Okay, so I have cancer. THAT's different.

Chadman

Chadman

Realist
Forum Member
Apr 2, 2000
7,501
42
48
SW Missouri
I wrestled with the idea about posting this, for a lot of reasons. The main reason I'm posting this is because I know there are a lot of people here who have dealt with a lot of shit, and MadJack's is a wonderful resource of information. That, and I consider many of you my friends, even though we have not officially met in person. So, here is the story...

My doctor called today, and said I have prostate cancer. I am 49 years old, and while not in great shape, I have been very healthy my whole life. I am a good athlete, but do not work out regularly, and drink too much for a concerned adult. The cancer was found in a general checkup by my doctor when he invaded my personal space and found a hard, expanded area when checking my prostate. I had a biopsy experience that did 12 biopsies and in the workup, cancer was found.

The specifics. Let me preface this by saying that when I answered the phone and it was my urologist calling and not the nurse, I knew I was in trouble. The details, from what I remember of the call (I was not thinking clearly after he announced who he was): The cancer is in 2% of my prostrate. This seems very small to me, but, hey, it's cancer. He said some other stuff about where it was found, etc., but none of that was registering with me. After he apologized for the third time about what was happening, I asked what he thought was the best form of treatment for my situation, and he said for someone my age (49) he thought surgery was the best option.

My wife and I are meeting with him a week from now. Funny how that's an expected thing, when you find out you have cancer, huh? But I do understand scheduling, etc. ANYway...

My questions for the group at this naive stage:

1. Surgery sounds like the best option from what I know about the other options of chemo/radiation, etc. It can be precise (sort of) and hopefully get all of the cancer. And you don't have to go through the horrible ramifications of chemo and radiation.

2. Anyone familiar with prostrate cancer? 2% seems VERY small, yet very scary period. Do they have to remove the prostrate completely to make sure things are prevented in the future?

3. Do any of you guys have experience with prostrate cancer? What did you go through?

The other consideration I have is that my COBRA extension of my insurance is ending at the end of November (you JUST can't make this shit up...), and I have to scramble to figure out some kind of insurance (considering my wife is having trouble due to her melanoma issues of the past few years) before going under whatever is ahead of me.

ALL that being said, I am staying positive about this, because there's no point in doing anything else at this point. I'm not posting this to secure sympathy, because I don't think it's necessary at this point. I'm focused on the 2% thing - and thinking that can't be that bad a deal in the big picture.

I would love to hear any information from any of you about any personal experiences with prostrate cancer, and anyone who might have dealt with some serious concerns about unfortunate insurance scenarios - of which I am definitely a part of right now.

Sorry for the rant. I'm not looking for sympathy. I'm looking for some answers, so I can get this taken care of and move on into the next wonderful stage of my life. Thanks for listening...
 
the addict

the addict

BI-WINNING
Forum Member
Oct 9, 2009
13,034
116
0
39
PA proud
takes a lot too be able too talk about this chadman. I have a grandma who has dealt with breast cancer, but I cant help much with prostrate advice. What I can do however is tell you i wish you the best, and stay positive friend, for this is only a bump in the road in which you will fly past!!!! You are a person who I have never met, but I will have you and your family in my prayers since you shared this with us.

Stay positive and keep on it! you will beat this man have faith!
 
vinnie

vinnie

la vita ? buona
Forum Member
Sep 11, 2000
59,163
212
0
Here
I have a friend who is a cardiologist get my e-mail addy from Jack if you want.

I can have him talk to the urologists at the hospital if you want another opinion.

Good Luck !
 
dogface

dogface

Registered STUD
Forum Member
Feb 13, 2000
2,719
22
0
55
Minnesota
I am no expert in this field, and as per your request will not offer the sympathy, but will state my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I hopped on the internet, as I am sure you have as well, and found this from the National Cancer Institute:

Many Prostatectomy Patients Face Low Risk of Prostate Cancer Death

Adapted from the NCI Cancer Bulletin, vol. 6/no. 16, August 11, 2009 (see the current issue).

