Dnny,

I went through the exact same feelings that you are going through. I was dx. at 43. (9 years ago/I am 52 now) It was an earth shattering devastating blow that nobody can understand except those of us who have been through it. I had/have young kids at the time as well... the only thing that helped me was an anti anxiety pill...

No matter what anyone tells you...you are going to worry....everyone does. But, I will tell you what I wish I would have gotten through my head at the time......

1.) Forget about the biopsy....nobody dies from those, except really...really old men, maybe.....
2.) You don't know anything yet about what you have or don't have at this point....stop reading about it all...it
won't change anything until you know what is going on....
3.) Get your biopsy done and see what is found or not.....
4.) Keep you head on for your kids....keep life as normal for them as possible....
5.) Do whatever you have to do to function at work...your kids need you to keep supporting them.
6.) Get an anti-anxiety pill....stay on them.
7.) This cancer is not like other cancers most of the time...people survive it and die form other things all the
time. (I am 9 years out from treatment and many others are as well).
8.) I know it's hard....it's the hardest thing you will ever deal with....you will get through it....

Keep posting on here...people will help you....no psychologist (unless they've had cancer) have a clue what you are going through....everyone here does.....

Don't fret over a biopsy I would take that any day over a root canal or smashing your finger with a hammer a little local numbing a few little pricks and your on your way!

Larry

Hi All,
I just got back from the biopsy. I was hoping the experience would be less painful as some of you have described. Though I am grateful I got out of it so far with various areas of soreness in my nether regions, I was disappointed regarding my expectations.

While in the waiting room, I was Googling first time prostate biopsy experiences on my phone and it seems like unless you ask for pain mitigation, you wouldn't normally get it by default. There are some expectations that as a man, you should "man-up". Unfortunately, I am a sissy in those situations.

I asked the nurse if my urologist would use a prostatic block. She said he would not. He would only use the lido cream numbing agent. Though he promised me sedation, he apparently neglected to include it with my Cipro prescription. Luckily they gave me a Xanax but I could not tell if it was working. I was too angst ridden once I realized he wasn't going to use a prostatic block like he said earlier.

I was also concerned that the MRI device was not a UroNav (or whatever device the MRI was ordered for) system which meant he would not use the data from my MRI for a fusion biopsy. I reminded him on my lesion, and he said yes he remembered it was a PIRAD 4 but made no indication he even knew where it was on my prostate.

As as the pain went, I can relate to the description of the probe being inserted and positioned as being "uncomfortable" and the biopsy needles feeling like bee-stings. The antibiotic shot administered prior to the biopsy felt like a truck swelled up beside my buttock.

Despite all this, I am relieved this part is over and will now await the further anxiety that comes waiting for the results.

My apologies for the delayed update, but fortunately, I received an all clear on the bx about two weeks ago.

As I mentioned earlier, the last three months have been quite an ordeal with me. I've gained introspection on the value of life as well as endured some unnecessary angst and invasive testing.

I am thankful for the advice and insight provided to me on this forum. I understand that these kinds of screenings are, for myself, one of the introductions for being middle aged and no one is promised tomorrow.

Thank you and here's hope towards a Happy New Year.