October 16, 20232 yr On 10/11/2023 at 2:44 AM, Frieda’s Boss said: Add another to the prostate cancer list…. Confirmed with urologist today. 48yo and my PSA spiked to 5. Ultrasound guided biopsy (not fun) and 7 of the 12 cores came back positive. Most with a Gleason score of 6, two with a Gleason score of 7 (4+3). So, much like others here, need to figure out surgery vs. RT. Strong preference right now is no RT and we did order Decipher test to gain more info. I have a friend at work who used to work for Decipher so I’m going to pick his brain for best docs around (SoCal). I have an appt scheduled in a couple of weeks with the surgeon my urologist recommended from his group, but I know there are going to be a lot of good options in the area. I was pretty much resigned to the fact that this would be the diagnosis, but my wife was in denial so she had a pretty tough reaction this evening. As I’m reading you all share your stories here, please know that I’m putting you and your families in my prayers. UCLA has one of the best prostate cancer treatment centers in the country. At your age, I would think surgery would be the better option, but cure rates of radiation and combo radiation are actually better than surgery these days. And I think the old issue of not being able to do surgery after radiation has been resolved. It’s something to ask the surgeons and radiation oncologists when you meet with them. Given the Gleason score you will need to get treatment but take time to evaluate the options. Edited October 16, 20232 yr by Dbeasy
October 16, 20232 yr Popular Post Do kegel exercises like crazy. Who is your surgeon?It’s done. John Davis was the surgeon. He didn’t have to take any lymph nodes. I’m watching baseball and football the rest of the day and going home tomorrow.
October 17, 20232 yr Just now, Hate said: I’m about to be discharged. This catheter thing really fucking sucks. Well then....it seems like they've set up the flow on your catheter in the wrong direction.....
October 17, 20232 yr 52 minutes ago, Hate said: I’m about to be discharged. This catheter thing really fucking sucks. You said 'discharge' and then you said 'sucks' That's funny to me. Glad to read you're on your way home. Put on some Dead.
October 17, 20232 yr Popular Post Thanks all for the well wishes. I’m home and cleaned up now. I’ve got lots of sports to watch over the next couple of weeks while I recover which is nice. And yes, I’ll probably listen to some Grateful Dead too.
October 18, 20232 yr Please keep us up to date. I may decide to go that route at some point in the future.
October 18, 20232 yr 20 hours ago, Dbeasy said: Please keep us up to date. I may decide to go that route at some point in the future. Same. Let us know how you’re doing Hate.
October 19, 20232 yr I’m doing ok. The incisions are uncomfortable and my whole body is sore. I’ve been able to rest off and on, but my body hurts from sitting. I get up and walk around pretty often, but it doesn’t help the soreness that much. I’m hoping tomorrow is when I start to turn the corner.
October 19, 20232 yr 3 hours ago, Hate said: I’m doing ok. The incisions are uncomfortable and my whole body is sore. I’ve been able to rest off and on, but my body hurts from sitting. I get up and walk around pretty often, but it doesn’t help the soreness that much. I’m hoping tomorrow is when I start to turn the corner. Moment by moment man. Take it slowly and let your body heal. You’ve got a lot of years in front of you still to live.
October 21, 20232 yr My surgery is scheduled for Monday. @Hate - have you taken a shit yet? My prostatectomy was Wednesday and I am backed up like a beast because of the opioids...
October 21, 20232 yr Opioids?? I didn’t take any opioids at all. I haven’t taken any pain meds since the day after my surgery. I’ve taken several shits as well. I was eating pretty bland for the first few days, but I’m having some sliders this evening. The worst part of this is the catheter. I’m so goddamn tired of it. On the other hand, I haven’t missed a snap of football today due to taking a piss. Edit: where did you have yours done?
October 21, 20232 yr Wow that's great. I'm still taking 4 tramadol a day for the searing pain in my ab muscles from incisions.
October 21, 20232 yr UTSW. They ended up taking my lymph nodes and said they had to do some major nerve reconstruction, so it sounds like I really got the business compared to you.
October 21, 20232 yr Damn, sorry to hear that. They didn’t have to take any lymph nodes from me and there were no other complications at all. I probably had as “easy” of a surgery as you could have. I hope you feel better soon!
October 21, 20232 yr 36 minutes ago, woohorn said: UTSW. They ended up taking my lymph nodes and said they had to do some major nerve reconstruction, so it sounds like I really got the business compared to you. Who was your surgeon there?
