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Posted 11/2/2006 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Group,

Just got back from 1st post-op visit....got Foley out....Wow, wonderful. Now have to work on continence.

Other news not as good----
Gleason went from a 7 (pro-op biopsy) to 9; involvement went from T1a to T3a. There were some positive margins.

Anyone here with similar history>>?? Would love to hear about options. We go back in about 4 weeks to meet with other MD's.

Thanks folks.
Posted 11/2/2006 11:37 PM (GMT 0)

Hi dreadnought,

Glad you got Foley out!!!! The continence will soon follow.

Sorry to hear about the change in your Gleason and staging.  As Bluebird has said, there are many different journeys and stepping stones for all of us.  Although your's is not the best news, it certainly isn't the worst.  It just means a few more steps than some of us and less than others.  I mentioned on another thread about another website called yananow.net  You can find a lot of experience and help at this website also.  There are others there with similar histories who have written about their treatments and are willing to answer your questions.

We'll continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers dreadnought and are sending hugs your way.

Sincerely,

Posted 11/3/2006 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Dreadnought,

Sounds a lot like my experience so far.... see my thread John ~ strength in numbers. I just hope your next appt. goes better then my last one did. My surgeon sent me to a radiation doctor and it turns out he might have been having a real bad day... at least I hope that explains his attitude. I have an appt. with an oncologist on the 13th.

Well I hope you and I can find some doctors and answers we need, it is no fun having those little pesky cancer cells floating around in our bodies. I am convinced we can fight and win.... we may need to work together and share our trials and tribulations but with the help of our family, friends, and the fabulous people here on this blog we will get the job done.

My surgery was Sept. 7th so I have whipped the incontinence and have had my foley out for several weeks but it had it's moments I assure you, don't give up.

Hopefully your PSA will go all the way to zero..... my hasn't yet 0.22 now. Positive margins are scary I know but they may have gotten it all. You will be in my and my families prayers also.

John
Posted 11/3/2006 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dreadnought,

There are several options available to you, and they are very successful therapies. I am not as knowledgeable as I would like to be so I will defer to Swimom who has done extensive research in the other treatment options. In the mean time work to build up your strength to speed up the recovery process. I wish you the very best in the up coming doctor's meeting. Please keep us posted when you can.

Glen
Posted 11/3/2006 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Dread,
Gosh that's not quite the good news we had hoped for. It isn't the worst either so hang in there. Right now we'll all pray for a low PSA.
Posted 11/3/2006 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Guys,
Thanks for the quick replies. I am not really discouraged. However, like many of you, I had in mind that the surgeon would just go in, do the procedure, cut out the cancer, and I would be back to normal in 6 months. It just may take a little longer now to whip this.......but whip it I will, rest assured.

I will check back often for info and comments.

Thanks, friends.
Posted 11/3/2006 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Dread. We're there with you. Thought we'd breeze in, get it out, and be done. Not so. Waited anxiously for first PSA after a very serious upgrade. It did fortunately come back as undetectable even with what we knew to be a few escaped cells into fatty tissue. Just two days ago, the doc throws out bladder neck involvement and, now, a 30%-50% chance of return. And the hits just keep on coming.

However, because PSA is undetectable, he does not recommend anything other than a six-month check. In know Jeb/John is having to seek more aggressive options. And Sterd (where are you) is also in a similar boat.

Your next steps will likely be based on the PSA numbers. Another waiting period for that testing, but then you'll know where you stand. Hang in there.
Posted 11/3/2006 2:46 PM (GMT 0)

Hey dread,

They say these little setbacks build character. We should all be fortified by the support of those around us. Seek out the best in what your hear and read and see and have faith that all will turn out well. My best to you.

Posted 11/7/2006 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dread. My husband had one area of positive margin, but our Gleason score remained a 6. We are waiting to do the the PSA levels and see what that shows. If you had the nerve sparing surgery done, which is typical, they take very little margin to begin with. Hopefully what he cut out is where the cancer ended. That's what we're hoping for. In your case, since the cancer was more aggressive, they may use the option of doing some kind of scan. Our Dr. told us that although he didn't think that was warrented for us, if the PSA is elevated and we'd feel more at ease doing a scan before radiation, he'll do it. I would say research all you can, and be very proactive. You are your best advocate.

becky
Posted 11/12/2006 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Partial Quote from Corley *Dreadnought 11-11 Thread: Online Pharmacies

I’m placing it here so we can continue this journey……



Hello Friends,
I went back to work this week......got a little fatigued but worked 4 days and am resting on this Veteran's Day holiday. I found that I tended to "leak" a little more when I got tired or when I was distracted by daily duties, but I am working hard to get back to normal. I check the forum each day and find it a wonderful community of supportive folks.



Hi Corley,

Not sure how I missed this new Thread… but I did!! And I hope you don’t mind that I brought your 11-11 posting above over here ~ so we can continue to be with you on your journey.

I’m so glad Mr. Hang is out and hope things are going well in your continence recovery/healing. It does take time!! And now you’re back to work… only 15 days after surgery…… Please don’t over do it…. You are still healing….. Good that it was only a 4 day week!!

Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you as you research your options for future treatment. Thank you for continuing to share your journey. I know I’ve been reading in my Dr. Walsh’s book but it is 5 years old and new things are happening every~day.

Take care and know we care,

Lee & her Buddy
Posted 11/12/2006 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Bluebird (Lee and her Buddy),
It is great to hear from you. Thanks for the advice......I took it easy Friday and went down to my hunting club Saturday.....just sat around, ate lunch, and enjoyed the fellowship.
I am amazed at how good I feel, but realize that I am still healing and have to say no to my normal instincts, which tell me to go and do normal things.

We are waiting to go back to MD in late November for options. I must confess that I don't look forward to radiation, which appears to be the most likely recommendation. I hope that by early next year I will have returned to normal activity, both at work and "home," and that I will have gotten control of the continence issus.

Then, to have radiation, which can undo all the work and effort to get back to a normal life........well, I will hush. I am not complaining, just rambling.

Thanks for the input. I would still love to know what to expect.
Posted 11/13/2006 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
dreadnought,

I go in tomorrow to see oncologist to discuss hormone and chemo or hormone alone therapies. It is a clinical study that allows radiation too. I don't know what to expect but I guess I'll find out.


Keep the chin up and hang in there we can lick this.

John
Posted 11/13/2006 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
Thoughts and prayers with you tomorrow John.

Swim
Posted 11/17/2006 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
dreadnought and swimom,

Thanks for your prayers, as you may have read on other of my threads my latest PSA came back 0.2 again and I qualify for the study. Start hormone and chemo or hormone alone the 28th of November, just by terrible cooincidence it is also our 26th wedding anniversary. I told my wife I was taking her somewhere real nice.... the hospital for my first treatment.... I told her my hormones would really be flowing that day too. She is really excited I can tell. (If we can't laugh we will cry.) This study will allow radiation too if and when we need it.

Best of luck dreadnought on your appointment, let us know as soon as possible. Our prayers are with you too.

John
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