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VERY ANXIOUS ABOUT HUSBANDS PROSTATE DIAGNOSIS

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Posted 7/17/2007 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
THIS POST PROBALY WON'T BE READ UNTIL MY HUSBAND'S SURGERY IS OVER (8-07) BUT  I WILL TRY TO EXPRESS MY FEELINGS.  I AM IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION FOR PROBABLY MOST OF MY LIFE.  I HAVE SEEN LIFE AND DEDATH.  WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I WERE TOLD HE HAD PROSTATE CA I HAVEN'T STOPPED CRYING AS YET.  I AM CONSTANTLY ON THE INTERNET LOOKING FOR SOME SIMILIAR GLEASON SCORES AND PSA NUMBERS.  HIS WAS A GLEASON OF 6 3=3 AND A PSA OF 11 AND 2 POSITIVE CORES OUT OF 12.  HIS PROSTATE WAS 34CC NORMAL AND SOFT.  NO MAS PALPATE ON EXAM.  HIS CANCER IS ON THE LEFT SIDE.  HIS IS 59 YEARS OLD WITH ABSOLUTELY NO SYMPTOMS.  HE DID HAVE PROSTATIS AND WAS TREATED WITH LEVAQUIN FOR 1 MONTH PRIOR TO BIOPSY.  IT THEN WENT TO 9.97.  HE WILL BE HAVING THE ROBOTIC SUGRERY ON 8-27-07.  WHAT TROUBLES ME IS THAT THE UROLOGIST PERFORMING THE SURGERY WANTS HIM ON WEDNESDAY TO HAVE A BONE SCAN AND ST OF ABD AND PELVIS.  HE DOES NOT THINK THERE WILL BE ANYTHING BUT JUST WANTS TO BE SURE.  AFTER LEVEQUIN HIS PSA ONLY WENT DOWN FROM 11 TO 9.97.  HE SAID IT SHOULD HAVE GONE DOWN FURTHER WITH PROSTATITIS.  HE ALSO HAS CALCIFICATIONS IN THE PROSTATE SEEN ON PELVIC CT 4 YEARS AGO.  I AM ALSO WONDERING IF THE CALCIFICATIONS WOULD KEEP THE PSA UP.  IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO CAN ANSWER SOME OF MY CONCERNS I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.  I AM WORRIED SICK AND CRY ALL THE TIME.
Posted 7/17/2007 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Medlaw,
Welcome to this very helpful and knowledgeable forum. So much info is shared here
and it has been very helpful to me. My husband's PSA started out at 15 but has gone
down to 3. He had 42 radiation treatments and is showing great improvement. We
go in for lab work and an MRI on 7/23/07 to see how things are. God's blessings to
you both. It is hard, but keep the faith!

jfmaye
Posted 7/17/2007 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry you have to be here but if you have prostate cancer, this is a good place to be. Your husbands numbers are very encouraging and I think your urologist also thinks so. It is normal procedure to do the bone scan and CT before doing the surgery. The worst part is waiting for the results. When I was waiting for my test results every little ache and pain in my back or hips was magnified and I was scared of it being bone cancer. It was a relief when the test came back all clear. I am 58 and had surgery 10/12/06 and am now well onto full recovery my PSA was 4.3 but my Gleason was a 7 and 5 of 12 cores were positive. I am now cancer free my third blood test the PSA is undetectable at 0.02 as were my first two. They do amazing things now with prostate cancer they couldn't do just 5 years ago. You are doing everything you can do at this point. I know it is hard not to worry but most of our worst worries do not happen. Try to relax as much as you can and stick around here on this forum let us know what is happening, we really care.  God bless you.

Posted 7/17/2007 10:26 AM (GMT 0)

Medlaw,

The PSA seems high but a gleeson 6 seems very promising.

I can understand how someone in the field of medicine would have more knowledge and experiences - and therefore more fearful things to consider.  Don't. 

Take every action you can to fight this cancer.  Crying is normal.  I still cry once or twice a week..... ("It's like an infant moved into the house....")  But don't let crying and the imperative to fight this disease rob you of your joy.  Here, the joy that the two of you will likely be victorious and live in love for decades to come.

Your friend,

CCedar

ICTHUS!

Posted 7/17/2007 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome.
My husband's PSA was 49 and his gleason was 9 5+4....that was over a year ago and he is still symptom free. Hang in there and know that there is a lot of support and information here.
Debbie
Posted 7/17/2007 6:46 PM (GMT 0)

Medlaw:

All of your husbands results - PSA, Gleason, DRE appear to be in the range where any treatment modality will put him on the road to a cure.  Keep us posted and best wishes to you both.

Dutch

Posted 7/17/2007 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Medlaw, we have all been where you are.  Hearing that you or your spouse has cancer knocks the blocks from under you.....BUT---your husbands scores look very treatable and it sounds like his doctor is using sound preparation to get him ready for the surgery.

