Hello to you all

Hi Julia, and I'm so sorry to have to welcome you here. People do mean well, but those "it's nothing" comments are based on ignorance. As you now know PC is really "something." Nobody on this board has to tell you that your husband has a long road ahead of him. But is is a road full of hope, support, and medical breakthroughs, and we are seeing more and more of them each day. Your Husband's cancer is aggressive, as evidenced by the Gleason 8. How he responds to the hormone therapy will indeed be indicated the next and future PSA scores. There are many on this board, who have been in hormone therapy, and I'm sure they'll chime in with answers to any specific questions. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as are so many others on this board!
Best,
Mike

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June 2005 - Age 53 PSA 4.8 at regular physical
October 2005 - After several rounds of anti-biotics, PSA 5.2 at Urlogist
November 2005 - Biopsy negative
July 2006 - PSA 5.9 at regular Physical
October 2006 - After several more rounds of anti-biotics PSA 8.1
November 2006 - Second biopsy - Positive
December 2006 - Gleason (3+4=7), Tumor T1c, CT Scan and Bone Scan Negative
January 2, 2007 Robotic Prostatectomy, University of Rochester Medical Center - Tumor confined but larger than thought, only one nerve able to be spared. Margins clear.
February 2007 - Three to four pads a day, no erection with viagara.
March 2007 - Down to two pads a day, had first intercourse with Erecaid pump and bands, otherwise still flat tire.
April 2007 - First Post-Surgical PSA 0.02 and a great relief! Down to one pad a day. Still unable to achive erection without pump.
May, 2007 - Still one pad a day, even try a smaller pad on occasion. Slight improvement on the ED.
July, 2007 - Six Month Post-op: PSA 0.04 still Non-Detectable. One small pad/day for a few drops only! No change in ED.
"If patience is a virtue, I feel like the most virtuous guy on the planet!"

Post Edited (Mike A) : 9/9/2007 10:07:56 AM (GMT-6)

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Da Vinci Surgery July 31, 2007… 54 on surgery day
PSA 4.3  Gleason 3+3=6  T2a  Confined to Prostate

Waiting to take that first post-op PSA

My awareness web site: http://pca-info.blogspot.com

 

Julia,

Cancer specialist "Snuffy" Meyers is among the leading hormone treatment specialists in the country. If no one has yet to discover PAACT, he does a regular article for them. I'm sorry for your husband's diagnosis and wish you and your family the very best. Waiting for that first treatment PSA is really hard.

Paul

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Hi Julia,
Sorry you have to search out a support group but you found a good one. Healingwell has some great people hanging around and they will all respond you. The hormone treatment is indeed standard. My numbers are not too far off from your husbands. I too hear people say prostate cancer is "the good one". But no cancer is less than very serious. Insensitive comments like that are merely a result of ignorance and an attempt to make us feel better. Reality has it that your husbands condition is serious. But stay positive and believe in continuing on as you and your husband normally would. PC is known as the silent killer as it usually does not have symptoms. In my case it was a simple extra test at a physical that caght my advanced disease. Otherwise nothing. Not a pleasant surprise. And my case is not "the good one". Still I am doing well and will continue on as I always have. Blessings to you and your family. Ask any question here and you will likely receive a very usable answer. Our prayers are for you, your husband, and all here at this site.

Tony

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Age 45 (44 when Dx)

Julia - everyone here understands what you're feeling. My husband and I have found so much solace and knowledge here over the past few months - those were simply things you often can't get from those who don't understand.

Please don't worry about "going on too long." You're entitled and everyone here will continue to encourage you to ask any and all questions. As you need emotional support (and there are plenty of ups and downs), we'll help with that, too.

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Husband age 66

Hi ~ MissyJ & Loved Ones,

A "Special" Warm Welcome to You!

This is truly a great forum!!! ~ "You" have joined! You are now part of our forum family ~ a group of wonderful individuals who are so willing to share their journey.

Thank you for joining all of us on this road to HealingWell…..