October 23, 20232 yr What a glorious morning!!! I took out my catheter !! It wasn’t painful but did feel…strange. The tip of my dick feels like I’ve been wearing a swimsuit 24/7 at a water park, but it’s such a relief to be disconnected from that thing.
October 23, 20232 yr Well you got fucking lucky with that. I didn't even know I as getting a catheter when I had surgery and wasn't told it could hurt when they took it out. It felt like torture.
October 25, 20232 yr On 10/23/2023 at 4:41 AM, Hate said: What a glorious morning!!! I took out my catheter !! It wasn’t painful but did feel…strange. The tip of my dick feels like I’ve been wearing a swimsuit 24/7 at a water park, but it’s such a relief to be disconnected from that thing. Glad to hear that. How are you feeling otherwise? On 10/21/2023 at 3:20 PM, woohorn said: UTSW. They ended up taking my lymph nodes and said they had to do some major nerve reconstruction, so it sounds like I really got the business compared to you. Woohorn - let us know how you’re doing.
October 25, 20232 yr 5 hours ago, Frieda’s Boss said: Glad to hear that. How are you feeling otherwise? Woohorn - let us know how you’re doing. Bump
October 25, 20232 yr I’m feeling pretty damn good all things considered. I’m sleeping pretty well now and I’m able to move around pretty freely. There are a few hurdles still left to overcome, but I can’t really complain. I started back to work this week which helps keep my mind active. I’m working from home while I deal with some of the side effects from the surgery.
October 25, 20232 yr On 10/23/2023 at 6:41 AM, Hate said: What a glorious morning!!! I took out my catheter !! It wasn’t painful but did feel…strange. The tip of my dick feels like I’ve been wearing a swimsuit 24/7 at a water park, but it’s such a relief to be disconnected from that thing. You must be feeling back to normal if you managed to work in a mention of the tip of your dick and a children's water park in the same sentence.
October 25, 20232 yr On 10/23/2023 at 8:17 AM, Basil said: Well you got fucking lucky with that. I didn't even know I as getting a catheter when I had surgery and wasn't told it could hurt when they took it out. It felt like torture. Somewhere in Thailand somebody is paying a midget good money to do that. Me I am enjoying my last cancer-not-getting worse day until I see the Doc tomorrow and she tells me what the CT scan yesterday said. They did call me this morning and send me in for an ultrasound because I've maybe got a blood clot in my neck. So it looked on the CT scan. Ultrasound tech seemed real surprised that I was in no pain. I wouldn't be surprised if some rogue kidney cells set up a colony in my neck. Couple years ago we found out I was stage 4 when a kidney cell Seal Team 6 blew up a salivary gland in my jaw. Actually did me a favor, it served as the "check engine light" that got me hooked up with treatment. Main thing bugging me is that my Science Girl Wife will google everything and scare herself to death. I feel pretty detached. I still think I'll die when I interrupt somebody in a big-ass car's enjoyment of a Tik-Tok video. Edited October 25, 20232 yr by RDCanecutter
October 26, 20232 yr Stable CT scans. As for that possible clot, probably not a biggie. Until one day my head falls off.
October 27, 20232 yr Woohorn - let us know how you’re doing. Thx. I am 2 days behind Hate in the process so 48 hrs without catheter. Learning how to hold my piss again.Random nasty bruises showed up yesterday around my laparoscopy scars and my abs are still burn pretty bad from the surgery but I am otherwise feeling pretty normal. I lift brah, but can't imagine being able to get back into the gym for months.Haven't talked to surgeon but pathology report posted and is great-clean surgical margins, no extension outside the prostate, no change in tumor grade, and lots of nodes removed and all negative. Focusing on bladder control and gauging E.D. consequences. Almost reluctant to post any complaints when so many here are bravely battling, but that is the nature of prostate cancer/early detection these days. It really pays to keep up with annual physicals and PSA test follow-ups. If you get a chance to catch it early-take it and just work through the steps.
October 27, 20232 yr 4 minutes ago, woohorn said: Focusing on bladder control and gauging E.D. consequences. Look on the bright side-- if there was ever anybody you wanted to piss on, now is your shot. And if they object, they're the heartless bastard making fun of a cancer patient.
