Apprehensive in Alexandria, VA

Sparky,

You might want to read Robert Marckini's book "You Can Beat Prostate Cancer . . ." Considered the "gospel" for proton beam therapy advocates, he has a section in the book where he discussed Andy Grove and his treatment choice extensively. Marckini apparently had considerable e-mail and other discussion with Grove and this is all laid out in his book. The interesting thing is that when Marckini asked Grove why he hadn't considered pbt, Grove told Marckini that at that time, he (Grove) was unaware that pbt even existed!

As you will learn, there are several treatment options available to you. Many of the guys I met at Bloomington were 7s. If you are considering options other than surgery Proton Beam Therapy is one you should look think about.

Steve

Sparky,
You and I have the same numbers as follows:
Biopsy Cores Positive: 8 of 12 modules positive
Gleason Score 7
Primary: 3
Secondary: 4
PSA: 4.93
Stage: T1C involving 60%
The only difference is I am 47. I chose the combination of Brachy (internal seeding) and External radaition. This is my 3rd week of radiation, so far so good. I am just urinating a lot throughout the day and a little burning sensation sometimes. But other than that I am fine, and I am happy with my decision of treatment. I did not want to go through the incontinence or ED issues. My urologist wanted me to seek surgery, he was referring me to a doctor who performed robotic surgery. But that doctor did not accept (tricare) my insurance. I was then referred to a oncologist while his office was still looking for a doctor which would accept my insurance. After talking to the oncologist, my mind was made up. He felt like with radiation I had the same cure rate as surgery (without a lot of the possible side effects). Plus I have a history of of blood clots and would not want to take that risks of clotting again after surgery. I will be complete with radiation in about 2 weeks. After that I will be scheduled for the internal seeding process. Whichever treatment option you choose it has to be the one that you are happy with. Good luck....




3+4=7 involving 30%, 3+4=7 involving 5%, 3+4=7 involving 40%, 3+3=6 involving 25%, 3+3=6 involving 30%, 3+3=6 involving 20% and 3+3+6 involving 5% PSA 4.93. CT and Bone scans reveiled the cancer so far is contained in my prostate. All of my DRE were normal so my prostate is not enlarged.

Has anyone read the Intel Founder's -- Andy Grove -- article published in Fortune Magazine. (still on Internet.) It's dated but provacative. He did "Smart Bomb" seeds followed by radiation. Wonder what hospital he used?

i've read it and posted the link on here several times over the last couple of years.  my numbers are similar to yours and Andy Grove's. Like Grove i had a better than average possibilty (60%) that my cancer had escaped the capsule but was still in the prostate bed. and like Grove our approach was to hit the cancer with every weapon at our disposal -  hormonal therapy, brachy therapy and beam radiation (i spared you the acronyms and initialisms).

good luck to you!

ed

 

Only apprehensive? ;)

I was in total shock for a few days after I got the call last November. Took me the better part of three days before I could even check out the web page of the cancer clinic my URO referred me too. The trick I've found to look for sources of info you can trust and pick a doctor you have confidence in. I feel fortunate to have found a medical team I've got confidence in. It's the same clinic my brother used last year for his PC and he thought they were good.

Second opinions are good. I saw two different URO (urologists) and a RO (radiation oncologist) before deciding on a treatment.

The good/bad news is that there are lots of treatment options. Good because you have a choice. Bad because you have to make a choice. I am still second guessing myself from time to time.

My numbers are similar to yours expect I have fewer cores involved. I chose to do external beam radiation first and then wait to see if that has any effect before deciding on a second treatment. I wanted to avoid surgery because of other health issues I've got and my doctors agreed that in my case radiation is likely to be as effective as surgery.

and this forum is easy to use. Just post and ask questions. I am happy I found this place.
Andrew

I had my robotic prostate surgery (sorry I'm not using all of the cool abbreviations) on 23 April at Georgetown University Hospital. The Dept. Chair, Dr. John Lynch, performed the procedure. I think it went extremely well: 99% dry and not using pads, back to work in two weeks, PSA less than 0.1% six weeks later.

My questions now are on the issue of Cialis-type meds. As my insurance doesn't cover Cialis, Levitra, Viagra, etc., what are the alternatives? The pharmacy wanted $144 for 6 tablets (the doctor wants me to take 1/2 pill every other day.) I have TriCare, in that I'm a retired officer. Does anyone know if military pharmacies are an option?

Also, while I should do a better job of reading healingwell.com, I did see where the initial PSA score can sometimes go up in later tests? Anyone have any information on this?
Thanks

Sparky