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER... and POWER conquers fear

* bluebird ~ Moderator for Prostate Cancer Forum

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb179/mamabluebird1955/mamabluebirdWelcome.jpg

(Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!

Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there)

Prostate Cancer Resources, Helpful Hints, and Topic Thread Links http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=52996

(Located at the top of page 1,2,3… 65,67… on the Prostate Forum : )

Invitation to New Members… Welcome to HealingWell (Special Request) http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=902976

Hi ~ MissyJ,

Just a little note to say "hi"... You truly have found a "special" place!! We welcome you and look forward to walking with you on your journey. It's a journey best traveled with friends who know!!

You can write as much or as little as you need to help you!  The more we know the better we are to understand the exact location in your path... Our hands reach out and we are so thankful you holding on!!

Please plan to stay close. In New Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy

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mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina

 

v          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

PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate

3rd PSA 08-07-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :)

Missy Julia,

This fight will be most difficult for you and your husband and the girls.

Feel free to lean on this group of caring, informed, kind, and intelligent friends you have found here.  You can ask anything, express your thoughts and feelings, or just find someone who understands & cares. 

We have some understanding of the battle you face
   -and how disruptive this can be to your family.
Cry whenever you feel like it -  but try not to linger in despair.
Your new friends here will hold out hope and comfort for you at all times.

C^Cedar
ICTHUS

Hi Julia

I am so glad you found this group of caring people. I truly wish none of us had to be here but were all here for each other. This is a safe place to talk about your feelings and discuss what the docs tell you and your husband. I have found by reading other peoples post I have alot more questions to ask the doc that I would not have otherwise thought of. Here is a group of very knowledgable people who really do care. Welcome to the group and ask away. You will get answers.

Our prayers will be with you and yor family.

Rick

Missyj - The other thing that is helpful if someone on this board is answering your questions don't hesitate to ask for their phone number. Sometimes it's easier to talk over the phone. Everyone here knows cancer is cancer no matter what, and remember there are no stupid questions.
God Bless and I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

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Age 44

Dear Julia, I am wishing you a lot of strength. about 2 months ago, my husband (53) and I were in the same situation you are in now. Despite an almost complete lack of symptoms, he turned out to have a PSA of 1,930 and wide spread mestases (bones and lungs). Like your husband, he was put on HT immediately (Lupron) and the side-effects are merely a nuisance. You'll be surprised how quickly you'll find that life goes on, you just have to take it one day at a time. The first PSA test will tell you whether your husband responds to hormone therapy, but most of the time people do. Take care, Dutchy

Julia,

The first Doctor I seen after being Diag. examined the biopsy and factored in my gleason score of 8 and told me to prepare for the worst. I just got my one year PSA and it was .02 which is basically 0. My point is never let any news keep you down because there is always hope. I was told over and over the most important thing I could do was keep a positive attitude. While easier said than done, I did manage to stay positive most of the time and I do believe it is a very large factor in the overall treatment.

Please research as much as you feel comfortable with so you and your husband can make educated decisions along the way. Finally, now that you have found this site you have taken care of another very large factor, Support.

Take Care

Post Edited (Rock50) : 9/10/2007 9:28:12 AM (GMT-6)

Dear Julia,

Again as previous posters have said, welcome to the club that nobody wants to belong to. You will find an outpouring of hope and experience on Healingwell, there are many, many posters that have been exactly where your husband is. I'm sure at this time you are going through many emotions, what do I do next, how serious is this stuff, is he going to be alright, etc, etc... These are all normal feelings and you and your better half will work your way through all of them. My advice to you is to read, read, and then read some more, learn all you can about pca and the many treatment options available today. When you get discouraged come to the board and let it out, I guarantee you that you will get many responses that will help you in your decision making process. There are many of us on this board that are taking Hormone therapy, myself included. Tell your hubby to hang in there, have a positive attitude and do a lot of praying, and you'll be alright......good luck to you both...jwb.

