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my husband has prostate ca..I'm new here.

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Posted 12/20/2007 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
 My 56 yr. old husband had a DaVinci radical prostatectomy 15 months ago.

Stage T2ca

Gleason 3+4=7

PSA before surgery 4.1

Clean margins

Negative Pathology

 Eight weeks post-op,his first PSA was .4 Three months after that it was .5

At his last check-up three months ago it was .8

Urologist said it's time to do something. Radiation Oncologist said he has micrometastis

that wouldn't show up on a bone scan,and doesn't want to radiate the prostate bed

if the stray cells haven't settled there. He said it would be radiating my husband for nothing,

and would probably make him incontinent again,forever.

He's due for another PSA and visit with his oncologist,but my husband fears there is nothing

that can be done for him. He wanted to participate in a study suggested by his oncologist,but our insurance won't cover one of the study drugs. (which I thought were going to be free.)

So,it looks like that's out too,because we really cannot waste anymore time arguing with our insurance company and asking them to reconsider the claim.

We are angry and scared,too.

 Quinnbug

 

 

 

 

 

Posted 12/20/2007 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Quinnbug,
Soon you will receive a very warm welcome from our outstanding moderators. But let me be the first to say hello. This is a great forum. You will find friends here and your advice here to be solid.

For my part, I think you need to get a second opinion on the radiation. I have been through the gambit of treatments and hitting the prostate bed while there is a rise in PSA but no evidence of bone invasion means usually to hit the prostate bed as well as the pelvic lymph nodes with radiation. You don't mention whether he has had androgen deprivation therapy (also called Hormone Therapy, using Eligard, Zoladex or Lupron. if not, your going to find many options that you need to know more about. But like your husband, I havd had the same surgery, I am on Lupron and Casodex, and I have had the radiation. I am no where near incontinent at all and have very few side effects.

Also in studies the drugs are usually free but the administering of them is not. But that should be covered by your insurance. I would not take part in any study that the drugs being studied were not free.

I pray for your safe holidays and peace to you.

Tony
Posted 12/20/2007 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ~  quinnbug & Loved Ones…   W elcome     to…    ~ HealingWell ~   and   A    “ Special ”    Warm Welcome   to   You !   Knowledge gives us POWER….   POWER takes away the fear.   ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~   Click on the link just below for important information that will help you ~ help us!!   Welcome New Members ~ to HealingWell   The information (link) listed above is to help you get started on your journey. It is a journey best traveled with friends. Welcome ~ New Friend from all the members here... on HealingWell.com   v       bluebird ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/mamabluebird1955/mamabluebirdWelcome.jpg   v       IdahoSurvivor ~   Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1160/1313099593_9f819e3ff8.jpg
Posted 12/20/2007 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi quinnbug ~   We’re sorry for the reason you’re with us, but so glad to have you here.   Please feel comfortable to share as if you’ve always been here!   You have some history with this disease already and the more information you are able to share with us, the better your new friends on HealingWell can respond to you.   Take heart and know that we'll do the best we can to be your friend, listen to your thoughts and ideas, and at the same time offer a little free information.   Finally, a very warm welcome to you!   Keeping you close in our thoughts and prayers.   All the best,   Barry
Posted 12/21/2007 1:24 AM (GMT 0)

Quinnbug:

Sorry to hear that your husband is going to have to revisit this Pca thing, but I agree with Tony that a second opinion regarding radiation would be a good thing.  I did not have surgery, but had proton - I know quite afew men who have had adjuvant proton after failed surgery and are doing very well.  We look forward to your continued postings and wish you well.

Dutch

Posted 12/21/2007 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Quinnbug,

My heart aches for what you and your husband are going through. It frustrates me that the medical community cannot develop standardized protocol for certain conditions. I cannot tell you what to do but I can tell you what I would do if I was in the situation you describe. I would seek out one of the well known and validated cancer centers across the country and get an appointment as soon as possible. Since I am originally from Texas the M. D. Anderson facility in Houston would be my choice but I am sure that there are others across the country and probably one within a days drive from you. Further treatment is indicated by the PSA but you need to get a recommendation that is backed up by expertise.

May God bless and keep both of you within his comforting and healing hands.

Tamu
Posted 12/21/2007 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Quinnbug,
Do NOT think there is no other treatment. The second opinions are mandatory...your current docs will understand and would do the same if it were them.
Having said that I must say this - radiologists wouldn't touch Don either. The cancer never showed up in the prostate bed - it was in distant lymph nodes. But there is treatment and he was started on Hormone Therapy. Yes, there are side effects but he lives with them. And quite well.
So, just know at this point, no matter what therapy is decided on, your husband is far from being in a position "that nothing can be done for him".

Yes, you are afraid...we were too and at times we still are. But once you acknowledge that - move on because it's a waste of time. Continue to do your research and carry on as if he has much to live for because he certainly does.
We'll be here for you both.

All the best,
Susan
Posted 12/21/2007 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Quinnbug,

As you can see, we have several here who have had successful follow-up treatment and surgery. Their advice to get a second or even a third opinion is what seems to be your best course of action.

Fear in these situations is normal. Action is the best way to overcome it. So make a plan, make some calls for appointments, study your options and please stay with us. We can all get well together...

Jim
Posted 12/21/2007 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you to all for your kind remarks and for taking the time to send them.
Just reading them made me feel better.
I don't know where we will go from here,but it seems like a second opinion is on order.
Merry Christmas to you all,
Gratefully, Quinnbug
Posted 12/24/2007 11:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Quinnbug:

I concur with those that suggest a second opinion.

I too recently went to a radiation oncologist after a slight rise in PSA.  My radiation oncologist said that there is no way outside of a bone scan to know for sure whether the cancer has metastesis.  All you are doing is playing percentages.  There are some metrics that you cite that could indicate the cancer has not metastesized. However, I am not an expert.

Furthermore although radiation has a risk of incontinence it is by no means a certainty.  Chances are your husband will not be incontinent.

Again, I think a second opinion is in order.

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