I'm going to take a leaf from Pratoman's book and tell my PC story to date, and will add to it as things progress. My story starts in the early 1990's. Around 1991 or so, my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer sometime around the time he turned 65. I don't know a lot of details. At that time, PSA was just starting to be accepted as a diagnostic tool, and we didn't know nearly what we know today about PC. He chose to undergo cryosurgery at the Cleveland Clinic. I truly believe, and I recall some conversations from the time about it, that he chose it in part because of the research angle. At the time, cryosurgery was not insurance covered, either by private plans or medicare, and he paid the fee out of pocket.
Over the next few years, he did very well. I remember him telling me that his prostate dissolved over time, and literally was physically gone. He and my mother traveled extensively, taking long trips to Australia, New Zealand, Asia Minor and Greece, spent several summers in England, and so on. Around 2001, his PSA started rising, and he went on HT. Late in 2003, they found metas on his Urethra and bladder, and was treated with external beam radiation until late spring 2004. During the summer of 2004, he started experiencing lower back pain, and by mid august had been diagnosed with spinal cancer. He passed in October of 2004 at the age of 78.
His experience, and mine as son and observer, has absolutely influenced my decision making process and my opinions of the course of action I'm choosing. End of part 1
This is great halbert, I think the more of these "Chronicles" we put out, the more valuable it will be to newbies, because everyone is different, and everyone approaches this differently.
And sorry you like me, had to see your dad taken by this garbage disease.
Rising PSA from 2008 through April 2013
PSA 2008 - 2012 .7 TO 2.2
Dec 2012 - Biopsy, 14 core, nO PCA, one core HGPIN
4/13 PSA 2.8, FPsa 11, PCA3 13, 10/13 PSA2.7 fPSA 15
4/14 PSA 3.1 fPsa 16, 10/14 PSA 4.3 fPSA 12 PCA3 26
11/14 BX 3/12 cores + G610%, G6 20%, 3+5=8, 70%
2nd opinion Johns Hopkins, all G6 10%, 20% 80%
3rd opinion MSKCC all G6 10%, 15%, 70%
RALP scheduled January 6th 2014
My story, at tinyurl.com/qgyu3xq
And sorry you like me, had to see your dad taken by this garbage disease.
Rising PSA from 2008 through April 2013
PSA 2008 - 2012 .7 TO 2.2
Dec 2012 - Biopsy, 14 core, nO PCA, one core HGPIN
4/13 PSA 2.8, FPsa 11, PCA3 13, 10/13 PSA2.7 fPSA 15
4/14 PSA 3.1 fPsa 16, 10/14 PSA 4.3 fPSA 12 PCA3 26
11/14 BX 3/12 cores + G610%, G6 20%, 3+5=8, 70%
2nd opinion Johns Hopkins, all G6 10%, 20% 80%
3rd opinion MSKCC all G6 10%, 15%, 70%
RALP scheduled January 6th 2014
My story, at tinyurl.com/qgyu3xq
Thank you Halbert, these stories are powerful and helpful.
Sorry about your dad
Age 48,
PSA 14.7 06/24/2013
PSA 14.6 08/20/2013
Biopsy 10/1/2013 - 2 out of 12 cores positive
Gleason 3+3
RALP on 11/11/2013.
Catheter out on 11/18/2013
Still a little leaky 01/01/2015
PSA <0.1 12/29/2014
PSA <0.1 07/07/2014
PSA <0.1 01/13/2014
Current very happy member of the 0 Club
(Not a Medical Professional)
Sorry about your dad
Age 48,
PSA 14.7 06/24/2013
PSA 14.6 08/20/2013
Biopsy 10/1/2013 - 2 out of 12 cores positive
Gleason 3+3
RALP on 11/11/2013.
Catheter out on 11/18/2013
Still a little leaky 01/01/2015
PSA <0.1 12/29/2014
PSA <0.1 07/07/2014
PSA <0.1 01/13/2014
Current very happy member of the 0 Club
(Not a Medical Professional)
Part 2
I turned 40 in 1998. Starting that year, I requested my PCP to order PSA tests and to do a DRE during my annual physical exam. He felt it was too early, but after discussing my family history, he agreed. I'll admit that I've wondered myself if that was overkill, but ultimately, it's not a big deal, and bore fruit this year.
