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Posted 1/12/2016 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad we're helping and don't worry about where you fit in the whole spectrum of the community here. Our goal is to be helpful and supportive (although occasionally there's some tough love involved with that).

When we see guys that haven't been diagnosed yet, we always hope they're just passing through and not becoming members of the club. We all hope you don't join us permanently, but glad you're finding comfort in being here.
Posted 1/13/2016 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Todd - I think we corresponded a bit in the fall and if I recall correctly, you are a patient of Dr Fareed's and also know my CNP friend who works with him (Michele Angie).

I'm so sorry that you find yourself in need of further diagnostic tests. If there is anything we can do to help, please let us know.

Steve had SBRT at the main campus of the Cleveland Clinic in Nov/Dec 2015. We were very pleased with doc, his team and the treatment plan (sent a copy of the plan to Tall Allen for his opinion and he pronounced it "excellent"). We are only a little over a month since the last treatment but so far no SEs other than he still tires easily.

The Clinic is doing some programs for men on AS that focus on preventive nutrition and lifestyle that might be of interest to you, too.

We pray that you don't need to pursue any type of treatment, but if you do, we can give you info on the MANY docs we saw at both the Clinic and UH.

Keep positive! I think you (like us) are fortunate to live in an area that offers experts in many of the treatment options. (But we will continue to pray that you won't need them.)

Suz & Steve in Cleve
Posted 1/13/2016 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Todd, i haven't posted on your thread until now, simply because you've gotten great advice here and there was nothing more i could add to it.
With that said, i just want to tell you, i was, like you, here for 2 years before i was diagnosed, and felt the same way. This is a great group of guys and while many are dealing with tough situations, all here take joy in good news from other members whose situation might not be as bad, and i am pretty sure that every guy (and gal) here, is here largely, to lend support to guys like you. Not yet diagnosed (hopefully never will be) or newly diagnosed, and in need of support and guidance.

So no need to scream in the dark, we are all in this together no matter what our situation.
Good luck, hang in there.
Posted 1/14/2016 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Suz and Steve....Yes.....I'm that same guy! Unfortunately. :)

I never did talk to Dr. Fareed about the nutritional program. I was so thankful to get a negative biopsy report last spring that by the time I saw him in the fall I had totally let it slip out of my mind. We don't have a biopsy scheduled right now....just the MRI next week. The elevated PSA was found outside of my regular six month check up's with Dr. Fareed so he ordered the MRI out of an abundance of caution. The biopsy will be scheduled if anything is found on the MRI. Thanks for remembering. I hope things are going alright for you guys. We have to stop meeting like this....but yes I am very thankful to be at The Cleveland Clinic. I feel very confident with the care I have gotten there.

Pratoman.....thanks for your kind words. This is a very welcoming group and I appreciate all of the encouragement and advice and information from everyone and every perspective. I promise to keep you all updated as things progress.

Thanks again,
Todd
Posted 1/15/2016 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Todd - Steve went to a Prostate Partners meeting at the Gathering Place tonight. Eric Klein, chair of the Glickman Urology dept at the Clinic, was the speaker. Sounds like there are some amazing advances in the pipeline! He talked about a cancer detection bracelet (similar to a FitBit) that is showing an incredible amount of promise. From what I gather, it can recognize areas of increased blood flow that could indicate the presence of a tumor/cancer.

Guess my point is that I agree that you are in good hands at the Clinic. I think they try to keep ahead of the curve while mitigating risks associated with newer treatments & procedures.

Take care!
Suz
Posted 1/15/2016 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Todd,

By now I would have changed urologists or have asked for a second opinion from another urologist. Its just the way I operate: My first URO got lucky (and so did I) when they found a smidgen of cancer in 1 of 16 needles. Granted URO-1 found the cancer, but my body has no "loyalty program", so I changed to another. Reason: I found out that the URO-1's hospital had just acquired the latest Da Vinci machine (In my book new meant inexperience)

I'd also send my slides to a more reputable Diagnostic Service group for a second opinion! The original Diagnostic service could have misread the slides.

The smidgen in that one needle was a G9! With a pSA = 3.7, I got lucky it was detected early!

All the best!
Posted 1/15/2016 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Todd,

Just a thought.
What about using proscar for awhile and see if the psa goes down, which would be to my understanding a sign of no cancer.

All the Blessings
Posted 1/15/2016 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
My current urologist is actually my third.

My first urologist here in Canton was awful. He did my first biopsy four years ago. During the procedure he asked me what I did for a living and when I told him I own an art gallery he, stopped in the middle of the procedure to show me photos of paintings he had done on his phone. This went on for several minutes at which point I made it clear to him that this was not the time to be discussing HIS future as an artist. He finished the biopsy in a rush and left me bleeding on the table, with nothing to clean up with. I went for the follow up and never went back again.

The next urologist at a different hospital put me on antibiotics and did a cystoscopy....but when the PSA continued to rise he referred me to The Cleveland Clinic where I see my current urologist.

I have been on several courses of antibiotics, rapaflo and another prostate medication I can't remember. My prostate size is (if I remember correctly) about 39 so not really enlarged. I find my current urologist very easy to talk to and I feel like he's been thorough and I'm thankful that he is being proactive with this latest PSA climb. I was surprised when he suggested the MRI but glad to know he was on top of it. I am going to get through this and have a long talk with him, either way. If this is just the way it's going to be, every six months....I'm fine with that. I just want to maybe get into his head a little bit and see what he's thinking.
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