Cancer (Metlakatla, Hope: professionals, health, steel)

[arctichomesteader]

Best of luck starlite, sorry I didn't say anything sooner...

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by starlite9

Funny thing, it is the family that seemed more scared than I was concerned. They are pretty good about it now, but it still took a bit of explaining to calm them down.

Knowledge goes a long way, and having my dad and uncle telling me what they went through helped long before I found out I had it.

That's understandable; it's because they love you so much.

You know, I have to laugh a little. When you first came on this board, we clashed--I guess that was to be expected considering that you came along when political tension was high here. It was such a divisive election and you and I both have definite political leanings...

it's too bad the rest of the country can't follow our example, Mark.

I know that you're going to be all right.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Glitch

Actually, I can rule out future problems. The frequency of the test is based upon statistical averages, and not applicable to everyone. When you get a PSA test score of 0 ng/ml, and a completely clean bill of health from the colonoscopy, with no polyps, then you do not have to ever be concerned with prostrate cancer.

Statistically my mother should be dead. She isn't. She was one of very few to survive and recover completely from cancer as advanced and widespread as she had 18 years ago. Statistically my grandfather had a shot at living to 100+ because of our family history on that side of the family. He didn't, and a trip to the doctor once a year when he was in his 80's would have given him many more years (and he died just shy of 90). He didn't want any tests every year, by the time he was talked into going to the hospital it was too late...I'm the same way, I hate doctors visits, but, regular checkups can drastically change how long you live.

[ElleElle]

Originally Posted by starlite9

Last fall I was tested for PSA levels in my blood. The first test came out at 24 and the second about three weeks later was at 35. It indicated that I have Prostate Cancer. After a Biopsy four month later, on a scale of one to ten, I was about an eight.

Needless to say I have had all sorts of scans with Nuclear crap injected into my veins, stuck in large magnetic machines and force to do stress tests on tread mills till my legs fell off to see if my heart could stand going under for inserting radio active beads into my Prostrate.

After all these tests, it appears that the cancer is still in the prostrate and that the Lupron shots and other drugs brought my PSA levels down below one. The Testosterone levels in me are now below most women's and I fully expect to start having menstrual cramps at any time....

After about nine months, yesterday (9/10/09) I went under the knife (or needles, I slept though it) and the beads were surgically inserted through my rectal cavity, about eighty of them.

When I first came to, I pretty much felt like a virgin's first day in Prison without getting a kiss, but the drugs they gave me made me feel a bit better about myself and being violated....

My neck feels like they had me in some kind of headlock and were trying to pull my head off at the shoulders, I was told my throat had an air hose stuck down it the size of some kind of shovel handle and really is sore, to the point I am pretty suspicious of what they were doing while I was out....

In thirty days, I have to undergo direct radiation five times a week for five weeks to ensure that there is nothing living within inches of my *******....

As a disclaimer, I am not suppose to have any young pregnant women sit on my lap for more than five min's (Bummer), but I can expose film now by putting it in my pocket, although I don't know what the clarity of the pictures will turn out like, but I am sure they will be perverted in some way. I should also be able to mark the woods around the house with glow in the dark spots where I got rid of the day's coffee....

I am sure over the next few months, I should have some strange radiated, mutated creatures crawling out of the septic tank vents from the radiation that I will be depositing there...

Needless to say, I apparently have had this growing for about twelve to fourteen years and the doctor's that I have/had been going to, never suggested a PSA test until this last year at 54 year of age. I had no signs of the cancer that most have, and unless I had taken the blood test, would have never known until it was too late. Both my father and uncle had it, and were treated and are doing well, although they are still grumpy.

Point is, if you are in your late forties, get a PSA test done. If you wait until it spreads out of the Prostate and into the bones, you are toast, no matter how much they nuke you, you get done in by the cure and not the diseases.

Get it done!

