Post Op Pathology was not good.

 

Post Edited (PianoMan) : 2/26/2007 9:13:43 PM (GMT-7)

Be Positive George,
Listen to me, huh. The procedure is not that bad at all. I was and am amazed at what these people do for a living. God bless them all. I feel great and wil be doing my 2.5 mile walk today. I am also doing my prayers today with you in them. I pray that what happens is that you are free of this disease tomorrow.

All,
I spoke to my doctor last night and he clarified my mis-staging. There is no longer a T3c but there was such a stage in the past. I am actually T3b, that is no better off however as it is the last stage before T4. He also clarified that post surgical TNM is PT3b N0 Mx. He reiterated the best Oncologist for me is here in Vegas in Dr. V. He went on to axplain that it is way to risky to do nothing and that Hormone and Chemotherapy is the minimum I should partake in. Experimental is something to consider and that Dr. V is the head of such programs at NCI.

George, I get scared sometimes, but I immediately put it away. Fear is of no use in this battle for life. You do the same. And do it now. I believe your surgery will be successful in removing billions of cancer cells. I also believe that you are at a great institution and will get great post op care. Thats was important stuff for me as it kept me positive. After the surgery, you have 48 hours to get out of the hospital to beat me and I hope you do. The catheter is a nuisance (you healingwellers said that somewhere in here), but that's all. Made me walk funny, but now I stand tall. Not just in posture, but in battle.

God Bless you George, and good luck. See you on the other side of surgery.

Tony

Tony

Good luck-

as you can see in my sig I have traveled your path. I have completed my Chemo regimen, will be on Hormone Treatment for the next 1 1/2 years, and begin my Radiation treatment this next week.

Keep a stiff upper lip-

R

Hi Tony & Ruth,   What a wonderful posting…..    You are truly walking the walk…. One-Day-At-A-Time….. We are really happy to hear that insurance gave you no problems… Keep those wheels movin’ ~ and enjoy each and every sunrise and sunset!!!!   Tony ~ about the mowing…. I really hope you’re using a push mower… and not a riding mower.   Our urologist said that is strictly off limits….   You have to protect the little sphincter muscle at all cost!!!     Your studio sound fabulous!!!!!   Music is such a healer!!!!   How big is the Video EM?   This will tell me if we can download at the library…. (We have dialup at home… ).   Looking forward to viewing and hearing it…..   Stories like your friend Alex and his wife….. should make us all take a step back and appreciate exactly the paths we’ve been handed.   We don’t all have the smoothest of walks but if we look a little close around us… There are others who are truly suffering with no recourse.   Bless them all and Blessings to All of Us on Our Journeys.   Partial Quote from Tony….        1 01 ways to be positive.       Our answer to this is:   #1….Knowing ~ Tony Crispino   Tony ~ I truly had a wonderful CHAT with all of you the other night!!!   Thank you for you!!!   Hug and kisses to all 4 kitties…… (Mickey, Sebastian, KC, & Dirty Harry)        In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy     PCDave …. You are so giving….  Thank you for you!!!! How fortunate we are to have you on OUR TEAM… In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy    

Some better than bad news finally, folks. I visited my oncologist as mentioned above. And just 12 days afetr surgery I have a PSA of 0.9. It's not zeros but it's way early for the testing as that usually is 6 weeks after the procedure not a week and a half. He took it just to get an idea of the velocity. We will do it again in two weeks. And with the grace of God it will be flatlined.

PCDAVE thanks for your always great messages, I have a visit with Dr v. on Monday with my wife. I will ask him about proton versus IMRT. I agree with you that the news that is coming out of Loma Linda is very positive. I will take what ever the best rout is, but I need to run it by Dr. V first. It may be difficult to undergo his treatment and spend weeks in SoCal for that treatment as well.

It's a beautiful day here in Vegas. I was playing with the kitten out front for half an hour. (KC, Bluebird, before you even ask, LOL) I did not walk as yet but my wife just got home and has a honey-do list....No rest for the stricken. Perhaps some of you might have a "lets play on the cancer thing" I can tell her and get her to do the work. Seriously, I did get alot done today. The RV is parked by the house and I am loading her up. I think I'll be OK today without the walk. I am shopping for the weekend tomorrow and will be brining my guitars and dobros and my portable recorder. I will also be taking some nice shots of the canyon for use in my videos.

The wheels are ready and so are we.

