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Hello New Member Here ... Results tomorrow

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Posted 6/20/2007 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
I just stumbled across this site ... let me tell you my story so far:

My father at 63 was diagnosed with PCA and had his prostate removed by surgury 2 years ago ... he's been symptom free since then with almost zero PSA readings. The surgury was quite hard on him though, and it scared us all. It also encouraged him to retire this year rather than in a few more years, which we all love!

Well, I turn 40 this year in October, and I went in for a physical ... and had them take my PSA based on my family history. The reading was 3.3. (I'm 39). The doctor couldn't feel any issues during DRE, but to be safe had me do a needle biopsy last Thursday.

I wish I had found this site before that procedure. It was no cake walk, ... not too painful, but I guess I bled more than average, and had quite a bit of blood in stool, and continue to have blood in semen. They did 14 sticks.

Tomorrow (Thursday 6/20) I get my results, and I'm so nervous. I've done a ton of research about options if it's positive, and will cross that bridge if it comes to that. I'm only 39 so thay may sway my choices.

Anyways, this looks like a good site, and I'm glad there are other people to talk to about this ... I work with mostly women, and younger men, so certainly there is nobody at work to talk to!

I'll post up tomorrow night with the results.

Knocking on wood ...
Posted 6/20/2007 11:56 PM (GMT 0)

CaliforniaCA,

 Glad you found this site, sorry you have to be here. You are certainly younger than most here, but I am seeing more and more people slightly older than yourself going in and getting PSA tested and finding high levels relative to their age.

One thing I will tell you is that I bled a fair amount rectally after the biopsy and was told to expect this to possibly recur as the movement of waste in the colon could dislodge clots from the wall where the biopsy needles were inserted. Remember it is not usual to get poked 12-20 times in a relatively small area, so bleeding is normal.

My ejaculate was fairly bloody for 4-5 weeks after the procedure and had traces of blood for several more weeks. Took about 7 weeks total for there to be no traces of blood. This is normal and nothing to be worried about at all.

I wish you luck and hope you have good results from the biopsy (no PCa) but if you do test positive, this is a good place to come to to talk about it. Take care

John

Posted 6/21/2007 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi ~ CaliforniaCA,                   W elcome to…                                       H ealing W ell                                                                                              and               A    “ Special ”    W arm W elcome   to   You !         We are looking forward to walking with you as you step onto the next stepping-stone in your path.   We will be knocking on wood too!!!!   But you truly have come to the right place.   Thank you so much for reaching out to all of us.     This forum is so special… which you will soon find out!   The sharing shows we care and you realize You Are Not Alone.   We accept your fears ~ because we’ve been there…   We feel your tears ~ because we’ve shed them.   So ~ continue to post and let us travel this path with you!     We have no problem sending you on your way if the biopsy comes back negative!!!   But ~ something to remember….   KNOWLEDGE     IS     POWER   ...   and   POWER conquers   fear   Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers as you move forward…   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy     (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!   Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) Helpful Hints ~ & ~ Direct Links to Important Topic Threads ~ Hope this helps you!! :)
Posted 6/21/2007 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
hi CaliCA,

Also sending a welcome your way, and glad you have joined up, but hope you don't need to stick around for long!! Best wishes with your biopsy results, hope they are negative, but GOOD for you for being proactive with your testing given your dad's history!!

You at least have a baseline now for testing against if negative. If positive, there are many here to support you along your journey.

Please do let us know how the biopsy results turn out.

Warmest wishes,

Tanya
Posted 6/21/2007 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
CaCA:

It is good to hear from a young man who is proactive about his health.  Here's hoping the biopsy news is good and you can just use this PSA as a marker to track future PSAs.  A "free" PSA might have been of some use to you in determining the need for a biopsy.

Look for your report tomorrow.

Dutch

Posted 6/21/2007 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Good Luck with the Biopsy. We will be here no matter what the test shows.

KW
Posted 6/21/2007 7:02 PM (GMT 0)

CaliforniaCA,

We have about the same story. I'm 43 and I found out through a physical, but I was a wuss and went for the "put me under" biopsy. Yea, I freaked a bit with my first ejaculate but that's the least of the worries. My father was diagnosed with PCa at 63 and had a bad time recoving from his surgery so I have learned to research is one of the best tools. This forum has been great for any questions or thoughts you might have.

Good luck and let us know how everthing goes.

Posted 6/21/2007 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah the biopsy while not too painful sure was unpleasant. I asked for valium, but I guess they couldn't dispese it without a 'crash cart' or something, so I just took it like a man (lol). They warned me about the first ejaculate .. but jeez I wasn't expecting that much blood, it reminded me of the elevator scene in the Shining! At least it's gotten slightly better since then.

