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Posted 4/28/2007 2:38 PM (GMT -7)
Tuesday I got the call---prostate cancer--Friday I got the numbers--8 on the gleason scale 4+4)--cancer in 8 of 12 samples--up to 70 PTI-- perineural invasion. --the tests were checked by two other people.
I know the numbers are bad--but many people's are worse.--
I am 50 years old and I am the caregiver for my wife who struggling with Hashimoto's encephalopathy--It is incurable and very ugly.
I also still have a 10 daughter at home.

I know that PC doesn't care and this is really a stupid thing to say--but I don't have time for this.
I need to recover and recover quickly.--I need to know that I can.
I know no one can guarantee anything in this--but if anyone can tell me what to expect for recovery time--and since I guess I think that radiation is probably inevitable for me. What are the side effects to it.

Sorry for the rant.

I think I am just still in shock

Thanks for the time
Posted 4/28/2007 3:00 PM (GMT -7)
Hey Ford,

Sorry you have to be here but we stick together on this forum and help each other with info, support and hope. Please stay with us.

Recovery time depends mainly on which treatment you choose. Please look at the thread "Direct Links and Helpful Hints" There you will find most of our stories and experiences which might help you get some answers. Personally, I had "open" surgery on 12/7 and went back to work teaching school on 1/3. Had the catheter for 6 days and was continent enough to toss the pads after 2 days post-catheter.

Good luck. Take it easy. Let the shock wear off and hang in with us...

Jim
Posted 4/28/2007 3:27 PM (GMT -7)
Oldford,

You do have enough worries to last a lifetime. Hope you remember to take good care of yourself.
Hashimoto's enceph.....so sorry to hear about it. Such a rarely diagnosed condition. I take it your DW
has not been well controlled with steriods? Unfortunately, like it's thyroid twin, Hashi's is a recurrent and often worsening problem. I wish her well.

As for your treatment. You honestly need to be seeing a radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist. If you do indeed have the stats you mentioned, please get these opinions soon. I hope you are a radiation candidate. Of the treatments available, that may be a good choice...if the Doc's think there is a reasonable chance of mananging your cancer. Good Luck to you and your family.

Swim
Posted 4/28/2007 4:49 PM (GMT -7)

As well as obtaining information online, I've found it very worthwhile to read good relevant books on the subject.

"Prostate Cancer Prevention and Cure" by Lee Nelson MD is very comprehensive and covers diagnosis, treatment options, lifestyle changes etc.

I am currently reading the book "Beating Prostate Cancer: Hormonal Therapy & Diet" by Dr Charles Myers which also covers various treatment options, surgery, radiation and hormonal treatment.

Both of these books are relevant to you, especially as both authors have themselves undertaken treatment for agressive PC.

Lee Nelson now lives in New Zealand: I believe Dr Myers still works in the Prostate Cancer field in US.

John

Posted 4/28/2007 7:46 PM (GMT -7)
Hi ~   David   &   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 you are on your path. So ~ Please stay with us and take our hand when you need it!   Keep posting.... OKAY!!     KNOWLEDGE     IS     POWER   ...   and   POWER conquers   fear   YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS… YOU HAVE OPTIONS… ~ and ~ Your decision will be the right decision for you!!!     Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family as you continue to move forward with your decision.     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 clicks on the title 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!! :)
Posted 4/28/2007 8:09 PM (GMT -7)
Dear Fordlover,
You never have to apologize for a rant here. Welcome to Healing Well.
I am sorry that you have had this added to your already overloaded painful medical problems with your wife.
I am Kitt. I am a nurse but I am not a professinal on this site, so I am only giving you support and advice.
Your experience is fairly typical of what men find when they are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. Doctors typically recommend only the treatment they themselves give. A urologist will talk about surgery and a radiation oncologist about radiation. It can be like buying a car. If you go to a Chevrolet dealer, the talk will be about Chevrolets, and a Ford dealer will talk only about Fords.
The most important advice I can give you is for you to learn about prostate cancer yourself and then make your own decision about treatment and doctor. It is easy to understand and learn about prostate cancer and about doctors, and it is very important that you do. With few exceptions, you will get only one chance to be treated for cure of prostate cancer.
Take care of you.
Posted 5/1/2007 7:07 PM (GMT -7)

Hello oldfordlover, I noticed that you were lurking this evening.  I tried to post a suggestion that we chat, but I screwed it up.  Participating is better than lurking.

