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Post by Taildragger on Nov 8, 2023 20:02:55 GMT -5
So far its Tequila Rob 1 Cancer 0...i feel lucky and blessed. It aint over...with cancer it never is, but so far so good....even though my sex life is basically done I'm still alive...but I feel like I got my money's worth You got that right, Rob. My mom died a painful death from cancer that was diagnosed too late. I wouldn't wish what she went through on my worst enemy. Continued good luck to you!
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Vman
Wholenote
Posts: 194
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Post by Vman on Nov 8, 2023 20:04:54 GMT -5
TD - Glad the procedure went well.
Thoughts and prayers for good news heading your way.
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Post by Riff Twang on Nov 8, 2023 20:15:38 GMT -5
Best wishes for a positive outcome.
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Post by LeftyMeister on Nov 8, 2023 20:15:52 GMT -5
6, prayers from someone who’s been there.
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Tequila Rob
Wholenote
Posts: 683
Formerly Known As: Guitar Fool
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Post by Tequila Rob on Nov 8, 2023 20:23:20 GMT -5
So far its Tequila Rob 1 Cancer 0...i feel lucky and blessed. It aint over...with cancer it never is, but so far so good....even though my sex life is basically done I'm still alive...but I feel like I got my money's worth You got that right, Rob. My mom died a painful death from cancer that was diagnosed too late. I wouldn't wish what she went through on my worst enemy. Continued good luck to you! Thanks TD...They've made soo much progress in cancer treatment...not like it was 50 years ago when my Dad died from it, and 40 years ago when my mother did...it was brutal, and you got a first hand look at it....
there were 10 of us scheduled for the procedure that day..i was maybe 5th or 6th in line...one of the guys didnt make it and died during the procedure...and as I was in pre OP, I could hear his wife in one of the other rooms balling her eyes out...it was pretty scary...I was able to find a support group on line that was a huge moral boost....attitude is everything
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.....look forward to hearing about your results!
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Post by Taildragger on Nov 10, 2023 13:39:39 GMT -5
My biopsy results: 3 of 22 cores positive for malignancy Gleason Score: 6 To put that in perspective: www.pcf.org/about-prostate-cancer/diagnosis-staging-prostate-cancer/gleason-score-isup-grade/My urologist recommends that we monitor it: check PSA in 6 months and possibly another biopsy in a year. I would've been happier with BPH, but if it had to be cancer, this is the best news possible: the malignancy is small and low-grade/non-aggressive. At age 75, despite my being in generally robust health, something was bound to go wrong sooner or later. Will continue to follow own advice: "do what you can with what you have left". So if your urologist recommends a biopsy, fellahs, it's a good idea to take his advice. I would've had no idea that there is malignancy if I had blown off the biopsy recommendation: I have experienced no symptoms whatsoever. Armed with the information revealed by the biopsy, I'm more likely to have a chance to take appropriate, effective action should the situation deteriorate further.
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Tequila Rob
Wholenote
Posts: 683
Formerly Known As: Guitar Fool
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Post by Tequila Rob on Nov 11, 2023 9:28:25 GMT -5
Excellent news sir!
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Vman
Wholenote
Posts: 194
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Post by Vman on Nov 11, 2023 9:46:47 GMT -5
Good news TD. Sounds like a good follow up plan too.
Take care!
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Post by rickyguitar on Nov 11, 2023 12:56:35 GMT -5
Praying for a great outcome bro.
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Post by Taildragger on Nov 11, 2023 13:00:58 GMT -5
Thanks, men.
