My dad has PC - HELP, Im' SO scared...

bounty
Sorry to hear the news about your dad. A diagnosis of cancer hits us a the very core of our being and when hearing it we tend to panic. But the wise course of action, most particularly with prostate cancer, is to become knowledgeable about exactly what it is and its various treatments. You will find a great depth of wisdom here and information from patients who have been through every form of treatment and varying degrees of success who are more than happy to help. Early PCa usually has no symptoms so he is not unusual in that respect. It will be helpful if you could include your dad's stats.......PSA you say is 11 and 8/10 positive cores. What was the percentage of PCa in each core and most importantly what was his Gleason score. This booklet:
www.yananow.net/StrangePlace/index.html
is some of the best reading on the web from a newly diagnosed and layman's perspective and will explain what's ahead and what all the terms mean. There are many treatment options and it is terribly important that your dad bases his decisions on a sound knowledge base. Hard as it is do not panic............perhaps reading some of the stories here:
www.yananow.net/Chart-Year.htm#year
may help you see that you can be cured and even if not cured go on in pretty good health for many, many years. Stay with us and you will find your anxiety level will quicky fall away.
Bill

Thanks!

I'm from Denmark...

Many places on the web says that it is very rare that the cancer has spread to the bones if the PSA is under 20... Anyone knows if that is true?

Please rest from fear and panic, my stats were likely worse than your dads or maybe very comparable. I had clear scans ct and bone, that is not a guarantee but does make you atleast smile some. I am 7 yrs. survivor thus far with decent results considering where I started. Others that have some even higher ominous stats, that are herein at HW forum, are couple years into their journey. There are various levels of this disease, knowing the parameters is important, but all have some type of treatment to use or consider.

****Go and get an actual copy of the pathology report data-asap**** That information is crucial in knowing what you are dealing with. Get all tests and records if you can. In the USA you are legally entitled to get it, in England they don't have to provide it to you, I hope your country is better than that. If no copy, then see doc and you transpose the words for yourself.

Dx-2002 (Total urinary blockage)- bPsa  46.7  12 of 12 biopsies all positive, 75-95% cancer in everyone, Gleason scores found 7,8,9's on both sides about equally too, DRE positive felt something. Treatment: ADT3 drugs+radiations external Neutron/Photon+ADT1-3 drugs continued, switched to DES, psa stabilized(low) for near 2 yrs., went off all drugs about 2 yrs., resumed DES now. Psa currently  .61 and was dropping,(editted Feb.'09- now is .36)

Bounty-
From another daughter whose dad was diagnosed with PC, I understand. It was the most terrifying thing I have had to go through, especially when the path report came back with bad news. However, as Bill and Zufus have said, knowledge is power. Now is the time to research and educate you and your family on this disease and treatment options. You have come to the right spot for support and patient interaction. PC is very curable if caught early and I hope your dad's was. Please keep us posted and feel free to ask away in here.

Hi again, bounty,
PSA is a surragate for disease progression in prostate cancer.  A PSA below 20 opens up more options.  Mine was 19.8 and surgery/radiation/just about anything was still an option for primary treatment.  It may be possible to acheive a curitive state.  Stay positive and stay diligent as well.  Knowledge is very helpful in fighting prostate cancer.  By the way, I did not have any symptoms either.

Denmark? Splendid!  Please note that HealingWell has members from every continent, and a pretty good list of countries, too.  I hope you stay with us.  Time for me to be nosey again, are you a son or a daughter?

Tony

Your English is fine, glad we can be here for you

Hi Bounty,

My husband's bone scans were not clear - he has multiple bone mets

However, you would not know from looking at him that he has cancer at all. Really, since he was diagnosed over 18 months ago absolutley NOTHING has changed ( I mean from his daily routine, work, general health etc)

OK, the worry is there. Mentally, it is difficult every time he goes for his 3 month check, but even if the worse came to the worse, your dad will have many years of good health.

Add to that the fact that there are many hopeful treatments on the horizon for prostate cancer, I really do believe that things aren't so bad

Our daughters are 17 and 19 and at first, they were like you, very worried. They now take the whole thing in their stride as dad is fine.

I am sure your dad will be too

Regards, Julia

Welcome to the sight Bounty, you have ever reason to be concerned and for me to say not to would be in appropriate. I would encourage to asborb all the knowledge you can. Please keep us informed as to the results of the scan. I would not think it has spread based on what you wrote, but it is cancer. Stay with us and join in.

peace and love
dale

Well, I must admit that it is very hard to se your parents sad and affraid... My dad talks like his time is up :o( I know I have to be strong and someway make him believe that he CAN get well... But it is hard when I at the same time am so very sad myself...

Hang tough Bounty alot of warriors and pioneers went this road way before all of us, they helped find and bring better results, treatments, and choices that did not exist 5-10-15 yrs. ago even. Control of PCa (even if no cure in sight) is way better than some people may realize, it can be done and done in different ways or protocols.

There are some mentors on www.yananow.net that have some of the worst high end stats you will probably hear of or see written anywhere, some of them have done what seems impossible, one guy comes to my mind right now....10 yr. survivor with stats that very ominious looking and he is still battling. That gives us others hope. Newer things are in the pipeline, anyone who comes up with better control or cures will be overly rewarded with acolades and money. What the patient needs to be most aware of is how good is your doctor, how much knowledge-experience does he have, and also for patient to be informed and up on what your choices might be, as only you walk the walk, others talk the talk.

You and dad need to look at a book that covers basically all aspects of PCa and in detail of treatments, protocols, drugs, oncology, results etc.

A Primer on Prostate Cancer-The Empowered Patients Guide (Dr. Strum & Donna Pogliano)

It will rock your world for knowledge and getting a grasp on all the PCa jargon, options, etc.

(Hey in your case I will give you a money back guarantee-and I mean it-I could paypal)

 

Z-Bob  (7 yrs. of shooting arrows at this beast- PCa)

Hi Bounty,  wishing you well, it scares us too!  I was very scared when I first found out.  I am now 7 months post surgery and everything is fine with me.  I have a few problems but they are much better than having cancer!  I am cancer free in the post surgery tests that I have taken.  Take care, everything will work out!

Dx 4/21/08 psa 9.7  Age 58

Biopsy results  3 areas of  3+3=6 gleason

Di Vinci surgery 6/3/08

Post op 3 months and 6 months -  all clear

0 psa

There are more choices than your doctor just mentioned and 'must decide' hopefully were not his exact words, if so smells biased already to me. Should decide or has a decision to make is better words. The condition of prostate cancer can even be tackled by drug therapies and at age 64 is maybe worth atleast a look at it, non-invasive also. There is also cryo, HIFU, various types of radiations to consider (many), various types of surgery methods (many), HDR (removable brachy seeds-short duration use), Dr. Leibowitz ADT3 protocol  (google Dr. Leibowitz and look at this approach too-blows your mind but has results), other drug protocols being used and some are unique but effective.  One size does not fit all in PCa.

But alot of people don't bother looking that hard and go with the tradiational two you mentioned as they are promoted the most and sold the most. Might be the best too, but all have risks, side effects and issues for the patient to consider. Alot roads lead to Rome, same idea for PCa.