I figured I should give a follow up since I posted it in the open forum (prostate biopsy)

[sandyut]

Yeah, the jump was why they referred me to urology. Out of all the cores he took in my biopsy, only 1 core had any cancer cells. Most of them will never spread, but there are some that possibly could.

On the Gleason scoring system, I'm 3+4 =7.
They call it favorable intermediate, as most of the cancer in the sample will never spread.

I could actually just do active monitoring at this stage, but if I progress to Gleason 4+3, hormone therapy plus radiation comes into play. The recommendation from my radiation oncologist is to treat it now, rather than waiting. May never progress, but nobody can say.

Im with you, I would treat. Not sure I could sleep knowing I had cancer and wasnt doing something to treat it.

 

[radioguy]

Doug,
Gods got your back on this one. The worst is over with the biopsy and targets. I did the 42 treatments over 8 weeks. Had to make sure my bladder was full before every treatment. Those nurses and Rad technicians were true Angel's throughout the whole process.
You are in my prayers.

RG

 

[OldSmoke]

Besides cancer, the other anomaly that can be detected with checkups is an enlarged prostate. When they become enlarged enough, they can raise the dickens with all kinds of functions.

I went through four TURPs, two biopsies, and three Urologists that my PSA of 17 scared the heck out of them. Tried medication but, it messed me up too much. Ended up doing a so-called simple prosectomy. Simple for somebody I guess. A healthy prostate is about the size of a walnut. Mine was a softball. Life is not without some changes, but 99% much better. All kinds of stuff was negatively impacted and I am much better now.

I am thankful there are some really smart doctors that figure this stuff out!

 

[JckDanls 07]

hormone therapy

I forgot to mention that I had to do that too... I was worried that my breast were gonna start to grow... lol

 

[DougE]

I forgot to mention that I had to do that too... I was worried that my breast were gonna start to grow... lol

That's a real possibility! They're more or less baselining testosterone, so what little amounts of female hormones a man has becomes dominant.

Hot flashes, as in a woman going through menopause are common, as are muscle and bone loss, and, as you said, growing boobs in some cases.

 

[DougE]

One treatment down, and 4 to go. It's more or less like getting a CT scan (they actually do a CT first to make sure everything they don't want to radiate is out of the way). It took about 15 minutes once they got me checked in and got me lined up on the machine.

Pretty uneventful, but if there are going to be any side effects, they will happen as treatments progress.

 

[Fueling Around]

Happy you have an up beat approach to the treatment.
If you start posting as identifying as Donna we just move along.
Not sure my decision when it is my turn.

 

[DougE]

If you start posting as identifying as Donna we just move along

Not going to happen unless I require hormone therapy sometime in the future, lol. The radiation may cause me to identify as the incredible hulk, however .....

 

[Elf@shore]

HI!
Hang in there!
Hope for the best !
AMEN!
ELF...

 

[sandyut]

One treatment down, and 4 to go. It's more or less like getting a CT scan (they actually do a CT first to make sure everything they don't want to radiate is out of the way). It took about 15 minutes once they got me checked in and got me lined up on the machine.

Pretty uneventful, but if there are going to be any side effects, they will happen as treatments progress.

Be strong, happy to hear its not painful!

 

[DougE]

Be strong, happy to hear its not painful!

So far, the bowel prep for each treatment, which I had to do for various procedures before starting radiation, and the hour and a half round trip to the clinic and back have been the worst part, so far.

Need to buy stock in the company that makes Fleet Enemas lol.

 

[DougE]

Two down, three to go. Feeling kind of tired about now. Off till Friday though.

 

[Winterrider]

You got this Doug, were all on your side!

 

[DougE]

You got this Doug, were all on your side!

I can't lose with this bunch on my side!

 

[DougE]

And, FK CANCER!

 

[bigfurmn]

Amen my friend!!!

 

[Fueling Around]

Two down, three to go. Feeling kind of tired about now. Off till Friday though.

Can you get out and walk to to keep things flowing?
We're here for you Doug to keep posting through this ordeal. I haven't had the travel, but Keith ( JckDanls 07 ) that I know personally has been through a few life experiences including the prostrate. Come to think of it, many of the South Florida gathering attendees have been through a lot of life experiences.

 

[DougE]

I feel a more normal today, but I just felt wiped out yesterday afternoon and evening. Just wanted to do absolutely nothing.

I've also noticed my sleep patterns have changed some since starting radiation. My watch tracks my sleep and sleep quality has dropped off from my normal.

My resting heart rate also seems to be above usual since starting treatment, and I take meds to regulate it. Not getting as high as before I was put on the meds, but running higher than usual.

I don't have AFib, but do have some sort of arrythmia that kicks in when my heart rate gets into tachycardia range. I don't even feel it when my heart is racing. A monitor my cardiologist had me wear for a week or 2 caught it.

 

[Brokenhandle]

Wishing you the best Doug! Lot's of well wishes and prayers coming from this group for you !

Ryan

 

[DougE]

Wishing you the best Doug! Lot's of well wishes and prayers coming from this group for you !

Ryan

I need all I can get!

I expect that my cancer will be eradicated with the radiation treatments, but there are going to be some side effects to deal with.

Just 3 more treatments and done!