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Posted 8/8/2014 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
In 2008 I began this journey. I've had three high density biopsies with about 40 samples each in 2008, 2011 and 2014. The last biopsy found one sample of 37 slightly involved and graded Gleason 3 + 3 = 6. I've been watching and waiting. Well the wait is over.

I've decided on brachy therapy and had the procedure scheduled for tomorrow. As bad luck would have it I had a kidney stone hit me last week and I've been to hell and back with surgery and two hospital stays. I'll be scheduling the seed implant for another day in the near future.

Just wanted to reconnect.

Jim
Posted 8/8/2014 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome back, Jim, to HW PC

You started about 4 months before I joined, I remember you.

So you bought 6 years of time before deciding to have treatment, that's great for you. Hope you do well with your treatment ahead, and sorry to hear about the kidney stone issue getting in your way.

Please keep us posted.

David
Posted 8/8/2014 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis and your kidney stones.

Sometimes bad luck shows up and give pause to other things.

With only one positive core (you didn't say what the percentage is in that core), perhaps you are a candidate for active surveillance?

Some of the men folks will be here soon.

Best of wishes.
Posted 8/8/2014 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
If you are in Chicagoland, I highly recommend Dr Brian Moran at Chicago Prostate Center in Westmont IL. I saw him while I was in your city visiting my daughter. Dr Moran is a do no harm very conservative Radiation oncologist who will not push you into any unneeded treatments.

He also has great client reviews from research I did and from my personal observation. I met with him twice, the second one being a joint consult with his fellow renowned RO Mack Roach from UCSF.

Dr Moran is an expert on low dose brachy seeds.

With your metrics, you have time to do your homework before deciding on a treatment.

The stones may give you an opportunity to make sure you are not rushing into an unneeded treatment.

Hard to use rushing and been here for 6 years together, but you do seem to be an ideal candidate for pro Active Surveillance.

LupronJim
Posted 8/8/2014 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Just to make sure I understand, you have had 3 saturation biopsies over the years, now you have 1 needle of 37 showing a Gleason 6.

Why would you want to move away from AS and seek treatment now? Just asking, in case there is some more information that you did not share.

We have folks check in here all the time with very similar stats and the first recommendation always seems to be research further the aspects of AS.

Your stats would indicate that you have plenty of time to research before you act.

Sonny
Posted 8/9/2014 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck with your upcoming treatment and sorry about the kidney stone. I had one removed back in 1973 at the pain prior to the surgery was the worse pain I've ever had.
Posted 8/9/2014 5:05 AM (GMT 0)
LupronJim: I have been, in fact, a patient of Dr. Moran since 2008. I couldn't agree more with your observations about Chicago Prostate Cancer Center. Dr. Moran has done my biopsies and has been the person I trust with impunity. His recommendation was to pursue the full seed therapy.

He also treated my father who, at age 73 had a standard office biopsy with 12 cores more than 80% involved and the smoothed Gleason score was 5 + 5 = 10. Since Dad has such aggressive cancer at that late age I believe Dr. Moran's plan is a good plan. He said that he anticipated that I would be back in 4 or so years for more cancer treatment if I did not choose this course of treatment.

I also have the great luck of living less than 20 minutes away from the Chicago Prostate Cancer Center. Seems like a gift to be so close.

I don't know the exact percentage of involvement there was in the one positive sample. The only thing Dr. Moran said was it is a small amount of cancer found.

Jim
Posted 8/9/2014 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Jim.

The family history is a factor we did not know about when we advised you to slow down.

I have total confidence in Dr Moran. He is not one to pimp out his own services. So if he advises brachy seeds, after the stones pain clears, go for it.

My daughter also lives very close to Westmont, in Woodridge. So Dr. Moran would have been an option for me too, if I did not already have good options with SBRT at UCLA and IMRT/IGRT even closer to my home in FL.

Good luck and keep us posted.

LupronJim
Posted 8/9/2014 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Amen to the feelings stated regarding Dr Moran. Please keep us posted as you move down your path.
Best.
Posted 9/1/2014 8:10 AM (GMT 0)
Going for the seed implant on Wednesday. I'll let you know how I do.

Jim
Posted 9/1/2014 11:19 AM (GMT 0)
Jim, What made you pull the trigger on treatment now.  With only one core, gleason 6, that is considered low grade. 
Posted 9/1/2014 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jim:

You are in good hands with Dr. Moran and I trust everything will go smoothly. But, like the others, I'm wondering what made you pull the trigger now. You would seem to be an ideal candidate for AS.

Jim
Posted 9/1/2014 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with your treatment! Dr. Moran is the best.
Posted 9/3/2014 2:53 AM (GMT 0)

Purgatory said...
Welcome back, Jim, to HW PC

You started about 4 months before I joined, I remember you.

So you bought 6 years of time before deciding to have treatment, that's great for you. Hope you do well with your treatment ahead, and sorry to hear about the kidney stone issue getting in your way.

Please keep us posted.

David

What he said! 6 years without this surgery I had or any other PITA treatment? Good on Ya, brother! And now you may well get by with just Brachy? Better on Ya, Brother! Any 6 years without treatment, and without a life threatening spread, is a good 6 years!

EDIT: although, like the others, I am also curious: are you still just a small amount of G6? If so, what is it made you decide to go beyond AS? I guess it is just the family history? And/or maybe the anount is increasing?

Oh well, no matter. If you can get by just with seeds, there is a very good chance you will have zero to very few side effects, so I might go for it also.

Post Edited (BillyBob@388) : 9/2/2014 9:01:58 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/4/2014 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hey there, checking in to see how things went and how you are feeling? Please keep us posted!
Posted 9/8/2014 6:15 AM (GMT 0)
I want to clear the air about my treatment decision. My father had aggressive cancer at age 73. Dad had a standard office biopsy with all 12 cores more than 80% involved and the smoothed Gleason score was 5 + 5 = 10. Since Dad had such aggressive cancer at that late age, I decided to pursue the brachy therapy. I believe Dr. Moran's plan is a good plan. He said that he anticipated I would be back in 4 or so years for more cancer treatment if I did not choose this course of action.

That being said I went for the implant on Wednesday. My urologist Dr. Paul West was there to do a scope of my bladder after the implant was completed. I know he was checking to be sure no seed had found its way into my bladder. For me there was the added benefit of being able to check my bladder and kidneys since I had so much trouble with the kidney stone I just had.

The procedure was textbook perfect.

Dr. Moran said the implant would be easier to recover from than the saturation biopsies I've had over the past 6 years. He was right on the money. The recovery has been a bit easier. There is still some aftermath to deal with and I don't know how the radiation will affect me. Dr. Moran said I shouldn't notice anything at all. Life as usual.... I am having a little bit of trouble with urgency but its only been a few days. I need to finish the prednisone and see what happens. I'm also on Rapaflow post procedure, and believe me, its doing the job!

So now I'll be following up with Dr. West in a week and Dr. Moran before the end of the year. I'll be following up with the urologist every 4 to 6 weeks for at least 6 months.

Thanks for your well wishes. I think im going to be just fine.

Jim

Post Edited (KC9AOP) : 9/8/2014 12:20:05 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/8/2014 6:22 AM (GMT 0)
By the way I worked from home on Friday and am going to the office today. I feel more or less normal.

Jim
Posted 9/9/2014 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear it has gone so well, Jim! I think you made a good choice and it will work great for you!
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