During the intervening years, my daughters all grew up, went through adolescence and college, two earned advanced degrees, and have started their own lives. In the summer of 2006, during a routine medical screening at work, the screening physician found two suspicious moles on my back. I had them biopsied later that year, and had surgery for Malignant Melanoma in November of 2006. They traced the lymph path to my axillary nodes (armpits), removed nodes from both sides, and the final diagnosis was 1 in situ MM, and 1 stage 1B with clear nodes. I felt I truly dodged the bullet there, and actually moved into a sort of denial, that while I qualified for the title "cancer survivor", I've always felt like I kind of cheated the definition.
Also, in the spring of 2007, when my middle daughter was getting ready for graduate school, a medical exam found that she had Papillary thyroid cancer. She had surgery that summer, learned how to eat iodine free, had a single radioactive iodine treatment, and has been cancer free for going on 8 years.
Backtracking, in 2001 my mother was found with breast cancer, at the age of 72, as a member of the group of women who developed breast cancer after years of hormone therapy.
All that is to say that I have the monster of Cancer throughout my family, and my diagnosis is not really a surprise. (end of part 2)
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
I turned 40 in 1998. Starting that year, I requested my PCP to order PSA tests and to do a DRE during my annual physical exam. He felt it was too early, but after discussing my family history, he agreed. I'll admit that I've wondered myself if that was overkill, but ultimately, it's not a big deal, and bore fruit this year.
During the intervening years, my daughters all grew up, went through adolescence and college, two earned advanced degrees, and have started their own lives. In the summer of 2006, during a routine medical screening at work, the screening physician found two suspicious moles on my back. I had them biopsied later that year, and had surgery for Malignant Melanoma in November of 2006. They traced the lymph path to my axillary nodes (armpits), removed nodes from both sides, and the final diagnosis was 1 in situ MM, and 1 stage 1B with clear nodes. I felt I truly dodged the bullet there, and actually moved into a sort of denial, that while I qualified for the title "cancer survivor", I've always felt like I kind of cheated the definition.
Also, in the spring of 2007, when my middle daughter was getting ready for graduate school, a medical exam found that she had Papillary thyroid cancer. She had surgery that summer, learned how to eat iodine free, had a single radioactive iodine treatment, and has been cancer free for going on 8 years.
Backtracking, in 2001 my mother was found with breast cancer, at the age of 72, as a member of the group of women who developed breast cancer after years of hormone therapy.
All that is to say that I have the monster of Cancer throughout my family, and my diagnosis is not really a surprise. (end of part 2)
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
Part 3
Until 2012, my PSA was <1 (I need to ask my PCP for the actual values from my files for interest). In 2013, the reading was 2.0, and in 2014, it was 3.3. This was in October. When the PSA results came in, my PCP referred me to the local URO. He's been in local practice for many years, and has a great reputation.
When I went to the URO, I met one of the PA's, who did a DRE and told me that given my family history and rising PSA, that I needed a biopsy. She gave me a script for Cipro and a Fleet, and made me an appointment for the biopsy on December 2. On biopsy day, I followed the instructions, took a dose of cipro the night before and that morning, did the fleet and in I went. The most painful part of the biopsy was the antibiotic injection in the butt cheek. Over the next few days, I immersed myself in Google learning about prostate biopsies, gleason scores, etc etc. I was a bit crazed.
On Dec 5, I got home from work to a message on the answering machine to call the URO office. I called, was connected to the correct person, who informed me that I had 3 of 12 positive cores at a gleason score of 6. I had enough presence of mind to ask what next, and she asked what days would work well for a bone scan and cat scan. That was a Friday afternoon. I didn't sleep much that weekend. One day the next week, they called and told me the bone scan and cat scan were scheduled, and which day. Honestly, the next couple of weeks were a blur.
I had the bone scan and cat scan the next week, and met with the URO on December 16 to discuss everything. He explained that he exclusively does open surgery, mostly because he couldn't convince the local hospital to invest in DaVinci (no real surprise there). He referred me to Dr. Figenshau at BJC in St Louis, and set me up with an appointment there on Jan 2 for a consultation. End part 3
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
Until 2012, my PSA was <1 (I need to ask my PCP for the actual values from my files for interest). In 2013, the reading was 2.0, and in 2014, it was 3.3. This was in October. When the PSA results came in, my PCP referred me to the local URO. He's been in local practice for many years, and has a great reputation.
