Gentlemen -- Is Focal Laser Ablation the same procedure as 4-Fraction Spilt-Course Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy? I am strongly inclined to having the latter performed at Massy Cancer...
jetguy -- What were your Gleason scores? Windsor11...
Mishel_s -- I have been told both by medical professionals and other PC victims that there is no generic Cialis or Viagra, hence the high cost. As someone who is preparing to undergo IMRT, I would...
Blue Cross/Blue Shield covers proton. Go figure....
Thanks, 142. Are you familiar with the insurance hesitancy by Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield in covering Calypso? I am told by my radiation oncologist that it is about $4,500 out of pocket but that a...
My sincere apologies for the double posting. I was unaware of the rule. Never again, I promise....
Addendum: Anthem/BC/BS traditionally has not covered Calypso as have other insurance carriers, but exceptions are beginning to pop up. Can anyone provide feedback about this?...
Good evening, gentlemen. I have participated in other threads of this forum, but this seems fitting at this juncture. First, a summary of my status: 60 years old Health otherwise: Excellent April...
Good evening, gentlemen. I have participated in this thread in the past, but now a decision draweth nigh. First, a rehash of my status: 60 years old Health otherwise: Excellent April 2013 PSA: 5.7...
Thanks, TA. Your explanation and analysis gives me comfort. After conducting additional research into proton therapy and reading the threads on this site, I have become reluctant to go that route....
Is anyone familiar with VMAT, a form of IMRT? I am also looking at brachy....
Turp -- Forgive my ignorance, but are you saying that while on AS your scores dropped to the normal, non-cancerous range without any treatment, perhaps due to discrepancies in diagnosis and/or...
You are preaching g to the choir, Walnut....
Here is the response to a post I made on another prostate cancer blog about my own circumstances: . Greetings from Bristol Virginia It is a pleasure to find someone who has done the work you have...
Tall Allen, gunfighter, John T, lotsahope, inchoation, richh, et al. -- Yesterday a neighbor took me to Hampton Proton Therapy Institute, where I was given a tour and spent 30 minutes with the...
That sounds like a good doc to me....
Lotsahope -- Your suggestion makes eminent sense. I too tend to be conservative in these matters. Did you have a traditional biopsy or a 3D, MRI-guided biopsy, as did I? Where was your cancer...
TA -- I have not ruled out AS yet, but because I am on the proverbial cusp I am merely exploring all options. One of my best friends had Zelefsky at MSK for Brady can't say enough good things about...
Good evening, gunfighter -- Surgery does not exactly make me want to turn cartwheels either. That is why I am hopeful radiation treatment in some form is a viable option. My understanding is that I...
gunfighter, richh, tall allen et al. -- Rich, how did your MRI biopsy at Massey go? Gunfighter, Tall Allen and all -- thanks for your concern and assistance. Here aren the rough parameters of my...
Wow! Totally new perspective. But I am certain the urologists here in Richmond, VA, will recommend a radical prostatectomy. Most prostate cancer victims in my range with whom I talked, however, went...
Mine was 45 minutes but the average is 20-30. They tell you one hour simply to prepare you. I had three samples taken. You are in the machine to get the color 3D images. The radiologist has to slide...
Richh -- You will really like Dr. Yu. He is a first-class, experienced prostate radiologist who is very accessible and intensely interested in each patient. He gave me his cell number and email...
Mel -- Are you certain there isn't any way I could either "depledge" or be blackballed from the fraternity? Windsor...
Tall Allen -- Yes, correct, I am a "favorable intermediate risk." My understanding is those of us in this category are blessed in that we have many options, but we are also cursed because we have so...
Dear LAPilot -- Good timing on your message. I just got the preliminary pathology report one hour ago: I do have prostate cancer, and my Gleason Score is a 7, with a 3 + 4, the exact same as yours....
Will do, Mel....
Dear lapilot -- Good advice, but can you give me a few more details as to which other methods I should employ for a proper diagnosis? I am a neophyte with less than two weeks under my belt of...
Tall Allen -- That is precisely that type of procedure I had this morning. The radiologist is well versed in usage of the MP MRI on a 3D machine with the endorectal coil. He even gave me a primer of...
Thanks again, FrackMe. Apparently several oncologists in the Richmond, Virginia, area totally agree with you, as I learned only this evening....
Good grief! I hope not! I believe mine was expedited because the radiologist was too hasty in the assessment he presented me and later realized his mistake. If you are willing, I would love to talk...
Has anyone else been diagnosed with prostate cancer first -- or perhaps only -- biopsied in the transition zone? If so, please share your experiences, opinions and advice. Thank you so much....
Yes, the Massey Cancer Center. Ironically enough, I helped raise buckets of money for Massey. Allow me to be semi-humorous, but now it is time for Massey "to give back" to me, as that wonderful...
Don't get me wrong. I am glad he is proceeding with the MRI biopsy....
With all due respect, I disagree. Why inflict torture until he has definitive biopsy results in hand? I am wired to be a Joe Friday of sorts, a just-the-facts man, not one who takes kindly to...
Dear Frack Me -- Your response is the most reassuring to date. I am by no means a litigious person, but this radiologist caused me much angst. That said, I am concerned about getting well, not going...
Thanks so much. Again, this us helpful. In what region of the prostate was your cancer discovered?...
Thanks, Don. My PSA was 5.7 in early December. The doctor suspected prostatitis, so he put me on a round of Cipro. The good news, I suppose, is that it had dropped to 5.3 two weeks ago. But who...
Ladies & Gentlemen -- After a steadily climbing PSA, I had a "traditional biopsy" in May in which the results were benign. My PSA kept creeping up, however, and so I asked for -- demanded, actually...