Hi everyone, I am a 67 year old male, since the 18th June 06 my PSA readings have been 5.0, 4.4, 5.2, and last one on 13th March was 5.7. My GP said it was time to see a Urologist, so went there last Thursday, the DRE resulted in him saying that " one side of the gland is firmer than the other" so has scheduled me for a biopsy on the 2nd of July, if the results are positive, I have already decided that I will have the prostate removed, am I thinking along the right track in regards to this?

hi Mal, sorry that you are here, but you found the right place for answers. You appear to be "on the right track". First things first, the biopsy. Hopefully you will not need us afterwards, but if you do, we will be here. Surgery is one way to beat this disease, and appears to the the "golden standard". There are, however, other factors to consider. If it is PCa, you will be given a Gleason score, and stage. Those along with your PSA are factors to consider when chosing the right treatment. Also, your overall health will play a part. You can see from our signature, what my husbands scores were. Good luck on your biopsy. Courtney

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Kurt & Courtney

Hi  ~ Mal  & Loved Ones,

 

             A   “Special”  Warm Welcome  to  You!   

 

I know we can “all” make Your Journey smoother while you are waiting for answers ~ just by being here for you!   Thank you for reaching out!!! 

 

You’ve just made your own journey a lot smoother.  There are a lot of Helping Hands here… and just by reaching out like you did ~ you will have a much easier time.  We’ve been where you are now…. Knowing you aren’t alone… makes a big difference in psyche and spirit.

 

We will always be 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!!   

 

 

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER... and POWER conquers fear

 

 

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

Our thoughts and prayers will be with you as you continue to 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 ~ & ~ Direct Links to Important Topic Threads ~ Hope this helps you!! :)

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mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina

J  We invite you to visit our personal thread:  Click Here:  “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 :)

If you do in fact have PCa, you have to do what is right for you. We are here for support and advise but we are all different.
We will support your decisions and will be here to help.

Good Luck,
KW

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Hi Mal

You are just beginning what I call the "indignities of diagnosis".  You will be poked and prodded by a small army of docs and techs and nurses.  Hopefully they will find that you are NOT one of the some 200,000 men (in the USA) diagnosed with prostate cancer every year.  But, if you are, this internet forum (Healing Well), is the best place to find out what you need to know. This is a disease that can be treated successfully.  Please come back and tell us what is happening with you.

Hi ~ Mal,

 

We’re interested in what your doctor says about the burning sensation….  Have you been tested for a urinary infection?? 

 

Our DRE test sounds like yours…  and we had no symptoms… just a routine physical!!!

The most important thing right now is to have the biopsy and get the results.  There are quite a few threads about the biopsy and you will learn so much.  (see Helpful Hints link in posting above)

 

Knowledge is Power and Power takes away the fear.  ~ we all experience the fear…

 

YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS… YOU HAVE OPTIONS…

~ and ~

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

 

Finding this forum when you did ~ is the best thing you could have done.  Thank you for searching us out!  We will be here as long as you need us!!!  And we definitely will help you on to the biopsy… stepping-stone that has been placed in your path.  You are not alone and this will give you warmth and strength.  We are here to hold you close and we are here to lend you strength.

It’s our gift to you!!!   

Stay with us and continue to talk with us… okay!

 

Buddy & I invite you to visit our personal journey with prostate cancer.  The link is in the signature line above in our welcome to you!  Knowing what could possibly be in your future ~ will take away the mystery.  If your results come back that you do not have prostate cancer…. we will gladly send you on your way … being a little wiser about this disease.

 

So ~ as we all lend Helping Hands to you….. take our hands and know we care.

Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers as you move forward…

In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy 

Stay in touch Mal. Good luck with your biopsy. We're here if you need us.
And the people here are nice people.
Consider all your options, especially in terms of which doctor you choose for your selected treatment.
You'll be fine.
Tom

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54 years old

PSA = First ever was 9.8 in late Oct. ‘06, two weeks later, 10.1

DRE: Negative

Biopsy results 11/22/06 (6 out of 8 cores positive), both lobes, Gleason 3+3 = 6

Da Vinci Robotic RP surgery, City of Hope, Jan 12, 2007

Post surgery pathology – Organ confined, Gleason still 6, margins clear.

First post-surgery PSA -- Undetectable, 2/20/07

Mal:

Hi Mel,

Hopefully your biopsy will be all good news. If it is not however, take into account the patology results and review your decision. Research again and read the experiences here on the forum. We have a variety of treatment experiences and you will surely gain insight into your situation. You have time so stay with us with your questions and comments and all good luck with the biopsy...

Jim

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Age 72. Diagnosed 11/03/06. PSA 7.05. Stage T2B Gleason 3+3.

Hi everyone, thanks so much for all your kind comments will let u know the result of my biopsy..will find out results on the 12th Feb...meanwhile I am off to bowls practice, and tomorrow going fishing,face the rest when it happens, nice to know all of you, and a comfort to me to have so much support, thanks again!!

Regards Mal.

Post Edited (maldugs) : 6/11/2007 12:58:03 AM (GMT-6)

Hi everyone, have read the threads on the biopsy, very helpful, my Urologist told me that I would be sedated with a drug which would make me not remember the procedure, ( I had this once when I had a colonoscopy, it's strange as you really don't remember, you just wake up and think it has not started yet)

Fortunatley for me, I have a close friend who had his prostate removed 5 years ago by the same Urologist he recommended me to. My friend had nerve sparing, has no incontinence, and he is driving me to the hospital for the bio, my wife is happy with this, and I guess I am lucky to have him. The Urologist is very nice, I always like a Doctor who walks up to you, introduces himself by his first name, then shakes your hand, as he did...makes you feel comfortable eh?