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New Here...and given PSA values....just one of many

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Posted 12/7/2014 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
Well...another update.
On 12/8 (Monday), I'm scheduled 4 both an MRI & a bone scan. As all of U know, this is supposed 2 determine if...and the extent of...any cancer spread.
If C appears to be localized such that "Mr. DaVinnci", the doctor and I will get together on 12/16 and remove (hopefully) all there is.
On the other hand...if C has spread outside of the prostate to any noticeable degree...then other treatments will be indicated.
Here's hoping 4 localized!!!
Posted 12/7/2014 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the update. And the chance of the bone scan showing anything is pretty minimal--here's to hoping they don't show anything.

Assuming they don't, have you firmly landed on surgery? I'm guessing so since it's only a week away. I don't want to upset the apple cart at a late date, but did you consult with an RO that's experienced in prostate cancer?
Posted 12/7/2014 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
That is a very good question...one that will be at the top of the list during Monday's consult.
This I've heard...no Doc wants to operare in an irradiated field...too messy....or so I'm told.
Couple that thought with my age (67.6), the fact that I work 200 miles away from the treatment center, & my insurance coverage covers me at only the local radiation center....and you can see my "fix".
All that aside...I'll do what I think is best 4 me!!
Posted 12/7/2014 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I can see your fix. Here's something that you might want to ask about during your session on Monday.

I had fairly similar stats to you. I was on the surgery track, but after I had some advanced staging done by an oncologist that specializes in prostate cancer it looked like there was about a 50% chance that I would need radiation after my surgery. As a result, I chose to move straight to the radiation track so I wouldn't have the side effects of both surgery and radiation.

My concern is over how likely surgery by itself will do the trick for you. It certainly could--and if you go that route I sure hope it does for you. But I would try and get a handle on how likely you are to need radiation anyway, give you have higher risk stats with both your Gleason score and PSA.

As to radiation, there are several different types, including brachytherapy and something called SBRT that doesn't require as many sessions as other external beam radiation and might be easier logistically for you. While they may not be performed at your "local" radiation center, I would sure hope that your insurance would have some flexibility if a particular treatment was better suited for you. There are several smart guys here (unfortunately, I'm not one of them) that can be speak much better to the pros and cons of various radiation treatments.

Good luck and keep us posted!
Posted 12/7/2014 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
I will cover that in the session with the doc tomorrow. I have forgotten to mention that my biopsy also found "PIN" in two cores...both on the left side.
Overall, the results were:
Right side: base=benign
mid=G (3+3)
apex=G (3+3)
Left side: base=G (4+4) PNI
mid=G (4+3) PNI
apex=G (4+3)
Not a very pretty picture!!
Posted 12/29/2014 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Further update....

Have undergone radical robotic prostatectomy on 12/16.

Doc says he "got it all".

I've not yet been PSA tested and have an appointment with the surgeon tomorrow.

This was not an easy surgery by any stretch.....I am still feeling the effects. "Incontinence" is present; but any description I've ever read of it falls woefully short of what it actually is. Also, the energy levels in the body are way down and don't see to be recovering (fast enough) to suit me.

We shall see soon if I am now "cancer free"!

Jim
Posted 12/29/2014 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
Jim, what you now need is the pathology report on the removed prostate.

That will tell if he really did "get it all" by revealing extra capsular extension, positive or negative margins, seminal vesicle invasion and lymph node involvement.

If any of those are positive, then it is likely you will need some follow up treatment.

Don't beat yourself up over recovery. It takes some time, expect about 6 weeks before you get back to feeling "normal", meanwhile, enjoy a bit of enforced relaxation.

Good luck,

Chas
Posted 12/29/2014 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Chas
I'll get the pathology report tomorrow.
I can say this....at the outer margin, there was no cancer found in any tissues or lymph nodes.
His margins were quite extensive, but at the edges....clear.
The prostate itself was 50% cancerous.
Doc said if I'd waited 2 more years (maybe less), he'd be giving me a much different outlook!
Jim
Posted 12/29/2014 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats on being on the other side! Let us know the pathology and hoping that they got everything and you're on your way to a full recovery. (And a great 2015!)
Posted 12/30/2014 7:33 AM (GMT 0)
So good to hear that you may be cancer free from here on out. Although the recovery from surgery is slow going, it sure seems you have a much better prognosis now than you did at biopsy. Be s t wishes for a nonexistent psa from here on out.
Posted 2/19/2015 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
OK...kind of an update....

PSA 13.4 back in Dec. of 2014 (early)

Robotic radical prostatectomy 12/16

Healing since then....incontinence sucks!

