Re: all new to me

[Guest guest]

,

After having a PSA test every year for several years with no unusual results I was also surprised when my doctor called me personaly to advise me of a "problem" that required investigation. My PSA had almost doubled in 12 months between tests. He sent me to a urologist who suggested a biopsy. I had no symptoms of any kind of any prostate problem and even my DRE was negative for hardness, swelling etc. I also have a history of prostate cancer in my family. My 91 year old father who enjoys very good health overall, had a RP back in the early 80s.

The biopsy is no big deal in the grand scheme of things.

For my biopsy I did not have any pain medication other than the lidocain gel to provide a very localized anesthetic effect. The uro had me lie on a table, on my side, and face the wall as he prepared the "gun". He had a nurse in the room with us and as he bagan to collect the samples he handed each one to her for close examination and sorting into the vessels for transportation to the lab. He said he was going to collect 16 samples.

Of course, each time the gun went off I registered the count. When we got to 12 he asked the nurse how many samples she had. I blurted out, "12", but she responded, "9". I protested but she said that not all of the samples were suitable based on her scrutiny and only 9 samples were viable. The doctor had to collect 22 samples to get 16 keepers.

After the collection process I asked about any limitations and he said to take it easy that night (I had the procedure at about 4:00 pm) and return to normal activities the next day. I went to work the next morning, no problem, but then went for a 15 mile bike ride after work. The bike ride was a mistake. It hurt every time I hit a seam in the pavement and I am sure it contribued to a greater than normal flow of blood into my urine stream and ejaculate. When I went back to see him about my results (Yeah, PC diagnosis with 2 positive samples and a Gleason of 7...3+4) I mentioned my bike ride and he looked at me as though I was crazy. I reminded him that he said it was ok to return to normal activities the day after the biopsy and he laughed good naturedly and said he thought it so obvious that no one would ride a bike after the biopsy that he never mentioned it.

End result (hope it's the end) is that I had a nerve sparing RP at Northwestern Medical Cener in Chicago with Dr. Nadler at the controls of the DaVinci in September 2007. Great results with which I am very pleased. I regained complete bladder control within two weeks of the catheter removal. I went over three months with no erections but did participate in an agressive rehab program under Dr. Nadler's care and instruction. Limited functionality returned at the fourth month out and improved pretty rapidly from there. I will go back for my one year checkup in September and am very nearly back to where I was pre-surgery. I am very satisfied with my progress and current condition and consider myself very fortunate.

I also give mega props to the nurses who introduced me to kegals several months BEFORE the surgery. I did lots of kegals every day for about 3 months before having surgery which really helped both my bladder control and, in my mind anyway, return to sexual functioning. I still do at least one set of kegals every day and sometimes two sets. I can complete a set of 20 winks, 20 squeeze and holds and 20 more winks in less than 5 minutes. Gives me something constructive to do in meetings.

Best regards

Subject: all new to meTo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Sunday, September 7, 2008, 5:10 PM

my hubbie went to have his yearly physical (which was a chore in itself) and he had his prostate examened (1st time) and PSA. The exam dr said he felt nothing, but his PSA was 4.05.. so he ordered another a month later, It came back 4.56 and since my husbands brother and uncles have had or have prostate cancer, the Dr referred him to a urologist. We went there last tuesday, he was examened again and there was some swelling on the right side of his prostate. and with his family history he wanted him to have a fPSA test. Then he told my hubbie () that if it comes back (as he said as he expects) he will have to have an ultrasound and biopsy. Well as soon as the Dr said that, went into shock. He did not hear the conversation the Dr and I had after that was said. Anyways he is TERRIFIED of having the test done. He pretty much go 2 feet out of the clinic and lost it. Got home and all he wanted

to do was go and stay in bed. I tried telling him he will be fine. His comment was "I am not getting the biopsy or ultrasound. no way" and he went to sleep. I called friends over and we got him to agree to have the test, but his onlt stepulation was he wants me in there. He doesn't want to be alone. I talked to the nurse and the dr agreed with me being in the office (he is doing the ult/biop in his office) to keep him calm and reasurred. he is ok because of the way reacted to being told this was being done. So I have the date schedualed for the test and he had his blood test (going for results 25th). I know how the procedure is done, and the dr did not even disscuss how it was done. Just handed him a panflet. Well thaught (cause of the pic) that it was going to be done through his paremium. I explained how it was going to be done. That realy did not help. But i wanted him to know how it

was done so he is not surprised. NOW I REALLY HAVE TO BE IN THE ROOM. i do not mind,as I am taking medical office asst at school so not a prob. And honestly I would want him there if I was having that done. Anyways he is having the test next month. i am not telling him when cause he will start stressing out when the date gets closer. So it will just be something I tell him when I wake him.Can any of you guys post how the ultrasound and biospy feels? Does it hurt? What happened after..(bleeding) ? Just so i can tell him. He is thinking the worst. I need him to read form other men who have had it done, what they expereinced so he can relax a bit.The last time we went through something like this was when we were 1st married 18 years ago. And he had a tumor on his lung. Ended uo having 1/2 his lung removed. And they did lots of tests and cause I was pregnant, I could not be there during any tests.

So this time he said "I am not going through any testing if you are not there", of course unless it is a surgery of some sort. Another thing, I said to the Dr "swelling, isn't that prostitis? He said no. Asked maybe infecttion? He said nope. Asked if there was a differet test or can we try antibiotics? Again NO. So this Dr is set that is having the test, and I think no matter how the blood test comes back. It looks like the Dr wants him to get it done either way. But I think he should cause the biopsy (from what I read) can also state infections and other things. Is that true? And another question, does sex raise the PSA? cause the urologist said it does.I know if he has cancer, supposidly the dr said 70/30, he will have other tests and treatments but it is just at the beginning I think. That is what he said if does.So my other questions are , what other tests will

possibly be done? What treatments may he get, since it is caught early? What are the side affects?Also is on saw plamento. The Dr said stop, it gives a faulse PSA score. we did for the 4 days he had us wait before the blood test, so it is ok. So is saw plamento a good thing?his symptoms (he has not told any dr yet):trouble urinatingtrouble finishingtrouble with ED Right testical is sore (urologis say it is a pinched nerve in his back causing the testical and back pain)lower back is soreburning sensation in his penis off and on.feels like he has to go sometimes but bladder is emptysorry this was so long.marla