Home Re: Could you spare some dust for my hubby?

[isaku5]

Date: 12/3/2009 12:49:10 PM
Author: monarch64
Isaku, my most positive thoughts and vibes (and dust of course) going out to your husband and you/your family. I hope the results come back that the cancer is contained in the one area.

If I may share an anecdote with you...the jeweler I use here employs a wonderful SA who had prostate cancer several years ago and went with the implanted seeds for treatment. He shared with me that they were made of 14k gold. It was really TMI, but he was so sweet/funny/kind that I had to laugh--he was trying to relate to me about something I had shared with him about my father''s health. I don''t have a point in telling you this, I just thought it was cute and that a fellow PS''er would enjoy it!

That is just too funny!!!! I hope that those 14k seeds did their job!!!

 

[isaku5]

Date: 12/5/2009 11:28:43 AM
Author: radiantquest
One of my coworkers just got diagnosed with prostate cancer. I can''t say that I can give any helpful advice, but of course I will give support. I can get his number for your husband. I am sure that both of them would appreciate talking to someone who is going through the exact same thing.

That would be great, RQ. Thankfully, no one in our group of friends or acquaintances has been diagnosed with PCa yet so we''re kind of on our own here.

Hubby has led such a ''clean'' life always trying to do the ''right thing'' for his body so the diagnosis was a real shock for both of us. I asked whether he felt that his body had ''betrayed'' him, but he answered, "Not really". That surprised me too.

I was reading about the possible causes of PCa, and heredity was high on the list. DH''s dad was diagnosed in the 60''s with PCa which very quickly spread to his lungs and eventually was the cause of his death. Neither DH nor I can forget that; however, there are many new ways to treat his PCa before it ever goes that far.

We''re currently doing our best to enjoy the Christmas season in spite of all the uncertainty. Thanks again to everyone. Your support has been wonderful.

 

[HappyAnniversary]

Isaku5 --We have found good news on his biopsy, no evidence of cancer. He will be on 6 month watch, checking PSA and doing DRE. I have read that the biopsy only samples 1% of the tissue so it is important to keep checking. He''s been put on meds which should reduce PSA, so we will still be watching for any rise in PSA after the initial decrease.

I found other sites with information I''ll post, a couple are from a Dr Catalona, and there is a Q&Ab and a newsletter, it is http://epubs.democratprinting.com/publication/?i=26858 and http://www.urotoday.com/ and http://drcatalona.com/default.asp

I am have been thinking of you and your husband. I wish all good things and wonderful outcome. I would be interested in what treatment you decide on if you feel like sharing that here. God bless!

 

[isaku5]

Date: 12/13/2009 8:09:45 PM
Author: HappyAnniversary
Isaku5 --We have found good news on his biopsy, no evidence of cancer. He will be on 6 month watch, checking PSA and doing DRE. I have read that the biopsy only samples 1% of the tissue so it is important to keep checking. He''s been put on meds which should reduce PSA, so we will still be watching for any rise in PSA after the initial decrease.

I found other sites with information I''ll post, a couple are from a Dr Catalona, and there is a Q&Ab and a newsletter, it is http://epubs.democratprinting.com/publication/?i=26858 and http://www.urotoday.com/ and http://drcatalona.com/default.asp

I am have been thinking of you and your husband. I wish all good things and wonderful outcome. I would be interested in what treatment you decide on if you feel like sharing that here. God bless!

What great news for both you and your hubby!!!

We are still waiting for the results of the bone and CT scans. With any luck at all, we''ll have some answers after our appointment with the urologist on Tuesday evening.

Thank you so much for the extra sites; I will look them over carefully.

As of our discussion today, DH wants no treatment whatsoever no matter what the results. He says that he''s going to use positive thinking and diet. While I realize that this is HIS prostate and HIS decision to make, I''m nervous about both of those.

I will continue my research as I feel the need to do this; however, it will have to be when he''s nowhere in sight.

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Isaku, I was thinking about you both, wondering how the appointment on Tuesday went?