October 27, 20232 yr Woohorn, you said it very well. I was diagnosed with “stage 2” prostate cancer on May 1. Absolutely nothing changed for me until I had my surgery Oct. 16. When I was checking in that morning, there was a line of people coming in for various surgeries. The lady in front of me had no hair and had very clearly been a long time cancer patient on a chemo regiment. She was about to undergo a 8-10 hour surgery. I almost felt guilty knowing that my surgery was only 4 hours and would not require any chemo or radiation as a follow up. And with the surgery behind me now, my life is slowly returning to my new normal. It’s kind of surreal.
October 27, 20232 yr To be more helpful - all this started for me because at 56 I had a 4.79 PSA at physical in April with no prostate/ED symptoms and a passed digital rectal exam. Take advantage of any early warning signs you are given.
October 27, 20232 yr Quote I heard some years ago regarding bladder control, "A dead man has no use for a dry pair of Levis."
October 27, 20232 yr Point being, it’s better to leak a little piss every once in a while than to be dead.
October 27, 20232 yr Word to the wise: If you bend over to tie your shoes, do a Kegel. If you otherwise bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, do a Kegel. If you sneeze do a Kegel. If you cough hard, do a Kegel. If you puke it's probably too late, cover up your wet pants. If you pick up a heavy bag of groceries, do a Kegel. I didn't find that photo of Bo Pelini particularly funny. If you wear light colored pants, wear a panty liner. Yes, I said it. Never pass up a toilet. If you think you need to piss, it's probably too late...never pass up a toilet. If you're getting on a plane, "dry out", no liquids before the flight. Airplane bathrooms are nasty. Get to know the rest stops on the highway...never pass up a toilet. This is all a huge pain in the ass, but my psa has been zero for the 10 years after surgery. There's more, but I need to go take a piss. Edited October 27, 20232 yr by Not that Bob I had to piss
November 2, 20232 yr Two weeks after prostatectomy, Dr. prescribed tadalafil 5 mg (Cialis) daily until I want a boner-then to munch like 5 or 6.No E.D. or prostate symptoms before surgery. Y'all know if that is pretty routine recovery protocol?
November 2, 20232 yr 41 minutes ago, woohorn said: Two weeks after prostatectomy, Dr. prescribed tadalafil 5 mg (Cialis) daily until I want a boner-then to munch like 5 or 6. No E.D. or prostate symptoms before surgery. Y'all know if that is pretty routine recovery protocol? No idea. I do know if you're on the table and they're running that scope up your dick, and you say "This is the weirdest dentist's office I've ever been to," they don't get the joke.
November 2, 20232 yr 4 minutes ago, RDCanecutter said: No idea. I do know if you're on the table and they're running that scope up your dick, and you say "This is the weirdest dentist's office I've ever been to," they don't get the joke. If the Dr responds "Sir, this is an Arby's", ask him his Surly handle.
November 2, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, woohorn said: Two weeks after prostatectomy, Dr. prescribed tadalafil 5 mg (Cialis) daily until I want a boner-then to munch like 5 or 6. No E.D. or prostate symptoms before surgery. Y'all know if that is pretty routine recovery protocol? Doc prescribed various ED medications for me post surgery. I think it's mostly to make sure the pecker gets adequate blood supply to heal, not so much for intercourse. It's been over 10 years and I don't remember all the minutiae. I'm an old, I wasn't getting that much poon anyway. I know that sounds like the worst thing in the world, and I would prefer it to be otherwise, but in a way it's a relief to not be obsessed.
November 2, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, RDCanecutter said: No idea. I do know if you're on the table and they're running that scope up your dick, and you say "This is the weirdest dentist's office I've ever been to," they don't get the joke. I was at my first visit to the surgeon who was going to hack out the cancer tumor and about 40% of my colon. I was annoyed because they sent in some baby resident who went on to nervously tell me I had cancer in my lungs and my liver and my colon and my lymph nodes, and they would remove a hunk of colon from “where the small intestine met the large intestine, including the appendix, up to somewhere in the transverse colon…but we might have to do chemo to shrink the tumors before we operate. “ The surgeon then came in and asked if I had spoken to the resident. I effusively told him, “Yes I did doctor - and I can’t thank you both enough. I am so relieved…. I feel so much better with the positive news!” The surgeon stared at the resident with dart-y angry eyes that could kill, and the poor kid was like shaking his head slightly negatively, like “I don’t know what the fuck this guy is talking about.” And then walked to his anatomy chart and said, “Did I hear correctly doctor, that I will never ever again have to worry about getting appendicitis?” Like you, I found out doctors are a tough crowd, comedy wise.
