Ron has prostate cancer 😟

I'm now 77 I always get my lab work done prior to appointments with my primary care physician. It is my feeling that the exam is much more beneficial if the information is fresh. Upon reaching my 75th birthday I noticed that there was no PSA result in my lab results and raised that issue with the doctor. I get my healthcare at the VA and have been extremely pleased with the care I receive. However my doctor told me that is was a policy not to test PSA for men over 75, and that he would get a lecture in his management review if he ordered the test.

To say the least I was shocked. I literally asked if it was the VA's preference to let us die if there was a negative test result, and he really didn't give me an answer. I'm not one to take things passively when my health is involved. I've done two things since then. 1. I had a the PSA test done and it was paid for by my medicare and medicare supplemental insurance. There was not an issue. Relieved but not satisfied. 2. I paid a visit to the facility Director and voiced my objection to the policy.

My actions may not make a difference, but I'm a Vietnam veteran and was exposed to agent orange and noted in my medical records. Prostate cancer diagnosis is high on the list of effect experienced by individuals such as me. I will continue to object to their policy, and I will also continue to get the test performed even if I have to start paying for it without insurance coverage.
 

Oh Dear, Ronni, I am sorry to hear this, I hope that
it is proved wrong quickly, the PSA reading isn't used
as a definite result here, the biopsies, I hope will
prove negative.

Mike.
 

May God rest his hands on Ron and bless him with strength and good health. I hope for best outcome for him and for yourself over the coming days.

Your forum avatar is adorable and I have always enjoyed seeing the two of you looking so happy in that photo.

May these upcoming tests and trials be a distant memory as you move forward happily together this year and on...
 
My father in law had prostate cancer for his third cancer, my understanding is that he died with it rather than from it
Best wishes and fingers crossed for you Ron, hopefully yours is a more treatable form.
 
Oh Ronnie! I can't imagine anyone who has gone through more than you have over the past year. Your determination is an inspiration to us all. At the very least, it has caused us to put our "little problems" aside and realize how fortunate we are. Through your posts, we feel like we are living your life and we feel your pain.

We who know you on here, love you, and we are sending the best your way. 🫂
 
Rider77 said:
I'm now 77 I always get my lab work done prior to appointments with my primary care physician. It is my feeling that the exam is much more beneficial if the information is fresh. Upon reaching my 75th birthday I noticed that there was no PSA result in my lab results and raised that issue with the doctor. I get my healthcare at the VA and have been extremely pleased with the care I receive. However my doctor told me that is was a policy not to test PSA for men over 75, and that he would get a lecture in his management review if he ordered the test.

To say the least I was shocked. I literally asked if it was the VA's preference to let us die if there was a negative test result, and he really didn't give me an answer. I'm not one to take things passively when my health is involved. I've done two things since then. 1. I had a the PSA test done and it was paid for by my medicare and medicare supplemental insurance. There was not an issue. Relieved but not satisfied. 2. I paid a visit to the facility Director and voiced my objection to the policy.

My actions may not make a difference, but I'm a Vietnam veteran and was exposed to agent orange and noted in my medical records. Prostate cancer diagnosis is high on the list of effect experienced by individuals such as me. I will continue to object to their policy, and I will also continue to get the test performed even if I have to start paying for it without insurance coverage.
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well done buddy - let's take back controls!!
 
Thank you so much for the support. ❤️ I’m struggling.

We went to an appointment with our lawyer yesterday to go over his will and update a few things. He made the appointment as soon as he got his diagnosis.

On the one hand it’s really difficult to deal with things like that when I just want to pretend none of this is happening, but on the other hand I’m exceedingly grateful he’s being practical and making sure I’m taken care of in the event of his death. He’s such a good man. 💔
 
That's one big thing to not have to think about. It was a loving and practical as you said, job to file away and focus on the here and now.

One step forward each moment, don't fixate on the catastrophe. I know giving advice sounds hollow, but I am talking from experience.

The shock may feel like an out of body experience. It's hard to address, but you will.

It's early days and you will have lots of need for patience for yourself and the processes as Ron gets tests and treatments. You have many folks here and in your life who are praying and pouring out their best wishes for the very best outcome.

Do you have some practice or little ritual or habit that brings you calm and can help you release your anxiety? Anything just to relax your body and mind to help yourself if only for ten minutes an hour or five minutes.

Take good care of yourself. You, Ron, and your loved ones are in my prayers.
 
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Can I make a suggestion @Ronni? Look at getting a power of attorney and a medical power of attorney. Or ask the others that have been through this if it might be needed. My own had paraneoplastic lambert eaton syndrome due to cancer. It's rare. When the PNS was active he became unaware he was in trouble. If I called an ambulance he would try refusing until I told them I had the medical power of attorney.
 
Ronni said:
His yearly physical unearthed a very high PSA number. He was tested a second time to ensure it wasn’t an error. And then a third test was ordered after his doc sent him to an urology specialist, which also returned the same result.

To determine definitively that he has cancer they did a needle biopsy. They removed 16 cores across the prostate in a grid form. Of the 16, 15 were cancerous which indicates that the prostate is riddled with cancer. His PSA score which they determine by blood test is 935. A high/abnormal PSA for his age is anything above 6.5. They reason they did the blood test three tomes was to verify because they don’t often see a score that nigh.

The PET scan he has scheduled will determine whether or not the cancer has spread to the surrounding lymph nodes and other areas of his body. For those who are unfamiliar with PET scans (I was) It’s an irradiated fluid that is injected into his blood. Once it spreads through all the vessels, it will cluster around any cancer cells and show up as glowing areas on the screen they use to track the fluid.

The concern is that it’s spread, based on him having such a high PSA number and also because of his Gleason score, which is 9. A Gleason 9 reads as a highly aggressive, fast growing cancer which puts him in the high risk category.

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His kids are shaken by the information. So are mine, they adore Ron. His younger daughter burst into tears, older one was more stoic but then texted me immediately after with a thousand questions. Until we get the results of the PET scan and a treatment plan he’s keeping the information to just immediate family.

I’m numb. I don’t know if I can withstand another loss.
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Doesn't everyone over 70? Well perhaps you have to be male.

Been there, done that, Gleason = 7 - watch and wait


The great thing about prostate cancer is that it is highly likely something else will kill you.
 

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