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Posted 2/17/2007 12:09 AM (GMT -6)
After a routine checkup, my PSA was 7.2. The biopsy revealed a Gleason score of 6 and a clinical tumor stage of T1c. The nomogram indicated an organ confined disease at 67%, capsular penetration of 30%. I have gotten two opinions, one from a urologist and the other from an onocologist. The urologist recommended surgery and the onocologist recommended external beam radiation for 8 weeks. I have chosen the radiation as my course of treatment. I am 53 years old and take medication for hypertension. I also have been treated for cronic depression over the past few years. I am divorced and live alone and don't want to have to depend on family during this ordeal.
I realize that every case is different but just looking for support from anyone who has similar circumstances. I was planning to move out of state to a teaching position in VA when i got the news. I will stay in Tuscaloosa, AL to complete my treatment until this summer when hopefully I will be able to move. All comments are welcome! Thanks, Trey
Posted 2/17/2007 12:31 AM (GMT -6)
Hello Trey,

Sorry you have to be here but welcome. Your will hear from lots of people who can give lots of advice and share their experience with you. Several are in radiation treatment or are preparing for it. I chose to have surgery because I wanted the cancer OUT of me as fast as possible but that is just my opinion and was the best choice for me. Everyone is different everybody's choice is best for them.

Good luck and please stay with us. There is lots of help and hope here...

Jim
Age 72. Diagnosed 11/03/06. PSA 7.05. Stage T2B Gleason 3+3.
RRP 12/7/06. Nerves and nodes okay.
Pathological stage: T2B. Gleason 3+4. Cancer confined to prostate.
PSA on 1/3/07 - 0.04.  Next PSA on 4/4/07.
 
 "Patience is a virtue - especially when dealing with the effects of PCa."

Posted 2/17/2007 1:05 AM (GMT -6)
Thanks for your comments and congratulations on your great reports! I just hope I've chosen the best way to deal with this..I'm still reeling from that phone call three weeks ago from the doctor as I was about to go in for my interview in VA when he called. Its just really scary right now. I'm waiting to hear from the onocologists as to when my treatments will begin. I want to get them started and get it over with! Thanks again, Trey
Posted 2/17/2007 9:14 AM (GMT -6)
Dear Trey, I have just finished my fourth week of EBRT (External Beam Radiation Thera;y) and all is well to date. Are you doing IMRT, or IGRT? If you are a person who likes to know exactly what is going to happen, check my thread Radiation - a journey. If you would rather not know all that will happen, I recommend that you avoid it. It is factual rather than emotional. Also, please understand that different clinics do things differently and yours may not be just like mine.

You stay in touch and I and others will do the same.

Regards,

Bill
Gleason 3+3=6, T1c, one core in twelve, another pre-cancerous.
62 years old and good health.  Married 37 years.  To same woman!

Posted 2/17/2007 9:55 AM (GMT -6)
Hi, Trey. You're going to be in good hands, here. We'll all be your coaches through the upcoming months. This is a wonderful time to point out that the choice of treatment is more than just the type and extent of cancer itself. It's also about lifestyle and selecting the option that fits into both those parameters. That's what makes any decision the right one. You've made the right decision for you - be encouraged by that.

Remember, too, that although each of us may elect different treatments, the emotions, heartaches, and power to move forward remain the same.
Husband age 65
PSA on 5/1/06: 4.2 (had doubled in 13 mos. and rising monthly)
DaVinci Surgery 8/2/06
T2a (at biopsy)
T4c (at pathology) w/cancer cell leakage into fatty tissue
Post-Surgical PSA on 10/3/06 - undetectable!
Update: 11/1/06 - perhaps bladder neck involvement; 30%-50% chance of recurrence
Future: PSA tests twice-yearly for now
 

Posted 2/17/2007 11:56 AM (GMT -6)
Thanks to everyone! I am so glad I found this site. I feel a level of support already that I have never experienced in anything! Bill, my radiation will be the IMRT course. I'm looking forward to reading your thread after I attend the Bama-Kentucky basketball game this afternoon. I am so excited that I'm getting responses to my first post. I will be a regular visitor..I'm trying to decide now whether I should go to part time at work during the radiation. I have heard that after the 3rd week, you start feeling really tired. I am anxious to here from someone who may have some input on this. Is there a medication that the doctors can give for the fatigue? I am in a management position at Office Depot and have to do a lot of lifting and never stop moving about the store. Since I am a retired teacher, I am considering substitute teaching some as this would be less strenuous.
Posted 2/17/2007 12:32 PM (GMT -6)

Hi  ~ Trey,

 

                     A   “Special”  Warm Welcome  to  You!   :-)  

 

I know we can “all” make Your Journey smoother just by being here for you! 

