AS - Staying the course

Hang in there. AS is often a good choice. Do let us know the results of your tests in May.

Andrew

Gangnabbit, you are doing the right thing by taking it slow. Assuming you are a true G6, you've got plenty of time, and AS may indeed be the best course, so you wouldn't have to mKe any what you call "petty" compromises.

Have you had your slides looked at for a second opinion to confirm the G6?

Dear DangNabbit,

Just a line to say that we're all in this "band of brothers" together --- and we all need each other's support, at various times and in various ways.

Sounds like with your plan, you are going to stay right on top of things --- keeping an eye on things, watching over things --- the hallmark traits of active surveillance.

Yes --- the "waiting and wondering" we all experience between lab tests, scans, and consultations --- circling those days on the calendar --- living life in between --- waiting for those appointment days --- the uncertainty --- more "waiting and wondering" ...

Sounds like you've got some anxieties --- rest assured, we've all been there --- it's part of the game that all of us play. We're all going to experiences times of worries, doubts, fears ... it's part of what we deal with on this forum. So, with that in mind ... do whatever it takes to keep your head in the game ... some of my best friends share in my diagnosis ... we've formed a pact, in a manner of speaking ... and it can be summarized in this way:

"Granted, now that I've been diagnosed, cancer might be a CHAPTER in my life story, but I'm NOT going to let cancer become the TITLE of my BOOK OF LIFE."

Having friends of mine in this same boat helps keep all of us in check on the above philosophy of life, after facing a diagnosis. Checking in here, garnering some support, sharing some fellowship, venting whenever we need to, seeking some advice, asking for counsel, sharing our experiences, seeking some solace ... this forum lets us do all of those things ... and we all walk alongside each other together. We celebrate the treatment successes shared by our brothers here ... and we reach out to lift up a comrade who falls down on the battlefield ... that's the power of this band of brothers.

Some of the seniors on our favorite college basketball teams have recently been honored during their last games of the season. One of my favorite senior players was recently honored during his last game ... the commentators and fans all said, "He gave ALL of his talent to the game ... he left it ALL on the court, even in his last game." I think that's a goal for all of us here to reflect upon ... each day, give it everything you've got ... and leave it ALL on the court in the game of life.

So, DangNabbit, my best advice, from one "brother to another" --- to keep the "wolves of worry" at bay that you alluded to in your post --- stay TRUE to everything in your life, just as before --- keep up with your hobbies, interests, and social life --- keep reading those books, working in the yard, walking the dog, getting some exercise, thinking about your next road trip, pursuing new goals, and looking ahead to the future ... invest yourself in your family, friends, career, church, community, pastimes, and social events ... and leave it all on the court each day.

Thankful for the brotherhood found here each day,
"Cyclone" From Iowa State University

Dang, I'm not sure if the published studies about AS retention over 20 years are applicable to you. That is because most of those men, like me, were 65 or older when they entered the program, and you are 40.

If you decide that want to try AS as a long term strategy, I suggest that you have more data than just periodic psa tests. A 3T mpMRI, genomics tests like OncotypeDX or Prolaris, and lab tests like PHI, would provide you with a clearer picture of your cancer's extent and risk level. Good luck.

Plenty of sound advice here already Dang...

I'm 50, diagnosed low volume G6 last November and sitting happily on the Hopkins AS program. I can't see inside your head and anyhow, we're all different. However, what I can tell you from my perspective is...

1. If you accept your diagnosis and put it in a box that you diligently visit every 6 months and stop Googling (or even coming here) every day... You will get your life back and it will taste better. You have to live life, and now you have more motivation to do so than ever; don't wait for it to come to you. The feelings you associate with diagnosis will fade and become manageable if you concentrate on the here and now of life.

2. Sex is darned important and not to be given up lightly, especially if you don't need to do so. Sex is more important to some of us than others. To me it is a vital part of life.

3. Irrespective of the claims made by every man and his dog, treatment will guarantee side effects; you will never be the same. From my both primary and secondary research I can say that 'success' wrt side effects is almost universally overstated. Radiation is better, surgery is worse, individual results will vary. When I sat on a bed with one of the best surgeons in the country and he told me "even at age 50, with everything going your way on my best day you will probably only be 70-80% of what you are now I reckoned I was finally getting close to the truth.

4. You HAVE time. You may have MANY YEARS before you need to act. A good AS program will tell you when you reach that point. Trust them, trust the numbers; just like you do when you get on an airplane.

5. Not everyone is cut out for AS and that's OK... But make sure it's YOUR decision, not some muppet who doesn't have to live with the side effects for the rest of their life.

Above all... IT GETS BETTER, the panic and grief will subside and you will get your life back; apart from a few days every six months. Now go screw your lovely wife/lover bro.

Paul

I was diagnosed 2 years ago with low volume G6 which I had confirmed by Johns Hopkins. I am so happy with my choice and you could not drag me into an operating room, or radiation treatment at this point.

So I'm jumping in to advocate for AS. You should seriously consider it, why face the chance of all those terrible SEs if you don't have to!

Good luck and everyone here will support whatever decision you make.