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Posted 9/8/2007 6:16 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Everyone,  I just joined this chat room and this is my first time using chat.  My friend was telling me about chat rooms for help, sooooo here is my question? We just found out last week my husband has prostate cancer.  The doctor gave us some reading material and told us to read up on the options then we would meet again for a consult on 9/18/07 for further discussion.  He did not want to give us his opinion at that time because he wanted us to decide what treatment we felt was best for us before he had a chance to influence our decision. After reading everything we could get our hands on and all the contradictory findings on each procedure we are now confused.  Does anyone have any personal experiences to help us better understand?  They all seem to have side effects and yet all the percentages seem to vary so.  We are based on what we have read leaning towards the seed implant or prostectomy.  He is in early stage cancer and it has not spread outside the prostate.  We did not ask what the Gleason score was, but we will find out on the 9/18 visit.  Thank you all.

P.S. Hope I did alright on my first chat.

Posted 9/8/2007 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome! My husband and I are at about the same point, just a little ahead of you in terms of getting the news and researching options. You'll find (as you're finding already) that there is no "right" choice but rather multiple choices that will give essentially the same results with differing side effects. My husband's doctors believe his cancer has not spread outside the prostate, so he is considering robotic surgery and brachytherapy (seeds) and leaning toward the latter choice at this point. At first he felt he'd be more comfortable with surgery, knowing the prostate was removed, but then realized there's never really a guarantee that every last cancer cell was removed during surgery. It's a tough decision. The best advice is to read everything you can lay your hands on, as you are doing, and make a decision that you and your husband are most comfortable with.
Posted 9/8/2007 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thank You Mike's Wife for your input. We are also leaning towards the brachytherapy as our first choice and surgery as our second, depending on what the doctor's advice is also.
Posted 9/8/2007 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cherfd,

I certainly wish you and your husband didn't have to be here, but you've come to the right place. there are so many factors involved in making the right treatment choice that without knowing more details specific to your husbands Rx we are flying blind. The only thing that I'm confident in saying is that regardless of the procedure; it is imperative your choice is the most experienced physician you can get.

All the other details: age, physical condition, PCa stage, and personal preference will factor into your decision. Please post as much detailed information as you can.

Glen
Posted 9/8/2007 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thank You for the reply, spinbiscuit.  I hope I am replying to the messages correctly. I am assuming you mean the gleason score or further information on the actual report status. When I have that I will post.  Thank You again.

Posted 9/8/2007 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Cherfd,

That is correct, and it will help us all to respond in greater detail. Till then good luck to both you and your husband, and as tough as it may seem don't let all this overwhelm you.

Glen
Posted 9/8/2007 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Quote from Cherfd ~ on a different (new) thread... helping to keep this information together. 

I guess I left out a few detail, sorry.  My husband is 52 in good health otherwise works out regularly, hikes and quit smoking almost 2 years ago.  His PSA score before the biopsy was 8.3.  The biopsy report (which he didn't get a copy of) stated that out of 12-14 core sample (if I am using the proper terminology) only 1 had signs of cancer and it was 5%.  I don't know if this in an average of bad or good outcomes.  I only know the doctor said that the prostate should be taken care of or removed completely.  I hope this helps some. 

Thank You again, appreciate any replies.

Posted 9/8/2007 7:29 PM (GMT 0)

   You did fine for the first post.  A little info as to your husbands age and diagnosis numbers such as number of positive biopsy cores, psa, gleason....will help everyone understand your situation a little better.

    If you go back a few pages and find "KW's Journey" you will see that I am one of the few that have had a lot of trouble with incontenance after RRP (Radical Retropubic Prostectomy) surgery.  But I have had all 0.00 PSA's post op, the ED functions are getting better with and without Viagra.  I have no pains or other problems.  Over all I can not complain.  The incontenance is not pleasant to deal with but I'm workin on it. 

    You and your husband need to read info, talk to others, get second / third opinions.  Ask your Dr. how much time you can take to make your decision.  Overall...make the decision that is right for you.  Then go after it with all you have!

    Good Luck..

Posted 9/8/2007 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ~ Cherfd & Loved Ones, A "Special" Warm Welcome to You! This is truly a great forum!!! ~ "You" have joined! You are now part of our forum family ~ a group of wonderful individuals who are so willing to share their journey. Thank you for joining all of us on this road to HealingWell….. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER... and POWER conquers fear * bluebird ~ Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/mamabluebird1955/mamabluebirdWelcome.jpg (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open! Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) Prostate Cancer Resources, Helpful Hints, and Topic Thread Links https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=52996 (Located at the top of page 1,2,3… 65,67… on the Prostate Forum : ) Invitation to New Members… Welcome to HealingWell (Special Request) https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=902976 I hope this message comes through clearly ~ I'm traveling and the settings are "funky" here!!!  Stay close ~ okay... In New Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy edit to activate links
Posted 9/8/2007 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Cherfd,

If you can get ahold of the latest edition of Dr. Walsh's book on Prostrate Cancer, I think it will help you with your decision process.
So many things to consider:  other health issues, age, life expectancy in your husband's family, any insurance or funding limitations, side effects of treatment options, ... ,
so many things that only the patient can consider properly.

I recommend that after you do your research and make a decision with your doctor, then
     you make another appointment with another physician in
     the most respected medical facility you can access to review
     your decision and to discuss any options or factors you may have overlooked.
I cannot stress enough how important this second opinion can be, even if it just endorses your original decision.

 
Please keep in mind, you will find the many (sensitive and intelligent and informed) women here in this forum can help you with ANY relational issue that comes to your mind.