Regards,

Bill

Posted 5/1/2007 10:29 PM (GMT -7)
Oldfordlover

I hate to welcome anyone new to our club. I would be so happy if we never had a new mwmber but since you are here I'm happy to tell you, you will never meet a better group of people. If ever you read any of my threads you will know I needed alot of care and feeding when I came here and still do at times. I just had my surgery on 9 April and I'm on the road to recovery. You will find information and support in abundence here along with much needed humor and even a good kick in the rump. I'm not an expert and I can be a little gloomy at times but I can listen. Your numbers are not the worse and you will come out of this with flying colors, I'm sure of it

Alex
Posted 5/2/2007 6:18 AM (GMT -7)
Hi, OldFordLover. My heart goes out to you - your burden is quite heavy. There are many folks here who are undergoing radiation at various stages and they can offer excellent advice on the effects. Just want to reiterate that this forum family is such a good place - when you need to rant or are feeling down, we're here to help in any way we can. We certainly all know the "shock" of a diagnosis and then the challenges of making decisions.
Posted 5/2/2007 12:07 PM (GMT -7)
Hi O.F.L.
Sorry to welcome you, but you have found a great resource and wonderful people. You certainly have more than your share to deal with. Take whatever strength and help we can offer. As for my own recovery time, I had my surgery on 1/2/07 and returned to work a full schedule on 1/22/07. I really felt as if I had my strength fully back around the 1st of February. Whatever treatment you choose, most likely you will have some issues to deal with for a while. However for most of us they are quite managable.
Bless you and your family,
Mike
Posted 5/6/2007 11:17 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Oldford,
Just saw your post tonight. I am one of several here that chose IMRT radiation. I work 8 hour days and surgery wasn't really an option for me. I finished 42 treatments on April 20 and see my radiation onocologist on May 30 for my first post treatment PSA test. I'm 53, and had numbers of 3+3 Gleason, 7.2 PSA, witih some positive cores and perinial invasion.
If you choose IMRT, I will be happy to share my experience with it. If my doctor is right, I should not have to deal with PC again. I know with your circumstances, the decision will be tough, but whatever it is, it will be the right one. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! Hang in there, Trey
Posted 5/8/2007 12:41 PM (GMT -7)
Hello Ford Lover................
How are you my friend? Please feel free to read and post when your comfortable. If you need to let off steam, write it here. We are your support, we will not judge but we will listen and pray for you.
Please let us know what we can do to help you?
Gentle Hugs
Posted 5/8/2007 5:10 PM (GMT -7)
Just a little update
I have started donating blood and just got the test results back on the bone scan and contrast CT. Both came back good. The CT shows some things but none relating to cancer. That is what we expected.

Tomorrow I get a colonoscopy as my mother died from colon cancer.

It seems like a long time since I got the original test results. Amazing how time doesn't fly when your having a rotten time.

All set for surgery on the 23rd.

On a happier note I spent a lot of last night and this morning in the hospital. My daughter just gave birth to my 3rd grandchild (first two daughters live elsewhere)--a son.

It made the day quite good.

I will keep you updated
Posted 5/8/2007 5:53 PM (GMT -7)
oldfordlover,

Good news on the tests!

My wife and I also had colonoscapies 3 weeks before my DaVinci... On different days so we could drive each other home...
And then I had to "clean out" again for the DaVinci... Never had such clean bowels in one month in my life... :-)

Congratulations on the new grandson! Those are the really important events of our lives!

God Bless,

Ray & Avis
Posted 5/8/2007 7:48 PM (GMT -7)
Hello Old ford Lover.........
Yes, good news all around , your tests were good. That is great.
Congratulations on the new grandchild, that is one of the happiest moments in a grandparents life. I have 7 grandchildren but only 3 that live in our state. A boy too, how grand that is. You have been blessed today for sure. Please keep posting on your progress and the little ones
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