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May to Oct it went fast. 1 week checkup after surgery.

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 7/17/2018 9:55 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds like reasonable actions and time lags. The genetic study will give a point of reference, as will the MRI. Sending the slides to Johns Hopkins is another basic step.

The challenge, I think, is to understand that you have time. PC is not like other cancers that require immediate treatment, particularly at the G6 level. If you had come in at G8 or G9, you'd already be on Lupron to stop things while the rest was evaluated. However, I'll share why my diagnosing Uro told me: That I had 6 months to make a treatment decision.

It's also really important, IMO, that you talk to one or more radiation oncologists about the plusses and minuses of radiation treatment. Asking a urologist about radiation and it's issues and benefits is like asking your Ford mechanic about peculiar issues with your Mercedes. You're still getting told, in essence, that in a surgeons opinion, surgery is your best choice. Duh.

Try to relax, try to enjoy life. You don't have a death sentence. You have the gift of time to make a reasoned decision--please try to take that time.
Posted 7/18/2018 6:41 AM (GMT 0)
It is true that removing a prostate after radiation is difficult. But there are other options as more radiation. Also, you would probably need to reduce the prostate size before radiation with some kind of previous treatment. Surgery also offers a more precise follow-up, allowing for a faster response if you are not cured, which is perhaps its greater advantage. However, it is more traumatic and you may have worse secondary effects. It is a difficult choice and you will read here many opinions. But, first of all, if your MRI and genetic tests give good results, you may seriously consider the AS option. I think your uro is advising you well, though uros are always biased about radiation and maybe you should also talk with a RO to have a more balanced idea of what to do if you finally need treatment.
Posted 8/19/2018 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Genomic came back as Unfavorable Intermediate Risk. Score was 22 Gps.
Adverse Pathology was 38% (Gleason 4+3 and or pT3+)
Not sure what all this means..Doctor did call me after I called asking for results. Anyway 3 days later she calls and said she had concerns and moved my MRI two weeks. Anyway I called Mayo in Rochester mn and got an appointment this Monday to just get an understanding of what's happening. I only leave 3.5 hours away.Anybody have GPS done? Or can shed light on this. Thx
Posted 8/19/2018 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
The doctor also the size of your Prostate we might of missed more cancer and might need another type of biopsy. 83 gr

Post Edited (DONALDDUCK) : 8/18/2018 8:07:20 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/19/2018 1:06 AM (GMT 0)

DONALDDUCK said...
Genomic came back as Unfavorable Intermediate Risk. Score was 22 Gps.
Adverse Pathology was 38% (Gleason 4+3 and or pT3+)
Not sure what all this means..Doctor did call me after I called asking for results. Anyway 3 days later she calls and said she had concerns and moved my MRI two weeks. Anyway I called Mayo in Rochester mn and got an appointment this Monday to just get an understanding of what's happening. I only leave 3.5 hours away.Anybody have GPS done? Or can shed light on this. Thx

I had that OncotypeDX test at JH in 2013 when they were completing their FDA clearance. So, I got a free assay.

Mine came back at 86 percent favorable, with a GPS of 2.

Seriously, I've never heard of anybody else with diagnosed prostate cancer having a GPS that low. Often, they are in the 15-50 range.

Well, with G(4+3), AS is not in the cards for you. But several types of treatments can cure you. There are THREE types of surgery, and FIVE types of radiation appropriate for you. ALL can cure you.