The first large-scale, multi-institution study of prostate cancer mortality since prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) screening has become widely used found that men who undergo prostatectomy have a very high chance of surviving at least 15 years. Among nearly 13,000 patients with a median age of 61, prostate cancer mortality was 12 percent, compared with 38 percent from all causes, according to a July 27, 2009 report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Researchers developed a risk assessment tool to determine each patient's risk of death from prostate cancer according to various clinical factors (such as PSA score) and analysis of the tumor characteristics at biopsy (Gleason score). When patients were stratified into 4 groups according to their calculated risk, 73 percent were in the lowest quartile with only a 5 percent risk of death, and only 2 percent were in the highest quartile with a 38 percent risk.

So many men faced such a low risk, wrote lead author Dr. Andrew J. Stephenson of the Cleveland Clinic, that "potentially many of these patients may have had a similarly low risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality had they received no treatment." The authors observed that "in the United States, only 2 percent of patients younger than 65 years choose active surveillance," with most opting for radiation and/or surgery. The study did not compare radical prostatectomy with other forms of treatment.

Cases diagnosed more recently had a better outcome, perhaps reflecting more effective prostate screening and treatment methods in recent years, the authors noted. Other factors, such as PSA velocity and body-mass index, had no statistically significant relationship with risk.

As for the most aggressive cancers, the authors acknowledged "the difficulty in identifying patients at substantially increased risk based on clinical factors alone," and called for the development of "novel markers specifically associated with the biology of lethal prostate cancer."
Click to expand...

It seems on this study that the surgery improved the mortality rates, which is exactly the response you would likte to hear!

dogface
 
U

UGA12

Registered User
Forum Member
Jul 7, 2003
7,774
108
63
Between The Hedges
Best of luck man, I can tell you are a strong willed person and will come through this fine. This is something that no one should have to deal with, thank god it was found early.
 
saint

saint

Go Heels
Forum Member
Jan 10, 2002
9,501
140
63
Balls Deep
I am working tomorrow in the OR and am friends with a great urologist there. If I don't see him tomorrow afternoon I will see him Friday in all likelihood. I'll ask him some of the questions you mentioned.

Did he say it was in 2% or that it was stage 2 cancer?

I'm a firm believer that the mind is extremely powerful and has a lot of control over the body. Being positive will go a long way, but also actual visualization of your body fighting the cancer, etc. Amazing things can be done I really feel you can will your body to do extraordinary things.

Will add you to our prayers, so sorry to hear.
 
Last edited:
bleedingpurple

bleedingpurple

Registered User
Forum Member
Mar 23, 2008
22,388
227
63
51
Where it is real F ing COLD
Sorry to hear this Chad,

I am a nurse and have cared for people with prostate cancer. I am assuming your cancer is a Stage 1 cancer. Stage 1 cancers are very curable, especially for prostate.

The fact that they do not suggest radiation is a very good sign.. If your prostate only has 2 % then I believe that they will just take that out and a little bit of the surrounding tissue but it has been a few years.. Always new treatments and philosophies.

It is a good thing that you had a a prostate exam done. Anyoe reading this should have one done yearly after 40 years old.. IT SAVES LIVES!!

Did they do a PSA blood test as well? This will be important for your follow up as an elevated PSA is a sure sign of Prostate Ca.

My advice.. You live in Minnesota and maybe you want to have a second opinion form the Mayo.. They are suppose to be the best in the country. Also, I think they have programs for people who have no or poor insurance.. So I would definitely talk to the oncology department there. I will talk to my buddy tomorrow as he had to deal with his wife being there a couple years ago.

At this point it is just a wait and see until you talk to the doc next week. I wish he would of told you more.

Hang in there bud..
 
P

PRO190

Guest
Chadman :
You know we are all with You!
49 and Many Many More!!
 
gardenweasel

gardenweasel

el guapo
Forum Member
Jan 10, 2002
40,575
226
63
"the bunker"
sounds pretty good to me chad.....i`d go with the surgery....i`ve read than many prostate cancers are slow growing....that a large percentage of men 70 and over have some degree of protate malignancy but something else gets them long before the cancer...

i`m going to the urologist friday.....i`ll ask him a bout your situation...if you get any more specifics(psa # etc) post it before friday and i`ll get as much info as i can....

i think you`ll do just fine...smart man getting a regular check-up....

g.l.,dude...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Bet on MyBookie
Top