MICKEYBOYS PAGE

Hi everyone out there hope everyones doing ok, just getting my head round pre- admission appointment for tomorrow for my operation next friday 8 december, and tonight i get a phone call from the hospital, turns out that apparently my surgeon sent my slides and results for a second opinion in front of a board of his seniors ( its already been up in front of them once and it was them who decided that i had PC Gleason 3+3 PSA 3.4 ) hence the operation next week, anyway it turns out that the senior who has given a second opinion has said that he thinks its not as bad as the first diagnosis suggested and apparently now ive got 2 seniors arguing over my case. They now want to re biopsy me tomorrow, well you can imagine how im feeling at the moment im really p**sed off, who am i now to believe, the operation now looks definate to be cancelled until they get the results back. Ive just spent the last 6 weeks trying to get my head round whats happening to me and then they go and throw this spanner in the works, now im all up in the air and dont know whats going on. They also tell me they are going to take a few more samples than usual ( guess who,s gonna have a sore a**e tomorrow ) should be used to these now its my 4th one, if they take any more samples out of me i wont need the op it will all be gone soon.
Sorry to go on a bit but if i dont joke about it i will end upsetting myself.
Would appreciate anyones thoughts about this, has anyone experienced simular.
Will let you know what happens tomorrow.
Mike ( London Uk 48 years old)

Oh Gee Mike - how stressful for you! Just know that our prayers will be with you! And, yes, please keep us posted.

Take care!
Linda & Bob

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Bob (60) had laproscopic prostate surgery on Sept 27, 2006 - 2/12 malignant biopsy samples - gleason 3 + 3 = 6.  Follow up PSA results and pathology results received Nov 14th are NO MORE CANCER!  Gleason changed to a 3 + 4; cancer completely confined to prostate; (even a second more agressive, previously undetected cancer)      PSA UNDETECTABLE.

Hey Mike:

I know you've got to be about ready to pull your hair out. Hang in there pal, I'll keep looking for you when I get on the other side of this thing on Dec. 6. Keep everyone posted on how you make out. We all care!

Regards;

George

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Ok everybody - a spanner is a wrench.  The blokes and the colonials are separated by a similar language.  Man, I hate it that this has happened to you.  I have finally made the decision on what I'm going to do and am finding comfort in it.  The last thing you needed at this stage of the game is the surprise that the experts don't know what they're doing. 

Illigitimi non bu carborundum,

Bill

Hey Mike,

This Dr. who doesn't think it's as bad as first thought - does he think it's not bad enough to do surgery? I mean, what exactly are they looking for the biopsy to confirm or rule out? I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. I think sometimes Dr.s forget that it's not just the body effected, but the mind and emotions too. Keep us updated.

becky

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husband Jeff 45 years old, diagnosed 8/25/06
PSA 2.1, 2 of 12 samples at 3% & 4%, involving 1 side of prostate
Gleason 3+3=6 in both samples
laparoscopic radical prost. 10/17/06
cancer in both sides of prostate, positive in one area of margin
first PSA in 1/2007

Mike, what a crock of S*&T! I can only imagine the emotions you are feeling....and the dread of another biopsy. you have prostate cancer...I don't quite understand why they want to do another biopsy....but they are the experts. hopefully the surgery will stay on schedule...not sure if they will do it so soon after a biopsy. my heart is with you....kat

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Husband Jeff 56 years old
diagnosed July 27, 2006
PSA 6.5
2 positive areas in biopsy, Gleason 3+3=6
Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy August 30, 2006
pathology report - all clear - cancer gone
1st post-surgery PSA test 0.1
no more pads Oct 12, 2006

 All the language! I guess we're all in this together and how, eh?

Mike,

When I was diagnosed 3 years ago there was some debate about whether or not my cancer had spread.  I had been referred to a "top" doctor at a very well respected cancer center.  I didn't realize at the time that different doctors have different operation procedures if they operate and discover cancer in any lymphnodes.  I had no doubt in my mind that I wanted my prostate taken out no matter what they found.  However, my doctor stopped the surgery when it was discovered that my cancer had in fact spread.  This was tantamount to a death sentence.  While in the hospital I went over the post-surgical report with my doctor.  Much to my surprise it turned out that the cancer was only in 2 lymphnodes and there was no other evidence of spreading.  I asked if we could go back in and remove the prostate.  His reply was "no" and I shouldn't worry too much because I still had at least 7 years of life left and it was  important for me to have a healthy sex life for those 7 years.  I was 47 at the time.  After recovering from the surgery I began a search for a doctor that could offer me some hope.  I found one at another great cancer center who told me that I was too young to die.  They went in and took out my prostate, put me on chemo and hormone deprivation therapy.  Three years later I have a PSA of 0.0.  My suggestion is to make absolutely sure you understand what these doctors are debating about and what impact it might have on your treatment.  I wish I had had the opportunity to put my two doctors in a room together and let them debate how they would treat me.  My mistake was putting all of my faith in one doctor who had been highly recommended. 

Daniel

Holy Crap!!!

Man Daniel, they really put you though the ringer! And Mike I can kind of relate to what they are doing to you. Before I had PC, I had a tumor in ny neck the size of an egg. It was getting hard to swallow and the Dr. sent me for a biopsy. Three weeks later, Inconclusive you need another biopsy. Three more weeks, Inconclusive you need another. Long story short, When it was time for my fourth, not knowing if I had cancer after having needles stuck in my neck for 9 weeks with no answer, I said to the Dr. "You are going to take this thing out of me right? Then take it out and stick all the needles you want in it, but you are not sticking me in the neck again" So he did and it was bignine, but I lost my thyroid with it. When I 1st had a high PSA, the biopsy came back neg. So a year later when my PSA went up again, he said you need another biopsy, I said great here we go again, thinking the Dr. just wanted to make more $$$$ never thinking I might have PC, I had another. This Dr. actually told my wife and I, YOU HAVE CANCER in a waiting room full of patients!!! Our mouths just dropped. I fired him on the spot! After my PC surgury at Johns Hopkins, the Dr. told me I had this cancer for at least 7 or 8 years and my two sons should start getting ckecked at 30!
You are not alone, I am very cautious of any Dr.s anymore!
Hang in there Miky!! and thanks for the eye opening post Daniel!!
Pete

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53 years old, Surgury, Radical Prostatectomy 8/20/03, PSA 6.6, Gleason 3 + 3 = 6, Adenocarcinoma extent (moderate) Stage & Margin:T2NOMX, No Metastases, Organ Confined, bone scan: Neg.