When I went to the URO, I met one of the PA's, who did a DRE and told me that given my family history and rising PSA, that I needed a biopsy. She gave me a script for Cipro and a Fleet, and made me an appointment for the biopsy on December 2. On biopsy day, I followed the instructions, took a dose of cipro the night before and that morning, did the fleet and in I went. The most painful part of the biopsy was the antibiotic injection in the butt cheek. Over the next few days, I immersed myself in Google learning about prostate biopsies, gleason scores, etc etc. I was a bit crazed.
On Dec 5, I got home from work to a message on the answering machine to call the URO office. I called, was connected to the correct person, who informed me that I had 3 of 12 positive cores at a gleason score of 6. I had enough presence of mind to ask what next, and she asked what days would work well for a bone scan and cat scan. That was a Friday afternoon. I didn't sleep much that weekend. One day the next week, they called and told me the bone scan and cat scan were scheduled, and which day. Honestly, the next couple of weeks were a blur.
I had the bone scan and cat scan the next week, and met with the URO on December 16 to discuss everything. He explained that he exclusively does open surgery, mostly because he couldn't convince the local hospital to invest in DaVinci (no real surprise there). He referred me to Dr. Figenshau at BJC in St Louis, and set me up with an appointment there on Jan 2 for a consultation. End part 3
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
Part 4
My wife and I went down to St Louis on Jan 2 to visit BCJ and meet with Dr. Figenshau. During that visit, we got all our questions answered, and requested a referral from him to his RO team at BJC. Additionally, the pathologist as Wash U looked at my slides and concurred with the diagnosis. My bone scan and cat scan were clean, showing a small hiatal hernia and bone deterioration in my left knee and both shoulders (welcome to the arthritis club).
Ultimately, I've chosen to go with RALP for the common reasons. The biggest are wanting actual confirmation of the margins, and the psychological effect of knowing right away, not months in the future. I am concerned about the SEs, to be sure. However, I see the stats and they are relatively the same either way, and I'm deciding that I'm going to be in the "good" group, not the problem group.
My local URO is going to handle my follow up care (already confirmed and agreed to). They generally start low dose cialis treatment a few weeks post surgery to get the blood flowing down there, and generally get good results.
Next move: schedule the surgery and get ready for it.
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
My wife and I went down to St Louis on Jan 2 to visit BCJ and meet with Dr. Figenshau. During that visit, we got all our questions answered, and requested a referral from him to his RO team at BJC. Additionally, the pathologist as Wash U looked at my slides and concurred with the diagnosis. My bone scan and cat scan were clean, showing a small hiatal hernia and bone deterioration in my left knee and both shoulders (welcome to the arthritis club).
Ultimately, I've chosen to go with RALP for the common reasons. The biggest are wanting actual confirmation of the margins, and the psychological effect of knowing right away, not months in the future. I am concerned about the SEs, to be sure. However, I see the stats and they are relatively the same either way, and I'm deciding that I'm going to be in the "good" group, not the problem group.
My local URO is going to handle my follow up care (already confirmed and agreed to). They generally start low dose cialis treatment a few weeks post surgery to get the blood flowing down there, and generally get good results.
Next move: schedule the surgery and get ready for it.
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
Sounds like a plan halbert! I understand why you chose surgery, I sm a surgery guy also.
Now find the best surgeon you can even if it is out of your area. There are no do overs and with your stats, you will probably be done with PCa after surgery.
All treatment plans have side effects. Surgery has SE's immediately after treatment while radiation has them much later.
PCa has over 230,000 new cases a year and a Healing Well PC has maybe 1-2 dozen new forum members every month so it is great to see you newbies already "paying forward" for future newbies.
Good luck in the future
Bill from Florida
Age - 64
Feb. 2012 - PSA 18.5 Biopsy 4/27/12
Positive 10 of 12 cores, Gleason 6 then
Da Vinci Surgery 07/17/12, Dr. Vipul Patel
EPE, 2 positive margins, Gleason 3+4=7, involving 50% of gland, prostate weight 57 g. Stage pT3a, Lymph node involvement: 0/4
All post-op PSA tests through 10/15/13 undetectable <0.1
Currently 0.1
AUS AMS 800 installed 4/11/14 finally dry!
Now find the best surgeon you can even if it is out of your area. There are no do overs and with your stats, you will probably be done with PCa after surgery.
All treatment plans have side effects. Surgery has SE's immediately after treatment while radiation has them much later.