You've got to be strong for him and be encouraging.  If you are church-goers, talk with your pastor. Mine pointed me toward a couple other guys that had PCa.  Their insights and prayers were of great comfort.  Encourage him to talk this out with others that have been through it. 

If you are looking for a guide that helps in your building knowledge, one of my friends loaned me Dr. Patrick Wash's book on Surviving Prostate Cancer.  It speaks plainly and from the doctor's experiences.  It would be a good source for you.

My prayers are with you and him

Posted 7/18/2007 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi   ~ Medlaw &   Loved Ones,   A    “Special”   Warm Welcome   to   You!      We know ~ we can “all” make “Your Journey” smoother just by being here for you!   This is truly a great forum!!! ~ You have joined!  You are now part our forum family ~ a group of wonderful individuals who are so willing to share...   It helps “all of us” ~ to help you ~ if we know where you are on your path. So ~ Please stay with us and take our hand when you need it!   Keep posting.... OKAY!!     KNOWLEDGE     IS     POWER   ...   and   POWER conquers   fear   YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS… YOU HAVE OPTIONS… ~ and ~ Your decision will be the right decision for you!!!   Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers as you move forward in your search for answers…   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   “God Bless You” It's a little prayer   ~   "God Bless You" ...but it means so much each day, It means may angels guard you and guide you on your   way.   (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 7/18/2007 3:19 AM (GMT 0)

Quote from Medlaw ~    thread titled:  thank you all for your encouragement 

Thank you all for answering my concerns.   I will try to stay positive not just for me but for my husband.  I know deep inside he feels helpless.  Men usually don't express how they feel like women.  I haven't cried like this for a long time.  I am the type that always expects the worse.  I felt like this before we went to get the biopsy results. The 1st Urologist said 1 out of 3 men who get biospy have cancer.  That day he did 3.  One was my husband and wouldn't you know it was him.   The other 2 men were much older.  That day I tried to think positive but broke down as soon as he said the results.  I couldn't help myself.  Everytime I do this my husband asks me "now what have you found out?"   The 1st Urologist said stay off the computer it will drive you crazy.  He was right.  I am just hoping that the 3 tests tomorrow will come out negative.   I want the cancer to be confined to the gland and I want him to be cancer free so he can feel that he will live a healthly normal and long life with me.  We are adoptive parents of a special needs child 9years old now.  He loves her and she loves him. I need him in our lifes.  It's difficult being in the medical profession.  I guess I have seen too much in my time.  I will keep you posted on the results from his tests.   Thank you again for being there...I am glad I found this site.

 

God bless everyone on this site

Posted 7/18/2007 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Medlaw,

I just read your post and if you are waiting for further (scanning) test results pre-op, this is truely a terrible and anxious time for you as a wife. I am not sure this will help, but I could relate to your anxiety as I have a background in health myself. For me as a wife in this situation, the extra knowledge and my background made the experience very hard at times - especially waiting for any test results. I did not share all of my fears with my husband if he did not need to know (I later did), but it was stressful, that's for sure for me. We also have a young child, and it was the very last thing we ever expected to happen. I have even worked in a urology ward in the past, and had flashbacks of what I had seen there. Not good.

Like you, I also nearly made myself sick with the amount of time I spent scanning the internet, so I think it is perhaps your heath professional background that makes you tend to expect the worst, and that you have just already seen a lot of the "worst" in your work - not related to this condition necessarily, which is actually hopeful (full of hope), in its range of effective and long-term treatment options for all stages it seems. The more you know however, the better you will feel however information-wise, about your husband.

Prior to surgery, our doctor suggested to my husband that I (ie. we) give up the Pca research also, but the good part was that after we joined this forum, the Dr was atonished at how informed my husband was, and it made it easier in the end to make decisions, and to find the information we needed.

My husband and I have still not stopped researching this condition however - although we did have to have several breaks and do it in stages. We had to take lots of those "Bluebird" (Our moderator's) deep breaths and slow down our thinking at times. We still have periods of anxiety 3 months post-op, and have to step back, and stop reading for a while even now.

I have not cried since my husband has had his surgery, but I spent most of the first 5 months beforehand after his diagnosis crying myself to sleep long after he had gone to sleep, so this is sad to hear of your tears, but it is normal, believe me. They too will end. You are not going to fall apart, but it is very hard at the beginning.

Waiting for tests or results now is probably the most frightening part of it all. I sincerely hope it passes quickly and that you have good news soon. I am sorry this is long-winded. Take care & wishing best positive thoughts for any test results. Lana
Posted 7/18/2007 7:08 PM (GMT 0)

It wasn't long-winded, Lana.  It was perfect.