PSA reading on Jan 31, 2015 "<0.003" (or as the doc says - "unreadable".)

Back to visit the surgeon upcoming on 3/2....

Incontinence seems . . . SEEMS. . . to be lessening, but it still sucks. I've been reading that it can take up to 6 months or more. Me and the "Depends" people are getting way tooooo friendly! They are a tax write-off for medical expenses tho....

Back at work....and feeling well over all.....had a very bad spasmodic cough for about three weeks and it's still hanging on; also daily bad headaches in the back of my head.......

Ah well....nobody's perfect.

Best of health....or results....to you all!

Jim
Posted 2/19/2015 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Good to hear your PSA is zero (close enough).

It can take awhile for the incontinence to heal up, hang in there. Soon the "Depends" folks will be saying, "Please come back, we miss you."

Andrew
Posted 2/19/2015 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
First congrats on the great PSA reading post surgery.
The incontinence often requires patience, and yes, it can be frustrating. Are you doing the Kegels? How many sets per day? I've read that sometimes less is more. If you do too many, the sphincter muscle can get tired and make your incontinence worse. Might be worth playing around with the number of sets you are doing, maybe try reducing it by one.

Are you on Cialis or another one of those ED drugs? Sometimes headaches can be a side effect.
Hang in there.
Posted 2/19/2015 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
I am indeed "hanging"!! None of the "cialis" for me....at my age, there is no need.

I am trying to be patient....but running around with "droopy drawers" at work can be a challenge....and I no longer "laugh" too hard at jokes!!

Thanks for the encouraging words!

"I shall smile kindly at your wit....but belly laugh?? Never!"

Jim
Posted 5/5/2015 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Well....so here it is....just a few days shy of 6 months for Post Op (Radical Prostatectomy with DaVinci)....
My second PSA test post op....PSA is again "unmeasurable".
So...."was the juice worth the squeeze"???
1. Incontinence is fading...but very slowly. From five or six "changes" per day reduced to one (and that more for aesthetics than need).
2. Ejaculation is completely dry...and only a shadow of its former self....
3. Weight gain back to normal range.
4. No other significant issues....except it seemed to take forever to get past all the "effects" of the surgery.

"Juice worth the squeeze"? For me....I guess so.

So I am cancer free (at least prostate cancer), and for that I'm very grateful to the skill and experience of the doc, the expert care of the nurses, and the incredible home care from my daughter.

I would not have fared, or healed as well without their professionalism, attitude, and in my daughter's case, love.

My luck and good fortune to you all.

Jim
Posted 5/6/2015 7:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jim,
Haven't heard from you for awhile and so I went back to read your thread. You are so so fortunate to have gotten the biopsy and RALP, with good margins and a great chance of remaining cancer free. Congrats and best wishes for a bright future!
Beth for Gary
Posted 5/6/2015 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
Beth (for Gary),
How is Gary doing? I assume well, but I don't know for sure.
As for me...my Urologist and Surgeon told me that I can look forward to dying from something other than Prostate Cancer! Hmmmm!
But he's a funny guy. he refers to the robotic machine as "Mr. DaVinci" and says he practices his hand/eye coordination playing video games on his office PC (wife won't let him play at home). He's a vet (Iraq) and a hell of a guy.

So...we shall keep a close eye on things as time progresses.

My best to you and Gary!

Jim
Posted 12/20/2015 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
OK...it has been one year since my robotic prostatectomy. Last PSA value (15 days ago) was <.003
So for now, we're cancer free.
Side effects: incontinence - 99% gone. Erectile dysfunction - 100% and permanent. Ability to ejaculate - 100% gone permanently. No other side effects.
All-in-all, a pretty fair trade given my age and marital status.

I'm rooting for all the rest of you who've not yet walked the path and I'll answer any question you may have to the best of my ability.

If you are a Veteran and served in an area where Agent Orange was used, I have good news for you.

Jim
Posted 12/20/2015 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Great news on your PSA!!!

and good to hear from you,
Andrew
Posted 12/21/2015 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Great news, congrats on the <
Posted 12/21/2015 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
Jim,
Good to see your post and to see that you are still in the zero club after a year! You are going to beat the hell outta that original prognosis! Gary is still beating the odds and hanging tough!
Happy Hholidays.
Beth
Posted 12/22/2015 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Jim,

Just read your entire story. So glad things turned out as well as it did and you're doing fine.

You are an encouragement to me and I'm sure to the other guys here on HW.

Keep up the fight and take care.


Dave in Bartlett, TN
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