This is truly a great forum!!! ~ You have joined! You are now part our forum family ~ a group of wonderful individuals who are so willing to share their journey with you! 

 

It helps “all of us” ~ to help you ~ if we know where you are on your path.

So ~ Please stay with us and take our hand when you need it!  Keep posting.... OKAY!!   We are all here to help you travel the path with prostate cancer. 

 

 

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER... and POWER conquers fear

YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS… YOU HAVE OPTIONS…

~ and ~

Your decision will be the right decision for you!!!

 

 

We invite you to visit our personal thread in the signature area below. 

Our thoughts and prayers will be with you as you continue your search for answers…

 

In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy

 

“God Bless You”

 

It's a little prayer  ~  "God Bless You"

...but it means so much each day,

It means may angels guard you

and guide you on your way.

 

 

(Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!  

Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there)

Helpful Hints for New Members... Hope this helps you! :)

 

If you stay on the Thread you just started….

Every question you ask will be answered by many members and they will all be in 1 location right here!!!  If you start a new Thread for every question you have… eventually you’ll be looking all over the board for your answers as they move down to page 3,4,5,6… over time.

If you stay on “1” Thread…. Every time you have a question and Every time someone answers… Your Thread will pop back to the top of the forum.  This is a really good thing!!!!!

A complete journal… is calmer on the nerves!!!!

The most important thing is…. Keep posting…..  yeah

and keep reading as many threads/postings as you can. 

There is so much information that is being shared.

mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina

Link to our personal journey…>>>     Our Journey ~ Sharing is Caring 

April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day

RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy with "wide excision"

PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate

2nd PSA 02-06-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :)

Posted 2/17/2007 3:04 PM (GMT -6)
Hello Trey,

I am also in Alabama located in Decatur. I had surgery so I cannot help you with the specific questions about your choice of treatment but I do care that you succeed in your journey to be free of the monster C. Your postings will also be very helpful for those that unfortunately come behind you to this forum because they are diagnosed with PC. Others will respond that have been through the radiation treatment and jetguy's thread is a very good journal so I would suggest that you got to it.

Good luck!

Tamu
Diagnosed 7/6/06
1 of 10 core samples, 40%
Stage T1c, Gleason 3+3
Da Vinci on 11/01/06
Catheter out on 11/13/06
56 Years Old
Post Op Path
Gleason 3+3
Approx. 5% of prostate involved
Prostate Confined, margins clear
Undetectable PSA on 12/18/06
No more pads as of 1/13/07

Posted 2/17/2007 3:22 PM (GMT -6)
When my dad went through radiation, he did fatigue, however, he found that a short mid-day nap helped to bring the energy back. He contiued to work throughout his treatments, however, his job did not require heavy lifting. What ever you decide regarding your work, just remember, that your health is most important. Talk to your boss. You may find that they have a position just right for you as you go through treatments. My husband has opted for surgery. I remind him on a daily basis, that I expect him to take it very easy while healing. I even have his mom coming the week following surgery to make sure he follows the take it easy rule. You said you were divorced and didn't want to bother your family, so I am assuming that you have children or atleast other family members close. You will do yourself, and your family a favor by allowing them to go through this process with you. Good luck to you. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Courtney
Kurt & Courtney
47 year old
Great Health prior to dx
Dx on 1/29/07
PSA 4.1
Gleason 3+3=6, both lobes
Stage T2c, I believe
Tumor involves 20% of cores, both lobes
Live in OK
Da Vinci scheduled 3-15-07 in Austin

Posted 2/17/2007 3:31 PM (GMT -6)
Trey- I had 5 weeks of IMRT and then HDR brachy during the summer of 2005, at age 61. I was, and still am, terribly out of shape and overweight. I experienced no fatigue and went to work every day during my external beam treatments. To date I've experienced no incontinence and no impotence. -Gordy
Posted 2/17/2007 3:38 PM (GMT -6)

Gordy,

How long ago did you have your radiation and brachytherapy? Just curious. It is encouraging that you have not had any incontinence or ED.

