Fifty Plus (50+) - Sleepless in Rochester

So the first couple days of 2011 were pretty good, but then everything kinda turned to crap in a hurry.

Three Docs think I have Prostate Cancer. Blood PSA results have been running a touch high for a few years now (though the last test in November was down), but the discovery of a Node during my Colonoscopy (great catch by that Doc) has kinda raised some eyebrows.

The Urologist says it feels 'Cancer suspect' but he isn't sure. The Biopsy is scheduled for the 28th of this month.

I've read enough to know what I want to do if the test is positive. Of course the Urologist won't jump that far ahead until he gets the results of the biopsy.

If I do have to undergo hospitalization it's going to raise hell with me wife's numerous medical appointments as I am her wheelman, she's still not driving.

The roads are so snow clogged that I can't ride my bike to help calm my nerves and work out my frustrations....so for now I'm kinda sleepless in Rochester.

Needless to say, I don't expect to post a 'View from My Saddle' report for January. Sorry 'bout that.

Best wishes ...

Good luck, Lenny. If it's any consolation 2 guys I ride with have had theirs removed and got back to riding strong very quickly. One even claims he can climb better because he is now lighter by 50 grams.

I have had three biopsies done and they still don't know -- I will have get another test to check P.S.A. level soon
I wish you well

wpt

Get on a trainer for an hour or so, it's not the real thing but it does help.
Good luck.

Hopefully they catch it quickly. Good luck.

Best wishes for a good prognosis. Catching these things early is the key. Good on ya for getting checked.

Oh, man. I'm so sorry to hear this. Hang tough. Dan Burkhart if right - catch it early.

Welcome to the crowd Lenny. I hope it turns out good for you. Getting old is a

Hoping for a good outcome.

I'm pulling for you!! I can tell you all about how being stuck on the sidelines is no fun at all. Here's hoping for a good report in the long run.

Radical Prostatectomy in 2001 and that was my choice to have it removed. RP was the only choice over here- other than Radiography- at that time. Didn't fancy the radiology. The "keyhole" surgery that is available now is said to be just as effective but you recover a lot quicker and do not have the incontinence or Impotence liability that occurs after RP.

Took about 3 months to get fully over surgery but a full 8 weeks before I could sit on a saddle. (But that was RP) But I was able to do things for myself after a couple of days- including driving.

So hope for a good prognosis and I am sure that many more will chip in and wish you all the best.

+1,000,000,000,000,000,000 on all the good vibes going your way. There's a multi-generational cancer history in my family, so the "C" word scares the living daylights out of me - like there's a gun pointed at me. Hang in there.

SP
Bend, OR

Take advantage of the Interwebs to learn as much as you can about prostate CA and treatment options, in case you find out that treatment may be indicated.
If that is the case, have more than a couple of in-depth discussions with your provider/s about what should be done or not done.

Hang in there.

Don't jump to conclusions too soon! I had a high PSA, had a biopsy, came up negative. That could be you too.

Rick / OCRR

Hang in there, Cranky! We are all rooting for you.

Don't jump to conclusions too soon! I had a high PSA, had a biopsy, came up negative. That could be you too.

Rick / OCRR

+1

I've been thinking about you, Cranky, worried about hearing something scary. Cancer is definitely scary, and something to lose sleep over, but it sure was encouraging to hear what big john said about his riding buddies, and stapfam himself had surgery ten years ago and he is doing terrific.

Lenny, if you need surgery or treatment, I'm hoping for the very best for you.

Here's to being as strong as you can be, and keeping your chin up. We're with you. :love:

Originally Posted by Rick@OCRR
Don't jump to conclusions too soon! I had a high PSA, had a biopsy, came up negative. That could be you too.

Rick / OCRR
+1

+2 Crossing bridges before you get to them in just not a good thing. Good luck

Hang in there Lenny. A lot of responses that have had positive long term results regardless of the conclusion.

I am sending you my wishes for the best possible outcome.

Positive thoughts sent your way, hoping that it's nothing, Lenny.

Lenny,

If I were a few hours closer I would certainly volunteer to take up the slack, we're pray'n for you dude, sending the good thoughts your way.

we're pray'n for you dude, sending the good thoughts your way.

+1

A friend (mid/late 50s) had his prostate removed a couple of years ago. Although it's easy enough for me to say, not being in his shoes and all, he does seem to have made a remarkable recovery from what I've seen and what he's told me. You're in our prayers.

Get on a trainer for an hour or so, it's not the real thing but it does help.
Good luck.

+1 to that... or bundle up and take a good walk! Don't let it get you down, Cranky!

Positive thoughts sent your way, hoping that it's nothing, Lenny.

+1

Wow!!

Thank you all for your kind, supportive responses and pm's.

I'll be sure to post the biopsy results in early February when I get them.

Hang in there, Cranky! We are all rooting for you.

+1

Lenny,
I was born and raised in Rochester but now live an hour north of Atlanta. Guess what I've been doing all week? Shoveling SNOW! Ack! Thought I had escaped all that.

All the best to you Lenny, I will be keeping you in my prayers. Stay warm!!

