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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - May 1, 2014 - 10:09pm PT
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got second test results today.
higher then first.
doctor is recommending a biopsy immediately.
time to do some research, and read what everyone wrote.
thanks for the input.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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God bless ya, zip! Get this thing taken care of. Cheers, bro.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Sport climber
moving thru
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Prayers for you Dude! Do your homework and keep joy and peace in your heart. Very healing not to worry, tho many have plenty of reason to. Call if you want to. lynne
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L
climber
California dreamin' on the farside of the world..
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Zip,
Dr. Michael Platt of Platt Wellness Center in Palm Desert healed a 60 year old friend of mine of prostrate cancer without radiation or surgery. Did it through diet and supplements and, I believe, 2 prescription meds. He's against biopsies as they can introduce cancer cells into the bloodstream.
The guy is a medical genius; I've worked with him on hormone issues and have an enormous respect for him.
His phone number is (760) 836-3232. His website: www.drplatt.com
Wishing you the best.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - May 4, 2014 - 10:45am PT
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L,
thanks.
not sure what to do right now.
it's not a right or wrong decision i have to make.
so many different options.
hard to figure which is the right direction to go in.
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Ezra Ellis
Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
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Do not treat it with "alternative medicine"
The stuff simply doesn't work, show me a single randomized placebo controlled trial that says it cures prostate cancer!!!!!
The evidence doesn't exist, plain and simple!!!!
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Do not treat it with "alternative medicine" Excellent advice.
I'll add one thing though. The treatments, regardless of type, will mess with your digestion and nutrition. Few doctors recognize the importance of treating your whole system, not just the disease.
Find a good nutritionist whose emphasis is diet and possibly supplements specific to your illness and medications. There are no Magic Cures. If your Doc or his office are on the ball they should be able to recommend someone.
My wife is a cancer infusion nurse and sees the results. Among others, a friend of ours has a very serious cancer (yes, there are more serious forms than prostate) and our nutritionist friend has been helping her. My wife is impressed (but not surprised) how well our friend is doing.
You've caught it early, The Force Is With You.
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Mateo Pee Pee
Trad climber
Ivory Tower PDX
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Zip,
The key issue in my mind is that you are still young at 55. On average, the life expectancy for US males is about 78. I doubt you and most of the people on this forum are average and, if you consider Donini, Wiessner, Becky, or Cassin as your role models, you could be climbing above your current grade at that age. Hence, I would make put a strong emphasis on longevity when choosing a treatment.
As noted by others, I appreciate the potential of alternative medicine but it is considered alternative because it currently lacks, for whatever reason, a strong scientific basis be it theory, sample size, controls, etc.
Infections and the side effects of prostate biopsies are always a concern but the the percent of infection is low:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/biopsies-for-prostate-cancer-can-leave-men-with-infections-that-are-hard-to-treat/2013/12/02/1fbc40f4-279c-11e3-b3e9-d97fb087acd6_story.html
Although a small sample size (about 5) no-one I know has experienced problems related with a biopsy. Of course that would fall well within the statistical probabilities noted above. The questions are: what are the alternatives and what are the advantages and disadvantages of seeking out other options?
Lastly, life following prostate cancer and treatment can be as and even more fulfilling than before.
Best,
Keith
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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The only answer at your age (in my opinion) is the da Vinci robotic surgical removal of the prostate. One of my good friends had elevated PSA as you have had, and at his age (under 60) decided to go with removal. He's been fine ever since.
At donini's age (and mine as well), the Palladium "seeds" are an effective option. Thankfully I don't have the problem, but underwent the Green Light Laser "ream job" a few years back for an enlarged prostate.
You really don't want to get involved with hormonal manipulation using Lupron unless the urologist says it's the best option.
Get rid of the prostate and get rid of the possibility of metastasis.
Best of luck Zip!
Rodger
P.S. Pay attention to Ezra Ellis' advice ^^^^^^^
I had a friend who tried "alternative medicine" for prostate cancer, and died within a year of it's diagnosis.
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zBrown
Ice climber
Brujo de la Playa
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hard to figure which is the right direction to go in.
Go in the direction of getting as much information about your condition as soon as possible. Get the combined urine/PSA test first. Then based on that decide whether to have the biopsy.
In the background continue looking into treatments.
It's hard to make a good decision when you don't have the whole picture.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there say, zip...
how are you today?
we are here... hang in there...
sending you an email, too...
(if your email works here) ...
prayers and may you find a solution that you know is the 'right route' and may it lead to new hopes...
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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if by chance you end up on chemotherapy
Stay completely OFF sugars. They can stimulate cancer cell growth.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 1, 2014 - 06:54am PT
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It took over a month to find out that I do have Prostate Cancer.
