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Post Op Pathology was not good.

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Posted 2/24/2007 8:47 PM (GMT -6)
 

Hi Everyone,
My surgery went perfect but the surgical pathology results did not. I have little continance issues, I can hold and control my urine 99% of the time and only leak drops when I laugh hard. I only used 6 pads since the catheter came out Thursday(4 on Thursday). No attempt at an erection but will try in the coming days.

Post-op pathology showed the following:
I have advanced Prostate Cancer.
T3C (Seminal vessicals are fully involved, Prostate was 70% high grade - New Gleason 4+3=7)
The cancer was in the Apex by apparent origination and may have involved the Rectum thus T4 may likely be the case. Suspicious tissue was left behind in the rectum and could not be removed.
The Surgeon has referred me to an Oncologist here at the Nevada Cancer Institute.
I will be undergoing Chemotherapy and Hormone treatment as soon as possible. I must heal the surgery first.

This highly experienced surgeon is very concerned and stated I needed to act fast. He told me that I may have a 40% chance of remission with Chemo. His experience shows that Apex originated PCa is much more difficult to cure if at all, because it daes not get detected easily. He said this is why I did not show any symptons while the cancer advanced.

I cannot say enough about the City of Hope. Their professionalisn and compassionate care was extrordinary. I feel great and aside from the poor prognosis would not be feeling anything that would make me believe I am presented a danger much higher than anticipated. I knew my scores and PSA before I went to them to be high and concerning and while I expected them to improve my odds, they probably did, they were faced with a pathology that was much different than the biopsy. Their diagnosis of the Post Op pathology I believe is accurate and well explained to me. They are indeed a fantastic choice for anyone looking for treatment of prostate cancer.

Tony & Ruth
Pre Op PSA - 19.7 (this lowered to 13.9 in a subsequent test but they will use the higher number for future evaluation)
Pre Op Gleason - 3+4=7
Clinical Stage - T2C

Post Op PSA - Scheduled for March 29
Post Op Gleason - 4+3=7 (70% 4)

Nerves saved

Post Edited (TC-LasVegas) : 2/24/2007 9:15:37 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/24/2007 9:10 PM (GMT -6)
TC, we are prayong for you and ruth!
Posted 2/24/2007 9:32 PM (GMT -6)
Dear Tony

I hope and pray that you can be a winner here and beat this thing. It must have been very tough for you and your wife to hear this news after surgery. Hopefully we can help bolster your spirts as you continue your journey with this unexpected turn of events. God Bless!

Dave
Posted 2/24/2007 9:44 PM (GMT -6)

Tony:

Stay positive and our thoughts and prayers will be with you.

Dutch

Posted 2/24/2007 9:47 PM (GMT -6)
Tony

I'm new to this forum but I wanted to wish the best and to throw my support your way. I wish I could offer more as everyone in here has told me stay positive

Alex
Posted 2/24/2007 10:37 PM (GMT -6)

Tony & Ruth - As you can see by husband's stats we were not given the news we'd so hoped for post op either.  It was difficult to hear (understatement) and after a good recovery from surgery we felt we had reason to hope for the best.  So, we do understand what you're going through right now...simply put, it's hard. (another understatement)

These are the positives: you'll be doing your homework, you're confident in your physician,there are treatments for you and you & Ruth are a team. In the grand scheme of things, that's a lot.

We'll be thinking of you both,

Don & Susan

Posted 2/24/2007 10:38 PM (GMT -6)
I really hate this for you and Ruth. What a low blow. I imagine that you are not hopeful at this time, but perhaps good things will happen.

Regards,

Bill
Posted 2/24/2007 10:44 PM (GMT -6)
Prayers and vibes from here... keep up the fight, keep up the faith!
Posted 2/25/2007 12:12 AM (GMT -6)
Sorry about the report, Tony. Stay strong and stay with us. We are all praying for you and yours...

Jim
Posted 2/25/2007 8:56 AM (GMT -6)
Sorry to hear your news Tony! Keep up your positive attitude and never, never give up the fight. As you receive your treatments, please visualize those "bugger cancer cells" devil dying and leaving your body. I truly believe we can overcome this disease with only positive thinking as we go through the recommended treatment.