Hope you''re both doing ok.

Jen

 

[isaku5]

Thank you, Mrs. Mitchell , for thinking of us.

Yesterday''s app''t with the urologist went fairly well. The bone scan was clear, but the CT scan showed ''something'' in the right kidney. The doctor thought that it very well might be a cyst, but just to be sure, he ordered an ultrasound.

He also recommended something I was going to ask for anyway - a second opinion. His sec''y will arrange for an appointment.

All things considered, we think that the results were definitely encouraging.

 

[ladypirate]

Dust and prayers going out to you and your husband.

 

[Porridge]

Date: 12/16/2009 11:36:01 AM
Author: isaku5
Thank you, Mrs. Mitchell , for thinking of us.

Yesterday''s app''t with the urologist went fairly well. The bone scan was clear, but the CT scan showed ''something'' in the right kidney. The doctor thought that it very well might be a cyst, but just to be sure, he ordered an ultrasound.


He also recommended something I was going to ask for anyway - a second opinion. His sec''y will arrange for an appointment.


All things considered, we think that the results were definitely encouraging.

Well that does sound a bit more promising! PS dust definitely works, so I''m sending truckloads of it for you and your husband.

 

[isaku5]

Thanks, Porridge! We need all the dust we can find!!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Isaku, biggest hugs and positive thoughts outgoing to both you and your hubby!

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Good to hear some positive news, Isaku. I hope you both manage to relax a little and enjoy the holidays.

Jen

 

[DiaDiva]

Isaku, more dust for you and your DH.

 

[isaku5]

Thanks very much, Dee*Jay and Mrs. Mitchell.

I was handling the whole situation fairly well until today. Maybe the reality of it all hit home; anyway, I feel as if I''ve been sucker-punched.

I''m doing my best not to cry in front of DH, but da*n, that''s hard...

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Oh, you poor thing. I don''t have anything practical to suggest, except maybe the biggest glass of wine you can lift and a good cry. Here''s a tip I picked up from TGal - have a good cry in a nice hot shower.

Big hug to you.

Jen

 

[CNOS128]

Just noticed this thread -- wishing you peace and strength and good health for you & your husband, Isaku.

 

[doodle]

Date: 12/16/2009 4:57:57 PM
Author: isaku5

I''m doing my best not to cry in front of DH, but da*n, that''s hard...

Honey, that''s the beauty of cryin'' in the shower. Loads and loads of dust for you both, and hang in there. You sound like you''ve kept a very positive attitude and a level head so far--Your DH is lucky to have such great partner in all this! Please continue to keep us all posted.

 

[isaku5]

DiaDiva: Thanks for the dust - I''m adding it to the *loads* we''ve received from all the generous Pricescopers.

doodle: Yes, we''re both trying to keep a positive attitude, but when each of us is alone for awhile, I think we have a cry. It''s very kind of you to say that DH is lucky to have a great partner, but that has worked both ways. Years ago (1992), I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome accompanied by a really heavy dose of depression. Many people who I thought were friends simply walked away, but my dear hubby stood by my side and got much-needed help for me.

TheBigT: Thank you so much for your wishes of peace, strength and good health. I wish the same for you.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

Sending more dust and prayers for your husband''s quick recovery.

 

[luv2sparkle]

Isaku-Sending you many prayers for peace and strength!

 

[hlmr]

Sending lots of healthy vibes, strength and dust to your hubby and you!

 

[iwannaprettyone]

Praying for a christmas miracle and great news for you.....tons o'' dust too

 

[icekid]

isaku- Just wanted to send my best wishes and PS dust your way. It sounds like he has a great team on the case.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with crying. Sometimes it is best not to hold everything in; the shower idea is perfect!

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Crying can be a great release, and crying in the shower can be very helpful if you need a little private time to sort things out. I have done this on several occassions.

Best wishes for you and for healing for your DH! Prostate cancer has a great sucess with treatment rate, but I am sure it is still very scary.

