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I met two guys this weekend

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Posted 6/29/2013 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
This weekend I met two guys with two very different prostate cancer experiences. 

The first had surgery about a year after I did (his was December 2011), and I guess he didn't see a doctor after his first PSA after surgery came back "undetectable."  He did finally go back to his surgeon very recently, and his PSA is now 0.09.  Why he didn't do the 3-month drill I really don't know, but in any case, he's now 0.09 and due for another test in 3 months.

I heard about the other guy this morning while visiting a home as part of a "garden tour" my wife organized here in town.  The wife was at the house and said her husband was having emergency surgery because of several episodes of serious bleeding.  I know that all bleeding looks like a lot of blood, but in this case, she said it was all over the place.  He had seeds implanted about 11 years ago and lately has developed problems with his bladder and associated tissues.  It sounds as if it might be pretty serious.

Cases like this really make a guy wonder what the future holds.  I'm due for another PSA test in the next few weeks, and after today I'll probably be a bit more nervous than usual.

Today was a reminder what a serious disease we're dealing with (even though one lady assured me that everything's bound to be OK because we now have such wonderful drugs to treat prostate cancer).

Posted 6/29/2013 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Was the seed implant, determined to be the reason for the profuse bleeding? And is the the individual still cancer free, the second one I'm talking here. The one lady was trying to help and her assessments are right on track actually . BT today is more advanced than in 2002. You will realize this as " time" moves or as you move in "time". This is my hope for you.
Posted 6/29/2013 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
 Logo, Unfortunately, I couldn't ask as many questions as I would have liked to.  I hope to find out more about his surgery and how things went in the coming days.  I think the surgery was perhaps exploratory to find out the source(s) of the bleeding.  The wife did seem to feel, though, that his condition had some relation to radiation damage done by the seeds.  I'm not sure that's the case, but guess I'll have to wait and see. 

But, the two encounters reminded me that prostate cancer can take a lot of unexpected turns, and one can never really feel "cured." 

Posted 6/30/2013 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
For many, perhaps they will stayed "cured" for the rest of their natural life (use the word cured cautiously), and for others, it is a never ending curse. I know I feel that way in my case, its never going to end, and I live with the PC related problems every day of my life. Not at all how I thought things would be when I was first dx. in August of 2008. Seemed simple enough, have surgery, heal up, be cured. Little did I know I was in for a major life changing event, and the fun continues nearly 5 years later.

david
Posted 6/30/2013 7:20 AM (GMT 0)

clocknut said...
This weekend I met two guys with two very different prostate cancer experiences.
The first had surgery about a year after I did (his was December 2011), and I guess he didn't see a doctor after his first PSA after surgery came back "undetectable." He did finally go back to his surgeon very recently, and his PSA is now 0.09. Why he didn't do the 3-month drill I really don't know, but in any case, he's now 0.09 and due for another test in 3 months.

I heard about the other guy this morning while visiting a home as part of a "garden tour" my wife organized here in town. The wife was at the house and said her husband was having emergency surgery because of several episodes of serious bleeding. I know that all bleeding looks like a lot of blood, but in this case, she said it was all over the place. He had seeds implanted about 11 years ago and lately has developed problems with his bladder and associated tissues. It sounds as if it might be pretty serious.

Cases like this really make a guy wonder what the future holds. I'm due for another PSA test in the next few weeks, and after today I'll probably be a bit more nervous than usual.

Today was a reminder what a serious disease we're dealing with (even though one lady assured me that everything's bound to be OK because we now have such wonderful drugs to treat prostate cancer).

Clock,
The first fella may have his initial PSA done on assay equipment that went only to one decimal place; i.e a lower detection limit of 0.1. On such equipment anything below that 0.1 limit would register as "undetectable". This means he may well have registered 0.09 following surgery and in effect his PSA hasn't actually increased at all.
Bill

Post Edited (BillyMac) : 6/30/2013 1:23:00 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/30/2013 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
I see what you're saying, BillyMac, but in this case he had both tests done by the same facility.  Actually, his surgeon is part of the same practice as mine, and they all use the same lab.  It looks as if he has something going on.
Posted 6/30/2013 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck, Bill with your upcoming PSA test!  Ron had his on Thursday.  We are hopeful for the best.  You were one who posted with us on AUGUST SURGERIES, so I have been following your progress.

Peace,

Aimzee

Posted 6/30/2013 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
Likewise, Aimzee.  I hope, and trust, that Ron's PSA test will yield good results.  I also hope he's seen a lot of improvement in the other problems he's been dealing with.
Posted 7/1/2013 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck Bill Aimzee and Ron with the PSA tests.
Thinking of you,
An
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