We will be praying for you and following your journey.

;o) Linda & Bob
Posted 2/25/2007 11:17 AM (GMT -6)
Tony

Sorry the results were not what we all hope for as we go through this, stay strong, stay positive and agressive and we will be there with you and for you as you beat this nasty thing called PC

norskie
Posted 2/25/2007 11:44 AM (GMT -6)
Good luck with your continuing treatments...
KW
Posted 2/25/2007 2:06 PM (GMT -6)
Tony and Ruth, sorry to hear the news, but you will beat this!! God bless you.....kat
Posted 2/25/2007 3:29 PM (GMT -6)
Thanks!
This site has given me hope and friendship. If any of you make to Vegas stop in. I will go into this leg a fighter. I am researching experimental treatments today, and if anyone has seen anything as it applies to T3C or T4, send it and I will review it. I am too young to leave now and I can use all the help I can get.

Thanks in advance,

Tony & Ruth
Posted 2/25/2007 5:42 PM (GMT -6)
Dear Tony

If there was anyone I would like to help more with your present stage of PC, it would be you! I don't have any first-hand experience with how to deal with stage T3 or T4 PC. However, I would like to give you these thoughts. You should seek a 2nd and possibly a 3rd opinion with one of the best prostate cancer medical oncologists in the U.S. that you can find. If you have to travel far away from Las Vegas, consider doing it if at all possible. Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, John Hopkins in Baltimore, Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York City and the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston would be considered some of the top specialty hospitals in the U.S. treating prostate cancer who have top medical oncologists on their staff.

The following is a link to a list of top doctors in the U.S. treating prostate cancer by specialty, including medical oncologists. It is part of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute website which I consider to be a fantastic resource for prostate cancer patients.

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/resource/name.html

I note that the list contains the name of a medical oncologist at the National Cancer Institute in Neveda where you apparently have already received some advice. Perhaps you have consulted with this doctor.

Medical Oncologist
Nicholas J. Vogelzang
Nevada Cancer Institute
One Breakthrough Way
10441 W. Twain Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89135
702-822-5100

Nevertheless, in your situation you owe it to yourself to at least get a 2nd opinion for another top medical oncologist.

I am giving you the links to an expert medical oncologist that I consulted with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston before making my treatment decision. He is not only an expert in his field, but he is a wonderful human being. You might even be able to get him on the phone for a preliminary conversation about your situation. Based on his resume, I expect that he has had much experience in treating patients with later stage PC. If I ever got to your stage of PC, I would consult with him and feel confident that he would lead me in the right direction.

http://www.dana-farber.org/abo/news/press/2006/a-oliver-sartor-md-national-prostate-cancer-expert-joins-dana-farber.html

http://www.dana-farber.org/pat/dana-farber/detail.asp?personid=753&group=%28Clinician%29

I assume that you can probably find experts closer to you on the west coast, but these are my thoughts as I am more familiar with resources on the east coast.

The following is also a Dana Farber website with a list of all of the clinical trials for prostate cancer in the U.S. You can sign into the website (I haven't done it), indicate your PC profile and they will find clinical trials that match your profile. Obviously, you still need to be guided by a top prostate cancer medical oncologist before considering any participation in a clinical trial.

http://danafarber.org/res/clinical/trials/adult/

Yes, you are very young and darn it, I want you to be a winner in your fight against this rotten disease! I am glad that you are going in with a fighting attitude. May God bless you and your wife during this tough time.

