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Father just diagnosed with PC, extremely high PSA

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 4/22/2007 4:47 PM (GMT -7)
Dear All:

My father was just diagnosed with prostate cancer a couple days ago. He had two PSA tests, one which showed a reading of greater than 100, and another which showed 352. He also had a CT scan and ultrasound which confirmed the cancer, and is scheduled for a bone scan and biopsy. He is currently in the middle east but will be flying to the US for treatment.

My questions:

1. Obviously his PSA scores are extremely high. Do these scores suggest that the odds the cancer has spread beyond the prostate are very high?

2. He has no medical insurance, only Medicare Plan A. He is 67. Will Medicare cover surgery? How about hormonal therapy? Can you suggest supplemental plans he can purchase now to ease the inevitable financial burden we will face?

Thank you in advance for any advice you can provide.

Concerned Son
Posted 4/22/2007 6:02 PM (GMT -7)
Concerned,

Medicare covers prostate cancer treatment, including hormone treatment. It is sad to say that his cancer is very likely advanced by the numbers you have given. I have no suggestions on what insurance plans to purchase with the exception of any additional medicare plans that could ease some of the cost.

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family,

Swim
Posted 4/22/2007 7:21 PM (GMT -7)

Sorry to hear of your father's problem.  I believe he could get supplemental insurance thru AARP.

Shortly before I was at Loma Linda there was a gentleman from Germany with a PSA over 400 - he is still doing OK today.  His testimonial can be read at www.protonbob.com.

Good luck to you and your Dad.

Dutch

Posted 4/22/2007 7:53 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks to both of you for your quick responses.

Dutch, would my father's Medicare Plan A (no plan B) cover the photon treatment at Loma Linda? After looking at the web site you referred me to my impression is that the treatment has a high success rate...but if so why is it not a more commonly used treatment?

Best,

Sam
Posted 4/22/2007 8:07 PM (GMT -7)
Sam,

I would recommend that you go to the website www.yananow.net. When you enter the website click on Mentor Experiences. Located here by type of treatment are the stories of men that have dealt and are dealing with prostate cancer. The more advanced cases can be found under the hormone treatment. There are stories of men here that have had PSA's like your father and some higher that have survived for many years. These may be helpful. Just a warning some of the stories are graphic in language and detail the side effects of treatment but they do tell it like it is.

Tamu
Posted 4/25/2007 1:36 AM (GMT -7)
Hello, this is wiggyann and my husband is having a seed implant today. it is 3:28 a.m. here and he will have to get up and give himself an enema at 4:00 a.m. We have to be at the hospital at 6:00a.m. and the surgery is at 7:30 a.m. He will go to be prepped a little after six and after the surgery he will be in a central recovery room for an hour and then they will move him to the out-patient recovery for an hour. The nurse told me the other day that he can go home then, if everything is okay. I asked if he had to urinate before he could go home and she told me that this hospital did not require that. My husband is 68 and has never had any kind of surgery, except very minor with a local. He will be put to sleep with anesthetic and is somewhat anxious. I guess I won't see him from a little after 6 a.m. until after 10:00 a.m. when they take him to the second recovery room. I read Just Julie's story and wish I could have emailed her. Our email address is  (edit) if anyone would like to provide any tips for after surgery and what it will be like for him. Thank you everyone. Click here to contact wiggyann Edit: e-mail address will be edited/masked for your security.     Post Edited By Moderator (bluebird) : 7/25/2007 7:20:29 PM (GMT-6)
Posted 4/25/2007 2:41 AM (GMT -7)

Wiggyann,

I moved Bluebird's "Helpful Hints" to the top for you.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you on this forum.

Cedar Chopper  CC

Posted 4/26/2007 5:31 PM (GMT -7)
Hi ~ Sam,   Dad,   &   Loved Ones,         A    “Special”   Warm Welcome   to   You!      We 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...   It helps “all of us” ~ to help you ~ if we know where your loved one is …on their path. So ~ Please stay with us and take our hand when you need it!   Keep posting.... OKAY!!     KNOWLEDGE     IS     POWER   ...   and   POWER conquers   fear   THEY MAKE THE DECISIONS… THEY HAVE OPTIONS… ~ and ~ Their decision will be the right decision for them!!!   J   We invite you to visit our personal thread:   Click Here:   “Our Journey” ~ Sharing is Caring     Our thoughts and prayers will be with all of you ~ as you continue to move forward…   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 Links ~ just click on the titles below and a new window will open!   Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) Helpful Hints ~ & ~ Direct Links to Important Topic Threads ~ Hope this helps you!! :) The Power of Hope
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