PCa has over 230,000 new cases a year and a Healing Well PC has maybe 1-2 dozen new forum members every month so it is great to see you newbies already "paying forward" for future newbies.
Good luck in the future
Bill from Florida
Age - 64
Feb. 2012 - PSA 18.5 Biopsy 4/27/12
Positive 10 of 12 cores, Gleason 6 then
Da Vinci Surgery 07/17/12, Dr. Vipul Patel
EPE, 2 positive margins, Gleason 3+4=7, involving 50% of gland, prostate weight 57 g. Stage pT3a, Lymph node involvement: 0/4
All post-op PSA tests through 10/15/13 undetectable <0.1
Currently 0.1
AUS AMS 800 installed 4/11/14 finally dry!
You have had a lot of friggin' cancer in your life and your family. Always sorry to hear that. I lost both my parent to cancer--mom to colon and dad to pancreatic. Older brother also had PC and now he's just been diagnosed with leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. If I'm a match, I hope to step up in that regard, but this dang PC thing may disqualify me.
Thank you very much for sharing your story and I wish you the best of luck on your journey!
Age 54, Diagnosed at 51
PSA 9.6, Gleason: 9 (5+4), three 7s (3+4)
Chose triple play of HDR brachy, IMRT and HT (Casodex, Lupron and Zytiga)
Completed HT (18 months) in April 2014
6/14: T=29, PSA = 0.02
9/14: T = 176, PSA = 0.08
12/14: T = 96, PSA = 0.16
Thank you very much for sharing your story and I wish you the best of luck on your journey!
Age 54, Diagnosed at 51
PSA 9.6, Gleason: 9 (5+4), three 7s (3+4)
Chose triple play of HDR brachy, IMRT and HT (Casodex, Lupron and Zytiga)
Completed HT (18 months) in April 2014
6/14: T=29, PSA = 0.02
9/14: T = 176, PSA = 0.08
12/14: T = 96, PSA = 0.16
Big Mac, the RALP team at BJC (Barnes-Jewish) in St Louis has done several thousand of them. In the various surveys, BJC and the Siteman cancer center are considered a "top ten" facility. I think I'm in good hands with them. It's a 2 hour drive there for me. Out here in flyover country, they have a great reputation.
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
halbert, you and Prato have really raised the bar in terms of sharing your journey, and yes "Paying Forward." Thank you both for that, just awesome stuff for the newbies.
Regarding choosing the practitioner - as you've seen there's tons of studies and statistics out there about the various modalities in terms of success rates, risk of SE's and so on. Now that you've made your choice of treatment - I would encourage you to ask each specific practitioner what their specific results are for patients they have treated with your specific PCa stats. They all have them, and if they don't or aren't willing to share that would be a red flag for me.
Again, thanks for sharing your story and continued best to you!
57 yrs old, excellent health - DX'd PCa July '12
PSA 5.8
Biopsy 6/27/12
9 of 12 Gleason: 3+3 and 3+4
Negative DRE’s / NO / MO / T1C / Gland size 40gm / Vol. 22gm
Volume Study 8/14/12
Casodex 50mg daily 5 wks prior 2 wks post BT
LDR BT 9/21/12 – no issues, No SE's
3 mo PSA 12/12 0.48!
6 mo PSA 3/13 0.21!
9 mo PSA 6/13 0.30!
1 yr PSA 9/13 0.30!
18 mo PSA 3/14 0.30!
2 yr PSA 9/18/14 0.13!
Regarding choosing the practitioner - as you've seen there's tons of studies and statistics out there about the various modalities in terms of success rates, risk of SE's and so on. Now that you've made your choice of treatment - I would encourage you to ask each specific practitioner what their specific results are for patients they have treated with your specific PCa stats. They all have them, and if they don't or aren't willing to share that would be a red flag for me.
Again, thanks for sharing your story and continued best to you!
57 yrs old, excellent health - DX'd PCa July '12
PSA 5.8
Biopsy 6/27/12
9 of 12 Gleason: 3+3 and 3+4
Negative DRE’s / NO / MO / T1C / Gland size 40gm / Vol. 22gm
Volume Study 8/14/12
Casodex 50mg daily 5 wks prior 2 wks post BT
LDR BT 9/21/12 – no issues, No SE's
3 mo PSA 12/12 0.48!
6 mo PSA 3/13 0.21!
