HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

just found out

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/8/2009 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Diagnosed last week.......3+3=6 on Gleason scale.....10 Biopsy specimens 3 positive all on one side, PSA was 4.37...I am 58 yrs old, appointment in London Ontario with Doctor Chin but not until mid December....should I be concerned about time frame I want this out of me with robotic arm asap but may not be for months until that is possible....any ideas on time frames for this....thanks


















p
Posted 10/8/2009 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Zimmer and welcome to the forum, although I wish you didn't have to be here. :-)

PCa, especially a Gleason 6, is fairly slow growing, so a two-month delay is not unreasonable. I suggest use the time profitably to research the options thoroughly. With your numbers, Active Surveillance (aka Watchful Waiting) or brachytherapy are also reasonable treatment options, although I understand your want to be rid of it as soon as possible.
Posted 10/8/2009 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Look, I'm not expert ---- there are many here who can tell you more than I. But this is a no cause for panic situation. Better you don't have PCa? Yes. But from what you say if you're going to have PCa you're starting off right. A Gleason 6 is low risk disease and it seems to be all on one side.

I strongly recommend the only thing you get underway on is getting your slides reread and that whoever you chose to reread has lots of experience looking at prostate tissue. If the second pathologist agrees you're a Gleason 6, and if your PSA hasn't been shooting up, you're in great shape --- well, aside from the cancer that is.

Right now, if you're anything like me, you're not a happy camper. But, remember, this has likely been with you for several years now. The only difference is you know about it. With a Gleason 6 you've got lots of time to be cured of this disease. Doesn't mean you don't research your options and move ahead, but you have time to make the decision.

I'm sure others will chime in but I'm sure they'll be telling you, "no cause for panic," and I do urge you to get a second reading.

Sheldon AKA Sleepless
Posted 10/8/2009 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
I think the other guys are correct. Actually it may be a good thing for you. You really do need to spend some time learning about this monster, so that when you do talk to urologists, surgeons and oncologists, you understand what they are talking about.

Also, if you believe surgerey is the correct option for you, be sure you understand the pros and cons of surgery,as well as other options such as Brachytherapy or radiation. Incdontinence and ED are the two major side effects, Many guys don't really let that sink in in the pre=sugery stage, and then later begin to understand what it really means to their lives, for the rest of their life.

Not sure how the medical system works in Canada, but second opinions are always good for PC. Look for doctors who have a signicant amount of exoerience with robotic surgery, and are people that you trust, and even like.

Good luck, stay with us here and we will try to help you.
Posted 10/8/2009 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Zimmer. Best to do some research now. Robotic surgery is a good option at your age, but there is no need to make that decision or initiate treatment right away. Gleason 6 disease on one side of the prostate buys you time to approach this thoughtfully. If your situation permits, you may even want to take a vacation or long-postponed trip now because travel and leisure will be more challenging for several months during the post-op healing period. If you do choose surgery, I would recommend that you do LOTS of kegel exercises, starting soon, in order to minimize post-op incontinence. That's the one piece of advice I wish someone had given me when I was in your situation! You should do fine. Just take a deep breath, plan your strategy, and check with others on this forum who have gone down whatever path you choose.

Doc
Posted 10/8/2009 10:30 AM (GMT 0)
Zimmer, similar numbers to yours, psa slightly higher. I was advised to do pelvic floor exercises from the point of diagnosis. I then decided to go the way of Davinci. I again started exercises about 10 days post op and I really think that they helped a great deal. I shall continue to do them on a regular basis. I am now nearly 5 months out  and incontinence is not a problem as I am 99.9% dry. Ed is the next hill to climb. Good luck with your future decisions. An English patient.
Posted 10/8/2009 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
Greetings, Zimmer.  Welcome to the club no one wants to be a part of.  You are getting some good advice here.  I would simply reinforce a few of the points.

1.  As hard as it is to do - don't panic.  You have lots of time.  Take this time to do a lot of research and to get  your slides read by a second lab doc.  Even if you could get treatment immediately, most doc's want you to have 6 weeks to 2 months after the biopsy for the prostate to heal before they will do anything so you have some time.

2.  Look at all the options.  I chose surgery and I believe it was the right choice for me.  That being said, there are other good options that are the right choice for a lot of people.  Do the research on all of them and make your decision.  There is not one right decision for everybody - but there is a right decision for every individual.  Make your decision and then don't look back - just begin preparing for successful treatment.

3.  Rather than doing kegels, my doc said each time you urinate stop the stream at least 5 times between now and the time you begin your treatment.  In reality that is virtually the same as a kegel but you know you are doing exactly what you need to do.  I had six weeks from diagnosis to treatment and it certainly worked for me.  After my catheter came out I did the same thing for a few days and was pretty much dry. 

4.  You are among friends.  Please feel free to let us know how things are going and to ask questions.  One of the most valuable services this group provides is to share our experiences with those that are just beginning.  Look forward to hearing from you again soon.  David

Posted 10/8/2009 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Zimmer,

Welcome aboard to the forum where you will get a lot of support and answers to your questions. None of us wants to be here, but this is a great support environment that you will not regret joining. Your questions will be answered and you will move forward better equipped to make the very personal decisions that lie ahead.

