Update on prostate Cancer (finally some good news)

[Doc Nock]

I figured with so many wonderful prayer warriors PM'ing me, posting and such, it'd be better to start a new thread...

So today I finally got to meet with the Urology Doctor re: the prostate Cancer diagnosis...

I had plenty of questions and he took plenty of time... he was 30 min late for our appointed time, but I was the last one of the day so he had time to discuss fully...
Bottom line...
 
The prostate cancer I have, using a GLEASON score is relatively "aggressive", but not as bad as it could be... I'm at an 8 total and if it's 9 or 10, If I understand it right, that's REALLY bad! :(
 
First step is to do a bone scan to make sure it's not gotten outa the prostate and into the bone... 2nd will be a CT scan, to see if it's in the lymph system...
 
If both those tests are negative, we reviewed all the Treatment options, at least here...
 
The robotic surgery has more risks... Risks of incontinence and impotence...not really worried about the latter, but the former and the healing part would be a bit devilish...
 
at age 70, if it's contained in the prostate, he said the "Seeds, Nuggets, Radiation, or Cyber knife (which he's not heard of anyone doing it in a 3 state area) means, in his opinion, at my age of 70, ANY of them would give me likely 15 years... I'm not sure I'd want to go beyond that anyway... So...
 
His recommendation, if no migration to lymph or bone, is Radiation as it's the safest, most effective with NO side effects and will get me to 85 in his view...he's going to set up a meeting with a radiologist here to discuss more...
 
So now it's a "hurry up and wait" for the 2 scans, then the results of the CT and Bone Scan... then move forward.
 
Sorry, but that is all I know at this point in time... more waiting and wondering... Apparently, it's somewhat aggressive growing type to jump in PSA level as it did... PSA can be a false indicator of cancer but now that it's known, the type PSA he uses differentiates between several types of PSA indicators...
 
Time will tell...

***************
Time just told... got the bizarre call I posted yesterday and now this AM, got a 2nd call and learned the Bone Scan also came back "no obvious contamination"... I asked about the radiologist appt and got sent to another Voice mail box...left quick message and got that as well... January 8th I see Radiologist about treatments...

While I Had the nice female nurse on the line, I shared about the Bizarre Restricted call to give me Test Results yesterday... I shared how that went and how I felt and she promised to quietly share with the Urology doc as I suggested that was bizarre. It turns out the woman decided to work from home and used her cell to call me. So she's obviously concerned with cell issues or wouldn't restrict her Phone #...

I have a Radiologist appointment and 2 "good" scan results...clear on CT and Bone...

Thank you, Jesus (and you faithful prayer warriors!)
 
 

[4dogs]

 

[Lowrider]

Glad to hear you were able to meet with the Doctor. I know the waiting to find out what is going on is terrible. Praying for negative test results on CT scan and bone scan. If that's the case it sounds like you have some good options. Hang in there.

[Doc Nock]

Thank you for the kind words, Gents.  Thanks too, for the PMs from various folks and emails as well...they're my life line!  Once the scan news is behind me, then other choices have to be made...

I appreciate the prayers for clean scans... I admit, I'm at the head of that line...

[Nosight]

prayers from here   

[Doc Nock]

Thanks, Buzz!!!

Got the call early this AM that they (FINALLY) got these 2 scans (bone and CT (Lymph)) set for tomorrow AM...now to pray it's still contained in the prostate and hasn't decided to go wandering about... that'll be bad if it did.. :(

[Doc Nock]

Had both scans today.... bizarre...had to get iv insertion of Radioactive calcium, then the CT, then go home for 3 more hours and return for bone scan...

Asked both when result be ready...

Tomorrow on both...

Get a call from a "Restricted #" and while I was curious I answered and gave the caller a hard time...said was my Uro Doc's office using her personal cell phone. She knew too much about future appts etc to not be but he's getting a complaint...that is just unprofessional.

The result of the CT suggesting lymph involvement was negative; Hopefully, the Bone will be the same, but he's going to get an earful about 'restricted number calls and unidentified persona giving me medical results..."

No word yet on a Radiologist appt but I"m hearing the guy is very good who I'm to "eventually" see...

[goingoldskool]

Right on David!  Good news so far......
Restricted number would have made me raise an eyebrow and an ear full to the doc as well.

Still sending prayers up for you!

[Doc Nock]

Thanks, Rodd... cavalier and laid back are different from unprofessional...HE needs to know, then if he doesn't do anything, well, that is with him but he can't fix what he may NOT know is broken!

I'm tempted to call in tomorrow to verify, but might wait to see if I get a call RE: bone scan thru their local # since I gave the woman a hard time on her "restricted" personal #.  My one cousin in PA uses a phone his daughter gave him and he does that... has it restricted...