I get my results at 4:30 PM PDT, and I'll post up then.
Posted 6/21/2007 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hello CaliforniaCa,

I hope your urologist was just being very cautious, and you really didn't need this biopsy, but just in case we'll all be here to support you. Good luck...

Glen
Posted 6/22/2007 1:00 AM (GMT 0)

CaliforniaCA,

Welcome to the best site for information and support!!  The questions, thoughts, fears, and anger are shared by many.  Don't hesitate to post and ask.

I was 42 when I was diagnosed.  It was devastating.......but I asked my girlfriend to marry me 2 weeks later...and she said yes!  The trip has been long and tiring, but on the 26th it will be 1 year since my surgery and my psa is undetectable still!  I went through the mind jumble--have it done---wait--have it done--wait--have it done--wait and had the DaVinci done due to my age. (Don't forget to freeze some if you still want to have more children later).

I can honestly say that I'm glad I did it!  Imagine the fear of knowing that it was there (even the smallest bit) and may be spreading without you knowing it. 

Have faith, relax, and give yourself time to think......

Aaron

Posted 6/22/2007 2:25 AM (GMT 0)

CaliCA,

Just a quick note that I was very ambivalent about my own treatment timing.  Couldn't I put it off?  Finally, on the morning before my surgery, at my doctors clinic, sitting in a room surrounded by other men and their wives who were also going through this journey, I met a fellow who's PSA had gone from something like 2.5 to 60 in 12 months.  When I heard that I was ready to jump off the fence and get on with it.  No more hesitation or ambivalence.

Hope you are able to make your decision on treatment however it works for you and that it helps to make you feel peaceful

Posted 6/22/2007 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
We'll wait to hear the good news CaliforniaCA.
Be glad that you are on this at such an early age. Whatever will be will be, but the sooner you know, the better. It's a highly treatable and curable disease.
Best of luck.
Tom
Posted 6/22/2007 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I thank you all for all of your support. All biopsies were negative for cancer!!

I'm very happy, and still I feel that even if the news had been worse, I would have support of this wonderful group!

I will have my PSA taken once per year, along with a DRE.

Best of luck to all of you, and thanks for the supportive words, it really helped me.
Posted 6/22/2007 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
Wonderful news! So glad when someone comes and then leaves with no cancer. We are a group that is proud you came and posted with us.
Warm wishes!
;o) Linda & Bob
Posted 6/22/2007 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats CA -- consider this is a bump in the road along the path of a wonderful life.
Tom
Posted 6/22/2007 11:06 AM (GMT 0)
Good for You!!!     I’m glad to hear your test was negative. The good that will come from this will be that PCa won’t be able to sneak up on you unannounced, and I hope it never does.   Glen  
Posted 6/22/2007 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
Great News Cali!!!!

Best of luck and we hope never to hear from you again. :-)
Posted 6/22/2007 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
CaCA,
Wonderful news! I'm really surprised that they sent you for a biopsy with a PSA that low. Go celebrate! But don't ever stop being diligant about having your PSA tested and regular physicals with the dreaded DRE. Especially with your family history! Good luck, and I hope you never have to be back again!
Best,
Mike
Posted 6/22/2007 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Well thanks again ... and I'll still be 'here' but over on the diabetes board ... they physical also showed me it's time to get serious about my weight and high blood sugar.

Again, best of luck to you all, and god bless.
Posted 6/23/2007 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
So Glad Things Are Better A message of hope by Emily Matthews   Sometimes the road   seems dark and long,   but suddenly, there’s light To warm our hearts and let us know   that things will be all right, And in those golden, warming rays,   we find the strength to cope And emerge from times of trouble   with a brand-new sense of hope   So glad that things are better   and this stressful time   is through ~ Here’s hoping   this is just the start   of better days for you.       Hi ~ CaliforniaCA,   This is one stepping-stone we don’t mind giving you a nice big push off of!!!   We are thrilled to know that you won’t have to travel this particular journey.   But ~ we know how important it is to have support from those who knows exactly what you’re going through as you wait for results. Take heed… and get a good nutritionist (like Mika *mvesr) did and get on track with your weight.    This will definitely help with the diabetes.   If you take control… you will have smooth paths ahead.    Glad to say farewell.   Don’t hesitate to let us know how you’re doing down the road.                 “God Bless You” It's a little prayer   ~   "God BlessYou"   ...but it means so much each day, It means may angels guard you   and guide you on your way.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Author unknown   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy
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