Kinda funny that the doctors tell you that they need to get you in right away, but it took around 5 weeks to get appointments, tests, and procedures done.
I was informed over the phone, and I meet with the doctor tomorrow in his office.
I am looking for some suggestions on what questions I should be asking.
Thanks
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Find out your Gleason Score and ask the doctor if you are a candidate for watchful surveillance or if more aggressive action is recommended.
If you want to aggressively treat it....SHOP AROUND. Urologists are surgeons and will recommend that option. Also consult with oncologists about the radiation options. I chose to get radioactive seed implants at the Huntsman Cancer Center in SLC and was very pleased with the treatment and the results.
The fact that it took a month to get your results would send up a RED FLAG for me about your current physician.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 1, 2014 - 08:32am PT
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ok, thanks, i'm going to look in to that.
It took 4 days to get results on blood tests, 3 weeks to get an appointment for the biopsy, and then another 4 days for results of the biopsy. the longest wait was for the biopsy appointment.
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jstan
climber
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Zip:
I am coming to accept the following as true. If one has ever been a male there is no permanent cure for PC. You have to stop pretending you are young and resolve to stay on top of it till life is over. We brush our teeth every day so PC is not the only burden old age places on one.
At 58 I had an old school prostatectomy that did not get all of the cancer and my PSA bounced around 0.4 for eighteen years. Then it increased to 1.0 and I had CTI and a hot bone scan showing no evidence of metastasis. The tumor shrank under androgens so the negative biopsy did not fool us about it not being cancer. When the present radiation therapy ( success estimated at 80% at 5 years) is done I will stay on androgen therapy for awhile as PC cells can't live with out testosterone. If I hold it off for eight years we will be in a regime where chemo agents have been targeted for specific cell types and patient genetics. It will then either be something else or the chemo itself that finishes the job.
In a way this all makes sense. These things coming at old age help one to realize appreciating the present moment and trying, finally, to do something worthwhile was what life really was all about the whole time. It is just clearer now.
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lostinshanghai
Social climber
someplace
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Zip
Eleven years ago I was in the same situation as you are now.
Founding out early in the game made a difference. It gave you some time but the more time you wait to decide what to do: the faster the chance that cancer gets past the nearby lymph nodes and when that does it starts spreading everywhere. They did two biopsies on me since the first one did not show anything, the second [ three months later] did by taking additional 8 more samples or pinching’s because it is a hit or miss, even one cm from the other sample might not show anything. Not to scare you but you have a couple of months to research, study before you decide what’s best or the direction.
Result of Agent Orange they said? My dad was in his late 70’s and had no signs and if he did would not be the cause of his death since it would be a slow growth for him.
You start listening to all the options you have: seeding, radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink it, cutting, digging, ripping it out and leaving massive scars, proton was another [has good results] but still leaves the prostate in your body. I have a friend that went this route [proton] and he is cancer free and has been for 11 years. They build a body cast to protect those areas that will not be harmed during treatment, only the one spot that needs it. Recall 15 mins a session and 40 of them? Cost $70,000 [ 10 years ago price now ?]. Today under Obama Care $150.00 *don’t quote me on that one. Maybe $450.00.
Then you will need to research the doctors you are talking to [looking at his/their track record or references, any complaints, law suits against him/his team] and the main question?: How many of these operations have you performed or done. In my case one said three, another 5. Ok! Thanks, bye, bye and walked out the door.
I had Laparoscopic surgery to remove it since it has minimally invasive surgery plus faster recovery. I said the hell with it get it out remove it so I would not have to think down the road is it going to flare up or do something in the future. I have been cancer free for over eleven years. PSA zero. Funning thing is that you still have testosterone and getting any testosterone shots or gels could flare or wake up that cancer?
Having surgery has its risks.
Number one thing guys asked or bring up and I asked as well is sex. You know will be you able to have an erection. You mean there might be a chance as in “No, Pus….. well I will leave it at that but you get the picture.
50/50 chance, yes, no and maybe; depends: 1 out 20, maybe 1 out of 50 that it might come back or eventually will come back.
There are 2 tiny bundles of nerves that run on either side of the prostate. These nerves control erections. Nerve-sparing approach is extremely critical so the surgeon will try not to injure these nerves.
The other problem will be the bladder so those nerves are critical as well, a mistake you end up using a tube and a bag for the rest of your life.
Anyway it usually takes at least a few months to a year after surgery to have an erection because the nerves have been handled during the operation and won't work properly for a while.
