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Posted 8/27/2019 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Last summer when I was going to be doing medical leave from work for my surgery, my HR person (have known her for 14+ years) asked if I was okay and I confided with her. Reaction was a bit strange, completely non-plussed about the news – but then she told me her husband had had surgery 8 years ago.

Long story short – he didn’t keep up with the tests and developed BCR – scans are not great and mets to a few different places – I didn’t go into too much detail but from what I could gather, he’s in bad shape.

Reminder to keep after the beast – even when it seems to have been conquered.
Posted 8/27/2019 9:56 PM (GMT 0)

GG1273 said...

.....Reminder to keep after the beast – even when it seems to have been conquered.

Great advise....those who insist on believing it's conquered, i.e. cured, contribute mightily to the 25 to 30,000 who die of PCa yearly, IMO. It may be a 'feel good' to think one is 'cured', but in reality, PCa is a lifetime diagnosis.

Stay vigilant, brothers!
Posted 8/27/2019 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
An unfortunate story. I wonder if his Uro told him he was one and done? If not, it's hard to understand why someone would decline follow-up care.
Posted 8/27/2019 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
I've found that it's the choir that often needs the most preaching to ...
Posted 8/27/2019 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
They can keep you around but you have to stay on top of it.
Posted 8/28/2019 12:03 AM (GMT 0)

mattam said...
An unfortunate story. I wonder if his Uro told him he was one and done? If not, it's hard to understand why someone would decline follow-up care.

I got the impression that there was some depression involved. I didn't want to be too nosy, we discussed going to the large Uro group (Garden State Urology) and Cancer center near where we work. He had his surgery closer to where they live in Central New Jersey.

Best to be supportive as much as others will allow.
Posted 8/28/2019 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
"I got the impression that there was some depression involved."

Yes, that's quite possible -especially if he ended up with the worst of the side-effects that can come with RP. Depression could easily be debilitating to the point of neglecting his follow-up.
Posted 8/28/2019 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
I preach fire and brimstone to the choir
Posted 8/28/2019 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
To be honest, after nine years of undetectables, I've flirted with the idea of foregoing the annual visit to the uro and the PSA test. My urologist has convinced me, however, that skipping the annual exam would be a very bad idea. I asked, "Well, for how many more years?" He said, "Oh, maybe 20," which in my case means for as long as I'm gonna live, since I'm 74 now.
Posted 8/28/2019 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, after ten plus years I tend to think I am cured ..... but, I still go in each year for my PSA and digital ..... and still have the anxiety waiting for the results!

I have never asked the Uro how long I should continue the annual visit. If he told me I should stop coming, I am afraid I would disagree with him.
Posted 8/28/2019 3:58 PM (GMT 0)

mattam said...
"I got the impression that there was some depression involved."

Yes, that's quite possible -especially if he ended up with the worst of the side-effects that can come with RP. Depression could easily be debilitating to the point of neglecting his follow-up.


You hit the nail on the head, for sure. Things could have gone much differently if emotional well-being weren't completely overlooked.

BTW thanks for the shoutouts in other threads, you, ken and Larry. I still lurk, but hesitate to get involved in discussions... because of, you know, depression.
Posted 8/28/2019 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Rob,
You know I know it - depression can be a monster. I'm hoping you get some relief.
Posted 8/28/2019 5:11 PM (GMT 0)

mattam said...
Rob,
You know I know it - depression can be a monster. I'm hoping you get some relief.

Ditto, Rob. I observe that some level of depression exists in most PCa brothers...admitted, or not.

Funny how some who preach fire and brimstone to the choir, seem to enjoy it,
Posted 8/28/2019 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
I’ve noticed myself still struggling with depression. That temporarily creates not-so-good lifestyle habits with diet or alcohol for me. Then, I snap out of it. I have way too much to do.

It’s something all or most of us have struggled with.

Fight the good fight!
Posted 8/28/2019 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
My three month waits are typically - 3 F’s

Sense of Freedom - 1st month
I Forget I have had PCa- 2nd month
Fearful (very)- 3rd month

Typing this from a lab corp waiting area. It’s sucks but necessary.
Posted 8/28/2019 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
ddyss: you nailed it! Me exactly! Regarding depression, I started on venlafaxine because my RO said it would help with the sweats. It did help quite a bit but does not eliminate them. But my wife says she likes me much better when I am on it. I would not have said I was depressed but venlafaxine is considered an antidepressant so maybe I was. But I also have a problem with social anxiety and it clearly helps me with that. Anyway, now that I am back on ADT I am back on venlafaxine. I also wonder if my wife likes me better when I don't have any testosterone.....
Posted 8/29/2019 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
It'd be interesting to know the number of men who forgo treatment period after diagnosis.

I know they lurk here because I talked to one when I joined.

(Helped me tremendously)
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