Dave

P.S. I get the impression that any form of radiation treatment for your present stage of cancer has been ruled out. Hopefully a medical oncologist would advise you if any form of radiation treatment would be possible combined with hormone treatment. If you can get any form of radiation treatment, go for the proton beam radiation which is considered the safest form of beam radiation treatment today. The nearest center to you is the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Posted 2/25/2007 11:29 PM (GMT -6)
Dear Tony & Ruth…… *TC-LasVegas   Our thoughts and prayers surround you with so much strength at this time ~ we know you feel them…    Your journey has had many different stepping~stones all along your path in life.   With each step you have shown strength and over time you’ve stayed strong.   From your sharing of your life before pc… it is evident that you have traveled other roads a lot bumpier than the one just traveled and the new course planned out is yet uncharted.   But from everything we know about you ……   you will move forward into a path that you will research and know every step that you take is again moving in a positive direction.   With the love and support you’ve given to each other…over the years… may this love and support continue to grow.   You are an amazing couple ~ hold each other tight and continue to move toward a healing light. The mind has a tremendous ability to influence the body… continue feeding it with positive thoughts and actions for healing.   Love to you both. Keeping you tucked extra close to our hearts. In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   
Posted 2/25/2007 11:30 PM (GMT -6)
Other Threads by *TC-LasVegas (direct link ~ just click on the title!   Reminder to click on the REFRESH icon once there)   I'm new here and Have PC. High scores and Nervous - Only 44 Surgery tomorrow - da Vinci BenEcho - Just wishing you well, Haven't heard from you for a while. Post Op Pathology was not good. And now a dear friend joins us. Poll...Stage 3 repondants only, please. A call of hope! The Michael Milken Story Reaching out to AP1588...George, Where are you?     Post edited to add new threads ; )       Post Edited (bluebird) : 7/15/2007 5:56:33 AM (GMT-6)
Posted 2/26/2007 2:59 AM (GMT -6)
Hi Team,
I will be picking up my towable SUVr tomorrow, after repairs from my poor attention span lately, it has a new transmission and Farmers paid for it without a question. And my RV Wednesday will be ready. We will by then have spoken to our new oncologist. Amazing things keep happening...

> PCDAVE guess who my Surgeon recommended for my Chemo science. He's same guy my Dad's sisters best friend sought out when he was told he had been told to get his things in order because his PCa had spread to his lungs and liver. 2-4 months given he is on his third year since seeing this oncologist. Dr. Nick V. at the Nevada Cancer Institute, yes the one you mention, has already recieved my information and I plan to speak to him tomorrow. We will be expiditing the regemin as soon as possible. Good eye, PCDAVE, that's the kind of help I need. Dr. Nick will be able to render a second opinion, and I don't need to travel. I can have the removed prostate sent anywhere and the can have copies of the pathology either from their own breakdown or by using CoH's. I will contact MD Anderson tomorrow as well.

> Until I CAN have treatment, Ruth and I are going to Bryce Canyon for the weekend. Campfires and a billion stars. Maybe a glass or two of wine. My Cialis better work. Ruthie is the love of my life, and she needs me to be as normal as possible. The RV is fired up and ready. I have at least four weeks before the Chemo tries my patience. I can get four good weekends at Blue Grass Festivals and simple Colorado river nights. Alone with her.

> I cut the my smaller section of lawn today. I will do the large section tomorrow (We live on half an acre). Two weeks was enough to get the new spring clippings. I will do it every Monday. Overkill, but it's managable exercise and productive in that my yard looks good. I also walked 2.5 miles with my neighbor and we will do it again tomorrow. NOT BAD, for a daVinci patiend barely a week and a half ago, huh. This shows me, if noone else I can beat odds. And I'n not over doing it, team. I've always been a fast healer and a busy body.

> I set up half my Video Recording and sound studio in my garage (add another 2 miles of walking back and forth from by equipment roon). As a musician, I will be letting this be my release as planned, but procrastinated. I will be producing a small set of music videos I wrote and play all the instrumments on. If any of you want to see a sample, I have a large file that I would have to either post on the internet or just send a huge EM to you. My address is tc@nevtech.net. Please send your EM address or home address and I can send them to you. The other half of my studio will be set up tomorrow and I should be recording by Wednesday. I need my critics so what the heck, jump in. It's fun and you will get to see me in action.

> My LV best friend, Alex, was over today. He is an amputee, was caught up in an accident six years ago on his Harley. Barely made it. His wife was riding with him, completely crushed left leg, but now she has faught all the way back and is doing great. Anyway Alex and I went to an electronics store and bought a Hi-Def camcorder. My new videos will be awesome. i spent 2k on it, and will be getting some light posts tomorrow for the video shots. Again you will like this stuf so send those addresses.