9 mo PSA 6/13 0.30!
1 yr PSA 9/13 0.30!
18 mo PSA 3/14 0.30!
2 yr PSA 9/18/14 0.13!
Halbert,
That is what you want, a surgeon that has done 1,000 surgeries. I had to drive 3 hours for my surgery.
Bill from Florida
Age - 64
Feb. 2012 - PSA 18.5 Biopsy 4/27/12
Positive 10 of 12 cores, Gleason 6 then
Da Vinci Surgery 07/17/12, Dr. Vipul Patel
EPE, 2 positive margins, Gleason 3+4=7, involving 50% of gland, prostate weight 57 g. Stage pT3a, Lymph node involvement: 0/4
All post-op PSA tests through 10/15/13 undetectable <0.1
Currently 0.1
AUS AMS 800 installed 4/11/14 finally dry!
That is what you want, a surgeon that has done 1,000 surgeries. I had to drive 3 hours for my surgery.
Bill from Florida
Age - 64
Feb. 2012 - PSA 18.5 Biopsy 4/27/12
Positive 10 of 12 cores, Gleason 6 then
Da Vinci Surgery 07/17/12, Dr. Vipul Patel
EPE, 2 positive margins, Gleason 3+4=7, involving 50% of gland, prostate weight 57 g. Stage pT3a, Lymph node involvement: 0/4
All post-op PSA tests through 10/15/13 undetectable <0.1
Currently 0.1
AUS AMS 800 installed 4/11/14 finally dry!
Ok, time for the next installment: As of this afternoon (Monday, Jan 19) my daughter is admitted to the maternity ward and is in labor. So, grandparent status begins in the next 24 hours! 
The next week or so will involve a trip to the Shenandoah/New River valley region of Virginia to meet the grandson and a call to the surgical team at BJC west in St Louis to schedule my surgery. Once the surgery is scheduled, I'll be adding that date to my sig file.
I'm reasonably certain I'll have at least one pre-op trip to BJC. Are there any members in the St. Louis area who would be interested in meeting for coffee or an adult beverage when I make the pre-op trip? My email is in my profile.
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
The next week or so will involve a trip to the Shenandoah/New River valley region of Virginia to meet the grandson and a call to the surgical team at BJC west in St Louis to schedule my surgery. Once the surgery is scheduled, I'll be adding that date to my sig file.I'm reasonably certain I'll have at least one pre-op trip to BJC. Are there any members in the St. Louis area who would be interested in meeting for coffee or an adult beverage when I make the pre-op trip? My email is in my profile.
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
Halbert good luck on the new arrival.
Rising PSA from 2008 through April 2013
PSA 2008 - 2012 .7 TO 2.2
Dec 2012 - Biopsy, 14 core, nO PCA, one core HGPIN
4/13 PSA 2.8, FPsa 11, PCA3 13, 10/13 PSA2.7 fPSA 15
4/14 PSA 3.1 fPsa 16, 10/14 PSA 4.3 fPSA 12 PCA3 26
11/14 BX 3/12 cores + G610%, G6 20%, 3+5=8, 70%
2nd opinion Johns Hopkins, all G6 10%, 20% 80%
3rd opinion MSKCC all G6 10%, 15%, 70%
RALP scheduled January 6th 2014
Final pathology stage pT2c, upstaged to Gleason 7 (3+4)
ECE, Margins, SV, Lymph nodes (9) all negative, PNI present.
5% involvement of Prostate by tumor.
My story, at tinyurl.com/qgyu3xq
Rising PSA from 2008 through April 2013
PSA 2008 - 2012 .7 TO 2.2
Dec 2012 - Biopsy, 14 core, nO PCA, one core HGPIN
4/13 PSA 2.8, FPsa 11, PCA3 13, 10/13 PSA2.7 fPSA 15
4/14 PSA 3.1 fPsa 16, 10/14 PSA 4.3 fPSA 12 PCA3 26
11/14 BX 3/12 cores + G610%, G6 20%, 3+5=8, 70%
2nd opinion Johns Hopkins, all G6 10%, 20% 80%
3rd opinion MSKCC all G6 10%, 15%, 70%
RALP scheduled January 6th 2014
Final pathology stage pT2c, upstaged to Gleason 7 (3+4)
ECE, Margins, SV, Lymph nodes (9) all negative, PNI present.
5% involvement of Prostate by tumor.