 

[PinkTower]

Isaku,
I''ve been thinking of you and wishing you strength and good health. How are you and your husband doing in 2010?

 

[isaku5]

Date: 2/16/2010 8:48:30 PM
Author: Pink Tower
Isaku,
I''ve been thinking of you and wishing you strength and good health. How are you and your husband doing in 2010?

Thanks for your thoughts and wishes, Pink Tower.

All things considered, I think we''re managing pretty well.

We had our app''t with the second urologist in early January. He was extremely kind and answered every question we asked in language that was easily understood. His comment regarding the ''unusual something'' in the kidney was that it probably was a cyst and upon further investigation, he was totally accurate. He also referred us to an oncologist whom Hubby saw (I had a doozie of a cold so stayed home) in mid-January. DH felt very much at ease with him as well and he apparently answered all the questions DH had. He recommended Active Surveillance or Watchful Waiting and agreed to implant the ''seeds'' when/if warranted.

The most urgent problem right now is that after voiding, DH''s bladder still holds too much urine. I''m no specialist but think this might be due to the enlarged prostate not allowing all the urine to pass. At any rate, he has an app''t for an ultrasound of his bladder this Tuesday. As well, it''s time for another PSA.

On the good news front, we just returned Friday from a much needed week''s vacation in Cancun, Mexico. While the weather wasn''t the best, we still had a great time.

 

[PinkTower]

That is good news. And I am glad you got to go on a trip. I had been following your thread because we are in a similar situation, and I was concerned when you ''disappeared.''

 

[isaku5]

I''m so sorry to hear that, Pink Tower. If I can be of any help, please let me know. Maybe we can cry on each other''s shoulders???

 

[PinkTower]

Isabel,
(love your name and had to use it, I teach a precious Isabel this year)

I sense you know what I mean when I say we are not the worrying, hand-wringing types. It is just that everyone''s case is quite individualized, and it is incumbent upon you to do your own research. The options are laid out for you, but you must be the once to decide which one is the best choice, and go on from there. This, we find, is exhausting. For example, the seeds you mentioned are your first choice. That is not an option for us, as DH is too young. At least that is one choice that was off the table before we started. The other choices are not so clear cut!

My best to you, and keep us posted. You have another prayer warrior here for you.

Pink

 

[isaku5]

Thanks for your kind words about the ''Isabel'' name. I''m the namesake of my mom''s best friend when they were growing up.

To add to our commonalities, I''m a retired teacher. After 19 years, I had to give it up due to a chronic illness, but I have fond memories of many students.

You''re so right about all the treatment options being laid out before us, but ultimately it is our decision. Since both the second urologist and the oncologist recommendind the ''seeds'' for DH if AS and WW are ruled out for whatever reason, we both agree that that''s the way to go. The one concern there, though, is that the volume of the prostate has to be no larger than 60cc, and in the latest test, K''s was 51cc.

My cousin''s hubby was diagnosed two years ago and due to the size of his prostate underwent 47 radiation treatments. He was 63 at the time and had very few side effects and so far no recurrence.

You''re absolutely right when you comment that neither of us is the hand-wringing type; we do research and record every app''t and test result. Maybe that''s part of our ''teacher gene

''

Let''s keep in touch.

 

[Alienor]

Hi there,

My dad got diagnosed with prostate cancer almost 8 years ago. As he is older, doctors wanted him to get his prostate removed. Instead, he went for the wait and see approach (got his psa levels checked every month or so and regular doctor visit). A couple of years later, he had to get a surgery because he couldn''t go to the bathroom anymore (inflamed prostate).
As his psa levels were also getting too high, he decided that it was time for him to get radiotherapy done. He did so and is now fine. He is almost 74.

It is very good that you are reading on your options. I also don''t know how old is your husband but some doctors out there are eager to recommend removing the prostate the more old you are. My father vehemently refused as he doesn''t want to wear diapers and wants to be sexually active (sorry to be blunt). This is a little simplified but you get the gist of it.

Prostate cancer is very treatable. *hugs*