philh
Belleville MI
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Joined: 05/11/2015
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Watch the numbers. Be alarmed at a sudden spike. Don't let the primary care use the words, let wait and see. I did and it made a bad situation worse. I"m presently 64.
Over 18 months, I went from 1 (tested for years) to 3.5 to 6.0. PCP was following the med center playbook, of it had to be over 6 to take action. Tested again at 6 months (5.7), and again at 12 months (6.0). He wanted to follow the playbook and I forced his hand to do the referral to urology. MRI showed gleason 4+3, which is indicative of fast growing cancer. Biopsy confirmed the entire prostate was cancerous, and it was deemed stage 3C, which is one step before spreading.
I decided on surgery over radiation for a couple of reasons. One, surgeon did two of my friends and they were very happy with the outcome. Second, given my age, it looked like long term survivability is better for younger men going through surgery over radiation. This advantage appears to wain as men get older. I'm not old, yet! There's another little issue, if you do radiation, you either can't have subsequent surgery, or it is a very difficult procedure.
Surgeon after report (confirmed by pathology report), surgery was my best option, they got all of the cancer, and yes, it was about to spread beyond the prostate. Literally got it in the nick of time.
My recovery has been a bit difficult, had a bleeder that did finally stop, but I'm getting bladder leakage into the abdomen. Wound suction drain was awful yesterday, slowed up after 3am, but is picking up steam again today. Supposed to be no more than 30ml over 48 hours, yesterday's 24 hr total, 475ml. Surgeon's liason nurse talks to me 2x per day, did the CT scan, they are suggesting I'm one of his 2% patients that are not following his recovery plans ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/frown.gif "frown") What they have said, keep up the fluids, don't be alarmed by the qty, to expect it to suddenly stop.
Completely disrupted our post retirement plans we spent months developing and getting reservations. Has also delayed my retirement! Even then, the original plan was 3 weeks off work, doc just put me off for 8 weeks! I'll take the extra weeks of pay ![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/wink.gif "wink")
I regret not pushing PCP before now, but they still got it all. I wish this recovery was going according to plan. Still concerned about how much, if any function I'll get back as I continue to recover.
This is an old mans disease, and I'm not an old man
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Moderator
Tennessee
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Joined: 01/19/2004
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Thank you for sharing.
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Fisherman
Angus, Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 09/28/2002
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Agreed, don't hesitate to have it checked.
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jetboater454
Camping or home
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Joined: 07/21/2009
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Mine started to rise just over 2 years ago at 65. Scope removed a few polups that were non cancerous. On pills and did a few 6 month follow ups but now yearly checkups.
2011 Toyota Tundra DC Long Bed
2001 Harley Dyna Lowrider
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dcmac214
SW OKLA
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Joined: 12/21/2007
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That and a colonoscopy. Get checked. Early detection will save your life. Saved mine.
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wa8yxm
Davison Michigan (East of Flint)
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Every year
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times
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jamesu
Camano Island, WA
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Joined: 03/20/2004
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I was diagnosed with prostate cancer July, 2020. Had prostate removed September 1. Surgeon said the margins looked good…translation: he was confident he got all the cancer. Post-surgery my PSA was done every 3 months…0.0 PSA until Aug, ‘21 when it numbers raised and they doubled every three months after that. Lots of tests, etc, and they recommended prostate-bed radiation treatments. I just completed 8 weeks of radiation and that was no walk in the park…in 3 months they will text my PSA to see if the cancer is gone.
Don’t mess with it guys. My advice: at the very least, get “the old finger up the kazoo” routine during your yearly physical so he can check the prostate size which is an “indicator”. From there it’s your call, but if you need a good Urologist get to one…prostate is his speciality. A Prostatectomy/recovery and radiation treatments/recovery are absolutely no fun.
2011 Chevy 2500 Duramax diesel
2019 Timber Ridge 24RLS (Outdoors RV)
Go Cougs!
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jetboater454
Camping or home
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Joined: 07/21/2009
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jamesu wrote:....but if you need a good Urologist get to one…prostate is his speciality. A Prostatectomy/recovery and radiation treatments/recovery are absolutely no fun.
Often wondered that if you can't be a real "doctor" and talk to your patient face to face,you become a proctologist.![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/scratchead.gif "scratchead")
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Dadoffourgirls
China, MI USA
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Joined: 05/29/2003
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philh wrote:Watch the numbers. Be alarmed at a sudden spike. Don't let the primary care use the words, let wait and see. I did and it made a bad situation worse. I"m presently 64....This is an old mans disease, and I'm not an old man
Thanks for the reminder Phil. I know that you were getting all set for retirement, truck and trailer.
Take it easy and get yourself healthy.
I also believe that your retirement will come before a certain brand's semi!
Dad of Four Girls
Wife
Employee of GM, all opinions are my own!
2017 Express Ext 3500 (Code named "BIGGER ED" by daughters)
2011 Jayco Jayflight G2 32BHDS
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steveh27
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
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Joined: 08/21/2004
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My PSA Lab Results: My PCP said I should go to a urologist. The PAE was done by radiology and worked great. I'm not sure what to do.
July 2022 4.5
Mar. 2021 3.8
Jan, 2019 2.6
Jan, 2018 2.3
Jan, 2017 2.4 Prostate arterial embolization Oct 8, 2016
Jan, 2016 3.9
Jan, 2015 3.8
Jan, 2014 4.8
Jan, 2013 5.3
Mar, 2012 5.14
Aug, 2011 5.4
Jan, 2011 6.0
Jan, 2010 4.2
Jan, 2009 4.9 Biopsy negative. Various antibiotics tried for inflamed
Jan, 2008 3.7 prostate to no effect
Jan, 2007 3.3
May, 2006 3.3
Apr, 2005 2.3
Feb, 2004 2.4
Feb, 2002 1.8
Dec, 2000 1.6
Mar, 1999 3.0
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