The great and difficult decision is to choose which one. Never allow a practitioner of one specialty to advise you on another. Speak to the specialists of each treatment that interests you. Good luck.
Posted 8/19/2018 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Listen bro we don’t know how much time we all have left hopefully a lot ...do you want to enjoy it ...I hope so ...don’t do too much research like me ...your prostate is huge ...u must have urinary problems ...if you do. Iffff you do ..trust me they will be 5 times worse than now ...that’s fir sure ...remember only a few places do sAlvage surgery and it’s tough ...once you radiate u can’t tske it out ....once you radiate I don’t know is if they can again ....if you take it out ....in 6 weeks u know if u are cancer free.,..if not then radiate. ....trust me radiation is a long drawn out mind playing tough time .....I did it and I am paying the price bad ....look up short and long term side effects of prostate radiation ..look up effects brachytherapy...look up radiation colitis and proctitus. Look up secondary cancer from prostate radiation........then look up side effects if prostate surgery ....I think u will be able make up your mind easily ....just my 2 cents sure I am hsving a rough time after radiation but let’s face it with all 5hose side effects what are the chances of not getting any ...really
Posted 8/19/2018 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
there you go again Stan!
Posted 8/19/2018 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Wish you the best Stan..
Posted 9/23/2018 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
After visiting with the Doctors at the Mayo clinic and looking at options I decided I'm doing the Da Vinci and time is coming soon the 25th Sept. I'll post updates after surgery. Maybe I'll post how I feel just before. Nervous,worried,scared,anxious you name it, it all racing thru my mind..
Posted 9/23/2018 7:14 AM (GMT 0)
That's really soon -- good luck. Are you having the surgery done at Mayo and then driving 3.5 hours home? After I got out of the hospital I had a one hour drive, and it seemed very long. Perhaps you could hang out a couple of extra days in Rochester before undertaking the drive home.
Posted 9/23/2018 10:22 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck DD, see you on the other side. I had a 2 hour ride home 24 hours after surgery--the important word is ride, not drive. It wasn't too bad...except it was mid-winter and colder than you know what....
Posted 9/23/2018 10:27 AM (GMT 0)
You will be through this soon. These presurgery days you have the worse feelings that you probably will experience about this problem. You have been diligent and have chosen a great option, probably the best given your large size prostate.
Posted 9/23/2018 11:15 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck, Sir Duck!
Posted 9/23/2018 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Good news on making a decision. Yeah, it's scary.

You'll get through,
Andrew
Posted 9/23/2018 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
DONALD, congrats on making a decision. One of the harder parts of this process is now behind you.
The surgery will probably be not nearly as bad as you imagine, at least that’s how it was for me. Have faith in your docs, and go with the flow. You will be surprised at how quickly you’ll recover.

We’re all hoping for a good outcome for you.
Posted 9/24/2018 6:51 AM (GMT 0)
Well it's the night before my 5 appointments on Monday. Yep hard to sleep! Its about 1:45 in the morning and my wife is sound asleep. WOW! Mayo has all my appointment times and places set up in my customer profile account. I JUST click check in from my phone. Pretty cool!!
Big day starts at 7:15 am...
Posted 9/24/2018 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
I can't necessarily speak for prostate surgery, but after my laporascopic colon surgery, I am sold on it. They have the knowledge, the equipment and the facility. All you have to do is have the confidence in yourself that you'll get through this. Will be anxiously waiting for your recovery. You ARE doing the right thing as far as I am concerned.
Posted 9/24/2018 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Duckman - Good luck to you tomorrow. You're in fantastic hands at Mayo.

I have a similar story, my Dad had PCa at 70, and I was dignosed in my 50's. Had my surgery 18 months ago and have healed up well with minimal side effects and undetectable PSA (knock on wood).

Take the next couple of weeks a day at the time, there's some discomfort but the recovery is quck for most men.

Send us a note from the other side.
Posted 9/25/2018 11:29 AM (GMT 0)
Duckman... wishing you the best today on your surgery today from another Mayo veteran your in good hands!!

Larry
Posted 9/27/2018 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Was discharged from Mayo 1pm today..surgery went well. Cancer looks contained will no more in a few days.
Last night was brutal with the spasm. I also think they but so much pressure on my lower back, That was causing
lots of pain last night and this morning. 6'2"' 280lbs ...feel pretty good being at home. Move three times to find the best place to sleep. Ended up on the oversized chair and ottoman. I will post later just want to say thanks for the support.
Posted 9/27/2018 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Duck, welcome to the other side, glad the surgery went well. Ficus in recovery and healing. Walk, walk and walk some more, as long as you can handle it.
Posted 9/27/2018 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear you're on the other side. Rest, heal and walk as you're able.

Keep us updated on your progress,
Andrew
Posted 9/27/2018 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
Any tricks for pain.
Posted 9/27/2018 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Depends what kind of pain.

If its gas pain (In the shoulders, chest, etc) from the air that they pumped into your stomach, best thing you can do is walk as much as possible, also try some extra strength GasX.
If its pain from the surgery itself, try advil, if that doesnt help then use the prescription pain killers that they likely gave you on discharge. But be careful with those, they can cause bad constipation
Posted 9/27/2018 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Pain - pills, walking, time, rest, and call the doc if it doesn't get better soon.

and drink plenty of water.

Ask about the dose of Advil you can have, as a larger person you might need more than the standard amount of that to be effective. The prescription pills (Norco, vicodin)have Tylenol in them so don't take extra Tylenol.

You're body's been through a lot and the position the surgeon has you in for the procedure is unnatural.

In the early days of recovery, call the doc's on-call number and complain - often times there's a simple solution.

Andrew
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