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Posted 1/5/2010 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Add me to the club. And I hope this one has a happy hour sometime. I think it does.

I've been poring through these forums for a while, and it's taken me a bit of nerve to post my first post.

Mainly I wanted to make sure that this forum was NOT inhabited by drug reps or pre-tend doctors, or anyone trying to sell me anything, and are people, well, like myself.

I'm one of those people that even if I send myself an email, I don't dare open it ;-}

I hope that people that are lurking, like I was, join in, especially if you are in the Chicago area. The more info the better.

So my story started with a routine visit to primary Dr. Overall health is fine, though a family history of colon cancer. As long as I can remember, I'd get up a bunch of times at night to pee. Even now, not to bothersome. In the morning, I pee alot to. I only drink two cups of coffee in the AM. I do treadmill 5 days a week, 40 minutes, 4mph, incline 5 deg.

The rest of my tale is in my signature. I look forward to getting to know you, probably on a more intimate basis than I could have imagined but that's good, because as the name implies...wigged out.

Many questions to come....

Best wishes.

Wigged-out
Posted 1/5/2010 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Wigged........a lot of guys, myself included, lurked long before they leaped on to this forum. Once you do, though, you're hooked---in a good way. Sorry you have to be here, but all you will find is support, info and a common theme; not snake oil salesmen. Guys will chime in soon, and the ones in the midwest area can give you some local advice as to experience with specialists, hospitals, etc. We're all here for each other, and you will be able to help others, as others help you. Your numbers (on first blush) don't look too bad at all. Stay tuned, strap yourself in, and join the club nobody is knocking down the door to join----but again, welcome!

Arnie in DE

Posted 1/5/2010 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Mr. Wigged,

Welcome to the club. Happy hour just got over, but we'll have another one tomorrow sometime.

Sounds like you are a qualified member. Fortunately, your numbers look pretty good, so you have a complete list of options available to you, from Active Surveliance, to seed implants, to surgery.

So, take deep breath, and let it out slowly. if you are still wigged out, do it again.

Then, begin to learn all you can. At the top of this forum page is a post with all kinds of websites. There are good books you can buy, and there are a lot of guys on here with a lot of experience who will help you along the way too. Ask anything you can think of. We aren't modest, we aren't shy, and collectively, we have experienced most everything you will.

Good luck on your journey.

Goodlife
Posted 1/5/2010 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks fellas.

The needle biopsy was not fun. I used to dread going in for colonoscopies, but I'd do eight of those, to one of the needle things. Dr. Hoeksema seems like a really nice guy, and knowledgeable about all things Number One. He wanted to know if he should stop after sample 6 or 7, but I said I want my moneys worth and got all 12. he said I did very well during the test, but that I wouldn't shut up. I think he meant that jokingly. If not I'd understand.

My wife took me home, and I stayed in bed watching all these bad court-room tv shows. Watching those makes you feel better about yourself.

Getting the call about the lab results was sort of a blur. I know I was on the phone but just not there....my wife and I went in to the doc's office for a consult. Four options- Surgery, radiation, seeds, active surveillance (which means another date with the Smith $ Wesson needle thing).

The Dr. sent me home with the Prostate Cancer book by a Dr. Walsh(?) from John-Hopkins. Read that cover to cover, then couldn't sleep for a few nights.

BTW- I have married the very best of the best. Being a nurse herself, that helps, and the fact that she can listen and comprehend while I am....just not there. She's really in this with me and seriously that makes me feel a whole lot better.

I am now going to post the first of my many questions.

Thanks.

W-O
Posted 1/5/2010 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Wigged
As you have seen, we are happy when people find us but unhappy that they have a reason to be here.

A lot of us hear Cancer and think Death. That is not the case with PC. You have lots of time and lots of choices. In fact, that is the curse of PC especially with your stats. By the way, biopsys can be done under heavier sedation than what you got, so don't let the fact that there might be more in your future be a deciding factor.

You have already started your due diligence by reading Walsh's book. If you look at the top of the forum you will find lots of other information sources. So, hang around, ask, and join in as you wish.

With reference to Happy Hour, there was a thread a couple of months ago that suggested that beer had anti-cancer properties. Feel free to start your own clinical trial. In fact there is a GFMPH movement. Good For Men's Prostate Health. As in --
I'm going out for a few drinks because it is GFMPH
It worked for me until my wife discovered that cleaning the basement was GFMPH
Posted 1/6/2010 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
I'm in Chicago also, and I know that there are some excellent specialists, surgeons and medical facilities that'll handle whichever treatment option you eventually choose. All of this is scary at first.
Posted 1/6/2010 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone.

Mavica- I may be in touch sooner or later. I hate Chicago winters....

