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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 10/27/2011 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thats interesting, so if you had'nt asked for that test, your Uro, would have called it a zero and you would have been on your way. In a nut shell, your Uro's response, is exactly what is wrong with the system. So here is a case where the doctor gets psa anxiety from an ultra test rather than the patient. That request,set the wheels in motion that you are experiencing now. So where was his concern when ordering std test? Not knocking him, just like to see consistancy in my doctors thoughts. Protocol helps when it helps, when it doesn't help, its not just benign, it hurts and can hurt a lot. Good luck with your journey, take care
Posted 10/27/2011 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Mike,

Welcome to HW. Looks like you have already gotten some good advice and tips.

Many doctors would wait until 90 days post surgery to use as a base for future PSA readings. 30 days out can be a good indicator, but at 90 days it might drop even further.

Having the radiation immediately has its pluses and minuses, and the decision of course is between you and your doctor. But there are risks associated with having the radiation. You definitely want to be well healed before undergoin the radiation and you want to have any incontinence and major ED issues under control.

Even with your pathology, it still doesnt mean you will have immediate recurrance, after all I have been through, and just my opinion, I wouldn't want to jump on radiation until there was confirmed proof of recurrance, if you ever have it at all. Just my take.

Look forward to your updates and reports, glad you found us.

David in SC
Posted 10/27/2011 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks logoslidat and David,

The local uro was talking radiation before I had the psa test. I think He believes it is the way to go in spite of psa numbers as crazy as that sounds. I am really starting to think I should stop the escalator for a bit to see where I'm at. I will have psa redone in Dec. Iwent back into archives and have seen that some people have a temp increase in psa but then it drops back down. I also see that studies are muddied as far as effectiveness of art vs rt. It makes sense to me to wait alittle bit because as logoslidat said, I may be cured as I type this. Why would I subject my body to radiation when theres a chance I may do more harm than good. Tough decision. I will definately talk to rad-onc again. I see no harm at all waiting another 2 or 3 months.

Thanks again!
Posted 10/28/2011 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with you, Mike, and hopefully you won't need the radiation if you are fortunate.
Posted 10/28/2011 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks again Dave

Goodnight
Posted 10/28/2011 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
hey Mike,
welcome to the club and sorry you have to be here. I am glad you enjoyed your experience in Bham. Dr Tully is my doc though I have yet to concede to surgery. Time will tell. He has a very good track record.

Too bad you're not local, there is a good support group that meets at Tully's office usually the third Thursday of the month. I have been a regular there for a year or so (Terry aka water guy, you should try to come). I have found the meetings sobering but still helpful. Perhaps there is one in CT. Anyway, you will find this forum invaluable I think, I know I have. Keep us updated.

be well...
Posted 10/28/2011 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
Mike,

It looks like you have gotten some great advice and opinions from a lot of great HW members who are all on PC journeys like yourself. I have to agree  IMO you should not rush into any RT until you get at least 1 more PSA test done and are fully continent. Since you id not have nerve sparing surgery the ED issue my not improve so RT would most likely not effect that recovery.

DanO

I did not know you were a fellow Alabamian and it is nice to have a HW PC brother locally. I am interested in the PC support group you mentioned with Dr Tully, is this only for his practice's patients?  My surgery was done at Shelby Baptist Hospital by Dr Willbanks. (Shelby Urology Associates) Send me more information by email and if you want your contact information.  I live and work in Helena. I see that you are on AS with a very small G6 DX, with your age and DX have you looked at proton RT? I looked into it but BCBS would not pay for the treatment.

Thanks

Terry TWG

Posted 10/28/2011 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Dan and Terry.

Tully's office is the best. Dr. Moody was great too. Very compassionate people. I would certainly think that anyone would be welcome at their meetings. They are, afterall, one of the biggest proponents of pc awareness in Al and the US.

Bye for now, Mike
Posted 10/28/2011 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mike. Welcome to the club. Keep your possitive outlook and everything will work out, and before you know it you will be a member of the Zero Club.
Posted 10/28/2011 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi krm,

Who's better than you? Nobody! Welcoming me to the forum as you are just on the other side of surgery. On tip from me and take it for what it's worth. I was told to apply bacitracin type ointment to the tip of the penis-catheter.
I did but found it incredibly painfull. Alot of discomfort especially when sitting on the toilet. Almost unbearable. I discovered that the bacitracin was most effevtive as a lubricant for the catheter as it would constantly moved in and out. Once I figured that out and kept the catheter well lubed, it was so much better. You probably already know this but I didn't. Anyway, thanks for the kind words and I'm wishing you the very best!
Posted 10/28/2011 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum Mike.  I also traveled to Birmingham for my surgery for very much the same reasons you did.  Tully and Bugg had about 2400 surgeries between them at the time I had surgery.   And you are right about the staff and hospital, they couldn't have been better.  Good luck to you going forward.

Carlos

Posted 10/28/2011 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Carlos, same to you.

Mike
Posted 10/29/2011 11:03 AM (GMT 0)
There is another HW member I know who lives outside of Montgomery AL who had his surgery last month with Dr Bugg and he really praises the guy. He has been fully continent since the day his rubber snake was removed and is recovering great. Unfortunately he was a G6 DX but was upgraded after surgery and has to now look at HT and RT for the future with some bad pathology reports.

Terry

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