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Posted 9/1/2006 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
hi

my father was diagnosed two days ago with prostate cancer . he is 66 . thats what prompted me to look for this board . i am new to this but i am gratefull for all the information . my father was in a bit of shock and didnt take on board the important information as gleason score ect . he said she mentioned 12 and 7 . i was with him but he wanted to go in by himself as he was feeling well and did not expect this news . he has to have a bone scan in 3 weeks time so i will ask them these important questions then . he has been complaining of bad headaches lately and i was wondering if these have anything to do with pc . could the 12 be his psa count.

thankyou for your time

petal

Posted 9/1/2006 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hello petal,

The 12 could be a PSA, but it could also be the number of cores taken during the biopsy. In order to really define what your dad's diagnosis is you will have to get the complete testing data: PSA, biopy, Gleason score, bone scan, ultra sound, and DRE results. This may sound a bit overhelming, but acurate data is very important to your research. Good luck, and we will all be here to help you and your Dad in any way we can.

Glen
Posted 9/1/2006 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
thanks glen for your response i will make a note of all

the information you have given me and i will ask the questions and hopefully have a better idea of whats going on . much appreciated.

petal

Posted 9/2/2006 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi petal,
My husband gave me the results to his biopsy a lot like your dad gave them to you. The doctor called him at work and gave them over the phone. All he could tell me was " Well, it's positive. The doc said something about a six, and something about a seven, and wants me to go straight in for a Bone and CT scan before my next appointment."
By now I had done quite a bit of research, and was conversing on this board. I knew already that is PSA was an 11.4 so the numbers I was looking for were the Gleason scores, but he did not recognize that word from the conversation. I could not wait another two weeks for this info, so with my husbands consent, I picked up a copy of the pathology report. From that, I could tell that they took 12 core samples, 5 were positive, and the Gleason for 2 of them was 6 and three of them was 7.
I agree with Glen, the next best thing to actually speaking to the doctor yourself would be to get the results. This would require your father's consent of course, but I'm sure it will be a great help for him to have someone gather this information and make sense of it. This news is quite a blow and can be very hard to digest.

I wish you the best during this very difficult time. Your father is very lucky to have you with him.
Posted 9/3/2006 12:12 AM (GMT 0)

:-)   hi kate

thanks for taking time to answer my post . i have been stressed out as i dont want to wear down my friends ect with this stuff . since i found this board i have found it very reasuring . i have talked about it to my dad and i told him as he is going along with tests ect i will get as much info as possible for him . we are very close as we live beside each other and im the only girl in the family . i am going to chat with his doc on monday to get all the details . my dad is much more positive since i told him stuff other people have gone through on this board . when he got results he taught it was all doom and now he is a bit more positive . he also has a great believe in god which has carried him through his grief as my mam died suddenly 18 months ago . i hope your husband makes a speedy recovery as he is a young man and it must be hard on you all . knowledge is power and i will be reading the post a lot .

thanks and good luck with the treatment

petal

Posted 9/3/2006 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Petal,   I'm glad you found us!!   We will be right here anytime you need us!!   You and your dad are our new friends on the block and we like to share.     So - keep in touch and let us know what's happening at your end.   Okay!!   "GOD Bless You" ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~ It's a little prayer "GOD Bless You"  ... but it means so much each day, It means may angels guard you and guide you on your way.  ~author unknown~   Take care, Lee & Buddy
Posted 9/3/2006 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Petal, be sure your dad tells his doctor that he gives his permission to discuss his health issues with you. I didn't realize that when Jeff first went to the doctor and the nurses wouldn't tell me anything until Jeff gave his permission. just a little something to help you along. this board is wonderful in helping so keep coming back.
Posted 9/3/2006 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Petal,
You're dad is lucky to have you help decipher all the information.

I agree getting all the information is the first step in understanding where you are. Remember prostate cancer is usually the least agressive cancer and most curable. I remember when my wife and I first learned of my condition. PSA=3.5, 12 needle biopsies, 2 positive, 10 negative. My Gleason score was 6. The final comment out of my wifes mouth was doctor: "I am totally confused" and he said thats good. Actually prostate cancer should be renamed prostate condition (personal opinion).

I am 11 days post DaVinci removal of my prostate. I am doing very well, a little incontinence or leakage, but excellent control.

There are a number of excellent websites available for information, please don't hesitate to ask.

We had the procedure completed at St. Lukes Hospital in Bethlehem, PA. Excellent facility with an excellent nursing staff. One thing that worked out very well was the hotel was only a few blocks away for my wife. They provided a significant discount to my wife plus round the clock free shuttle service back and forth to the hospital.
Posted 9/3/2006 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Petal,

To answer your question about headaches...

Just a little personal info from us. Buddy suffered *pain at the base of his head/neck area for about a year that gradually got worses. Once we were diagnosed with PC we asked for something to help with the head/neck pain. Dealing with the pain and the PC diagnosis was a bit much…. So we did get a prescription that we used when the pain got really bad.

He had the usual sinus headaches too!

Surgery on April 3rd and he has not had that type of pain (head/neck ache) since.
*The one at the base of his neck.

Our GP says it had nothing to do with the PC. His prostate was not enlarged but we feel the tumors were probably pushing against a nerve that in turn triggered the pain.

What ever it was that was causing this specific pain is now gone and we are thankful. The prostate is gone and the reports show the cancer was contained within the prostate.
The cancer is gone! And we are on the road to a wonderful day today.

Take care,
Lee & Buddy
Posted 9/3/2006 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Bluebird,

That is quite interesting about the neckpain. I too had the lower neckpain and my doctor said it was not related. They attributed it to stress, or the way I slept. Advil did the trick for the neckpain, sought of a stiff neck type. Came on about three or four times about one month apart, usually after a hard days work. Very interesting.
Ed.
Posted 9/6/2006 1:58 PM (GMT 0)

hi everyone

thankyou all for your kindness and for taking the time to answer my post . all the information you have giving me has giving me the confidence to ask the doctor questions i would not have asked . as i am new to this on my computor (i am usually just on google search) i am delighted to have a connection with other people . i wish you all the best and lee and buddy i am delighted for you both that things are looking up .

best wishes

petal   

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