it come from the guys who have experience it brings it down to earth for guys like us.

So ask away. No subject is taboo nor too embarrassing. The guys here are willing to discuss anything.

They have been a tremendous help to me.

Sonny

Cancer is evil, but prostate cancer is a rather different kind of evil. For some cancers there are no good treatments and only months to live. Enough to scare anyone.

With prostate cancer there are a number of very good treatments, months to decide, and years to see how things came out. In fact, most men who have prostate cancer now will die of something else first. So my first piece of advice about your PC is "look both ways when crossing streets."

In the coming months you will learn more about what your test results mean and what your options are but there is plenty of time. As others have said, life is much more than cancer, pay attention to it.

I was diagnosed in July and had RRP on 13 August at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville.  The Mayo Clinic in Minnesota is ranked #3 in urology behind Johns Hopkins and Cleveland Clinic.  Mayo has very high continent results with surgery. I have been dry almost from the start although I had a few other complications which are going away.

Be at peace, look into all options and remember that all stats say that 5 year survival is 100% for whatever option you choose so with 10 year and later very high. 

Rich

Sorry about the diagnosis on one hand, but not sorry that the medical professionals found you have a problem - with the time available to deal with it . . . likely successfully. So, good news/bad news. Yes, the first news of this can be shattering. My advice is to get the best medical advice you can find/afford and rely upon it - the advice from medical professionals. Each of us has a different life story and health history - so what I have/experienced will be different from you . . . and that'll be the case with every other person on this forum. Don't make judgments based solely on the report of one of us - do the research yourself with the aid of your family and the professional team you select. Keep us posted as time advances.

Be that you are from the twin cities I would look to go to the Mayo, only an hour south, I'm sure you would be impressed

Mike from Duluth

Sorry that you're here but it is best place to be right now. The people here are very supportive and can answer your questions better than any dr can at least in laymens terms. Also don't read too much, stick to Mayo Clinic, THe Cleveland Clinic, and John's Hopkins and keep in mind that the percentages that they list are not accurate they, will only take the best canidates. People 50 or younger, non smokers, drinkers or anyone with prostate cancer family history. They will always recommend the procedure that they specialize in. Just make sure that you trust the doctor that you choose. We preferred a doctor that was old enough to have the experience, and knowledge, skill, and appreciate what prostate cancer means to men and their spouses. But young enough to still be compassionate, and care for his patients. You don't want anybody ready to retire.

Good Luck,

Pam