Markus

Age, 53
PSA 3.76, Gleason 6, T1c, scans negative
psa doubling time 35 months
Still researching and deciding treatment options.  Leaning towards da vinci robotic.

Posted 2/17/2007 3:38 PM (GMT -6)
Trey1121 - Sorry to hear your news, but welcome anyway. I was recently diagnosed, too. I have a tentative plan in mind, but am still sorting things out. From my limited research on survival rates there's really very little to be afraid of. My main concern right now is exactly what it's going to take to get through the next six months to a year and beat back or defeat this disease. It's very inconvenient, since there are a lot of other things I would rather focus my time and energy on. But, those are the breaks. Sometimes life intrudes on our plans and we have to adapt.

Actually, in a strange kind of way I find the diagnosis liberating. There are a lot of things I know that I should have been doing and wanted to do, but I let less important things distract me. This is a chance to change that. I recently heard a quote from a woman who said that nothing focuses your mind like breast cancer. I think the same can be said of prostate cancer.
ScoutToo
http://prostateminefield.blogspot.com/
Age 55
PSA 8.2 12/06
Diagnosed 1/11/07 - Gleason Scores 3+4, 3+4, 3+4, 3+3 of 12, right medial and rear
Still sorting it out

Posted 2/17/2007 3:46 PM (GMT -6)
naimnut- I had the 5 weeks of external beam during July and August 2005 and the HDR brachy (3 treatments) August 29 and 30, I think). I just finished 2 years of HDT (Zoladex and Casodex) and even being on those meds, never became impotent (Macho man, dontcha know). I started out with PSA =26.5 and Gleason 7 (4+3). PSA has been undetectable since after the radiation, but I realize the HDT meds could have been masking PSA. I'm really looking forward to the next few PSA readings to get the real poop. -Gordy
Posted 2/17/2007 4:37 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Trey

we are here to make you feel like you are part of a close knit family! before you make a final decision on IMRT radiation, check out my thread entitled "Proton Radiation Therapy - My Journey With Prostate Cancer". i chose proton over IMRT x-ray radation becaue it is deemed safer in terms of sparing good tissue surrounding the prostate. proton radiation also has potentially fewer long-term negative side effects and it will do the same job in terms of potentially killing the cancer. I could have had IMRT radaition close to my home for daily commuting, but chose to travel out of town to the nearest proton center for 8 weeks. the nearest proton centers to you i suspect are the new ones opened in 2006 at the University of Florida Medical Center in Jacksonville and the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Best of luck making your final decision and starting treatments.

Dave

P.S. you stats are similar to mine as are your nomograms (i.e., statistical chances of prostate confinement of the cancer, etc.)
68, Biopsy 9/27/06, Stage T1c, PSA 7.1, Gleason 6 [less than 5% in two areas], Gleason 7 (3+4) [less than 20% in third area], negative DRE, bone scan and MRI. Starting proton radiation therapy 2/22/07.

Post Edited (pcdave) : 2/17/2007 2:42:56 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/17/2007 6:21 PM (GMT -6)
Thanks everyone for your comments...this is all so encouraging..i'm so glad I found you all! Being the internet junkie that I am, I will be here often! Does anyone use the chat room?
Posted 2/18/2007 1:35 AM (GMT -6)
Hey Trey,
We used it tonight for the 1st time.... :)
Biker90, IzzyBlizzy, Tinker, & mama "Bluebird"

It was Great and we all plan to start using it with specific topics and date/times set up.

Take care for now!!!

mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina

Link to our personal journey…>>>     Our Journey ~ Sharing is Caring 

April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day

RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy with "wide excision"

PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate

2nd PSA 02-06-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :)

Posted 2/18/2007 10:41 PM (GMT -6)
Thanks Dave for your prayers and comments! I know you are glad to have it behind you and know that you will do well. Its so comforting to get comments from guys who are going through this. I will be checking on you as well and will keep you in my prayers! Trey
Posted 2/19/2007 1:15 PM (GMT -6)
Dave

While I am not having surgery, I hope that those who are considering having robotic surgery are brave enough to watch the webcast. I have read that Dr. Samadi is among the top robotic surgeons on the east coast. He practices at NY-Presbyterian (Columbia) while the top rated Dr. Tewari practices at NY-Presbyterian (Cornell). They are both top notch robotic surgeons for those who live in the New York City area or are willing to travel there.