My story, at tinyurl.com/qgyu3xq
Halbert,
I am in St.Louis and will gladly meet for a cup of coffee and share my journey with you.
I checked your profile in order to get your email address but it is unavailable. Mine is so feel free to contact me.
Put coffee in the subject line.
All the best.
Family history of PC
Father died on 2/16/200k about 16 years after being diagnosed. Courageous man.
PSA 3.04
Diagnosed at 54 October 2010
3/12 biopsies 5% 10% 15%
Gleason 3+4
open Surgery February 14th Cleveland Clinic February 14, 2011 Dr. Eric Kline
Negative margins/lymph nodes/seminal vessels/etc.
Continent
No ED issues
Non-detectable
I am in St.Louis and will gladly meet for a cup of coffee and share my journey with you.
I checked your profile in order to get your email address but it is unavailable. Mine is so feel free to contact me.
Put coffee in the subject line.
All the best.
Family history of PC
Father died on 2/16/200k about 16 years after being diagnosed. Courageous man.
PSA 3.04
Diagnosed at 54 October 2010
3/12 biopsies 5% 10% 15%
Gleason 3+4
open Surgery February 14th Cleveland Clinic February 14, 2011 Dr. Eric Kline
Negative margins/lymph nodes/seminal vessels/etc.
Continent
No ED issues
Non-detectable
Thank you for sharing this, Halbert.
Eric
Age: 47
3/2011 : PSA 1.34
10/15/14 : PSA 2.93
11/07/14 : PSA 3.78
11/14/14 : DRE Abnormal
11/21/14 : TRUS BX
11/26/14: DX: 4 of 10 cores positive, 5th core atypical. 1 core 5%, 1 core 20%, 2 cores 30%, all 3+3 T2c
RALP scheduled for 02/04/15
Eric
Age: 47
3/2011 : PSA 1.34
10/15/14 : PSA 2.93
11/07/14 : PSA 3.78
11/14/14 : DRE Abnormal
11/21/14 : TRUS BX
11/26/14: DX: 4 of 10 cores positive, 5th core atypical. 1 core 5%, 1 core 20%, 2 cores 30%, all 3+3 T2c
RALP scheduled for 02/04/15
So I've made my first trip to Walgreens for post surgery supplies. Donut cushion and absorbent pad for the bed. I've never wandered in that part of the store, just a bit weird.
I know what you mean, halbert. It's weird walking down that aisle for the first time.
Rising PSA from 2008 through April 2013
PSA 2008 - 2012 .7 TO 2.2
Dec 2012 - Biopsy, 14 core, nO PCA, one core HGPIN
4/13 PSA 2.8, FPsa 11, PCA3 13, 10/13 PSA2.7 fPSA 15
4/14 PSA 3.1 fPsa 16, 10/14 PSA 4.3 fPSA 12 PCA3 26
11/14 BX 3/12 cores + G610%, G6 20%, 3+5=8, 70%
2nd opinion Johns Hopkins, all G6 10%, 20% 80%
3rd opinion MSKCC all G6 10%, 15%, 70%
RALP scheduled January 6th 2014
Final pathology stage pT2c, upstaged to Gleason 7 (3+4)
ECE, Margins, SV, Lymph nodes (9) all negative, PNI present.
5% involvement of Prostate by tumor.
My story, at tinyurl.com/qgyu3xq
Rising PSA from 2008 through April 2013
PSA 2008 - 2012 .7 TO 2.2
Dec 2012 - Biopsy, 14 core, nO PCA, one core HGPIN
4/13 PSA 2.8, FPsa 11, PCA3 13, 10/13 PSA2.7 fPSA 15
4/14 PSA 3.1 fPsa 16, 10/14 PSA 4.3 fPSA 12 PCA3 26
11/14 BX 3/12 cores + G610%, G6 20%, 3+5=8, 70%
2nd opinion Johns Hopkins, all G6 10%, 20% 80%
3rd opinion MSKCC all G6 10%, 15%, 70%
RALP scheduled January 6th 2014
Final pathology stage pT2c, upstaged to Gleason 7 (3+4)
ECE, Margins, SV, Lymph nodes (9) all negative, PNI present.
5% involvement of Prostate by tumor.
My story, at tinyurl.com/qgyu3xq
Several of the recent newcomer posts have reminded me of what I'm starting to call my personal D-day (diagnosis day).