Mark

The inherent genetic anomaly also affects one's predisposition for cancer, but hopefully your doctors will be able to help you with any pain management in your treatment protocols to control your cancer/cellular activity.

good luck to you.

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by Glitch

Until you get that medical degree, you should not presume to give others medical advice.

held a nursing license for over 30 years! And if you were ever in the medical profession you would know that ..ahhhh never mind you just believe what you wish.

[Keeper]

closed for mod review

[Rance]

Folks...don't turn this thread into an argument please.

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by Rance

Folks...don't turn this thread into an argument please.

Get it straight Rance: Argument is the very purpose of a forum.

Don't turn it into a name calling contest! That means not just calling other participants names, but not calling every doctor, nurse, politician, or neighbor by any terms of disrespect.

[starlite9]

The reason I started this thread is the hope that those that should get a PSA test do it sooner than later.

Prostate Cancer is highly curable if caught in the early stages, as it progresses over years, the treatment becomes more intense and once it leaves the prostate, the chances of a cure drops.

I was told that all males will get it at some point in their life, but those that get it in their 90's don't really have much to worry about, verses someone in their 40's. It takes years to develop and leave the Prostate, once it has gone into the bone, your cure may kill you before the disease.

I had the beads inserted a bit over a week ago, it will take about three to four weeks and they will have started to do their job. My organs in close proximity to the Prostate will start to become inflamed from the radiation emitted from them. After a month of the operation, I will start direct radiation five times a week for five weeks... not something I am looking forward to, but since my detection was at the late end of finding the cancer, they need to make sure that none has left the Prostate and the additional radiation treatment will ensure destroying any cancer that may have left it and in the immediate area. Had I had the PSA test ten years earlier, I would have an easier go of it.

I had already made the choice that if the cancer had gotten into the bone, I wasn't going to be treated. I figured that the quality of life is much more important than just being here, and the massive amounts of radiation needed for a "Maybe" cure, leaves one almost a bowl of jello.

Hopefully, by my posting any of this, it will kick those that are the fence sitters into getting a check to ensure that it is a non event! The test involves a simple blood test and results in a day or so...

Most of the normal signs of Prostate cancer such as a swollen Prostate (the one the doctor puts the glove on for), hard time to urinate either with a weak stream or constant one are also signs, but none of them applied in my case. If I had used those as markers, I still wouldn't have known anything was wrong.

After my blood test came back with a high PSA numbers in the thirties, when it is suppose to be below 1, was the first sign I had issues. When they do the Biopsy test, that is where they go up though the Rectal cavity (note, see I didn't say A$$HOLE) and shoot long hollow needles though your intestinal walls into the Prostate and take about 12 samples which is like getting 12 swift kicks in the butt with someone wearing at least a size 15 steel toe boot, and that is after a couple of shots to numb the pain. The Gleason Score is what tells how far along you are and that ranges from 0 to 10, I was about an 8, which was not good, but not the end of the world either.

Basically, get the test done if you are over 40....

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by starlite9

The reason I started this thread is the hope that those that should get a PSA test do it sooner than later.

And get it done regularly.

I had already made the choice that if the cancer had gotten into the bone, I wasn't going to be treated. I figured that the quality of life is much more important than just being here, and the massive amounts of radiation needed for a "Maybe" cure, leaves one almost a bowl of jello.

This is something doctors won't much talk to you about; but anyone who is over 60 and has had a friend go through the process (which means you know what is coming) has to decide on their quality of life, their health, and make decisions individually.

Basically, get the test done if you are over 40....

And keep getting it done on a regular basis.

While it is true that a vast majority of prostate cancers are not agressive, it is also a fact that a few of them are. If it is not detected within a relatively short time, it is going to kill you.

Also note that some men suffer from an enlarged prostate for reason other than cancer. If your prostate is 3 times the normal size, the PSA numbers will be high. If that is true then getting a PSA test often, to watch for sudden (as opposed to slow) changes is important.