So scared about PSA

I know Rob, but what keeps us going is that even our urologist said we don't need an oncologist with Doug's low risk PC. That sounds good. Things could be worse. We will get past this.

Casey meant to say also that stress reduction would be a welcome and healthy thing. Kids can be harmful!! Yes he has already seen some of that stuff regarding side affects. He wants his quality of life to be the same so that's where he stands right now. Our Uro is adament about needed surgery at his young age. He said a 70 year old man would probably outlive the CA. I just don't want 5 years to go by and it spread or he missed his cure window. It's so hard right now. Ultimately it will be his decision.

Mikeaz sorry about your diagnosis, sounds a lot like Doug's. You are obviously holding your head up and that is what my husband does. You will be fine. He's so positive. I fail at that sometimes.

Caring,

Sorry they found cancer. I know it was not what you wanted. I remember the kicked in the gut feeling when I heard the news.

Take your time, take a breath and explore all your options. I choose seeds (brachytherapy). You can read what I went through by clicking on the link in my signature. Good luck to you and your husband. You're going to be okay!

It is a very personal decision that most likely everyone goes thru. You need to feel very comfortable on the treatment. Talking to the surgeon, he wanted surgery, talking to the Rad guy, he wanted seeds. My Urologist does cryo and suggested cryo. Each has their way of doing it and you need to find a natural party. My natural party was Dr. Mark Scholz, he is a Medical Oncologist in CA. My wife and I went over all the treatments, what was important to us and Brachytherapy was at the top of his recommendation list. Brachytherapy was at the top of my list going in and was going out.

I looked the advantages and the disadvantages with all the treatments, most likely the post effects of surgery were big for me. I believe the advantages are much better with brachytherapy, but you need to live with the fact that the prostate is still there, there may be complications in the future (as with any treatment) and the seed are with you forever. Some people want it out now just to know the prostate is gone, but in fact some cancer may still be left behind. As for a sure cure, there is none, just review all the posts on this site. There have been many different treatments, and many different outcomes. Many are very good, some have problems. I wish there was a sure cure.

I know insurance is part of the decision process, it should not be. I am finding that the top four doctors in the US (in my humble opinion) for brachytherapy are not in my insurance plan. Do I move from the A+ team to the A team because of money? I may have to. Still checking on doctors.

See if you can pick up Dr. Scholz’s book Invasion of the Prostate Snatchers, it is not as informative as Walsh’s book but gives a look at waiting. Active surveillance (also known as Active waiting) may be a short term option. Dr. Scholz is big on waiting, but not in my case. 66% of the cores were positive, less than 25% is recommended going this route. Other factors also play into the decision, PSA, Gleason and stage. This link helped me https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=2383730.

Mass General will recommend surgery at his age. Your husband's facts are extremely similar to my husband's facts and they were adament that surgery was the way to go. They will set you up with an oncologist, radiation oncologist, and surgeon. Olumi is good but from what I can tell, I don't think you can go wrong with who you talk to.

Jerome Richie at Brigham is also a good person to talk to.

You mentioned Portland. My sister-in-law had a very good experience with the Maine Center for Cancer Medicine. Her doctor was Dr. Dugan. She did go to Dana Farber but they agreed with the Maine Center. She received very good care.

Caring Wife,
If you would like any of the books mentioned here, I would be more than happy to send you my copies.

Just shoot me an email if you are interested.

Msworrywart should be my name!!  The same thing happened to my husband as yours.  Because of a family history his GP said to start his PSA at 44, it showed 3.9.  Now with the lab results it showed like it was just peaking the normal range and was mixed in with all of his other blood work so we never gave it a second glance.  I never even knew what a PSA meant a year ago.  His GP should know more about age and PSA's, maybe an 80 year old man would have that kind of PSA, but not at 44.  I am greatful that the same GP did call him about his 4.9 level this year and didn't just write that off as a little above normal!!  Doug's Uro said he has probably had this for 3 years or so.  I think 40 is a good start date to check PSA when there is a family history.

I have three little kids with not much time to read, actually one is home with me now with a fever :(.  It might be nice for Doug to skim through a book, if time allows it.  Doctor Patrick Walsh's guide to surviving prostate cancer I have heard is a good one.  Do you have it msworrywart?  See Doug is not like me.  I want the darn thing out, though I do want to talk with some other doctors about alternatives. This is not me we are talking about though, so it's his decision.  Doug is more of the I want to get rid of it but, I don't like the surgery idea, let's see what the other options are.  His manhood means too much to him.  I see that quite a few younger men are not (as prone) to the harsher side effects of surgery.  Everyone is different though.  He has been discussing this with some of his customers and PA is so common.  He said everyone seems to say either I had it, or my brother had it or my uncle etc.  He's getting a lot of different ideas from people that's for sure.  I just don't want it to spread with a treatement that didn't really work.  We do know now that life goes on and nothing changes, you just have to fit this into the mix.  Things could be worse.

 

davidg sounds like you had good experience with robotic surgery.

steavejohn there are a lot of nice people on here. You should start your own thread too so you don't get lost, you'll probably get a lot more replies. You shouldn't be alone in this. It's nice to have comfort from others. I hope everything works out for you for the positve, but from what I have read PC is "usually" one of the friendlist ones, so always think it could be worse "if that is the outcome."

You are young like my husband so I am interested.  What do you regret.  Do you wish you had done a different procedure.  I thought dry orgasms was a definate for everyone???  We are so out there right now.   What to do?!  Don't want this thing growing, don't want to ruin our lives with the wrong decision.  Being so young is the scary thing, too many years to gamble with.

So hard with no insurance. Dana Farber Institute just called. Maybe we could qualify for a financial help for a consult, but it still would be pricey. Cost for a consult is almost 800.00, plus they may want to take slides or some other stuff. Girl hung up with me quickly. Returned my call asking for DEPUG instead of Doug. I want an unbiased opinion, but we have a family and in my neck of the woods landscaping has just started up, money not rolling in yet.

Caring wife

I have Doctor Patrick Walsh's guide to surviving prostate cancer back at the house, we are currently watching Gigi the granddaughter.

Send me you address and I'll be glad to send you that plus others.

Just return to me whenever you get around to it.

My email is in my profile.

Hugs!

Bud