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Post by Laker on Nov 11, 2023 16:18:29 GMT -5
ingers crossed. So...how was the biopsy procedure? Not bad at all. I was kind of dreading it, given that I've never had one done before (not to mention the relative sensitivity of the area involved). Most people don't want people messin' with their junk. When the anaesthesiologist dropped by before they rolled me into the room where the procedure was done, I just told him to put me in a place where I'd be unaware of what was going on, which is exactly what he did: once I was in dreamland, they injected "the area" with a local and then did the procedure, which only took about 20 minutes. It was literally, "OK, we're going to give you something that will make you feel sleepy" and, next thing I knew, "All done." I felt nothing and don't remember anything that happened. I guess there can be some unpleasant after effects: burning sensation when you urinate, blood in your urine, difficulty urinating because the prostate swells and exerts pressure on the urethra, minimal (1%) chance of infection and so on, but I've had none of that (knock on wood) as of this evening. I even walked the dogs a couple of hours after. I'm just not supposed to do anything strenuous for 2 or 3 days. I have a low threshold of pain and don't like invasive procedures, but (at least so far) I found this to be less unpleasant than an annual check-up DRE (digital rectal exam). If my experience was typical, I would recommend it to anyone who has an elevated PSA and/or other indications that there could be a cancer. About 6 weeks or so ago, I had an MRI, and that looked OK, but the urologist had felt something during the DRE that preceded it which, along with a family history of prostate cancer, caused him to suggest the MRI and biopsy. Having this done is a small price to pay for knowing with greater certainty whether or not there's anything malignant in there. Hoping that the biopsy results are good. Four years ago I was diagnosed having prostate cancer with a Gleason score of seven and was told six and under indicates the cancer is contained(?). I was given the list of options for treatment and opted for a robotic prostatectomy because there is a reduced chance for injuring nerves etc. My PSA is checked every six months and in the last 24 months it has gone from less than .01 to .09; not bad but an indicator there will be further treatment. Recovery to normal life was a couple of months wearing an absorbent pad until those kegels were retrained and all is absolutely normal now. Now, someone told me I was lucky that I wasn’t treated with radiation the first time because I couldn’t be radiated a second time. Does anyone know if that’s a fact? I’m looking at radiation in the future as the PSA keeps creeping upward. As far as the biopsy went. For me it was lose the clothing and lay on my side on a gurney with my butt aimed at the doctor. I was told the biopsy is taken through the “opening” found at that location and it would feel like someone was snapping me with a rubber band. I think it took about 15 minutes as they took six “plugs” out of each side of the prostate. It was no big deal and no side/after effects at all.
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Post by samspade on Nov 11, 2023 16:49:14 GMT -5
Hope all goes well!
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Post by Taildragger on Nov 11, 2023 17:46:22 GMT -5
I was told the biopsy is taken through the “opening” found at that location It's my impression that biopsy via the rectum has largely been superceeded by the transpireneal method (like I had). The ultrasound sensor still goes up the old "chute", but the biopsy needle enters via the perinium (the area from soup chute to nuts) which is scrubbed down with disinfectant prior to inserting the needle. This reduces the chance of secondary infection to almost zero and usually makes a course of post-biopsy antibiotics unnecessary. I think it took about 15 minutes as they took six “plugs” out of each side of the prostate. From the reading I've done, it sounds kinda like 10-12 plugs is about standard. I was kinda surprised when he told me he'd taken 22. Maybe he just was erring on the side of thoroughness, or maybe whatever he felt during the DRE or saw in the MRI prompted him to take a broader sample. My procedure took 20-30 minutes, start to finish. 3 days later, the "coring" site is still a bit tender, but hasn't been enough so to make me even take Tylenol since the day of.
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Post by 6l6 on Nov 11, 2023 19:01:43 GMT -5
Thanks for all the well wishes above.
FWIW, they took 22 samples out of my prostate. Most were fairly minor but one was a “7” out of 10 on the Gleason Scale. That ain’t good.
I had my anti-testosterone shot last week and was told of something called a PSMA test done in a MRI “torpedo tube”. It will find any other cancer lurking anywhere in your body! It was optional to take, but I signed up for it and will have the test Nov. 22. I figure I might as well find out if there’s anything else going on that needs attention.
Neil and I turn 78 tomorrow. As they say, “Growing old ain’t for sissies.” I’m starting to learn about that first hand. Hope Neil is having better luck.
Thanks again for all the support!
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Post by Taildragger on Nov 11, 2023 19:27:40 GMT -5
FWIW, they took 22 samples out of my prostate. Maybe 22 is the new 12, then...
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Post by De ville on Nov 13, 2023 2:03:55 GMT -5
Moejo to you, and hope everything works out for the best!
