Scans clear. What a relief!

Got the results of my Bone Scan and CT Scan Thursday very shortly after the tests were done. Amazing how quickly they turn that stuff around these days! However, I was too afraid to look at them until last night when I had a little (ok, maybe a lot of) liquid courage, as well as support from my wife and sister (who was on the phone with us from NOLA). I didn't want to look because in case it was bad news, I didn't want to have to wait until I have my consults later this week to get answers and possibly a bad prognosis. I have survived bladder cancer as well and I was scared crapless that maybe that had returned (even though I have no systems and have felt very healthy).

I don't know why I always expect the worse but I had convinced myself that I had mets all over my body, and every little pain and creaky joint reinforced that belief! Anyway, the results are in and both scans show zero evidence of any spread to bones of lymph nodes! I know I am still dealing with high-risk, G8 PCa, but you all know that the lack of spread outside the prostate bed (I know I have some spread outside the capsule itself though) can potentially take some options off the table. At least my understanding is that surgery becomes less of an option once the horses have left the barn.

I am not decided on RT or surgery yet and I am meeting with ROs and my surgeon later this week. I have to say that I am leaning toward surgery because of my age (62), the possibility of a cure, and the final pathology (which coud bring good or bad news). I know I have a pretty good chance of needing more treatments down the road if it rears it's ugly head again, but hopefully I can at least forestall that for a while.

I do know that they may recommend some additional therapy beyond the surgery such as ADT, and maybe even radiation, and I'm open to that, and I know some on here have recommended that to me, but we'll see how it goes.

Thanks for all the great advice. The fight has just started but I feel like I have a great shot of living for a very long time, even with the G8. I see many of you that had it worse than me that are still up and kickin' which gives me great hope. I'm having too much fun to check out just yet.

I know my sig is not updated yet but I'll do that soon. Going to a Twins game now and gonna enjoy some outdoor baseball in a stadium with 10,000 or so other fans.

Best,
GeetarMan Mic

GeetarMan - You should be feeling better that the scans are knocked off the list. Mine were uneventful as well, just a half day at St. Johns waiting the 3 hours for the bone scan contrast to sink in. Went home for lunch between tests.

Make sure you get a copy of the reports, the CT scan will turn up other stuff that is usually not very important and are relics from your previous life. The bone scan will tell you where the arthritis is if you weren't sure. I got all my scans and prostate MRI on a disk so I can view them at home and see if I can follow the reports. My PIRADS 5 lesion was quite easy to spot.

Time to settle down, have a cold one, and slowly get prepared for the long haul with the specialists and ultimately the treatment(s). I felt a lot better once I made my decision after the visits. Then you want to get it over with which can't happen fast enough. Good luck and Go Twins....

2 years ago when I considered treatment for my G8, I went knowing I may want / need adjuvant radiation and ADT post surgery. Brachy wasn’t a real consideration for me and it my not be for you either.

BUT today the Prostate Cancer Institute is claiming 85% cure rates with beam, Brachy and 6 months ADT for high risk. In retrospect, I question if my choice was the best.

So look at both without prejudice before pulling the ring.