My anxious story

Not really sure where to start with so many emotions. In May, with annual DRE, the rise in PSA level to 3.3 given my age, was a concern. Discussed biopsy and I decided to go ahead and have it done.

The biopsy was completed on 5/29/18.

On 6/2/18, I was admitted to the hospital from bacterial infection due to the biopsy. It is my fault for not researching ahead of time, but I was not given any antibiotic prior to the procedure. No prep at all. Was released on 6/4/18, but I am still fighting a UTI as of this writing. (7/24/18)

My wife & I met with the urologist on 6/12/18. He gave us the diagnosis - Gleason 6, (3+3), with 1/12 cores. He said I really had two choices, AS & RARP. He did not feel like radiation was a viable option for me.

On 6/26/18, I made the decision to go on AS. I was having issues with lower back pain and asked what he thought it could be related to. He said it was just stress & anxiety. Nothing to worry about.

On 6/29/18, the urologist office called and said my urine culture had come back with an infection. They called in antibiotic.

On 7/17/18, the lower back pain started up again and over the course of a couple of days, it moved into my upper back as well. The upper back has had a pretty consistent itch as well.

Visited my PCP on Friday, 7/20/18 for the back pain. Urinalysis run, still have UTI. They advised I check with urologist to see what he wanted to do. Told me to take Aleve for back pain.

My wife and I early on, felt like we should get a 2nd opinion. On 7/23/18, I visited Dr. Smith @ Vanderbilt Urology for a second opinion. He was okay with AS at this time. Felt like at some point in my life, I would have to choose treatment. His recommendation for treatment was the same, RARP. We did go ahead and schedule a MRI Biopsy for January. He also gave me more antibiotic for UTI. Culture results to follow.

Today, 7/24, I saw an Orthopedic Doctor for the back pain / discomfort. She could not find any obvious reason for it so she scheduled an MRI for this Friday. Said she would not worry about it, but with recent Prostate diagnosis, thought I should be checked. This really scares me.

During this whole time, I have struggled with what I believe to be ulcers as well. Actually, that process started back in early May. Was put on Nexium at the end of June. Upper & Lower Endoscopy scheduled for 7/31/18.

Sorry for running on, but I am so worried about the MRI and the scopes next week in addition to the obvious worry about the Prostate cancer diagnosis. It is now just constant worry that there is more to be found.

From what I have ready, I believe that I should have a 2nd opinion on the biopsy slides. Looks like most everyone recommends John Hopkins.

Other than that, are there other things I should be doing, asking about, anything?

Thanks for your time.
DB

Age at DX 53. (6/18) PSA 3.3
3/17 PSA: 2.6
5/29/18 Bx 1 of 12 positive G6
6/2/18 - Admitted for bacterial infection. No pre antibiotic given
6/26/18 - Elected AS at this time.
7/23/18 - Second opinion from Vanderbilt Medical. - Still AS.
1/2019 - MRI Biopsy scheduled at Vanderbilt Medical.

Welcome to HW.

AS is a good way for you to go. TA's given you great suggestions.

It's really the doctor's fault you got the infection, protocol would be to give you the antibiotic as part of the procedure. You should have been told and given the meds.

The emotions of this thing can be rough. Take time to deal with. The best thing to do is to learn all you can about this thing - knowledge eliminates the fear.

Andrew

Welcome and congrats on sharing your anxiety. The key to dealing with this cancer is sharing and asking questions and you are doing a good job!

Glad you're getting a second opinion from Johns Hopkins and if it comes back confirming the G6, I agree that AS would be a good way to go. (Heck, if it came back as a G7 AS still might be a good way to go with only one positive core.)

I'm curious why both docs said if chose treatment that surgery would be the way to go. Did they say what the reason was for that? With a low-volume, low-risk cancer pretty much any treatment would be successful.

Most important, good luck with the infection issues--that sounds rough. Hope that gets quickly under control, as well as the back issues. (Despite having a G9 PCa diagnosis, my back problems--which are unrelated to the cancer--are my major health concern, so I know what it's like to deal with that.) Hang in there and I hope we can help!

I can't thank all of you enough for taking some time to comment. The support really means alot.

Michael_T, With my original urologist, he said that if I chose radiation 1st, and later needed to have it removed, it would not really be easy to do. He did not feel radiation was an option.

@ Vanderbilt, he said there were other options, but if I wanted to know it was taken care of, then I should have the surgery. I really felt like he was leaning that way, if and when the time came for treatment. I fully believe he would be open to other treatments, but I am not sure he believes the success rate would be as high.

I do have an MRI targeted biopsy scheduled @ Vanderbilt in January. This is without regard to PSA reading. I just felt like it would be better to go ahead with this, than just a PSA reading. Does anyone have an opinion on that?

Thank you again. It has been a rough day and to come home and read this has helped.

"Michael_T, With my original urologist, he said that if I chose radiation 1st, and later needed to have it removed, it would not really be easy to do. He did not feel radiation was an option."

oh boy. the words of a prostate snatcher.