Bill

Posted 7/18/2007 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
By the way, Medlaw Jetguy (Bill) who posted above, was one of the first people to respond when I first posted here seeking info on behalf of my husband five months ago. The support here is amazing - thanks Bill for your kind words to wake up to! Hope all is well with you Mate!

Medlaw, today is the day that all of us with faith will pray together for you and your husband from many parts of the world in whatever way we can and/or do. I forgot to add that to my last post. But since I have the floor again, and today is the day you are hoping for good results, God Bless you and keep you and your husband safe today, and always. Best wishes, Lana & CJ
Posted 7/19/2007 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hello to all...
Today was the worst day of my husband and my life. He went through the bone scan and CT of Pelvic and Abdomen. Having them performed at Northwestern Memorial Hosptial in Chicago was my choice because I work there. I thought I could get instant results. Last night we both couldn't sleep and I was sick to my stomach all day. After the bone scan (being the first test) I called a Doctor that I know in the Hospital to find out a preliminary report for me while he was in the CT. The test showed negative for any spreading the Ca except for two areas in the ribs. Needless to say I was besides myself. I began crying so much that the doctor could not continue talking to me. He said he asked the radiologist if he thought it looked like metatases. He said not typical but it looked like an old injury. My husband is a house painter and did have a fall from a 2nd floor house outside and hit his head and chest 10 months ago but had xrays and no breakage of ribs. So I called his Urologist who will performing the surgery and he said it was impossibble with his PSA of 10 to have spread and said it is a 2% chance so please don't worry. We will get an xray of his ribs to make you happy and satified that it is ok. The CT said everything looked ok except some small nodules in his left lung. Which I already know about. He has multiple granulomas which are benign from some type of infection during his life which is very common. The worst I am worried about are these areas on the ribs. The Urologist said with a Gleason of 6 and a PSA of 10 there is NO way for Met of CA to spread. Has anyone heard of this?

Thanks again
Posted 7/19/2007 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone here had a PSA of 11 Gleason 6 3+3 and a positive Bone scan. Just wanting to compare how things go the same or different? My husband just had a bone scan yesterday that revealed 2 areas on his ribs. He felt off a ladder last Sept. while painting a house (he paints) he complained of chest pain the next day xray of his chest was negative and EKG was negative so no further evaluation of his ribs. Now all of a sudden the bone scan shows these 2 areas on the ribs left side where he had pain. The next thing is a x-ray of the ribs. The Nuclear Dr. said it did not lok like metatastes but I being in the medical profession (I do Ultrasound) what this taken care of soon. Just wanted to ask
Posted 7/19/2007 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Our oncologist told us that PSA's in the hundreds indicate bone mets.  Our oncologist is an expert prostate cancer specialist. 
Posted 7/19/2007 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Medlaw - My husband had an orginal PSA of 30 with a Gleason 9 and was diag in 2005.  He went for the bone scan and x-rays also and just had them all re-done again last week. The only thing that showed was the same small area on ribs which also showed up in 2005 and our doctor said it was from an old injury .  Nothing changed in 2 years on the scans & xrays but his PSA is now down to 0.1.  I just went through all the questions and concerns of could the cancer be spreading even though the PSA isn't rising because he was have some back pain.  We have been told that unless the PSA is rising or the original PSA was in the 100's not to fixate on it spreading to the bones.  The doctors have told us that we all have pain in some form on any given day and just because he has prostate cancer doesn't mean every pain or shadow on a test is associated with the pc. I do alot of research and I want answers because I don't like to be blindsided.  However, I'm trying very hard not to waste my time worrying - until there is a confirmation that I have to worry.  Although I don't post much - this is a great site with alot of people that are more than willing to share and give whatever support they can.  Hope all goes well for you and everyone here.God Bless.
Posted 7/20/2007 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your reply to my post.  As soon as I was told about the areas of concern on his ribs I completely and I mean completely lost it.  Thank God it was during when my husband was having his CT's.  He gets very upset when he sees me cry and very worried I'm not telling him something.  Being in the medical profession for half of my life I have come not to trust too many doctors and their diagnosis. I have seen the best and the worst cases.  I do Ultrasound in OB-GYN and have even cried with the patient's and doctors.   However, when it comes to a family member its difficult for me to take. I really have to research it and question the doctors all the time.  They hate it when you know too much but I can't help it.  When they tell me the areas most likely are rib bruises ( my husband did have a fall of a ladder while painting off a roof last Sept. He's a house painter) He did have chest pain but no dicussion of ribs on the chest xray.  Now I wonder what was injured when he was complaining of chest pain. 

I hope you and your husband are doing well.  I pray that we all get through this shock in our lifes.  We totally were not expecting any of this.  My husband runs, played football, basketball, never smoke, drank and eats very little meat and fat.  This must be something that happens in all men, like women, I see alot of the same problems with gynecologic cases.  Everyone gets the same physical developements in the same age bracket.  I know we are all going to live very long lives together, both happy and healthy.   Thanks again and I wish you all well.