PC Dave

P.S. A lot of Dave's seem to be cropping up around here!
68, Biopsy 9/27/06, Stage T1c, PSA 7.1, Gleason 6 [less than 5% in two areas], Gleason 7 (3+4) [less than 20% in third area], negative DRE, bone scan and MRI. Starting proton radiation therapy 2/22/07.

Posted 2/19/2007 11:22 PM (GMT -6)
I will begin radiation on Wednesday at 1pm.. I'm really ready to get this going. Those who have done radiation, did you change anything in your typical routine? I just dread having to drink all that water! Trey
Posted 2/19/2007 11:24 PM (GMT -6)
Best of luck, Trey.

You might look up some of jetguys posts. He is pretty thorough about waht to do...

Jim
Age 72. Diagnosed 11/03/06. PSA 7.05. Stage T2B Gleason 3+3.
RRP 12/7/06. Nerves and nodes okay.
Pathological stage: T2B. Gleason 3+4. Cancer confined to prostate.
PSA on 1/3/07 - 0.04.  Next PSA on 4/4/07.
 
 "Cancer feeds on fear - starve it to death."

Posted 2/19/2007 11:38 PM (GMT -6)
Hey Trey, check my Radiation - a journey thread. It's what I've done. Yours may be different, but it will give you an idea. Don't let 'em wear you down. Hang in there. Illigitimi non bu carborundum.

Regards,

Bill

P.S. Read my radiation thread about the drinking water. It's not that I'm cool, it's that I've tried really hard to do what I need to do. Hope it helps you.
Gleason 3+3=6, T1c, one core in twelve, another pre-cancerous.
62 years old and good health.  Married 37 years.  To same woman!

Posted 2/19/2007 11:53 PM (GMT -6)
Thanks ffor the advice Bill and Jim! I gonna read that thread tonight.
Posted 2/20/2007 10:04 AM (GMT -6)

Hey Trey:

While you have not opted for Brachytherapy, I think some of the information in my thread JustJulie's Brachytherapy Journey might be helpful.  It details my husband's prostate treatment with Brachytherapy.

Good luck to you and welcome, you've found a great group here!

Posted 2/20/2007 12:04 PM (GMT -6)

Trey,

I've kind of had it all since last summer (RP, HT and IMRT radiation)....I had IMRT for residual disease, so I don't know if radiation for primary treatment is much different --- BUT....

My routine didn't change too much--- I drank a bottle of water an hour before my sessions.  I did 36 sessions which ended 2 weeks ago...The whole in and out was less than 20 minutes each day -- you just lay there for 10 minutes and watch the machicne go zap!

SIDE EFFECTS:

FATIGUE -- yep, about half way through I felt it. but I found moderate exercise in the evening (treadmill for 30 minutes, mostly walking) helped that a lot.  Drinking a lot of water helps.

URINARY IRRITATION - yep, but manageable.  I have it worse now than I did during treatment -- thye gave me some stuff to take

RECTAL IRRITATION -- yep, but again, manageable.  They gave me some stuff to take.

INCONTINENCE --- a little extra drip, but not nearly as bad as what I had post-surgury

IMPOTENCE --- the odds are in your favor.   I had non-nerve-sparing surgury, so I was already there--- plus I'm on 6 months of hormone therepy... again, there are ways to manage this.

I didn't miss any work or family activities during this --- generally felt pretty good.  NOTE:  If you take supplements or high potency vitamins, but sure to discuss with you doc -- might want to ease off those during treatment....

HANG IN THERE --- THIS IS YOUR CURE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sterd82
Age 46
Open Radical Prostatectomy 6/9/2006
Pathological Stage T3a, Positive Surgical Margin
Gleason 3+4
Post surgury PSA fluctuated between .04 and .09
PSA rose to .24 in November of 2006
6 month hormone therapy initialed December 1. 2006
36 sessins of IMRT Ended Feb 1, 2007

Posted 2/20/2007 1:57 PM (GMT -6)
Dear Trey, I am at 39 out of 42 treatments of image guided IMRT and am doing fine. Minor bowel and urinary symptoms not requiring medication or other attention, and no tiredness. Before this began my wife bought adult diapers and an incontinent pad for the bed but needed neither. Because of your relatively young age, you may do even better than I.


Age 62, PSA 4.2, 8/12 biopsies positive for cancer--4 Gleason 6, 4 Gleason 7
Stage T2b
IMRT: 42 treatments, Total dose 7560 cGy
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