Good Grief

Hey Jeff

Here you go buddy! (((o)))

Really liked your quote: "If can't decide if knowledge is power or ignorance is bliss."
Here, I'll help you. This is the PCa world so the answer always is: "It Depends"

No real useful info beyond support and good feelings. But I think I am noticing a PCa cluster that should be investigated. There seems to be a disproportionately high number of Jeffs here.

Maybe we can hire Dewey, Cheetum, and Howe to start a class action suit.

Jeff (the leaking one)

Since I'm stuck with this nasty 4+5=9, and since all things are relative, I wish my name was Jeff.

<snicker>

k

Jeff, with a G 6, you are in a much better position than most. And it appears that you have been monitoring things closely. G6 is not typically aggressive, so you're probably fine, and this will just be a blip on your life's radar. Please keep us posted.

Also, the skill levels at preserving those important bodily functions has improved much over recent years. You hear way more success stories than the contrary.

I'm about two months post op (open RRP), and I'm easily 99% continent today. However, I did lose both nerves, so ED will forever be an issue for me. But, I'd prefer to be a live guy worried about ED, than..........

You're a smart guy and you're doing the right things.

You are in our thoughts and prayers

Post Edited (kbota) : 9/15/2010 8:48:56 AM (GMT-6)

Jeff
I don't know where you are located, but you might check this site in order to locate a chapter of UsTOO in your area. UsTOO was created to help guys like us who are seeking reliable information from others in the same boat. At the group meetings, you will find a great bunch who are willing to discuss very personal issues that are often hard to talk about even with your own family members. I will be forever grateful for my Chapters encouragement and friendship during a very stressful beginning of my journey. Good luck.

http://ustoo.org/

 

Hey Jeff, consider yourself LUCKY !! You have a Gleason 6 Cancer and a PSA of 5.6..That puts you at the top of the Partin tables. Your chances of dying of PC are less than 10%

I'm 68 and I underwent robotic surgery 12 days ago. I'm continent and virtually back to normal. Guys choosing radiation are getting equally good results.. It ain't 1975 anymore. Things have come a long, long way...

If you have not read "Surviving Prostate Cancer" by Dr. Pat Walsh now would be a good time to do so...And the best of luck to you!!

I love Mel's(compiler) answer....now if somebody will just tell me the return address.

Renee

P.S. I don't even want my money back !

Jeff,

best of luck. I talk to the surgeon tommorrow.

Yeah, I was thinking about asking for a refund on my tratorous prostate- but you see I have these wonderful kids....

Keep a positive attitude. I do, I am positive I have an attitude.

Mike

I guess "happy endings" are relative.

I'm pretty new at this, but I suspect once you get a dx like this, your life changes. Period.

I think this site will be helpful -- and thank you all for being here.

Anxiety out the roof said:

"I have the same feeling about the " your screwed no matter what you do." I would like to hear some stories that have happy endings after being diagnosed with PCa."

Anxiety and Tin Foil,
I know the feeling of being diagnosed with prostate cancer all too well. It was about 4 years ago for me. I have to say that when I see the new guys coming in here that the first thing that crosses my mind is that that was me. I was a young guy with seemingly nowhere to run. I cried with my wife and feared the worst ~ multiple times. I had no idea what the future would hold.

There is no doubt that a diagnosis of cancer will change your life, and this website is about guys and their loved ones getting together to find hope and for the most part a life without cancer. Some do better than others and most do very well.

I mention it because, while it didn't quite turn out as I had hoped, I did find my own peace with this stupid disease. My wife and I are closer than ever, I appreciate the littles things more than ever, and I know that while this was not my plan, I am very happy that in spite of having advanced prostate cancer life goes on. One friend of mine who continually shows me the courage and inspiration that I could only hope for, he revealed on a radio show his bout with advanced prostate cancer was not going well. The show host, Dennis Miller, was obviously touched. He asked my friend "how do you deal with this?" and David E said "Well you know, you get up in the morning, you put your pants on, and you get on with your life". Miller was taken back and you could hear it in his voice.

