PSA 20.0 man 49

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juniper - 09 Jan 2006 05:20 GMT

I have tried to reply 3 times to my original post, but for some reason
it is not working. So I'm trying a new topic to see if that will post.

> If you let us know where you live, we may be able to recommend some good

We live in Prescott, AZ. Someone in Yavapai County would be nice. The
prostate_cancer_institute has this doctor about an hour away: Alex
Horchak. Anyone know him? He does cyro so that might be good for a
2nd opinion.

> Is your insurance in place for all this?

We have pretty good insurance, for ex they cover Mayo Clinic &
hospital. Thank God for that blessing. He has disability if he needs
it.

> Patrick Walsh's "Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer" or thye book by

I have ordered books, including Patrick Walsh's. To tell the truth,
though, I don't feel like I'll ever get on my feet with this. However,
I found a local support group today, and already received a reply to my
email, so that will improve this experience a incredible amount.

> I should think that a biopsy should be scheduled now. With
> The next step is an 8-12 needle biopsy read by two different labs.

He had a biopsy on Thurs, results in a week. We went to Mayo Clinic in
Scottsdale. He lost count after 12, so I guess they did plenty. Wasn't
too impressed with the Dr, he didn't do any bloodwork or anything.
Kept reassuring we didn't know it was cancer, good, but
didn't bother to check anything else out. So either he thought it was
probably cancer and didn't say that, or I don't know what. He said
other things like cysts or bladder stones could cause a high PSA but
then he didn't check for any of those things. Does anyone know any of
the Drs at Mayo Scottsdale?

The biopsy was horrible. They didn't wait after the novacaine or
whatever it is. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered, there was no
noticable difference in the pain from the first to the last sample.
They refused to give him valium or anything beforehand. What was that
about? He's not getting any more biopsies in those circumstances.

-?? What are the options for pain control w/biopsies?
-?? Also, do you think we should be having sex? It seems like we
should to clear the blood out of his prostate. But it could hurt it,
since it is already injured?

> It's just as likely Peter that he never went back to the Doc for another

My husband went to his (ex) doctor at least once a year, sometimes
more, in that 5 years. I don't know if he asked for a PSA, but I think
the Dr had some responsibility here also, esp w/the family hx. He did
not like his Dr or think much of him but wouldn't change, so I took
advantage of a change in insurance to force a change. Which is how all
this got discovered now. I could have been more forceful, but there is
a balance between being a bitch and giving someone space to make their
own decisions. Live and learn, what can I say?

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Steve Kramer - 09 Jan 2006 23:55 GMT

>> Patrick Walsh's "Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer" or thye book by
> I have ordered books, including Patrick Walsh's. To tell the truth,
> though, I don't feel like I'll ever get on my feet with this. However,
> I found a local support group today, and already received a reply to my
> email, so that will improve this experience a incredible amount.

Support groups are a blessing. Support NGs are as well. But, neither is a
substitute for basic, fundamental research. It is imparative you read at
least one of the books (I'd recommend Walsh's) to get a framework for all
the rest of the questions you will have and the decisions you will have to
make. I think one is far too few, but one is an absolute minimum.

> Wasn't
> too impressed with the Dr, he didn't do any bloodwork or anything.
> Kept reassuring we didn't know it was cancer, good, but
> didn't bother to check anything else out.

If you were there for a biopsy, that's all they had time for. You will have
much more time at the consultation if there is cancer.

> The biopsy was horrible. They didn't wait after the novacaine or
> whatever it is. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered, there was no
> noticable difference in the pain from the first to the last sample.
> They refused to give him valium or anything beforehand. What was that
> about? He's not getting any more biopsies in those circumstances.

I can't imagine why they do that. I had happy juice for mine, just as I did
for my colonoscopy. I supposedly was awake for the whole thing and don't
remember a thing.

Signature

PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins
PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32
Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 (4 mo), 12/03, 4/04, 09/04, 01/05, 5/05, 10/05
PSA .07 .05 .06 .05 .08
Non Illegitimi Carborundum

Reply to this Message

juniper - 10 Jan 2006 03:59 GMT

I am expecting a phone call by the end of the week, with a diagnosis.
(Or maybe just a request to come back in.) About that time the books
and other information should be coming. So I would like to be prepared
for the phone call, ask a few important questions, get the pathology
report faxed to us, then tell them we will call for a followup. This
would give us some time to digest all the new information, if it turns
out to be PCa. My question is: What are the questions we should ask?
I know about the Gleason score, and it is two parts plus the sum, but
there is another number I can't recall right now. Any suggestions for
basic essential questions for that phone call? Thanks again.

Reply to this Message

Steve Kramer - 10 Jan 2006 11:52 GMT

You will probably be called by a nurse asking you to come into the office to
discuss with the doctor your results. That's pretty much when you know you
have cancer. You may have to be persistent to get the numbers. But, be
persistent.

You will want to know ASAP what your numbers are; in order to develop a
reasonable list of questions. That consultation is extremely important and
there is no reason to waste time discussing a lot of stuff that does not
apply to you based on your numbers.

The data you will need to prepare are:

PSA
Gleason (e.g., 3+3=6; 4+3=7; 5+5=10)
Stage (e.g., T1a, T2b, T2c)
Is it apparently "contained," "capsular penetration," or "extra capsular
penetration"?

Then, bring the numbers to us and we'll help you develop a list.

Signature

>I am expecting a phone call by the end of the week, with a diagnosis.
> (Or maybe just a request to come back in.) About that time the books
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> there is another number I can't recall right now. Any suggestions for
> basic essential questions for that phone call? Thanks again.

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