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age: 61
PSA 4.57 - Positive DRE
Biopsy 3-19-07 - Gleason 4+4=8
Negative bone scan 3-20-07
DaVinci 4-24-07
Catheter out 5-01-07
post op pathology:
positive margin left side of prostate
left seminal vesicle involved (both removed)
No lymph node involvement
New gleason score 9
T3B....radiation consult on 5-9-07.
June 5, 2007 1st psa post surgery 0.62
June 27, 2007 second psa post surgery 0.59
June 27, 2007 started Lupron injection (24 mos)
September 6, 2007 scheduled to be marked and prepped for radiation therapy.

Thank you so much to everyone who has responded with messages of hope and support. I am overwhelmed by the caring nature of you all - what a great place to have stumbled across!

Hey Julia,

I'm so glad you found hope here. Isn't it great to know that we have a place to find information, hope and a place to let it all hang out.

We can do this together. Please stay with us for we need you as much as you need us...

Jim

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Age 73. Diagnosed 11/03/06. PSA 7.05. Stage T2C Gleason 3+3.

Julia:

You have found a wonderful group of people here and with the wonders of the internet, distance no longer matters - we're all one big family.  We've all been where you are and, after getting over the initial shock, we've learned to lean on one another and share opinions and information as though we were sitting in the same room.  Take in as much as you can, research as much as you can and make informed decisions.

I've relied on the posters to this forum for alot since my husband's diagnosis and they've never let me down.  They've provided information, quelled my fears and picked me up in my darkest hour.  They truly understand and are truly determined to get you through - trust them as I have trusted them and you will not be disappointed.

My thoughts are with you and your family as you travel this road.

 

JustJulie

Just wanted to add my welcome. Sometimes the darkest time is when you feel so alone and so out of control. Knowledge truly is power, especially when you're facing this da*ned disease. The great thing about this forum is you can ask anytning and somebody will have useful information, even if it's just a tidbit to get you started in learning what you need to know. Stay with us and hang in there. You and your husband can beat this thing -- or at least keep in under control. Have faith.

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Puget

Hi Missy, I wanted to add my welcome also before I head off to my last consult before deciding what to do with my PC. All the other posts are right on; please each of you keep a positive outlook ... being upbeat, they have proven, is very beneficial to any treatment. I also recommend Dr. Walsh's book. I bought it yesterday and found it an easy read and quite helpful. Remember, we are her for you.

nscottb

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Age 60 (almost)

Julia,

Hope you and your husband are doing well. I ran across this and it contains some of the best info available. I started under the Resources heading. Hope it helps. Stay positive!

Good Luck!!!!

Eric

http://urology.jhu.edu/prostate/cancer.php

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Prostate Cancer, Removed by Da Vincie Robotic

Dear MissyJ, Welcome to the forum that cares. You will find more compssionate people here than anywhere you go. The one thing you can do is get the info to allow your husband and you make the decision that is right for you and him. It is easy to get down, but there are answers here to bring you up. Keep coming back and never stop asking questions. We have heard it a hundred times there are no dumb questions. As you already know there are a lot of dumb answers from the uninformed. Remember it is always darkest just before the dawn. Being hit with the results of the tests as you were, no wonder it seems dark and dreary. With a positive attitude, our prayers, and your doctors expertise you will get through this. God Bless, Uncle Dan

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Age 67
No symptoms, DRE negative
10-06 PSA 5.44 01-07 PSA 6.47
CT and Bone scan negative
05-07 Biopsies, 2 of 6 positive
Gleason Score (3+4) 7 Stage T1c
08-14 Dr. Dasari - Baptist Hospital
da Vinci RAP, five hours surgery
Hospital 2 1/2 days, 8 -14 to 8 -16
Pathology report Negative margins
Cancer encapsulated,
Lymph nodes 2 R & 1 L - Negative,
R & L seminal vesicles - Negative
Gleason changed (4+3) 7 closer to 8 than 6
8-31 Use pad when out, Sleeping without pad.