It was Friday, December 5, 2014. I had a 12 core biopsy on December 2, and they told me "it will be about a week" for results. It was, as I recall, a normal work day. I got home from work, fed the cat, took off my steel toe boots, brought in the mail...and noticed the red flashing light on the answering machine. Assuming it was some kind of robo-call, I pushed the play button and half attended for the first part until I heard, "This is ___ at Dr. N's office. Please call as soon as you get this message, and ask to be connected to me"
So, I called the office, got through voice mail jail, and asked for her. She informed me that my biopsy was back, and 3 of 12 cores were positive for cancer. I had enough presence of mind to ask what my Gleason was, and to ask what happens next. She asked me which days the next week would work for bone and cat scans, I gave some sort of answer, and she said she'd schedule the scans and get back to me on Monday.
It was about 4:30 in the afternoon when I hung up the phone. I sat in the chair, the TV was on, but I couldn't say what was on. The cat jumped up to join me...and promptly left when he wasn't getting what he liked. I don't think I moved for the next hour and a half. My wife got home from work a bit after six, came in to say hello, and asked what was wrong. I told her the news. After a minute or two of silence, she said, OK, we can't do anything about it now. What needs to happen now is a meal. Let's go get something. I don't know where we went, or what I had.
The whole weekend was like that. I floated through, did the things that had to be done, but no connection to them. We did talk a little about when and how we'd let the kids and my mother know. We agreed there was no point to saying much until we had the scan results back and evaluated.
By Dec 16, we had the scans back (no signs of mets) and had met with the local Uro, who went through everything with us. He arranged the visit to Barnes-Jewish in St. Louis to talk to the RALP surgeon, and via him, to talk to the RO group there.
Christmas was rough, no doubt about it. And, the good things also have come into much sharper relief. One daughter graduated from Nursing school in Rochester NY in mid-December. She's passed her boards and has a job. Another daughter gave birth last week (Jan 20), and I'll be heading out there at the end of this week for a visit.
TO LIFE!
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3-pre 2012 <1.0, 2013 2.0, 2014 3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
It was Friday, December 5, 2014. I had a 12 core biopsy on December 2, and they told me "it will be about a week" for results. It was, as I recall, a normal work day. I got home from work, fed the cat, took off my steel toe boots, brought in the mail...and noticed the red flashing light on the answering machine. Assuming it was some kind of robo-call, I pushed the play button and half attended for the first part until I heard, "This is ___ at Dr. N's office. Please call as soon as you get this message, and ask to be connected to me"
So, I called the office, got through voice mail jail, and asked for her. She informed me that my biopsy was back, and 3 of 12 cores were positive for cancer. I had enough presence of mind to ask what my Gleason was, and to ask what happens next. She asked me which days the next week would work for bone and cat scans, I gave some sort of answer, and she said she'd schedule the scans and get back to me on Monday.
It was about 4:30 in the afternoon when I hung up the phone. I sat in the chair, the TV was on, but I couldn't say what was on. The cat jumped up to join me...and promptly left when he wasn't getting what he liked. I don't think I moved for the next hour and a half. My wife got home from work a bit after six, came in to say hello, and asked what was wrong. I told her the news. After a minute or two of silence, she said, OK, we can't do anything about it now. What needs to happen now is a meal. Let's go get something. I don't know where we went, or what I had.
The whole weekend was like that. I floated through, did the things that had to be done, but no connection to them. We did talk a little about when and how we'd let the kids and my mother know. We agreed there was no point to saying much until we had the scan results back and evaluated.
By Dec 16, we had the scans back (no signs of mets) and had met with the local Uro, who went through everything with us. He arranged the visit to Barnes-Jewish in St. Louis to talk to the RALP surgeon, and via him, to talk to the RO group there.
Christmas was rough, no doubt about it. And, the good things also have come into much sharper relief. One daughter graduated from Nursing school in Rochester NY in mid-December. She's passed her boards and has a job. Another daughter gave birth last week (Jan 20), and I'll be heading out there at the end of this week for a visit.
TO LIFE!
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3-pre 2012 <1.0, 2013 2.0, 2014 3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
Hal bett, good account, and very similar to my experience, and I'm sure of most others here. First the fog, then the dr appointments, scans, and who to tell and what to tell,them.
I hope and am sure that the rest of your journey will be routine and as uneventful as possible.
