Gettin' Personal

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Bolt Turner
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Feb 14, 2013
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Hey guys,

Last month I was diagnosed with stage one prostate cancer. It was found by chance during a routine checkup. My PSA level was a little high, so my Dr. sent me to a urologist. He performed a biopsy. This was one of the most humilating days of my life. With no anesthesia, he went there and pulled out 12 samples. One of the 12 looked suspicious so I was sent for an MRI. This photographed my prostate in 3D. From there they were able to see the entire prostate and noticed 3 areas that looked suspicious. Then another biopsy was taken. This time 6-10 were taken from the 3 areas. Thank GOD they provided anesthesia. I received the results from the 3 spots on Jan 18. Two of the 3 were nothing to worry about but the 3rd was positive. My urologist gave me 3 options. Watchful Waiting which they will perform more biopsys twice a year and see if it grows. Radiation beams or Seeds and Surgery. I was then scheduled to see a surgeon and a radiologist. Iin late January, I met with the surgeon. The guy was a total jerk. So I did a little homework and found another surgeon and am scheduled to see him next week. In the mean time, last week I met an Oncologist. I have never felt more comfortable. He explained the processes very well as well as the side effects. This has been eating me alive so I have been trying to stay busy. I am getting this out there so maybe you guys will go and get yourself checked. Prostate cancer effects 1 in 7 men and is the 2nd leading cause of death in males. My dad had it when he was 70. I am 45. I always knew I would probably get it, just not this soon. I know I'll survive but I will never be the same.

Please do yourself, family and friends here a favor and get yourself checked.

Regards,
Steve
 
yes hoping for the best also. sucks you having to deal with this at such a young age.
seems like when us older guys get it, we generally die of old age or some thing...
I would take my time and talk to plenty of doctors before reaching a plan.....
 
thoughts & prayers sent,, I had my 1st prostrate 2 x exam last year, md sent me to a specialist with concerns, specialist says 95 % of men have the same symptoms, my blood was good so move on.

I'm going back soon for a physical & cancer screening-- runs deep in the family..

stay strong ,Lawrence
 
I had mine removed over 4 years ago. Mine was a lot more involved then yours, and my doctor wanted to remove it. He did give me the option of wait and see too. Check out all the different treatments, and ask about the long term prognosis for each. That 12 needle biopsy is a bear! I went through 4 of them before they found the cluster. It was not a pleasant recovery, you'll have a catheter for a couple of weeks and they are very uncomfortable after the first week. Get it treated, I have a friend dying of it now, he is on chemo and fighting. I don't mean to scare you, do the research and do what is best for you. That very well could be watchful waiting. On the up side I'm doing well. My PSA is unmeasurable and I go back once a year for tests. I have a cousin and two friends that are also in great shape after having it. If you decide to have it operated on get the best surgeon you can find, it makes a big difference!!!!!
 
Sorry to read Steve, I had a checkup done a few years ago.
Valentines Day is coming up, maybe Lori can give me the "home style" checkup??
 
I am going through the same thing right now.
I talked about it in another posting around Christmas time.
I opted for the radiation Iodine-125 seed implants, for my treatment.
That was done on Dec. 19, so I'm pretty much half way thru the treatment for the activity of the pellets, before they loose their strength and deteriorate.

Ya, that biopsy sure is a *****.
Didn't like that one bit at all.
I blacked out after snip #4, and didn't remember snip 5 to 12.

I'm 62, and my PSA levels went up during the past 2-3 years, before the positive biopsy.

Jim V.
 
best wishes to you and sorry to read about all this.

Its similar to those of us on the other side of the gender fence with breast cancer. Nothing more violating than a doctor you don't even know putting his cold hands on and you rubbing and prodding you, But its worth it because cancer of any kind is nothing to mess with.

Think happy mopar thoughts and stay strong and get through it.
 
Thoughts and prayers for you Steve. I'm 57, and my PSA was slightly elevated at my last check up a few weeks ago. I have my yearly appointment with my Urologist coming up soon, so I'll see what he says when I get there.
 
My mom had cervical cancer. Doctors recommended radiation and chemo.