Wierd behavior seems the norm here...

[Keefer]

Doc,
  You would think with a cell phone or most would show the Dr's or professional's name so you would easily identify and answer your phone BUT I almost didn't answer a call last week cause an unknown number didn't show the person;'s name that I had stored away in my phones Rolodex . I think the carrier or phone company screws things up at times as well and sometimes don't give a name of a business and agree that could of been a call you could of just simply ignored and not answered. I think God intervened and somehow wanted you to answer that call when usually you would of just  let it go.
  Yep not the girls fault if the Dr. told her to call using that phone but should of been a business number with the name or number you would recognize.Now I would like to be a fly on the wall when old Doc gives them an "Education" and I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that conversation getting an earful from old man "Doc Nock"   On a serious note I'm still praying and thinking of you Brother and come here nearly everyday or other day just to check and see how things are going with ya. Sort of like checking in on a sick kid while they are sleeping but not wanting to disturb them.

[Keefer]

 Forgot to mention Doc. This past Saturday I went on a bus trip with 8 others from our church to Lancaster and us men went to Lancaster Archery while the women were shopping at the mall.
 Well I'm over at the Traditional bow section while discussing a new bow line there with another customer there and this tall guy with no hair agreed with me about the bows I was referring to. So we began talking a bit and somehow I asked if he gets on TradGang and he said yes. I told him I'm Keefers and He said he was Big Ed.
  He said 'you had your hand severed in a log splitter"? I said Yes and he showed me his hand with I believe was just the pinky,ring finger and mangled up thumb if memory serves me correctly.We shook hands with out bad hands and what a powerful grip he had . I then brought you up and he said he used to run in to you up there and knew you but heard you moved. I said yes he is in Tenn.
  I then told him you are on the Prayer forum here and need prayers . I explained what was happening to you and to stop by here to check on you. I thought it was neat to put a face to a name and how ironic to meet someone with a serious hand injury like mine. Thought you might enjoy a little "Son shine " today brother.

[Doc Nock]

Both Great posts, Keith and I had gotten a note from Big Ed, wishing Me well, perhaps due to your mention! I also recall how he'd been injured and wasn't sure he'd be able to shoot bows...

I did not know Ed hung out/worked at that store...

As for the phone, when I inquired of the woman why, WHY would you call me up on a RESTRICTED PHONE, she said it was her personal phone.... She never gives her name...only person in that office who plays "cute" like that...

Regardless, I find it extremely "unprofessional" to do thus and now she knows I do NOT answer "RESTRICTED" PHONE calls and will not in the future...

I must call my cousin and let him know if he still has his Cell set thus, I won't see a number and will NOT answer it!

[Lowrider]

Great news on the CT scan David.  Now to get a negative on the Bone San. I am leaving in a few minutes for my next to last Radiation Treatment. Last one will be tomorrow. Prayers still up for you.

[Doc Nock]

Great news on the CT scan David.  Now to get a negative on the Bone San. I am leaving in a few minutes for my next to last Radiation Treatment. Last one will be tomorrow. Prayers still up for you.

Thank you, Phillip! Very special for you to be offering well wishes when you're battling similar conditions!

I wish you well too! 

[Doc Nock]

Great news on the CT scan David.  Now to get a negative on the Bone San. I am leaving in a few minutes for my next to last Radiation Treatment. Last one will be tomorrow. Prayers still up for you.

Just had a nice pair of calls:

I posted on my opening post an update. I got the call on the Bone Scan!

got the bizarre call I posted yesterday and now this AM, got a 2nd call and learned the Bone Scan also came back "no obvious contamination"... I asked about the radiologist appt and got sent to another Voice mail box...left quick message and got that call back as well... January 8th I see Radiologist about treatments...

While I Had the nice female nurse on the line regarding the Radiology appt, I shared about the Bizarre Restricted call to give me Test Results yesterday... I shared how that went and how I felt about a doctor's office making restricted calls to patients--and she promised to quietly share with the Urology doc as I suggested. It turns out the woman decided to work from home and used her cell to call me. So she's obviously concerned with cell issues or wouldn't restrict her Phone #...

I have a Radiologist appointment 8th of January,  and 2 "good" scan results...clear on CT and Bone...

Thank you, Jesus (and you faithful prayer warriors!)

[amicus]

Hallelujah!!!!

[Doc Nock]

Hallelujah!!!!

Amen, God Good news!

[Captain*Kirk]

Awesome, Doc! About time we heard some good news out of you!

[Lowrider]

David that is some great news. It's time to sit back and enjoy the Holiday and try to forget this for a while.

[Keefer]