Biopsy Results on Wednesday

Thanks for listening....

MrsT

Mrs. T,

It is very difficult not to focus on possible negative outcomes while at the same time you must act on their possiblities.
Easy to say this, but we have all been there:  Try to stay calm.  
The medical information you shared sounds like if it is anything, it was caught early. 

IT MAY NOT BE CANCER! 

Regardless, all of us here will hope for the best with you.
We will also be here to listen as friends.

Sincerely,

C^Cedar

2 Years of PSA between 4 and 5.5

Biopsy 23DEC06 

Only 5 percent cancer in one of 8 samples.

Gleeson 3+3=6

Radical Prostatectomy 16FEB07 at age 54.

1+" tumor - touching inside edge of gland.

Confined.  :)

***************

Texas Hill Country

FRESH Produce Department Manager

Have you had your 5 colors today?

MrsT:

Since this is a "couples disease" it can be pretty overwhelming for both partners.  With your husbands upbeat personality, that will take him a long way on this journey.  The PSA of 11 is high, but not overly so.  If the biopsy finds something, it will be the Gleason score that will be of more interest.  If they again do not find anything on the biopsy, he might want to try a "free" PSA that would help rule out possible Pca.

Good luck to you and keep us posted.

Dutch

PSA 4.8      Gleason 3+3=6      Stage   T2b

Completed Proton Therapy @ Loma Linda - Aug 2001

Have had no side effects.

6yr PSA - 0.19

Spent most of my weekend worrying and took a day off from work on Monday to try to get it together.  My husband is off for two weeks holiday and decided to go golfing Wednesday with his buddies so he needed to reschedule his appt.  When he called the urologist's office, they didn't have anything until August; there was no way I could make it until then and told him so.  Fortunately we were able to squeeze in and see the Doctor yesterday.  In the first biopsy earlier this year, six samples were taken (results were negative); in the second biopsy, twelve samples were taken.  The results of the second biopsy was negative! His free PSA was .08...this I know is not good.

Anyway, don't know what to think at this point.  I know that existing cancer may have been missed or, if none currently present, that it could still develop.  But what to do now? The Doctor wants another PSA in October and we will then go from there.  Can we afford to do this watchful waiting?  Also just found out from my husband's sisters (he is the youngest of 5 children) that their Dad had his prostate removed...he passed away 23 years ago due to heart troubles at age 64; still trying to get details as to why the prostrate was removed but have to do this delicately as I don't want to upset my 89 year-old Mother-inlaw.  Should I seek out a second opinion from another urologist at this time?  Not sure where to go from here...

Thanks for your help,

MrsT

A bit more info....if I heard the Doctor correctly, the .08 referred to his free PSA (which I think is a %..thanks Dutch, I forgot to mention that in my earlier post).  I know the full report of my husband's biopsy will go back to our family physician so I can get a written copy of the results from him.  I am sure in my terror I might not have accurately heard everything...just focused on the "negative" of the biopsy.  Bluebird:  the only symptoms my husband ever had last fall was a pressing need to go to the bathroom, feeling like he was not completely voiding (is this a word?) the urine and getting up a few times through the night. He mentioned this to the family Doc, had a DRE (was found to have an enlarged prostate) and based on their discussion was then referred to a specialist.  These are still his only symptoms...tried flomax...did nothing to reduce the prostate enlargement.  Can't say if he has an infection of any kind; he is not on any meds at all.  He is in good physical health and active w/golf, baseball, daily walks etc. Thanks kindly bluebird for asking these questions.

We will definitely follow up with the family Doctor as we would like a referral to another urologist for another opinion.  We live east of Toronto, Ontario in Canada; there is a new prostate centre that opened in North York, Ontario on July 9, 2007 that offers "one-stop shopping" for men with prostate cancer.  The Gale and Graham Wright Prostate Centre at North York General Hospital will house radiologists, oncologists and other specialists together to offer patients a quicker diagnosis, testing, assessment etc.  This will eliminate sending patients to different loctions for diagnosis, which also requires transferring records and patients' information etc.  Couldn't believe my eyes when I read about this new facility...the timeliness is no accident I am sure.

Anyway, I am rambling but wanted you all to know I am on this like butter on bread.  I will contine to read other posts and will seek out the Color Doppler test also.  Thanks kindly Dutch for suggesting this test.  I appreciate, also, bluebird for your loving and gentle pust to a more positive frame of mind.  I will work on my "stinking thinking" (my words no one else's) so that I can be a blessing to my husband and not drag him down.

I will keep you all posted.  Thank you again for your kindness.

MrsT