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Posted 11/19/2010 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
The last thing I ever expected to hear was "We didn't get the results we wanted" From 12 biopsys four were Gleason 8's and four were Gleason 6's with one Gleason 8 showing prostatic adipose tissue invasion. I opted for surgery which took place 1 month ago. My recovery is slower than I hoped for with rectal discomfort being a 24 hr. occurance. I met with my oncologist last week and depending on my upcoming PSA I will likely be a candidate for Hormonal Therapy and adjuvent radiation. Knowing there is cancer still present from my patholoy report ie; Perineal invasion is present and margin involved on both right and left side and non focally. Distant metastasis cannot be assessed but fortunately my bone scan and Ct scans came back negative. There was also Glandular and Stromal Hyperplasia listed as additional pathologic findings. I don't know what that means, and a single reactive lymph node showing no evidence of metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma was excellent news. I have ordered the book by Dr Patrich Walsh as recommended by members of your forum. In closing I just want to say what a wonderful web site this has become for me. Just being able to read similar circumstances and knowing there are other brave men and women facing the reality of life is most comforting. Stay well and blessed.

Tom Taylor

Posted 11/19/2010 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Tom...glad you joined us...well not exactly glad as this is the club nobody really wants to join...but nevertheless....Welcome.

Keep us informed as to the next steps in your journey.

Best wishes.
Posted 11/19/2010 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Tom.

I was a gleason 6, negative margins, blah, blah, blah ... so I don't have any words of wisdom, other than ...

This site is home to a LOT of really smart folks who will answer any and all of your questions (at all hours of the day and night).

Good luck to you.
Posted 11/19/2010 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Tom. Glad that you posted and hopefully your recovery will gain some steam soon. Keep us posted and enjoy this coming holiday with your family.

Michael

Posted 11/19/2010 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Tom, we all really care, so please keep us up to date on your progress.
steve
Posted 11/19/2010 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
welcome, Tom, sorry about some of the report, but you're doing the right thing: learning as much as you can and  talking through it with guys that's been there....like the website says: You Are Not Alone NOW...[by the way, check that one out, too, there's lots to glean from that site, too]

keep us posted, and take care

bob

Posted 11/19/2010 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Well Tom Taylor, welcome to our group.."We didn't get the results we wanted"...yeah, I got that phone call too....

You seem to have things under control, you will indeed be recommended to have the "high risk" treatment protocol which usually includes RT and HT regardless of the initial PSA number..So read Walsh's book, you can start at chapter 7 and go back to the beginning chapters later..You have already been there..

Just my opinion, but you may want to hold off on the radiation (if they recommend it) until you have completely recovered from the surgery, including the rectal pain and any other surgery side effects, incontinence and impotency..The radiation is liable to lock these conditions in place forever..You have another 2 or 3 weeks of waiting for that first post-op PSA result...That number will have a lot to do with determining your future treatment...Walsh goes into great detail here, it's not easy reading...Best of luck to you brother..
Posted 11/19/2010 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
Tom, welcome, I see you have already mastered some of the jargon, so settle in and hang with us as you travel on your journey.
Posted 11/19/2010 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Tom, welcome to HW Prostate Cancer. You are among friends and brothers/sisters of the PC for sure. Keep us posted.

David in SC
Posted 11/20/2010 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
All I can add besides welcome to HW, is that you need to just take it a day, week, or month at a time. This site will prove one thing, that it is hard to predict what the future may hold from any point in PCa.

The biopsy may be a Gleason 6, and turn out ultimstely to be a Gleason 8. It may be a Gleason 9, and remain that. The surgery, radiation, brachytherapy, proton therapy, cryosurery, etc, may appear to have gotten it all, only to have it return again later. The surgical pathology may indicate positive margins, extra-prostatic extensions, PNI, seminal vesical involvement, etc., and the patient may not have any reoccurence for many years, or ever.

The pathology may appear to be squeeky clean, and the patient still ends up with reoccurence.

I say all the above, who as a Gleason 9, with an EPE, should not be at .01, 18 months after surgery. While in all likelihood, I will have reoccurence down the road, I may not. I have decided that I will live each day as tho I never had it, and if and when it reoccurs, I will deal with it then. I trying my best to make no assumptions. It can drive you crazy.

Good luck on your journey.
Posted 11/20/2010 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
wow, well said goodlife.
Posted 11/20/2010 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
Like the others have posted, we're sorry you are here Tom. You are however welcome and not alone. There is a lot of knowledge and experience here. Many just plain open ears as well.

Steve
Posted 11/20/2010 11:57 AM (GMT 0)
Tom
Welcome. You seem to be fairly well informed and already have a plan in place. That puts you way ahead of most of the guys coming here for the first time. You have just tapped into a wealth of support, information, caring, and sage advice.
We're all individuals but it sure helps knowing that others have walked the same path. Watch, read and learn.
Good luck to you.
Jeff (the leaking one)
Posted 11/20/2010 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Tom, sorry about your poor pathology report. Walsh's book is very good, but if you are looking at HT and SRT you should also read Dr Myers book Beating Prostate cancer with hormone therapy and diet.
Posted 11/20/2010 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Tom this is the one club the current members never wanted to join and once in hoped the membership closed the day they joined. Spend time on this site and you will find every outcome you can imagine. You will find others that have traveled the same road you are on and most are willing to share their experience. Those of us who may not have had the same journey will support you as best we can. You are not alone come here to cry and scream we are all willing to listen. No question is stupid.
Posted 11/20/2010 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Well, the guy who wanted to know if the bee salve would cure it was close.
Posted 11/24/2010 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Tom...
Posted 11/24/2010 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
GOO9DLIFE, YOU ARE MY HERO. tODD
Posted 11/24/2010 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome,Tom and keep your head up!!

Posted 11/26/2010 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
It's good that you found your way to this forum/resource, Tom, but I'm not going to say I'm sorry you're here.  Rather, I think it's good news you received because the cancer is present in your body and would have spread and possibly ended your life prematurely had you not agreed to the biopsy.  The biopsy results are good, in that sense - because you will now deal with the danger and like many of us who were in your shoes at an earlier time will hopefully successfully deal with the cancer.  My best advice is that you put your trust in a team of medical advisors you trust.  Get yourself (if you don't already have one) a good primary care physician and then with his/her advice select a Urologist/Surgeon who can walk you through the options.  Trust those who know you and your medical history and resist the lure of internet-provided advice. I think all of us stayed in state of shock for varying time periods after being told of our biopsy results, but you can see from most of us here that we've come through this well.  Best wishes for a successful road ahead. 
Posted 11/26/2010 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, Tom, your life took this sort of turn. You're in a world of good, knowledgeable company here. I found this site trying to discover why my husband was experiencing, like you, so much rectal pain post RP, and use it mainly for the "men in the trenches" wisdom it provides, as well as info to check out with the medical professions. His recovery seemed so slow too, and I wish you the patience and strength to get through it. We're still working that part out, but it's easier every day. Glad you found the people here...
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