Last week just talk to a good friend and we were discussing a friend of ours who decided not to have anything done in regards to the prostate heard the horror stories and felt main concern was his sex issue because he felt screwing was more important than living a full life 75-80 maybe 90. Well he’s dead and we found out another one that died as well because that’s the road both wanted to take. Both in their late 50’s.
So there can be issues with sex and ask your doctor.
If you are one of those and the doc does/doesn’t mess up you still or there are aids to help you. Best one is using a needle with serum med called TriMix into that area half an hour before you plan to have sex. Last for about an hour, add Viagra just before the injection as a lot of guys do known as cocktailing. No side effects, no harm as long as you are not over abusing them or adding a bottle of whiskey. In fact one does not even have to have prostate problems to take these. You achieve the same feelings as you did before the only difference this time is what is called dry where before it would be wet.
As for radiation or proton there would be no anesthesia. If you go the route of massive surgery or Laparoscopic then there is anesthesia.
Need to talk to both your doctor and the Anesthesiologist under your care. Make sure he has a good record. This is very important for your recovery when they release you mainly what could happen years later in the future.
If you do choose surgery asking the time that you will be under is very important and I will repeat it again and this is what you need to discuss with both reason:
Not that this not new but since better ways to study and equipment both from EU as well as here in the US on research where Anesthesia [neurotoxicity] and the adverse effects from surgery are causing problems. You are talking about cognition dysfunction disorders, memory loss, reasoning and attention just to name a few. They are finding that this is good indicator for Alzheimer. So if you did go this route how many hours do they plan to do have your procedure done 3 hours, 4 and what or if it went past 6 hours of you being knocked out. You will not feel these effects at first but 3 years go by, 6 then 10 and you are starting to wonder why I am half brain dead or starting in that direction.
Since I did not have a choice or the option of Proton therapy back then I most likely would have chosen that one first. Laparoscopic surgery was quite new back then; I was the fifth person in the US to have it done. Understand that now time is shorter for a lot of procedures with this technology so still would look or consider it. The other reason you get a second chance since you did not get radiation. If get a different cancer then can radiate it: the less the better.
Also heard that they now have new drugs as in chemotherapy treatment just for the prostate that are not as evasive as they were years ago. Like hair loss these new ones are better. Guessing another option to consider but again do your homework.
Also if you did or chose surgery make sure you it scheduled on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
Anyway good luck, the hardest part is what to do and which one. So just wanted to add a few things with my experience to help or confuse you in your decision. Hopefully the help part.
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, or In What Time Zone Am I?
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The fact that it took a month to get your results would send up a RED FLAG for me about your current physician. THE TRUTH.
I went from "something doesn't seem right" appointment with my primary (2 day wait for an appointment) to a 2 day wait after that for my appointment with a Stanford oncologist, to surgery 5 days later with confirmed Dx of ovarian cancer. (You may remember we first met at Trash Can Rock in JT just after my last chemo and I was still bald...you were climbing with Rodger). Time to fast track.
I know next to nothing about the protocol for prostate but I know a lot about shifting into super low gear, staying as collected as possible and still living your life while managing a daunting physical and emotional challenge. Climbers and like minded hearty folks, like you, have a reserve of strength to pull from that a lot of folks don't have. These early days as you're exploring options are gut wrenching...then eventually you do the job that needs to be done and don't let the fact you have cancer become your lifestyle.
With your great sense of humor I'm sure you'll weather treatment with a lot of resilience. Now go kick butt of your care providers to get MOVING!
Susan
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 3, 2014 - 01:30pm PT
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I met with the doctors last night for almost an hour.
I was fully armed with all the info I have learned from this thread.
He gave me the following results:
Stage : T1C
Gleason score : 3+4
PSA : 5
He says that radiation and or surgery are best options.
He didn't know what the word Jingus meant, but I still feel pretty good about him.
His associate would be doing the surgery laparoscopically, with a robot.
This surgeon has done this procedure over 2000 times.
I'm going to set up an appointment with her next week.
I also talked to anesthesiologist about how long I would be out.
She felt under three hours.
I'm also going to set appointment with radiologist too.
Doctors were very impressed with all the info I had, and questions.
They asked where I got all the info. I told them from Suoertopo.
They had never heard of it. I suggested they check it out. They said they would.
I got a lot more research to do, but it appears surgery is bed option.
Doctors ended consultation with the standard
"we are cautiously optimistic of this diagnosis and prognosis", or something like that.
Get busy living, or get busy dying.
Andrew Dufrane
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there say, zip... i been wondering how you were doing...
will surely have you in my prayers and wishing you the best outcome here...
hang in there, you are important to folks...
god bless...
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