These are things that go and make Tony Crispino's life nornal. The surgery is just a memory. With exception to the stitches still in my stomach, I don't feel anything from the surgery. I will keep posting here. Parts of it will get graphic, so just keep the support coming. I know this site is a place for healing. THAT IS STILL MY PLAN. But at least you can be my journal, and my friends. We have more in common that we ever wanted, and you help me. These massages are heart warming. Thanks and please pray for us. God is doing this for a good reason and I need to respond here to you all. Perhaps you can use this when you have down friends here. 101 ways to be positive. I have to go now, My sleeping pills are taking affect. And when the third cat jumps up on the bed its time to crash.

Gnite everyone, and good morning tomorrow. It's going to be a beautiful day.

Tony & Ruth
Posted 2/26/2007 5:50 AM (GMT -6)

Tony:

My love and prayers go out to you.

I look at it this way..the stuff that I can control that can impact my recovery are (1) my diet (2) my activity (exercise) (3) my treatment choices (4) my attitude.  Everything else is in God's hands.  Sounds like you are doing good in these things.

Posted 2/26/2007 7:16 AM (GMT -6)
Tony, you are doing a great job. You are an inspiration.

Bill
Posted 2/26/2007 7:53 AM (GMT -6)

TC,

Although not the news we hope for, your marvelous attitude regarding the hand you are dealt will help you. Your strength and conviction will be both a comfort and cornerstone to continue the treatments. Thanks for sharing because attitudes like yours are contagious and we all benefit.

Posted 2/26/2007 8:27 AM (GMT -6)

I was doing some thinking in the wee hours this morning, Tony.  I came to a surprising conclusion.  There is dignity in this.  I offer you the following:

There is dignity in fighting the good fight.  As you are doing.

There is dignity in loving and being good to your spouse.  As you are doing.

There is dignity in helping others and being helped by them.  As you are doing.

There is dignity in being hopeful.  As you are doing.

There is dignity in being a good friend.  As you are doing.

There is dignity in having the courage to go on living in the face of adversity.  As you are doing.

As I said before, you are an inspiration and I am proud to call you my friend.

Keep Your Mach Up,

Bill

Posted 2/26/2007 10:19 AM (GMT -6)
Dear Tony (and Ruth too!)

Tony you are nothing short of amazing!  I was so happy to see your upbeat and uplifting message this morning!  Your postings should stay at the top of this message board forever as a reminder of what a real positive thinker you are despite the PC challenges you face ahead of you.  You truly are an inspiration to any PC patient.  I love upbeat positive people--they usually succeed and conquer the steepest mountains in life. 

When I heard that you and your beloved wife were going to Bryce Canon it brought back fond memories of my solo coast to coast car trip when I was in my 20's. I visited Bryce Canon and many of the other glorious natural wonders of our American west.  Bryce Canon is such an awesome sigght. Enjoy this special trip with Ruth.

I am so glad to hear that you soon have an appointment with Dr. V at the Nevada Cancer Institute.  I hope that you get promising news as you move forward with continued consultations with top PC medical specialists leading to your next stage of treatment. I hope that some form of radiation is possible with hormone treatment so that you can possibly avoid chemotherpy at this juncture.  With so many supporters in your corner here, you are bound to be a winner!  My thoughts and prayers go out to you and Ruth. 

All the best as you move ahead

Dave

P.S. If I ever have a down day, I will think back to your postings here and just tell myself to get over it quickly!  Move ahead and conquer new horizons!

 

Posted 2/26/2007 10:54 AM (GMT -6)

Tony - what a small world it is indeed!  My husband, Don, just finished building a recording studio at our son's house, who just took a course in ProTools. Don also produced a music show on our local public access channel with our son who was the host. Don did all the filming and editing. At times he had a couple of buddies help with filming(me included!)...it was fun and he spent many an hour editing in his home office and even won an award! He and our 2 sons get together a few times a week to jam - he loves spending the time with them.  Music (and all that involves) is a great way to spend your time. Also, that trip you & your wife are going on sounds wonderful!

You're an inspiration to all of us T - thank you!

Susan

Posted 2/26/2007 11:20 AM (GMT -6)
Tony - if you are interested in Proton Beam, I think your closest center is at Loma Linda in California.

Bill
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