Very Early Quite Scared

Hello Everyone, I am a 40 year old male who had the following and am looking for some help. I originally had a sharp pain while urinating, that eventually lead to two instances of blood (visible) in my urine. At the same time I had some pain in my tailbone area. I went to my PCP and he did tests to rule out and STD and some urine tests as well that all came back good. When the second blood in the urine happened I was referred to a urologist. While there, they did a cystoscopy which he said ruled out bladder cancer. He also did a DRE and said he felt some "firmness on the left side of my prostate." I was then told to schedule both a CT scan and PSA test. I went and took the PSA test 3 days later and it was a 6.6. I then had the CT scan which there were a few little things, but nothing that suggested cancer or any major issues. The Dr. said he wanted me to repeat the PSA test a few weeks later which I did and it actually went up to a 6.9. I now have a prostate biopsy scheduled and of course I'm scared to death about what they will find. He also did a second DRE and the exact wording was "firm on left side mid apex." Anyone have any advice or help for someone who is quite scared! Thanks!

Between now and your biopsy, you might pick up a copy of Dr. Pat Walsh's book "Guide to surviving prostate cancer" . Hopefully, you will not need the knowledge gained but at least you will know what the docs are talking about..

Welcome to HW, sorry you need to be here.

Do something to distract your mind for awhile - something you enjoy, a day out, a book, a movie, time with friends, whatever. The waiting for tests is a mental and emotional drain.

Yes, you're scared. It is a scary prospect. But you'l get through it just fine.

Even if the worst is true, there is plenty of hope. There are a ton of treatments and the possibility of beating this thing. If you have something, likely you've caught it early enough for effective treatment.

The other weapon against fear is knowledge. Learn all you can. Check out the sticky thread at the top of the forum and ask all the questions you have. We're here most days.

Now, get that biopsy done and let us know the results - there are a lot of great folks here who can help.
Andrew

Fear is a normal response to this situation. There is fear of the biopsy procedure, and fear of the prospect of having cancer. You shouldn't worry too much about the biopsy itself. A prostate biopsy is not exactly a walk in the park, but it's not terrible either. Fear of prostate cancer is more important. Bear in mind, however, that even if you have prostate cancer it is highly treatable, especially if discovered early. Keep us posted.

Thanks everyone for the help and support. Trying my best to get my mind off it for sure, but as you've all said easier said then done. I have been doing a lot of research of course, which is a blessing and curse.

As far as my situation, I have only had the CT Scan not the MRI.

Thanks again for the support!

I'm a Red Sox Fan.

Red Sox. Ugh. I'd worry about them if I were you!

Seriously, it is understandable that you are scared. We've all been there and despite what we will all tell you about survivability, likely outcomes etc, in your head you are at the first stage of mentally processing this news and your brain automatically starts fixating on the worst potential outcome. You're not alone. I suspect 99% of us were there at some point. The other 1% are such cool relaxed dudes they have ice in their veins!

Wait until you get the biopsy results and then see what you are dealing with.

We are a supportive community and you will find invaluable support, advice and information on these boards and from these people.

I know it is difficult, but try not to let your head run away with negative thoughts.

Stay strong.

Firmness of the prostate is the worst way to DX prostate cancer. It is too subjective and has no correlation to actually having PC. A DRE is searching for a nodule that can be felt; a nodule is a red flag.
There are over 1 million biopsies done annually in the US and about 165,000 DXs of prostate cancer, so 84% of biopsies are negative and the vast majority of those positive are low risk cancer that can safely be only monitored and not treated.
I looks like your rise in psa is from other urological issues.
Hope this mitigates some of the fear that is normal in these situations. Fear can only be countered with knowledgeable information.

Thanks for the info everyone! I am in MA and yes I should be more worried about the Red Sox. I also do know all about MA drivers. I am one of those! ha ha . Thanks for giving me a few good laughs today and some great information. I really appreciate everything and everyone!

Aren't the Red Sox the Sweet Caroline team? I'm a Giants fan, of course, but also a Neil Diamond fan. But I do wish someone would explain to me what Sweet Caroline has to do with baseball. We "Don't stop believing", but it's getting harder to believe they'll catch up this year.
Beth

Ahhhhh.....the BoSox..........a great tradition......just not of winning. I feel for you. I have a lot of great friends that are diehard Cubs fans......feel for them as well. That being said, since when have my Braves or Reds come through?

For years I worked for John Hancock and often got the seats right behind the plate. Wonderful place from which to view the game. Always turned down the skybox.

Keep your mind on the Sox.....information from the biopsy can come soon enough and you can take the appropriate positive action.

.

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a great holiday weekend. Thanks for the messages and telling me to take my mind off it. I was doing pretty well with that for most of the weekend until I now have some new issues. Starting late on Friday I had a frequent urge to urinate, followed by a feeling of not feeling satisfied upon finishing urinating. When done urinating and still feeling the urge to go, I am getting an itchy type feeling in my urethra that runs from the tip down. Also having some lower abdomen discomfort and low back discomfort. That went on for the weekend and when I woke up this morning, I have blood which appears to be in my stool and or urine, some of which was crusty. I've called my PCP and am trying to find out if they think I should call my Urologist as well. HOpefully it's nothing, but Im finding it more difficult to get my mind off things.

HitchHiker, An excellent post that MrBaseball should read in a continuous loop and recite to himself as a mantra, to keep from getting too far ahead with fears of possible bad causes.

Base, you won't know until you have the results. We all go through these fears, anytime there is another test or symptom. It's hard, but try to distract yourself from thinking about PCa.

Thank you for all the information. Just back from the Urologist and now it turns out I have a UTI and the course of action has been changed. 10 days of antibiotics, a one month PSA retest and then follow up with the Urologist. The biopsy has been pushed back 6 weeks to see if any of the follow-ups change the course of action. How would they have missed a UTI or infection in my previous appointments?