Tony & Ruth

PSA 0.9 2/28/07 (Twelve days after daVinci)

Hi Tony and Ruth. At this time I believe you should be enjoying the wonderful sights. Hope you both are having fun. I would love to see the video. My little sister, who lives in Austin, released her first solo CD this last summer. It is a children's CD, but very good. SHe has sang back up for a popular childrens artist for the past 6 or 7 years. Can't wait to watch. You have my email. Keep up the great attitude. That is a HUGE part of the battle! Courtney

Thanks Tony--you are an inspiration-as are many others here, I am with you here on the other side, sun is bright in CT. today, and no way to leave the bag behind--but I think of you and the RV, going down the canyon road--right now Casino Boogie, from the Stones, Exile on Main St. is playing and it just fits-I haven't walked outside yet-goal for today-walk a little, rest a little, take this PCa seriously and take myself less seriously-I like the phrase "wearing life like a loose garment"-I am so glad I bought the sweat pants with the snaps all the way to the top. Thanks for your prayers and thoughts-good to be on this side-
-George

TC - every piece of good news is classified as "great" in my book. This is a terrific thread that many of us will reference as we may need to take advantage of all the knowledge shared here.

Thanks all of you, again, and again,
I look everyday at this site, but sometimes I just read. It's rare when I'm at a loss for words, but you guys (and gals) do that for me. In a good way. For this week Zion/Bryce was the best I have ever experienced it weather wise. It was perfect. Warm enough during the day that I don't need a more than a shirt, (OK and a pad), stop visualizing, and cool enough at night to light the campfire and get close with Ruth.

I made a profound statement at the oncologist office the other day. The gal at the intake was asking about my wife. Ruth couldn't make it because the office had called me earlier in the day to ask if I would take a cancellation slot and see Dr V. I told her "that's why Ruth wasn't here and that I was just half a man today." I have two points to discuss about that statement. First, it was the first time I was at one of these visits that Ruth wasn't at. And looking into that girls eyes as she said "I wish all men would admit that" told me that it mattered to me. It did touch me about me to say that, but that leads us to the second point: I have been taking alot of drugs lately and the delirium is not quite over from the pathology report.

Seriously, I know how important for Ruth to be with me at these things, she understands how I feel about her and shares her love unconditionally and willingly. I share this with you guys because it's how I am feeling right now.

I not afraid to say that, but just in case we ever meet, I still have the option of throwing the second point out there.

Guess what I am doing this weekend.? Zion NP and more Virgin river. More campfires and more music and friends. And more Ruthie at my side. I am not completely engulfed in the Zion Flame. It's close to us and a perfect weekend stop. Bryce is just another hour or so North. The Grand Canyon is a six hour RV trip. I will be seeing all of these sites during treatment. My best trip will be when we can schedule a San Diego to San francisco Highway 1 trip. We've done that before as well and it remains my most desired run. Monterey is the prettiest place on Earth, my opinion, and Big Sur cannot be described in a forum.

George, keep that music playing. The Stones have some great stuff in that era. You should be at home now, and I hope you are doing as well as you sound. I am praying tonight for your post op pathology to be a plus. I hope for you to stay positive and to be healthy.

Tony

Been travelling, just checking in.

Zion was perfect this weekend. Bryce as well. I was hiking by a heavily foliaged creek just off the Virgin River in the main park at Zion. It was without words to describe. Imagine you cannot see the daytime deep blue sky because the trees and plant life is so thick. It feels like I was in a room with a 60 foot ceiling. This room was surreal. The creek dropped a couple hundred feet. The sound of rushing water was seemingly from all directions. A ten foot waterfall, then a small one, another big one. It seemed to never end. It had the feeling of complete alienation from human contact. The park is getting busy as spring continues to work it's magic. We were the only ones there at this spot and we were several hundred feet from the beaten paths.

I was without a doubt enjoying life. This PC thing was very much separated from me here.

I do not know how much of this I can do once my oncologist's treatment starts, but for this weekend, I was PC free! What great therapy for the mind. I meet with the Radiologist tomorrow, reality returns. It felt great to be hiking. In good stride I was hiking over 10 miles this weekend. I still don't feel any symptoms of stage III cancer. My surgery is healed, my stamina back to normal. (OK I lied there, but cut me some slack, I still felt great, but my legs are very sore tonite). I can't stand one thing. Feeling well, and having this stupid disease. I will be reading the last couple days threads and pitching in to our new friends. That is also great therapy for my mind. HeallingWell has given me a voice, and the ability to use my ears and accept the best input about this disease from all of you. Thanks again. God Bless you all. Kat, the above visit description is dedicated to you from my eyes. A paradise it is indeed.

Tony & Ruth

Hi Tony and Ruth,

That was a great hike! Just the thing to get away from the every day problems and the big ones as well. Your mind, body and spirit are refreshed and there is no more important preparation than that. The trials that you face will be easier because of this trip.

Know that all our hopes and prayers are with you....

Jim

Not for a bit. Been looking for him too. I believe he's fine but his pathology should be available.