Hi COD (Cranky Old Dude),
Having been there and done that all you can do is wait for the biopsy results and even then your Uro may want you to repeat on a 6 month or yearly basis if you get a negative test. If you get a positive biopsy result (meaning cancer cells were detected) your doc will give you a Gleason number describing the progression of the disease. There are two number and they add into one for example you have a score of 7 (3+4) This is a much better then a score of 7 (5+2) The first number is the greatest number of cells deformed by cancer and the second is the next highest total as determined by a pathologist under a scope. The higher the number the worse the spread of the disease and the first number is the more important of the two. OK lets say that you have a Gleason of 7 or 8 meaning you have cancer. What is the next step? You get to decide on your choice of treatment. You will have about 6 to 8 weeks to firm it up because surgeons want to wait that long for the prostate to heal from the biopsy. The three main surgical methods to deal with this is Radical, Robotic and HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound). There are two types of radiation, seeds and ray. Each type caries its own risks and just because 85% of the population that has that treatment and reacts a certain way does not mean that you will. Here is a link to a website that is just for guys like us. If fact when you post they greet you and say that they are sorry you are here. I hope that this will help both you and your significant other learn about how your life may change with your prognosis. You are in charge of your treatment so make sure to ask your doctors lots of questions. FYI I had RP surgery November or 2009 and I am now a member of the zero club. Good Luck http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35
Darrell

Just took a good friend out to lunch today who had his prostrate removed on 12/30. He looks and seems great. He's still waiting for some blood results to come in for further treatment.
Good luck and very best wishes.

Best wishes on the outcome of your tests and what treatment, if any, you need.

Al

Hi COD,

I recently went through what you're facing, back on Sept 15, 2010. I did, infact have cancer. My P.S.A. was only a 4.2, but it had gone up up fairly fast over the last two years. My Gleason ended up being a 7 after the biopsy. There is a PSA test that breaks things down more thoroughly than the standard test, and it can tell you whether you're a candidate for a biopsy. The biopsy sounds worse than it is, but it is a bit unpleasant. There's a little tenderness for a day or two after, then it's pretty much only a colorful memory.

I elected to have DaVinci robotic surgery and I'm really pleased with the results. My abdoman was quite tender for about 2 weeks and I had to deal with a catheter for about 2 weeks, too. That was a pain, but better than the alternative. My biopsy after surgery came back, indicating a 2 cm tumor, confined to inside my prostate; nothing had spred to the lympth nodes or surrounding tissue. My PSA after 8 weeks was less than 0.1, which indicated that I am apparently on a good path. The results couldn't be better. I do have 5 1" scars that should heal pretty well. They were glued shut, so no stitch marks.

While all of this was going on, I was in the midst of 2 surgeries for a broken femur with 2 long plates, 12 screws and a chunk of cadaver bone to replace my damaged femur. That's been much harder to deal with. The good news is I should recover from both maladies and I'll be on my bike in a few weeks as we head south in our RV to S. CA and S. AZ. 2010 was a tough year--glad I had great insurance. The bills approached $200K.

Good luck to you.

Try to take one day at a time and keep moving forward the best that you can. We're all pulling for you.


Tim

Hoping all the best comes your way, Crankster.

Hi COD,

I recently went through what you're facing, back on Sept 15, 2010. I did, infact have cancer.

. . snip . .

While all of this was going on, I was in the midst of 2 surgeries for a broken femur with 2 long plates, 12 screws and a chunk of cadaver bone to replace my damaged femur. That's been much harder to deal with. The good news is I should recover from both maladies and I'll be on my bike in a few weeks as we head south in our RV to S. CA and S. AZ. 2010 was a tough year--glad I had great insurance. The bills approached $200K.

Best wishes to you Old Hammer Boy for a great recovery and a much better 2011!

Good luck and hopes for the best possible outcome.

Boy, when they redesign the male body they simply have to do something about that prostate. And the knees. And the lower back. Intelligent design my foot. We're obviously the result of some committee with an unclear project plan.

Good luck and hopes for the best possible outcome.

Boy, when they redesign the male body they simply have to do something about that prostate. And the knees. And the lower back. Intelligent design my foot. We're obviously the result of some committee with an unclear project plan.

I think it's already been done. I seem to remember reading somewhere that the only part of the male body that wasn't skrewed up was used as a starter piece for the final and successful attempt at creating perfection? It was a rib, I think. :innocent:

I think it's already been done. I seem to remember reading somewhere that the only part of the male body that wasn't skrewed up was used as a starter piece for the final and successful attempt at creating perfection? It was a rib, I think. :innocent:
Cranky, You're the best!:)

Sorry to hear the news Lenny, hope everything comes out fine.

Best wishes on the outcome of your tests and what treatment, if any, you need. Hopefully, you won't need any!

Cranky, You're the best!:)

Can't say it any better than that! :)

5 year prostate cancer survivor here . . .
Had radioactive seed implants. In-and-out surgery . . no hospital stay.
Three days later drove 1,000 miles . . . no issues.
Took about 3 weeks before I got back on the bike; clean bill of health since.
Cross one bridge at the time . . . see what biopsy says. No need to worry that far ahead of time.
Good luck!
Rudy/zonatandem

And all of my best and warmest wishes too. Keep looking up and smiling, I urge

My wife and I will be praying for a good result from the biopsy. I'd also echo the "get on a trainer for an hour" since the weather outside is frightful...