Sharon

 

Posted 7/20/2007 10:16 AM (GMT 0)

Sharon,

In my adolescence, I once broke a rib under my collarbone, without breaking the collarbone. The broken rib made breathing painful.
The doctor said breaking this rib with an intact collarbone was virtually impossible - and untreatable. The rib had to heal itself.  A minor cracked rib that doesn't put pressure on the lung will often heal itself without any medical care - and just feel like a pulled muscle.

I am keeping you especially in my thoughts as you try to keep a smile on your face for your husband as you wait for good news.  Regardless, all of us are here for you.

Your Friend,

CCedar
ICTHUS 

Posted 7/22/2007 3:13 PM (GMT 0)

I have NOT been in the medical field EXCEPT for CARING for family members with LOTS of different cancers etc., NEVER EASY!  ALWAYS DIFFERENT....but can understand your concerns.  I am here for our SON!

Will tell you my husband had a PSA that went to 50 and the Drs. were telling him for 6 yrs he had prostate cancer but because of AGE (74) and LOTS of other medical problems, including a family ALLERGY to x-ray scanning materials that caused his 'other medical problems' he opted to live with it!!!!   HOWEVER, it turned out to be caused by a bladder stone the size of his bladder.  This was found during a ct scan on his broken arm - for his third surgery - .  No contrast materials were used so were unsure what to find...he was going to forget the third arm surgery if the cancer had metastasized .... IT SHOWED NO CANCER!!!!!  (You can imagine what the phone call was telling us that news!!!)... he went ahead with the surgery on his arm and the NEW larger plate and screws were used and today he uses that arm like before.  Lifting, feeding cows, mowing etc.,  ISN'T GOD GREAT??? This was just 1 ½ yr ago. .  and the bladder stone was removed (OUCH) and there too, no lingering problem.  He refuses PSA tests now and at age 80 he says he will just take it with him if it shows anything.   HIS lung shadows were scars from histoplasmosis, but underwent the big surgery to find out in 1969. 

Being in the medical profession I am sure you see a lot of scenarios that scare you to death, but even Drs are wrong sometimes!!!!   I will be praying for all outcomes to be JUST WHAT GOD WANTS IN YOUR LIFE!  I am 75 and STILL LEARNING things do happen for a reason, and when we are in this 'scared to death' mode it is a little hard to remember that! 

SON is waiting on lab reports, and see Dr July 30. These results are best I can remember and will change if need be when we get them again at Dr office.
Age 53
Diagnosed May 2007
2 Biopsies PSA 3.98
12 Core samples
3 positives
T1A T2B
Gleason (3+3) 6
Both lobes
Da Vinci Surgery 7/10/2007
Nerves/nodes OK
Confined to Prostate, no penetration of
outer walls.

 

Posted 8/4/2007 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
    Hi ~   Sharon & Loved One,   Just a little hug to let you all know we will be there ~ in thoughts and prayers as you head into surgery…      Please let us hear from you once you get home and settled…!!     “Our hands will be on your shoulders” special words borrowed from hamala   In Friendship,   ~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~~ )*&^%   Group Hug %^&*( ~~~ * ~~ * ~~ * ~~   From the 3 of us... Lee, Buddy, & Murphy
Posted 8/5/2007 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Medlaw. We, too, had the same hot spots show up on ribs (and spine). In fact, the technician showed them to my husband while he was getting scanned. After the fact, she asked what he was having it done for. When he told her it was prostate cancer, she was so embarrassed for pointing them out and left the room.

That make us freak out pretty much and we had to wait a few days to get the all-clear report. Some earlier trauma that husb. couldn't even remember. The spine part we knew about (calcifications). Know exactly how you feel. I'm sure that by now you know everything is fine.

You two will get through this and your surgery is soon. Remember that many of us have been there and can walk every step with you, understanding the emotions and turmoil.

It does get better.

Posted 8/5/2007 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Medlaw,

A few things about your post have caught my attention. We have some interesting parallels.

First, we are both in Chicago. My wife too is in the medical field...VP of Nursing. We also have some very good friends in the medical field who have been very helpful to us. One is at Northwestern who referred us to Urologists there. One of the top surgeons in our city is there.

Also, I have 9 y.o. twins (boy/girl) and my daughter has Down Sydrome. Both are amazing kids, and I understand the worry about being healthy and around for them. You and your husband just have to believe that will be the case. Make the best informed decisions and believe you will have the best outcome.

Feel free to email me if you'd like to talk. I have talked to numerous people already and it's helpful.
Posted 8/7/2007 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
smurf   Bump..... Surgery Tuesday, August 7th...

 

Posted 11/17/2007 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
  Sharon ~ just a little note to let you know you are in our thoughts and prayers. As time permit... let us know how things are going. In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy  
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