Rising PSA from 2008 through April 2013
PSA 2008 - 2012 .7 TO 2.2
Dec 2012 - Biopsy, 14 core, nO PCA, one core HGPIN
4/13 PSA 2.8, FPsa 11, PCA3 13, 10/13 PSA2.7 fPSA 15
4/14 PSA 3.1 fPsa 16, 10/14 PSA 4.3 fPSA 12 PCA3 26
11/14 BX 3/12 cores + G610%, G6 20%, 3+5=8, 70%
2nd opinion Johns Hopkins, all G6 10%, 20% 80%
3rd opinion MSKCC all G6 10%, 15%, 70%
RALP scheduled January 6th 2014
Final pathology stage pT2c, upstaged to Gleason 7 (3+4)
ECE, Margins, SV, Lymph nodes (9) all negative, PNI present.
5% involvement of Prostate by tumor.
My story, at tinyurl.com/qgyu3xq
I hope and am sure that the rest of your journey will be routine and as uneventful as possible.
Rising PSA from 2008 through April 2013
PSA 2008 - 2012 .7 TO 2.2
Dec 2012 - Biopsy, 14 core, nO PCA, one core HGPIN
4/13 PSA 2.8, FPsa 11, PCA3 13, 10/13 PSA2.7 fPSA 15
4/14 PSA 3.1 fPsa 16, 10/14 PSA 4.3 fPSA 12 PCA3 26
11/14 BX 3/12 cores + G610%, G6 20%, 3+5=8, 70%
2nd opinion Johns Hopkins, all G6 10%, 20% 80%
3rd opinion MSKCC all G6 10%, 15%, 70%
RALP scheduled January 6th 2014
Final pathology stage pT2c, upstaged to Gleason 7 (3+4)
ECE, Margins, SV, Lymph nodes (9) all negative, PNI present.
5% involvement of Prostate by tumor.
My story, at tinyurl.com/qgyu3xq
OK, time for a bump and a 'week to go till surgery' comment.
To the newcomers: my experience with THE PHONE CALL is probably not unusual. Ultimately, an 800 lb gorilla has moved into my head, and he's thumping his chest and throwing things around and generally trying to get attention and frequently succeeding.
As mentioned before, my surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 17, at Barnes-Jewish hospital in St. Louis. I'm happy with my decision, and happy with my team. The most encouraging recent thought happened last Friday, when I went down there for my pre-op assessment. The anesthesia Nurse Practitioner said to me, "I see you're having Dr. Figenshau for your surgery. He's the best. If my husband needed what you're having, he's the guy I'd want." That is a great endorsement.
My daughters are all being supportive, my mother wishes she could be here, and my wife is going to take all week off work next week to be home. This group has also been a great resource. I've learned a lot from you guys (and a few ladies as well).
I'll be posting regularly on this thread as things get close, and afterwards from the other side.
Thanks to all of you!
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3-pre 2012 <1.0, 2013 2.0, 2014 3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
Scheduled for RALP 2/17/15 at BJC St Louis, Dr. Figenshau
To the newcomers: my experience with THE PHONE CALL is probably not unusual. Ultimately, an 800 lb gorilla has moved into my head, and he's thumping his chest and throwing things around and generally trying to get attention and frequently succeeding.
As mentioned before, my surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb 17, at Barnes-Jewish hospital in St. Louis. I'm happy with my decision, and happy with my team. The most encouraging recent thought happened last Friday, when I went down there for my pre-op assessment. The anesthesia Nurse Practitioner said to me, "I see you're having Dr. Figenshau for your surgery. He's the best. If my husband needed what you're having, he's the guy I'd want." That is a great endorsement.
My daughters are all being supportive, my mother wishes she could be here, and my wife is going to take all week off work next week to be home. This group has also been a great resource. I've learned a lot from you guys (and a few ladies as well).
I'll be posting regularly on this thread as things get close, and afterwards from the other side.
Thanks to all of you!
Age at Diagnosis: 56
PSA:3.3-pre 2012 <1.0, 2013 2.0, 2014 3.3
Biopsy: 3 of 12, G3+3, all on LT side, 20%, 5%, 3%
Clinical Stage T1C
Malignant Melanoma 2006 (2 sites, 1A in situ and 1B, no lymph involvement)
Bone Scan, CT scan negative for spread
Scheduled for RALP 2/17/15 at BJC St Louis, Dr. Figenshau