November 3, 20232 yr On 11/2/2023 at 1:45 PM, Gatorubet said: I was at my first visit to the surgeon who was going to hack out the cancer tumor and about 40% of my colon. I was annoyed because they sent in some baby resident who went on to nervously tell me I had cancer in my lungs and my liver and my colon and my lymph nodes, and they would remove a hunk of colon from “where the small intestine met the large intestine, including the appendix, up to somewhere in the transverse colon…but we might have to do chemo to shrink the tumors before we operate. “ The surgeon then came in and asked if I had spoken to the resident. I effusively told him, “Yes I did doctor - and I can’t thank you both enough. I am so relieved…. I feel so much better with the positive news!” The surgeon stared at the resident with dart-y angry eyes that could kill, and the poor kid was like shaking his head slightly negatively, like “I don’t know what the fuck this guy is talking about.” And then walked to his anatomy chart and said, “Did I hear correctly doctor, that I will never ever again have to worry about getting appendicitis?” Like you, I found out doctors are a tough crowd, comedy wise. In fairness, it's tough to write a good cancer joke. I got this far: A priest a rabbi and a pathologist walk into a bar... I'm drawing a blank after that. Edited November 3, 20232 yr by Not that Bob
November 3, 20232 yr 33 minutes ago, Not that Bob said: In fairness, it's tough to write a good cancer joke. I got this far: A priest a rabbi and a pathologist walk into a bar... The bartender gives them all a beer about the same time, and after a long draught, the pathologist says, “God do I hate looking at slides every hour every day every week. All kinds of colon cancer. It is truly criminal for anyone not to have an annual rectal examination.“ The priest said, “I’m sure every single altar boy at St. Catherine’s recently received a close rectal examination. “ Just then, one of the regulars entered the bar and warmly greeted the pathologist, Hamas Schwartz…. all i got
November 3, 20232 yr A friend battling through prostate stage 4 told me this- you need to know your PSA number, not just that it’s “good”. If it jumps from .8 to 2.7 in one year, you need to snap to.
November 3, 20232 yr 2 minutes ago, statsman said: A friend battling through prostate stage 4 told me this- you need to know your PSA number, not just that it’s “good”. If it jumps from .8 to 2.7 in one year, you need to snap to. I encourage everyone here to give blood on the reg. Not only is it a good thing to do for you, it helps other people out. My blood bank routinely does a free PSA screen and cholesterol screen as part of the deal. Rather than wait for an annual physical, just give Blood several times a year. (and do an annual physical as well)
November 4, 20232 yr 7 minutes ago, Nice Guy Eddie said: No reason not to go for an annual physical. This This use your insurance. Find a good dr. Get every blood test you can, at least yearly. Get your calcium score, heart check ups. Yearly Edited November 4, 20232 yr by tx 3 putt
November 4, 20232 yr Popular Post I got de-ported today. Let’s hope that mofo doesn’t ever have to go back in.
November 4, 20232 yr I got de-ported today. Let’s hope that mofo doesn’t ever have to go back in. Yes- great to hear! Congratulations and good luck in further recovery!
November 4, 20232 yr 44 minutes ago, Anton Chigurh said: I got de-ported today. Let’s hope that mofo doesn’t ever have to go back in. I hope the nurse was wearing an astros cap and congrats ! Edited November 4, 20232 yr by tx 3 putt
November 4, 20232 yr On 11/2/2023 at 9:34 AM, woohorn said: Two weeks after prostatectomy, Dr. prescribed tadalafil 5 mg (Cialis) daily until I want a boner-then to munch like 5 or 6. No E.D. or prostate symptoms before surgery. Y'all know if that is pretty routine recovery protocol? This is consistent with what first surgeon I met with told me. Low dose of viagra for a year to help get things to normal. Anyone have Da Vinci single port (SP) robotic surgery? First surgeon said that’s all he does now. Second surgeon said it was complicated and stayed with multi-port XI system. First MDs recovery times, and complication rates were impressive (if accurate).
November 4, 20232 yr 7 hours ago, Anton Chigurh said: I got de-ported today. Let’s hope that mofo doesn’t ever have to go back in. got mine out a year ago after three years having it. That is a good feeling brother. Glad to hear your news.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.