Feel free to ask questions or just let us know how you feel.  You are among friends.
Also, when you have time, look through the Helpful Hints thread at the top of the page.
After you open it, scroll down several postings and you will see that Ms. Bluebird has indexed the members' journeys and other topics.  These postings can inform and spark questions that you can ask your physician and/or the members here.

CCedar
ICTHUS!


Posted 9/8/2007 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
I am 50 years old.  PSA 4.1 Gleason 3+3.  Had HDR brachytherapy 8/7/07.  Two days in the hospital, four treatments.  Home 2nd day at 1:00 am.  Have had no side effects outside of some urinary urgency, and a little more frequent than before.  No problem with E.D.  Take cialis three times a week, but will discontinue after 3 months.  Am told will dissipate in time. My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer three days after me.  She is half way done with her chemo and then will deal with six weeks of radiation and a year of herceptin and tamoxifen.  I feel like my situation is much more manageble then hers.  I think brachy was a great choice given the ****ed up situation we are all in. Am hoping for a nice gradual decline in PSA, and am expecting to live a long life.  Good luck to you. 

Posted 9/8/2007 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
mijac001, Thank You for your reply.  I am still trying to figure out how to use the features of this chat site.  I hope this gets to you.  As stated in my previous post brachytherapy is our first choice so far, the only thing that bother's me is there is no long term studies-have you heard anything?  Was it explained to you what happens to the seeds after all the contents was displaced?  As far as I understande it is between 40 and 120 pellets, so to speak and they are metal. Is that correct?

Thank You for your reply again, and my heart goes out to you both, I hope you both have a speeding and sucessful recovery.

Posted 9/8/2007 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
A nice website to visit for personal experiences www.yananow.net

Posted 9/8/2007 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
You can copy and paste this link into your browser. It is a discusion of the differences between temporary and permanent seeds.
I did HDR or temporary. Catheters are placed directly into the prostate through the perinium, a high dose of radiation is injected and then removed. This was done four times over two days. Permanent seeds are what I believe you are referring to. Seeds are implanted in much the same way, but only once and remain, giving a low dose of radiation over time. I wouldn't be concerned about the seeds. They dissolve over time. e-mail me if you like: (edit)

http://www.jmp.org.in/article.asp?issn=0971-6203;year=2006;volume=31;issue=4;spage=239;epage=241;aulast=Das

edit: Click here to activate e-mail: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=837307   Communicating with members via.... HW web-based e-mail **

Click here..>  bluebird ~ prostate forum moderator.  I will be happy to relay e-mail address. 

Post Edited By Moderator (bluebird) : 9/9/2007 9:15:05 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/8/2007 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Cherfd. Sorry about your hsuband's diagnosis. All of us here have faced the same questions you gys are. A good start is Dr Walsh's book, as Cedar already recommended. Also, go to the top of the Prostate forum and click on Bluebird's "helpful hints and threads." You'll get a lot of information about how others' made their choices and threads devoted to different treatments. Mine's not in the list yet, but if you go back a few pages on the forum directory, you'll find it -- Puget's Passage. I chose robotic surgery and have done well. Stay with us as you begin your PCa journey. Godspeed.

puget
Posted 9/13/2007 6:11 PM (GMT 0)

Cherfd:

"Welcome" for lack of a better word.  My husband opted for Brachytherapy - if you have ANY questions, please don't hesitate to ask - there is no such thing as an "embarrassing" question here - we'd rather you be fully informed when making such a decision.

Posted 9/13/2007 10:22 PM (GMT 0)

Cherfd,

Welcome, welcome, welcome. I am new here, too. But I have found so much love and kindness in the postings.

The choice on "what to do" is up to you and your husband. My advise is to read, consult with several doctors, and pray. You will make the right choice.

Speaking as a patient, my wife was a key factor for me. Her love, understanding, and care made everything so much easier. You will find that so many things in life will lose there importance as you both travel down this path together. Faith and love will bring you through. Good luck. You are in our prayers.

War Eagle to all.

Posted 9/13/2007 11:16 PM (GMT 0)

Since you are choosing YOUR way to becoming a PCa survivor, I'm glad you found this site - lots of good info and support here.

As to the treatment choice, you must decide what your parameters are for the invasiveness of the treatment and what side effects you are willing to accept, then research, research, research.  I felt I had caught my Pca early - I wanted no part of surgery, was concerned with migration of seeds and its possible urinary problems - that left external radiation.  Since I was going to take the 2 months required for this I choose proton over IMRT/IGRT as in research the side effects appeared less.

Wishing you good luck in the treatment that best suits YOU.

Dutch 

Posted 9/13/2007 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
I could be wrong, but I don't recall anyone saying that they had made the wrong treatment choice.  The choice that you make will be based on your priorities and taking into account age, profession, general condition, etc. so the choice that you make will no doubt be the right one.  No one here will ever tell you that you should have known the answer to a question that you have asked, but if you have the time (and it will take some time) you can read back over the posts and you will find a wealth of information re treatments, effects, side-effects, things you can or can't, should or shouldn't do and on and on.  Read and digest, but our individual knowledge varies greatly about medical stuff and we are here because we are patients or, like you, a spouse of a patient.  My surgery will be three weeks from today and I have learned so much from these great people and, as I get closer and think of more questions, I will be learning more pre-surgery and will no doubt have a lot more questions afterward.  If we were all the same one person could describe his experience and that would do it for everyone, but it doesn't work that way.  I've said it before and here  it is again:  it's always your turn to talk and no one will interrupt, talk slow or fast but it will always come out just the way that you want it, or you can just stand back and listen, you can drop in anytime day or night and it's always the perfect time and you'll be sitting down with friends and family.  Enough said, and it's back to the weather radar for me.  GTM
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