I just had my Da Vinci Surgery last Tuesday in London Ontario with Dr. Pautler. He is Dr. Chin's associate in the Urology department. I waited seven months for my surgery. It was a first class facility and the people treated me extremely well. I have nothing but good things to say about my experience there. If you need any information about this process and the London facility, just ask.  Or, if you wish, contact me 'off forum' at my email address in my profile. 

Keep well,
Regards,
Bill

Posted 10/8/2009 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Bill, I hope you are still recovering well back home. Looks like you are coming up on one week from the hospital. Have you been back to the doctor yet, still with your catheter?

It is nice being on the recovery side, less stressful to me then all the months of testing and worrying and waiting before time.

David in SC
Posted 10/8/2009 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hey David,

Thanks for asking. I am recovering very well and feel great. No pain and I am able to walk outside every day. The catheter comes out next Wednesday and I should get the path results. Got my fingers crossed on that one.

Keep well,
Regards,
Bill
Posted 10/8/2009 5:42 PM (GMT 0)

Welcome!

Glad that your with this forum it has been a gift from God to me.

I’m in that newly diagnosed status myself. I have the robotic surgery scheduled for November 2 2009 in the good city of St. Louis Missouri. I’m also wishing that I could have had it done the day after the biopsy. After reading everything that I can get my hands on and receiving a ton of really sound advice I understand that I need to be calm but I’ll be darn if I’m going to lie to you and tell you that I’m good about the delay. Not a second of the day goes by that I’m not thinking about this process. I already have my wife asking about the appropriate pads to use post operatively. And checking into the availability of radiation therapy if I’m going to need it. I’m just starting back to my running, I do 24 miles a week and that has actually given me some mental rest. I’m going to try to do a bow hunt Friday something that I normally love to do but haven’t had the urge. I think  that it may help get me back to an area more normal (may be looking for a new wife if I stay in this mood...lol). I am acutely aware that these delays are scientifically acceptable but as you can see it really ticks me off. Good luck to you and Godspeed.

Jack
Posted 10/8/2009 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Zimmer,
With a low PSA Gleason 6 you have about a 95% chance of being cured regardless of the treatment option you choose and that includes Active Survelience. You chance of dieing of something other than PC is about 99%, so there is no need to panic or rush to a treatment. As others have urged, research all options, seeds, surgery, watchful waiting. IMRT and Proton. Since the cure rates are similar you may want to pay attention to the side affects which are different and in some cases permanent that will affect your quality of life. You may want to make a list of all treatment optons and their pros and cons to help you reach an informed decision.
JohnT
Posted 10/8/2009 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Bill, keep us posted. Bet you will be glad to get rid of your rubber snake, and I hope and pray you have a clean pathology report next week.

David in SC
Posted 10/8/2009 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Why is everyone assuming Zimmer is panicing? That puzzles me. He is going through the same process as the rest of us. With his stats, looks like he has many options, so as someone else added, in the time in between, check out all options, and make darn sure that this is what he wants to do, no re-do's as we all know.

David in SC
Posted 10/9/2009 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
David,
Just about everyone panics when they get the DX and the 1st thought is to take care of it as fast as possible. As we all know now, because we have been through it, that this is an unproductive approach.
We should continue to preach to newcomers that they should take their time and research all options.
JohnT
Posted 10/9/2009 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
John, I fully agree with the second part of your post, about preaching to the newly dx about options and taking their time.

The first part, not everyone panics, I know I didn't. Guess it how one defines panic in this situation.

David in SC
Posted 10/9/2009 1:28 AM (GMT 0)

Zim and guys,

The process of digesting the fact that you are one in six or seven men and "why me?" was horrible for most of us. Then we got busy studying and deciding. The fact is Zim, that it will fill up all of the space in your head when you are not focussed on something else. We have been right where you are and regardless of what we may call the mindset i.e., panic, shock, anxiety, hyper-focussed, etc., you are on track to deal with it.  Surgery is not recommended until you are healed internally from the biopsies so usually it is 8 weeks or so. I know that I wanted it "OUT of me, STAT!" but once I studied the options and made the decision and got it on the calendar, I calmed down. Nevertheless, it still was never far from the front of my mind.

Best wishes through the process, and it is a process.

Ted

Posted 10/9/2009 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Zimmer:

I am also a Canadian - living in Ajax.  My advice is to take it slow and do lots of research. When I was first told I had cancer my first impulse was to have it removed ASAP but after meeting with my Urologist and a Radiation Oncologist I decided on Active Surveillance until something indicates disease progression. I am 8 months into this and have had one PSA test at 6 months that showed no PSA rise - it actually dropped a little. Next test is in February and I believe I am to have a follow up biopsy shortly after that. I will say that you have to be prepared mentally with this approach - most days I am not too bothered about having cancer and not treating it but once in a while you can have days where you question yourself. I think this is normal and as time goes on the days like this are getting to be fewer and farther apart. Best of luck to you what ever your treatment decision is.

Posted 10/9/2009 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your replies, it has given me a whole new perspective on what is going on with me. I had made up my mind before coming on this forum to just get rid of this, but as I have read and heard from everyone there are choices that I have and to just take a deep breath sit back and look over all my choices which I will be doing in the next 2 months......thank you everyone for your support and advice and good luck to everyone...Zimmer
Posted 10/11/2009 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
I was 3+3 and voluntarily waited 3 months for a better work/vacation schedule to have my surgery. Doctor was fine with it.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply