Prostate Cancer - My experience

[v8ford70 98]

Six weeks ago I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer after having had a biopsy. I had been monitoring my PSA readings for 6 years & it had been slowly rising up & down over this time from 3.5 gradually to 6.0. My Doctor then advised me to see a specialist which I did 4 weeks later & my PSA dropped to 5.8, my specialist booked me in for an MRI scan which came back all clear so he suggested to monitor my PSA reading in 3 months time,which we did & it had then risen to 7.2.He then said that we better do a biopsy to see what was going on, which 10 out of the 12 core samples came back positive for Cancer grade 7/10.I was then booked in to have a CAT scan to see if the cancer had spread out of the Prostate which after a stressful wait for the result came back clear & that the cancer had seemed to be contained in the Prostate.I have just returned home this weekend after having my Prostate removed by robotic surgery on 14th August. Now I have to work on trying to control my bladder for hopefully the next 6 to eight weeks but it could be longer.Then more tests(PSA) to follow for the next 5 years to make sure that the cancer doesn't return.So no work on my Mustang Resto for at least 2 to 3 Months. I'm writing this so that hopefully if any members that haven't been monitoring their PSA will take note & start doing it. Prostate Cancer is a silent killer ,I didn't feel any difference or changes in my health from 6 years ago .I'm 63 years old & a friend of mine had his cancerous Prostate removed 10 years ago when he was 45 years old. Hopefully what I have written here may save someones life. Regards Phil 

[bigmal 225]

Many thanks for the post Phil. I have two friend going through it at the moment. One of which had his wife walk out in the middle. A class act. A bastard of a disease so I hope you have a good support network and that this is the road to a full recovery.

Thinking of you mate.

[RPM 1,190]

Hang in there brother. Wise move to stay on top of it. I cringe every time I hear someone say they have been diagnosed with it. You're on my prayer list Phil.

[Mach1 Driver 560]

thanks for the reminder

[barnett468 418]

5 hours ago, bigmal said:

Many thanks for the post Phil. I have two friend going through it at the moment. One of which had his wife walk out in the middle. A class act. A bastard of a disease so I hope you have a good support network and that this is the road to a full recovery.

Thinking of you mate.

Have them ask about the davinci machine if they haven't yet and want it removed. Also, for general info, the more biopsy samples the better and people can ask their doctor about the "confirmmdx" dna test and see if they think it would be helpful as well. People that have their prostate removed should also ask their doctor about testosterone replacement therapy to see if they might benefit from it because a lot of doctors don't mention it, however, it has been determined to increase the risk of stroke.

 

 

[v8ford70 98]

Yes the Davinci robotic machine is what I had & highly recommend. Also making sure that your Urologist is very experienced in using this machine, the more procedures that he has performed with this machine the better.

[Hux 45]

Good and bad   It’s tough but better than the alternative and the outcomes these days are so good  

‘I have a bad family history so been monitoring psa since I turned 40.  Dad had a prostectomy when he was in his late 60’s.  he’s now 84 his brother was diagnosed in his late 50’s and had some chemical treatment and was dead in 10 years.  

‘Wind back 9 years my best mate who was 45 was diagnosed. Went robotics like you and he recovered so quickly . Another good mate who lives regionally just had normal surgical removal - he has been doing it quite tough in comparison.  

‘So if/when my turn comes i’m going robotic!!

[1969_Mach1 333]

Sorry to hear.  Any form of cancer is terrifying.  But it sounds like you've conquered the worst of it with good results.  My next door neighbor had the same thing.  But his was treated and killed off with two types of radiation.  

[simplyj 26]

Best of luck with your recovery.  It is extremely important to share stories like yours and have topics like this.  Awareness is key. I too have a family history of prostate cancer.  My dad was diagnosed at age 44 and had a prostectomy.  There wasn't as much public awareness of prostate cancer back in 1997 and thankfully, my dad had a great general practitioner who was pretty aggressive with screening/testing.  Thanks to him and the team of doctors, I've had 21 more years (and still counting) with my dad.  

On a personal level, I've been ever increasingly involved with The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride which is a worldwide motorcycle ride raising millions of dollars each year for mens health initiatives, with the main focus being prostate cancer and mental health.  It's a pretty cool event, originating in Australia, aimed at bringing mens health topics out into the open and encouraging men to talk to one another and share their stories.  

[Thin Lizzy 37]

Very sorry to hear.  Hope you get through good.

[v8ford70 98]

Thanks everyone for your input ,experiences, & wishes.Its great to see the advancement of new tests that has happened over the last few years eg DNA ,isoPSA etc.Info can be easily found over the internet & followed up with your Doctor or Urologist. The sooner that one can find out one way or the other whether you are clear, have a high risk of developing aggressive Prostate cancer or already have Prostate cancer the better. Hopefully this Topic helps everyone that has read it to do something to possibly save their lives. Please don't think that it wont happen to me & find out one day that you were wrong & possibly to late to do anything.Act now & do something.The ones that are doing something well done & keep it up. Simplyj its great to see what you are doing to help the cause, when I am back in action I will be joining the Prostate Group in my location & help fund raise & do what I can to help others. Best Wishes to All Regards Phil

 

[v8ford70 98]

All the Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year 2023 to all. Time has moved on so quickly since the last post on this thread. I just don't want to see this thread die as keeping it alive could be lifesaving. With me I have been very fortunate that my PSA reading hasn't changed still >.008 since having my Prostate was removed just over 4 years ago. I will continue monitoring my PSA once a year for the rest of my life. I hope that others here that have had Prostate Cancer issues are also on the improve. If we can PLEASE all keep passing the word around to family ,relations, and buddies that a simple PSA blood test once a year could be their lifesaver. It's so sad that Prostate Cancer is still taking the lives of 70 men each week in Australia and 660 men each week in the US and this number CAN be lowered by more people spreading the word. 21,000 diagnosed last year in Australia and 268,000 in the US. A question you can ask to start a discussion is What's your PSA reading and who knows it might be the question that saves someone's life. Please if you haven't started monitoring your blood PSA once a year make it a New Years Resolution to begin doing it now, so should any change occur in the years to come chances of your survival are increased by early detection. Awareness + Action = Longer Life 

Cheers Phil

[Mike65 475]

Phil, so sorry to hear of the cancer & I am glad all is going well for you now. Every time I go to my urologist he checks my PSA so we can stay on top of any future problems.

[RPM 1,190]

Thanks, and good reminder Phil. Happy New Year to all. 

[Mach1 Driver 560]

Keep spreading the word for early detection. My daughter-in-law's father recently found out that he has terminal prostate cancer. He was the sort that rarely went to a doctor. He's in his mid 70s and this probably could have been prevented. Now its chemo and radiation just to prolong his life. Its taking quite a toll on their whole family.

[v8ford70 98]

6 hours ago, Mach1 Driver said:

Keep spreading the word for early detection. My daughter-in-law's father recently found out that he has terminal prostate cancer. He was the sort that rarely went to a doctor. He's in his mid 70s and this probably could have been prevented. Now its chemo and radiation just to prolong his life. Its taking quite a toll on their whole family.

Sorry to hear your news, prayers going out for him and family.