Well that's me today. If my advanced disease is in full remission, then why can't I just be happy with where I am? After all David still is in the fight, why would I ever let this disease take my happiness away?

In time you will feel the same way. It's still early in the game for you guys. The stats look favorable for both of you.

Don't let this thing get you too down. It's ok to feel like the road ahead is rocky, but it is not anywhere near the end of anything including your peace or your bright futures.

Tony

Knowledge is power or ignorance is a bliss? Well I have been on both sides of that coin. At first I wanted to know everything, however, I, like most found myself migrating toward the negative which in turn left me negative. I then decided to only seek the positive and honestly there are plenty of reasons to think positive. I mean come on lets think about this, yes I am a stage 4 prostate cancer fighter, however I can still work fulltime and I have a job, I can still bike and swim and I do, I can basically fill my day with great activities without worrying about where and what my cancer is going to do. Now back to the question, yes at first knowledge was power, now 3 years later, for me, ignorance is a bliss. Heck today is the greatest day of life so I am going to get all I can out of it.

thanks for the post

peace to you
Dale

Young Jeff -
I run into happy endings on a regular basis at my work.

I wear my prostate awareness ribbon and talk about my artwork and fundraising for prostate cancer.

In the last month I have spoke with/ heard of, the following:
1-bone mets cancer survivor - 13 years - "they gave me 4 months and I'm still here" - his quote
2-PCa survivor - 3 years - "radiation is a breeze" - his quote
3-PCa survivor - 10 years - currently on HT
4-PCa survivor - 15 years - he has a very proud wife
5-Colon Cancer survivor - Catholic Priest- 6 months since end of radiation (still very fatiqued) - but asked about ED issues concerns relating to one of his PCa flock

- and over the summer , a number of women and children who spoke of their husbands/ fathers , surviving PCa and treatment , and passing on due to other diseases or old age....

- you can make your own happy ending -> get the best information for you - get the best doctor(s) for you - get the best treatment to suit you -
-and never give up

YOU ARE WORTH IT !


BRONSON

Post Edited (tatt2man) : 9/16/2010 6:49:40 AM (GMT-6)

I will post these two stories on PCa that are far looking very successful like, from standard cases of overall PCa treatments on living people:

Dr. Fred Lee (longest living..uncured/mets patient) disease diagnosed 27 yrs. ago, 25 yrs. ago known failure to be cured, alive at age 80 still practicing medicine:
www.rochesterurology.urologydomain.com/images/uploaded/rochesterurology/drleestory.cfm

(some other docs laugh at his drug choice or call it a death sentence or other things..fyi) (the uro doc Dr. Bob B. whom co-wrote his biography article with Dr. Lee does believe in everything Dr. Lee does, maybe he learned at a different school-LOL)

Next one is bizzaro friend in Michigan Rick K. (diagnosed 1995-96 era) psa 11.0 biopsies found 2 cores (2+3=5) back then, upgrading Gleason to today say 6's. He did the quantum leap of Dr. Leibowitz drug protocol (no invasive treatments). ADT 3 drugs 13 months, quit, stay on proscar to monitor. The shortened updated version is this: recently went to uro-doc(Dr.Bob B. as above article) for rebiopsies he sent him instead to Dr. Fred Lee for color doppler sonography biopsies, two suspecious blood flow areas amongest biopsies= patholgy currently finds no PCa...his psa is low and normal or lower than normal for a man who still has a working prostate. He has normalcy as a man, no issues with e.d. and continency. He still could chose any treatment for PCa if and when he believes he needs it, his choice. People laugh at this protocol and says it is INSANE (especially uro docs slam this protocol), now it may not work this well in higher grades of PCa (but is selected by patients and still useful). So, Rick K is he Crazy or Wise???  Probably is brave, especially back in 1995 ADT3 was not well known enough back then.

He currently has  15 yrs. and continuing of normalcy and new stuff is coming down the line all the time, will he laugh last??? I don't know...the story is in process...no uro-doc would say it is worth a hill of beans is my guess, that alone is worth a few laughs.

Post Edited (zufus) : 9/16/2010 7:23:52 AM (GMT-6)