Posted 12/24/2009 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi newtopc,
2 years ago right now I was in a similar frame of mind to the one you are in now. We're about the same age, had about the same initial PSA. Due to family history, I was also expecting the worst prior to biopsy. I have been lurking on this site daily for two years now. Feel fortunate that you have found this site early in your journey, you have already heard some great advice in this thread. At first it will seem that following the threads is sort of like watching improv theater, but the rub is, now you're one of the actors.
Of course you think you have PC. Yes, your feelings are all over the map. You have made a great first step, however, in starting to talk about it. I hope after a biopsy you can bookmark this and visit only every now and then; however, if you wind up joining the club, remember that TODAY you began to fight the good fight, and that you will WIN, and that you will hear more reasonable things here than anywhere else.
In theater, the starring players have more complex parts, more lines, and louder voices. This group follows suit. You will see any number of gentleman and ladies whose lives have been truly upended by prostate cancer, and have faced more trials, complications and setbacks than one can imagine. There are a number of members here to serve as example that no matter what you will face, they have already endured and conquered it, and so can you. Remember, please, that you are not in the script for such a role at this time, until proven otherwise. Remember also, that the majority of men who deal with this disease do not have extreme test results, symptoms, treatments, or side effects. Yes, some do, and my hat is off to them. But most don't, we are nothing but bit players with a few lines in the script.
My advice? Hit back hard and fast. You have a PSA issue at this point, nothing more. Accelerate your learning curve. Data becomes information, information forms into facts, facts become knowledge, knowledge becomes understanding, understanding leads to wisdom. Wisdom gives you hope, faith, and guts to make a plan and execute it. I'd start in the morning.
From your post, I surmise that you don't have an urologist and therefore have made an initial appt. for February with one. I agree with others who say there is no big hurry, but having to wait 6-8 weeks for an initial consult seems long to me. You don't have prostate cancer until a biopsy indicates it, you need a urologist to get a biopsy, and you need a consult to confirm & schedule the biopsy, so you need to shake hands soon with a really good urologist in your area. Don't worry at this point whether he'll be your surgeon, just take the first step. Network with older friends, family, neighbors, church members, to see who they recommend. Remember, all you are looking for is a thorough exam and perhaps a biopsy. This leads to step two:
Use the holidays to celebrate being alive and healthy. I intend this to mean, embrace your new journey AND celebrate the holidays. Just the fact that you are posting today indicates that you probably aren't able to just let this go, so realize that you CAN do BOTH, and you can do them both well. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, that means much to many of us, it may not to you; but please be aware that you can have a really great Holiday season as well as a great start on your journey of discovery regarding PCa, AT THE SAME TIME. I did.
Start making notes. You're on a computer, grab a notepad or Word file and start typing. Dates, phone numbers, appointments, websites, snips of advice, family histories, chronologies, feelings, everything. When you feel organized, sort it out. When you are tired, just dump it in and hit "save". In just a couple of weeks, you will read things you have written and be grateful you did it. After a few months, you will be REALLY glad you did it. Start your sig file tonight. Mine is below.
Research now, but don't obsess. Focus on the consultation. Educate yourself about that and biopsies, and do that well. Worry about all the rest of the research involving treatment if and when you need to. If you don't need it, you wasted your time, if you do need it, you won't really be prepared until you have your biopsy results. Either way, a couple more weeks won't make a difference. Read pertinent threads, bookmark other sites, read about the basics involving prostate biology, BPH, infections, biopsies.
Involve your SO now, if you have one, if things turn out for the good, which we all hope, that's great, if they don't, well, it can be a wild ride, and it's usually easier to get on the roller coaster when it's not moving.
Please keep us filled in regarding your plans. I'll post more in reply as appropriate.
Best of luck to you!