Prostate Cancer Support Group

The last few weeks have been bad. Started with PSA of 1929.0, and no, that isn't a typo. Had my biopsy, which was positive. Learned my gleason score was 9 last week. Had fullbody CT and bone scan last friday. Later this morning I meet with the oncologist to stage the cancer and find out if it has spread beyond the prostate, and decide on a treatment. He mentioned hormone therapy last week, and reading some of the awful stories of side effects, I am very worried. I am praying that I get some good news, compared to the news I have received over the last few weeks. I am praying that the cancer is isolated to the prostate and hasn't spread.

Welcome to the forum. All this must be quite a shock for you; learning you have cancer always is. How old are you? Are you having any symptoms?

The good news is that prostate cancer is very treatable--less so as it advances, but still there are steps you can take. Don't lose hope. Work with your doc and be happy you caught it before it got any worse.

Let us know how things go.

Scary times we've all had thansen, it was a shock to all of us. Our prayers and thoughts go out to you. As Mark says, knowledge is power and it seems your doc is trying to get all the information he can about your cancer.

Side effects aside, the hormone therapy has the effect of shutting down the cancer's progress. This gives you a little breathing room to learn about the disease and plan your treatment path. Keep us posted.

Ditto what everyone has said. You have found us and most of the men, and women, here are

more than willing to help any way we can. Keeping us posted is very important. You might

not get a response as soon as you would like, but don't stop.

Putting words on the page will calm you and help you to see what you are dealing with.

Your "shock and awe" is understandable. We have all been there.

Fear and doubt can cloud your mind.

Do you have someone who can act as an extra set of ears and eyes for your next doc meeting?

If you can squeeze in some research and study it would be good for you.

You can get used to some of the language and terms you will hear.

You may also be able to list some questions you have.

Try to be as proactive as you can-knowledge is power.

You are not alone, we are here

Listen to your doctor. I just had my prostate removed 27 days ago. I was scared when I heard the word "Cancer" but after doing some research and talking about my fear on this forum and other places I became less fear full. My post op pathology reports look good but the final test comes on the 8th with my PSA. I prayers go out to you and your family. They have come a longs ways with the treatment for this type of cancer in the past few years so just hang in there...

Thanks, hollywoodmark. I am 46 years old and have had symptoms for some time, but I lost my job and insurance a while ago and have not been able to find work so I didn't go to the doctor and just thought it was an enlarged prostrate and treated it with over the counter remedies. They did ease some of the symptoms but I still had all of the major symptoms. My wife found a free clinic run by a catholic service that that started my journey with PC. Now I am stage 4 with cancer in my left hip, right ribs, right shoulder, spine, and skull. I will be starting radiology next week. I started lupron injections and another hormone by pill everyday. I hope the radiation works and I don't have to go through chemo. I had another PSA test prior to the hormone injection. I am anxious to see what it was. I guess I will find out next week.

Thank you all for the encouraging words, and prayers. I never knew how may people cared for me until this happened. I have so many friends and family offering prayers and encouragement, it is humbling. I meet with my urologist tomorrow, although I am not sure why. I will follow up after my first radiation treatment. Wish me luck!

Thansen

I really feel for you, when I first read your post I never imagined you were 46, I thought you were much older as my observation is that your numbers are not typical for someone so young (I am 7 years older than you) and to see what you are dealing with and being unemployed. I wish there was more we could do for you. Attitude is critical to healing from anything, as Henry Ford said "whether you think you can or you think you can't you are right". My prayers go to you and your family. Let us know how we can support you.

Post edited by: paperplane, at: 05/03/2012 10:12 PM

"paperplane

Posts: 69

Member

Jake

Many of us who chose the surgery as the treatment for our PC did it just because of the possible side effects of radiation; for myself I kept radiation as the backup plan in the event I found myself in your situation. I certainly feel for you. The only thing I can think of sharing is that I watched my dad die of his PC metathesis into his bones, it is not what I want for you or anyone; my advice is to follow through with the treatment as recommended."

paperplane:

The message above concerns me as my cancer has spread to my bones like your father's did. How long ago did your father have this condition? Did he seek treatment, or was this before the treatments that are available today? I have heard some success stories about PC that spread to the bone, but many other stories such as yours. I am trying not to think negatively, but I also want to know my realistic chances of surviving this cancer so I can prepare myself for any eventuality. Thankfully I took out a term life insurance policy just before I was diagnosed so my wife and kids should be OK if the worse case happens. The internet has been a blessing and a curse as I read cases of cancer in the bone, and many don't seem to end well. Stories I have read both uplift me, and scare me at the same time.