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Post by Ragtop on Nov 13, 2023 7:08:07 GMT -5
I have a blood test at 8am. Will make sure they check my PSA while they're at it.
Good/relevant information here, thanks guys.
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Post by zenland on Nov 13, 2023 11:07:02 GMT -5
Major Prayers and Mojoe to all for healing soon!
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Post by 6l6 on Nov 18, 2023 11:43:41 GMT -5
I met this week with the doc who will be inserting the radioactive chips in my prostate in January. Cool guy who's done many of these procedures.
He alerted me to something where they will be shooting in (via a "somewhat painful" injection) a gell that creates separation between the prostate and other organs nearby. This will protect the intestines and bladder from the radiation that follows on the prostate.
Amazing medicine really. Lucky my issue occurred with this cure being available. Not long ago it would have been time for the dirt nap.
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Post by Taildragger on Nov 18, 2023 12:15:36 GMT -5
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Post by LeftyMeister on Nov 19, 2023 8:47:04 GMT -5
Not long ago it would have been time for the dirt nap. I had prostate cancer at 49 and had it removed via robot. The doc told me that if I had it in my 70's, they might advise differently since many men in their 70's have prostate cancer and don't even know it. He said for most of them, something else is more inclined to kill them before the cancer. But prostate cancer can be submissive (slow growth) or aggressive. And slow growth can turn aggressive quickly, so it's a roll of the dice. It's wise you're being proactive. Dan Fogelberg died of prostate cancer at 54 because he was told his was non-aggressive. Because of that, he ignored it for a couple of years. By the time he went back to the doc, it was too late.
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Jake
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Posts: 569
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Post by Jake on Nov 20, 2023 8:49:23 GMT -5
Good luck!
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Post by 6l6 on Nov 24, 2023 14:35:48 GMT -5
Thanks again for all the info and well wishes above.
SO... I had the PSMA test two days ago. It's sort of like a CT scan where they give you an IV that sends something through your veins that shows up on the screen if there's signs the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. VERY HAPPY to say it has NOT spread beyond my prostate! If you happen to come down with a prostate issue too, check out this (optional) test for sure. Might as well know the WHOLE situation in case other areas need to be treated.
Next step comes in early January. They will inject a gell between my prostate, large intestine, and bladder. It will keep an area of separation between those organs and keep the intestine and bladder at a safe distance from the prostate when they radiate. They don't knock you out for this injection (even though I requested to be knocked out) and I'm told it's not pleasant. But, like the biopsy, I'll get through it.
Finally, radiation will start at the end of January. 15 minutes/day, 5 days/wk, for 5 weeks. PAIN FREE. The cancer center is literally 5 minutes from my home, so this will be very easy.
Again, many THANKS for all the support. AND... BE SURE TO GET A PSA TEST with you next physical.
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Post by Riff Twang on Nov 24, 2023 17:58:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the update, and best of luck for the procedures an the future.
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mroulier
Wholenote
Chemo'd and Radiated!
Posts: 155
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Post by mroulier on Nov 30, 2023 16:01:49 GMT -5
My cancer was in my colon, but I kicked it to the curb as, like you, it was discovered before it had spread. Keep fightin' the good fight and all wishes and hopes for a good outcome.
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Post by Vibroluxer on Nov 30, 2023 17:40:11 GMT -5
I'm sorry I missed this thread but Im very very glad to hear the good news guys!!
I get my PSA every year, colonoscopy every 5, lung cancer screen every year. Preventive Maintenance.
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Post by 6l6 on Mar 30, 2024 9:37:33 GMT -5
Very happy to say I completed all of my radiation treatments yesterday.
The staff at Mills Hospital in San Mateo, CA was just fantastic.
Thanks for all the support in MOE's!
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Post by Taildragger on Mar 30, 2024 9:57:53 GMT -5
Yeeee-Haaaaah, 6!
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Post by ninworks on Mar 30, 2024 10:51:53 GMT -5
Good news indeed.
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Post by rickyguitar on Mar 30, 2024 15:15:22 GMT -5
Expecting a great report. Be well bro.
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