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Posted 1/3/2010 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
realziggy - thanks for your concern -
I just went through my calendar of events - and yes, the operation was scheduled 6 weeks after biopsies - but actual first opening for surgery was 4 weeks ( had to finish up some legal stuff and had a major fundraising art show to participate in) - so surgery was set at 6 weeks.
I put my trust in him and what we discussed when the results came back. There were hard areas on the surface of the prostate - ( a very thorough 2-digit exam - owwee!) and he seemed anxious to push ahead.
I do NOT feel I was having to deal with a "doctor as g*d" syndrome or a multi-biling zealot. I have had some of those in the past ( my reconstructed right leg is another long story !!)

I do not know what my GP doctor and my Urologist discussed among themselves - but at this moment - I feel I made the right decision.
hugs
BRONSON
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Posted 1/3/2010 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Greetings, Bronson.  Sorry you have to be here but you and Steve are most welcome.  We trust that you will get a great pathology report in a few days.  As to what I have paid, we have great insurance and are most thankful for that.  Had a $250 hospital co-pay and $100 co-pay for the biopsy.  Most of my doctors visits are $40 co-pays so I would say all told my out of pocket has been about $750 over 2 years.  I am one of the guys who uses All Day Chemist for Levitra (or their equivalent) at about $1 per pill as opposed to the $12 per pill my pharmacy charges and none of it covered by my insurance. 

Please keep us posted on how things are going.  David

Posted 1/3/2010 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I had my biopsy on March 31 and surgery on May 9. I have heard you needed 8 weeks but there was an opening at the hospital and I jumped at it.
Posted 1/3/2010 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
geezer99 -
wow geezer -Major Hugs to you -
thanks ever so much for that point-to the right direction - I have download the worksheet list for the Sloan-Kettering Nomogram - that gives me the questions I need to bring with me ....

- the other series of questions deal with ED - but the first goal is where I am at now - a woodie can wait (for the time being)

:)
hugs
BRONSON
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Posted 1/3/2010 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Bronson, here's a link to a list of our more pertinent threads dealing with the subject of ED.
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1620929
Posted 1/3/2010 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bronson,

Just a quick welcome to this site from another Canadian from out west. I know that you don't want to be here (all of us would rather be somewhere else), but under the circumstances, this is a very good place to come to for advise, compassion, encouragement and just plain, good companionship from  fellow sufferers. You seam to be doing very well thus far and I hope to be able to welcome you to the zero club very soon.

All the best to you.

Magaboo

Posted 1/3/2010 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bronson,
A belated welcome from us (down under) to you and Steve. It sounds like you are doing well so far. All the very best with your healing and recovery, and with the final test results. There are also several spouses here (such as myself) who post with their partners, or on behalf of partners who cannot access the internet (such as me!). We have found this HW site to be the most invaluable source of information for the past 3 years. It is such a relief when people understand this condition and share their many experiences. Good luck and welcome once again. Lana
Posted 1/4/2010 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Bronson,
My dad also has prostate cancer, He is still living and was treated about 12 years ago. My mom had breast cancer. My doc told me that was a double wammy with both parents having cancers. Glad they found mine earlier even though Gleason 7 (3+4)

Waiting for my 6 month psa in Mid Febuary.

Larry
Posted 1/4/2010 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Larry -

- when I gave my family history of cancer to my urologist - he was only concerned with any immediate relatives having prostate cancer or breast cancer since they are similar due to connection to lymphatic system -
- wishing you and your family all the best for 2010 - may all your tests results be negative and you have a quiet year -
:)
major hugs
BRONSON
...............
Posted 1/4/2010 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Bronson,

Welcome!

And yes, there are many in this country who will resist change because they are absolutely scared what change will bring. Yet, there are many, like all of us with cancer, who must live and adapt to change almost on a daily basis.

As to changing and reforming healthcare, Canada was used by the Tea Party (get use to it guys...this party is growing and in my opinion they are VERY ugly) as the example of the country with the worst healthcare in the world. Yet, from my own investigation, I have found the only major issue in Canada is lack of an adequate amount of doctors---easily fixed if the nation will forgive some or all of the tuition for doctors that STAY in the country. Fact is, healthcare in the United States is pretty bad, especially if you can't afford or are not qualified to get health insurance. Believe it or not there are still states where many children do not get adequate healthcare.

Anyhoo, good luck on the 7th!

 

Posted 1/4/2010 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Joey:
- thanks for the good luck thoughts -
-yes, there is a shortage of doctors - especially GP's in rural and semi-rural areas - we have our old doctors back in Toronto to rely on if needed.
- when the nursing and medical schools are getting ready for a graduating class, there is often a job fair made up of hospitals and clinics doing their darnest to get the new nurses and doctors to go south of the border - primarily Texas ! -
-one case I am aware of , the nurse had one more year to go and they wanted her to sign up with a $$ bonus .. but she had a boyfriend/fiance here in Canada - they arranged to get the boyfriend/fiance a green card ... so she kept her marks up the next year - got the job and the two of them went off to Texas ....
- hugs
BRONSON
............
Posted 1/4/2010 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
bronson, the nursing shortage here in the US is very much the same way. My daughter in law became an Registered Nurse a year ago, she had at least 5-6 job offers at least 6 months before she graduated. Now at the ripe age of 32, she was started close to 60K USD a year.
Posted 1/4/2010 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bronson, as a fellow Canadian I add my welcome, and regrets that you have to be here in the first place. But, as all have said, if you've got PCa this is a great place to be. My cost for daVinci and consults with several surgeons and urologists was $25 --- the upcharge for one night in a semi-private room. Since my PCa diagnosis I've had six other people who have just been diagnosed call me up for advice. It is interesting to watch them work through the system. I'd say my experience was concierge most all the way. The biggest hassle being the time I have to sit at the lab waiting to give blood to get my PSA checked. And, from what I've seen, the others are being looked after well, and promptly.

May you, and all here, finish 2010 with an undetectable PSA as the start of a lifetime of zeros,

Sheldon AKA Sleepless
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