Best wishes everyone.
Posted 1/6/2010 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the club, Wigged. I know exactly how you feel. My uro called me on the phone with the news and then made me wait a week to see him about it. That was some week. I shed enough tears just out of fear to single-handedly end the drought here in New Mexico. Fortunately for me, that's the only thing he's done wrong so far. He was really good about the biopsy, I got valium and percocet an hour before-hand and he gave me a local for the procedure. And he was very compassionate and informative during the follow-up. I'm gonna go ahead and have the surgery, given my age and otherwise good health. Keep everyone posted with just about anything you want. As others have said, we're all here for each other.
Posted 1/6/2010 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Wigged-Out,

I am in the Chicago West Burbs.  Seems we have some similarities.

Important........

As you seek different opinions, schedule a procedure date at each you see.   You can always cancel, Docs don't mind at all.  The delay to get your treatment is based on the limited availability of operating rooms. So get on their schedules when you can no matter what place or treatment you choose.

I looked at some suburban community Hospitals, which may be just fine,  but I liked what the Downtown locations offered. Smaller Hosps just did not turn the numbers I liked.  I met with Dr. Adler at Northwestern,  what a great guy.  I have two close friends that used Dr. Z from UC and have nothing but good things to say.  I choose Arieh Shalhov, got a bad margin but no problem yet. Don't know anybody doing work at Rush but I here its a great hospital as well.

I choose the Robot and was in and out of the Hosp. next day.   My bad margin is all I came away with but coming up on 2 years I remain hopefull.

Contact me if you wish..

Frank

 

Posted 1/6/2010 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
mljsher,

Yeah, next biopsy I'm going to request an entire pharmacy of sedatives/pain killers.
I have a question for you and others where I've seen this: your PSA doesn't seem to be elevated to much. In fact, I was reading anything below a 4 is considered normal. Am I missing something? I'd figure that if it was beyond a 4+, that's when the docs would consider biopsy.

Frank1205,

Thanks for your info. I was kind of wondering if anyone had heard of/used Dr. Zagaja at UC. I don't want to rush in and set up anything quite yet. We looked into Rush, and I think there is one guy doing droid surgery. IF I decided on the surgery, I'd opt for the robotic, but again thats a big if.

Thanks again.
Posted 1/6/2010 5:33 PM (GMT 0)

Wigged.........it's more about the rise of the PSA # over time rather than the absolute value at any given snapshot in time. In fact, the old clinical parameters of any PSA of <4.0 being OK has gone by the boards. For instance, mine moved from 2.4 to 3.1 in 6 months, and then from 3.1 to 3.9 in the next 6 months when I was diagnosed via biopsy. So my highest reading was 3.9. Interestingly, a re-check of the PSA 3 months after biopsy came in at 2.4!!-go figure. But I was already diagnosed, and not swayed by the possibility that it was heading the other way. You'll see other memebrs here who have been diagnosed at much lower numbers. Conversely, you can have higher PSA readings, and still not have PC--------that's why this crap shoot of a disease is so much fun.

Arnie in DE

Posted 1/6/2010 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Arnie,

Thanks. I think I need to start collecting PSA scores like some people collect stamps......
Posted 1/6/2010 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Wig!

I see your numbers are real close to what mine were. I also just had BPH for a few years ... then the PSA started really climbing. (But was only from that little 5% hit -- go figger).

What's that about another BIOPSY?? I don't think so. You are all done with those now.

One thing to know about is if your BPH has enlarged your prostate much beyond 55-60cc then you won't be a candidate for seeds. (But I believe they can try to shrink er down with Proscar or other drugs).

Your doc should have gauged the size of your prostate when he did the biopsy so he should have those numbers (or they are on the report if he gave it to you).

Hang in there for the rest of the ride.

Jim
Posted 1/6/2010 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi wigged, If you have to be in this club, this is a great group of guys to help educate you on your options and to help alleviate some of your very normal fears. This site, along with other research I did, was invaluable in helping me make my treatment decision. Since I am relatively new myself, I don't have much to add to what you have seen so far....just wanted to reinforce that you have come to a great place to learn and ask questions from members who have had just about all the treatment options out there and can talk from actual experience. Best wishes on the journey....you have plenty of time to plot a course that you will be comfortable with. Joe67 _______________________ Age -67 PSA - 4.5 Biopsy   (9/4/09) - Positive in 5 of 8 cores. In those 5 cores, 5 of 11 samples were positive. Gleason 3+3=6. Stage – T1C   Ct and Bone scans negative   BT performed on 12/11/09. 84 seeds of Palladium 103. Surgery at 7:30 - Home at 12:30 same day with no catheter. Side effects as expected -  some burning, frequency, urgency, blood in urine. (Blood in urine stopped after 1 week).   Resumed daily   1 ½ mile walk after 3 days.   BT will be followed with 25 IGRT treatments beginning in Feb. 
Posted 1/8/2010 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Wigged,
I too lurk more than I post but the similarities between us in age, location, and my previous condition prompted me to respond. We are fortunate. Chicago offers lots of competent doctors and facilities.

This forum will provide a plethora of information and if you don't see an answer from a previous posting, you'll get a lot of responses if you post your question. My input to you is NOT to be wigged. Be concerned, know that you need to make some decisions about you're prostate's future, but also know that in your position you have choices, a lot of support, and the odds are in you favor for a positive outcome.

Cheers,
Highwheel
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