Introducing me - Jason

[JasonPgh]

I got the news over the phone from my doctor’s office December 2nd. Considering how much sooner my husband got his results (we had biopsies on the same day with the same doctor) about a week before me.

I moved to Pittsburgh PA so I could marry the man I love, our 5th anniversary will be on Feb 16th. My surgery is set for Feb 11th, so Valentines Day and our Anniversary will be very low key events this year.

So far, I’ve avoided the “poor me” syndrome. But it still feels odd saying “cancer”. Saying “prostate cancer” is now easier, but people seem to hear that and go “oh, that’s not so bad”.

I had a TURP procedure in 2014, so that messed up my dick and it didn’t like that, but we worked on finding ways to enjoy ourselves. Now we will probably have to learn new things again. My testosterone levels have been low for a few years so I’ve been on a testosterone therapy - which is now stopped.

I’m not a first time patient, I had part of my colon removed for a pre-cancerous polyp found in 2016. I had both feet/legs removed (below knee amputations) due to trauma and numerous broken bones.

My husband will turn 59 in March, I turn 54 in August. His (now our) daughters are 27 and 30 and the grandchildren are 2, 7 and 8.

PERINEURAL INVASION IDENTIFIED.

GLEASON GRADES (3+4) = SCORE 7

5 of 12 samples 42%

Gleason grade 4 comprises approximately 30% of the carcinoma.

PROSTATE CANCER GRADE GROUP: II

[Tall_Allen]

I think you have had enough surgery for one lifetime! How can they perform surgery on your prostate after a TURP? They have to reattach your prostatic urethra, but you have no urethra left. There is no rush to have surgery with your diagnosis anyway. I strongly you suggest you cancel it and get some other opinions. I'm sure your surgeon will be happy to reschedule later if you still want it.

Meanwhile, talk to Kevin Stephans at Cleveland Clinic about SBRT. You might also want to get a second opinion about whether surgery is even possible for you, while you're there.

[LoganMA in reply to Tall_Allen]

I would also send your biopsy slides to johns Hopkins for a second read and opinion. Its only 275 if insurance won't cover it and considering the circumstances a small price to pay as all treatment decisions are made from the pathology report. Wish you well.

[dhl550906]

Life isn't fair and cancer doesn't discriminate. You sound like you have the right approach though given prior challenges you've faced. This group is very helpful for support and for information and I have found it extremely helpful. Wishing you strength as you go through surgery (and I'd certainly consider radiation post-prostatectomy) as the combination does seem to confer better longevity on recent studies.

[nacinla]

I just wanted to second what the other guys are saying: Glad you're on this board and reaching out, because there are a lot of caring guys here who have at least the PC experience, if not the other challenges you've bravely faced. I also would encourage taking time to take a second look at treatment options. I was about to have surgery and joined an LA support group, where Tall Allen (especially) and others encouraged me to take my time and introduced me to other research. As a result, I had SBRT. Six years later my PSA as of November was 0.11, which is about as low as it goes when you still have a prostate. As suggested here, I had my slides sent to Johns Hopkins and that resolved a discrepancy in readings and changed my treatment slightly (no Lupron shot before the SBRT). I know that all this sounds overwhelming, especially given what you've gone through. I don't know about surgery after TURP, but Allen always asks the right questions when helping guys, so I think it's worth getting a second opinion about that, especially since you have perineural invasion. You can always have surgery if that's what you're most comfortable with. Whatever, we're with you on the journey. --Nick