It came back on her within a year. She second guessed if she should have had the surgery or not.

She lost the second round last June....


Just something to think about. Maybe the surgery could have cut it clean out and it wouldn't have come back....
 
Sorry to hear about that Steve. Looks like they caught it early, and it is survivable. Probably need to get checked myself. Been a year or two. Get well soon.
 
4spdragtop said:
Now Im worried if I ever need a biopsy....Why can't they knock you out for it?
Click to expand...

When i had to have my biopsy done, i asked that very same question, to the person that was going to do the "procedure" to me.
They just said it wasn't done, and didn't explain any further.

But, a buddy of mine had to have a biopsy done, and he insisted to being knocked out, and the medical personal complied with his request.

So i guess it can be done, if you really insist on it.

I can tell you this much, if they ever they tell me that i hafta go in for another biopsy, for whatever reasons, i am going to insist on being knocked out with the sleeping pills, or something.

After all, the dentist knocks me out, when i got root canals done, so why not for prostate biopsy's.
 
hemi71x said:
After all, the dentist knocks me out, when i got root canals done, so why not for prostate biopsy's.
Click to expand...


My dentist never knocked me out for a root canal.... :finga:

I knew he was a d!ck.... :tool:
 
Steve, first all the best and thinking of you. Thanks for sharing, it aint easy. Ive had five surgeries my self not cancer related but i get my PSA checked annually due to me problems in the past. The P.S.A work up isnt perfect there is alot of false possitives. So, yes get a good exam and i say demand if you have to for more tests. Its a very nerving word to hear Cancer.....Being in the healthcare field for 25 years i still hate the word. Im glad you shared, as guys i think we shrug off a little to much and not get checked out when we should. Dont know if its being stubborn, proud or crazy. It is something us guys need to be awhere of .Prayers your way. Edd / N.M
 
I want to thank you ALL for the positive thoughts and prayers! Good luck to all my Mopar brothers out there going thru the same thing. I just figured I got to get this out there as a heads up to everybody. It's a funny thing, you hear people say "I always thought it happens to other people". Let me tell you, it can happen to ANYONE at any age.

I'll keep you updated on my decision and the progress along the way in this thread.
Thanks again everyone,
Steve
 
Well here we are. 12May15. The day before surgery. No solid foods, only clear liquids today. In 30 mins I'll have to drink the Magnesium solution to empty my system. and before bedtime, I'll do yet another enema! This is the 4th one since I started all this! I HATE THOSE THINGS! That is an EXIT, not an entrance! LMAO

I've had my ups and downs since 18Jan. I know things are going to be fine. I have an awesome surgeon and the surgery should take about 2.5 hours. Te surgery is called Da Vinci. The Surgeon will make 3 small incisions in my abdomen area. One for the camera, and two for the robot arms. He will perform the surgery from across the room in a console. My doctor said this was created for astronauts -in the event that one may need surgery while in outer space as it wasn't cost effective so send a Dr. in outer space. The endeavor was ditched due to the lag time. The patient could bleed to death before the surgery was complete.

Since I found out, I feel like I've aged 10 years. I've been involved with a support group and have spoke to many others who have gone thru the same situation. I even spoke to a fella at church who's situation was much worse. He had throat cancer a year earlier. He had his prostate removed in Jan and now is going thru radiation treatments because the cancer had spread beyond his prostate. Some of those I spoke to have prostate cancer and have chosen the watchful waiting choice. This wouldn't work for me. I have to have it out -at least for peace of mind.

The best part of this experience is no work for 4 weeks! Whoop Whoop! More time for Ugly Betty!
But seriously, I wouldn't wish this on anyone. If you haven't gotten yourself checked, please do so soon.
I will keep you guys updated as I go. Prayers accepted! :D

as always,
Stay Tuned...
 
Good luck
Was told all men will get it if they live long enough, not a comforting thought

My dad had seed implant and it did the job, but make sure you get health checkup EVERY YEAR to make sure you stay health and if you have concerns check it out.
 
Thanks for sharing your story with us. I've always worried about my heart. Never thought much about my prostate.
I will pray that all goes well for you.
 
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