Our Prostate Cancer Journey and Experience

[StarSong]

Early last summer our GP noted a somewhat elevated PSA level in DH's bloodwork. Also didn't like what he felt during the digital exam. I may be off somewhat on the order of how things happened, but will be pretty close.

DH went to a urologist who repeated the digital exam, confirming the presence of something suspicious. Due to DH's age (71) he didn't want to start out with a biopsy, so ordered an MRI, which confirmed the need for a biopsy. Biopsy was positive for cancer. In August/September we were facing two courses of treatment: radiation or surgery. We opted for radiation because the possibility of (lifelong) urine leakage of some degree is much higher with surgery.

The doctors advised us that we had some time on this, but not a whole lot, and ignoring it could be to DH's peril. Once the cancer metastasizes, you're pretty much a dead duck who'll endure a difficult life ending experience.

They did a PET Scan to see exactly where the cancer was, and to be sure it hadn't already metastasized. So in January, DH began a six week course of daily radiation treatments, plus had to deal with testosterone suppression.

He educated himself on everything one could imagine when it came to prostate cancer, so knew what to insist on (a three month testosterone suppression course rather than the six month, for example).

I told him I was going to write about this in the forum because I don't want to see any of you ignoring this potentially life-ending condition. (I kept the info almost completely under wraps while we were going through it.) He highly recommends checking out Dr. Mark Scholz's videos on YouTube Prostate Cancer Research Institute.

Scholz serves as medical director of Prostate Oncology Specialists Inc. in Marina del Rey, CA, a medical practice exclusively focused on prostate cancer. His videos are in plain English and address all manner of topics.

If you are dealing with an increased PSA number, I urge you to investigate fully before deciding to ignore it.

p.s. DH is FINE now. Testosterone levels are back to normal and PSA levels are in the low range of normal. His oncologist said she couldn't have asked for better results, which she attributes to early detection and treatment.

 

[Grampa Don]

Been there. Glad to hear your husband is OK. I had mine removed 23 years ago, and yes, it did result in leakage. But, I did retain some control. Some guys don't. There was a option to implant a radioactive seed to kill the tumor, but it wasn't offered to me at the time.

My step Dad died of prostate cancer. Not a good way to go.

 

[StarSong]

There was a option to implant a radioactive seed to kill the tumor, but it wasn't offered to me at the time.

They discussed that with my husband, but the restrictions were too great. For instance, we wouldn't have been able to sleep in the same bed and he couldn't have had close contact with our toddler grandsons. For me to banish myself to another bedroom and for him to not be able to hold the little ones or allow them sit on his lap while watching Paw Patrol were deal-breakers for my husband, especially since radiation had very high success rates for his diagnosis.

I'm glad yours was managed successfully, Grandpa Don. 23 years since the surgery is a very happy outcome indeed.

 

[seadoug]

Early last summer our GP noted a somewhat elevated PSA level in DH's bloodwork. Also didn't like what he felt during the digital exam. I may be off somewhat on the order of how things happened, but will be pretty close.

DH went to a urologist who repeated the digital exam, confirming the presence of something suspicious. Due to DH's age (71) he didn't want to start out with a biopsy, so ordered an MRI, which confirmed the need for a biopsy. Biopsy was positive for cancer. In August/September we were facing two courses of treatment: radiation or surgery. We opted for radiation because the possibility of (lifelong) urine leakage of some degree is much higher with surgery.

The doctors advised us that we had some time on this, but not a whole lot, and ignoring it could be to DH's peril. Once the cancer metastasizes, you're pretty much a dead duck who'll endure a difficult life ending experience.

They did a PET Scan to see exactly where the cancer was, and to be sure it hadn't already metastasized. So in January, DH began a six week course of daily radiation treatments, plus had to deal with testosterone suppression.

He educated himself on everything one could imagine when it came to prostate cancer, so knew what to insist on (a three month testosterone suppression course rather than the six month, for example).

I told him I was going to write about this in the forum because I don't want to see any of you ignoring this potentially life-ending condition. (I kept the info almost completely under wraps while we were going through it.) He highly recommends checking out Dr. Mark Scholz's videos on YouTube Prostate Cancer Research Institute.

Scholz serves as medical director of Prostate Oncology Specialists Inc. in Marina del Rey, CA, a medical practice exclusively focused on prostate cancer. His videos are in plain English and address all manner of topics.

If you are dealing with an increased PSA number, I urge you to investigate fully before deciding to ignore it.

p.s. DH is FINE now. Testosterone levels are back to normal and PSA levels are in the low range of normal. His oncologist said she couldn't have asked for better results, which she attributes to early detection and treatment.

Yes, this was recently discussed in this forum so your input is truly appreciated. I'm so glad to hear your DH is cancer-free and back to normal!