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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Oct 7, 2014 10:48:07 GMT
Sending best wishes to the OP's son for his treatment and recovery.
And reminding everyone to get the men in your life screened on the recommended schedule. I get my Paps and Mammograms regularly. You just can't beat early detection.
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Post by jinxmom2003 on Oct 7, 2014 12:56:33 GMT
Sending best wishes to the OP's son for his treatment and recovery. And reminding everyone to get the men in your life screened on the recommended schedule. I get my Paps and Mammograms regularly. You just can't beat early detection. So agree with this. In my son's case however, it would have been too late. Regular PSA screening is not recommended until age 50 for men. My son is 49. Had he waited yet another year he would not have the good chance that he has now. We are saying thank you God for his regular doc who threw in the PSA test when he went in to have blood pressure and cholesterol issues addressed. Just like the screening for breast cancer it seems that the recommendations are mostly sufficient but not in every case. My son says that the PSA test is actually relatively inexpensive and that maybe men under 50 should just ask for it to make sure. |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Oct 7, 2014 13:05:13 GMT
Thank goodness it was caught when it was! And my apologies if it seemed I was implying that he didn't do something he should have. I only meant to issue that general reminder that screenings are a good idea.
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Post by jinxmom2003 on Oct 7, 2014 13:11:22 GMT
Thank goodness it was caught when it was! And my apologies if it seemed I was implying that he didn't do something he should have. I only meant to issue that general reminder that screenings are a good idea. Oh, no problem. I understood. I just think maybe the recommended guidelines don't start early enough for either prostate or breast cancer screening. I know there's concern about overdiagnosis and over treatment; but right now it just seems sooner is better. |
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Post by jinxmom2003 on Oct 7, 2014 13:14:00 GMT
By the way, thanks to all of you, he's going to spend a good share of the next six weeks while he's on a hormone protocol preparing for surgery investigating the many very good suggestions that you given to us. I think that he will ask a second opinion,and also be prepared with better questions for the pbysicians/surgeons that he is now dealing with.
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Post by genny on Oct 7, 2014 14:29:04 GMT
My dad had prostate cancer almost 18 years ago, although I'm not sure of the stage. I do know that it had not spread, so it was most likely 1 or 2. He had radical surgery to remove his prostate. A year later his PSA had risen and they did radiation therapy on him and he was declared cancer free some months later. He is now 78 years old and in better health than any of his living relatives - or anyone close to that age that I know. I understand that it is a very, very treatable cancer!
I don't have any advice on what to expect with what your son is facing specifically, but we recently cared for my MIL during her battle with late stage lung cancer. What I learned from that experience was to read AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE on the topic and have a constant dialogue with his doctors. We literally told MIL's doctors to please not sugar coat anything and don't try to spare our feelings or worry about scaring us. The first doctor was awful about giving us unrealistic hopes and very little info - we changed facilities a few months into her treatment and her new docs were much more forthcoming with REAL information when we had a candid discussion with them about our expectations from THEM as far as dealing with US, the family. MIL may have needed the sugar coating, but we need to know realistically what we were facing.
Educate yourself, get involved with his appointments if you can. he may need someone else to help take it all in because I'm sure his head is reeling. I would often record doctors visits on my phone so that my SIL would be able to hear exactly what the doctor said so I wouldn't remember anything wrong. Also, develop a relationship with the nursing staff at the facility he's being treated at. We found their support to be invaluable.
Most of all - stay as positive as you can, even though I know that you are scared to death and heart sick. He (and his family) will need to draw strength from you throughout this ordeal, and your positive outlook is so important.
Best of luck to you and your son - you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us all updated as you can, and know that the Pea family is here for you any time!! Too many of us know all too well what you guys are going through, so know that we are here!
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Post by genny on Oct 7, 2014 14:31:10 GMT
Also, I second getting a second opinion! We did not due to insurance limitations and the desire to start treatment IMMEDIATELY. I wish we had done so before we started with the first facility we went to!
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Post by jinxmom2003 on Oct 7, 2014 17:02:22 GMT
My dad had prostate cancer almost 18 years ago, although I'm not sure of the stage. I do know that it had not spread, so it was most likely 1 or 2. He had radical surgery to remove his prostate. A year later his PSA had risen and they did radiation therapy on him and he was declared cancer free some months later. He is now 78 years old and in better health than any of his living relatives - or anyone close to that age that I know. I understand that it is a very, very treatable cancer! I don't have any advice on what to expect with what your son is facing specifically, but we recently cared for my MIL during her battle with late stage lung cancer. What I learned from that experience was to read AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE on the topic and have a constant dialogue with his doctors. We literally told MIL's doctors to please not sugar coat anything and don't try to spare our feelings or worry about scaring us. The first doctor was awful about giving us unrealistic hopes and very little info - we changed facilities a few months into her treatment and her new docs were much more forthcoming with REAL information when we had a candid discussion with them about our expectations from THEM as far as dealing with US, the family. MIL may have needed the sugar coating, but we need to know realistically what we were facing. Educate yourself, get involved with his appointments if you can. he may need someone else to help take it all in because I'm sure his head is reeling. I would often record doctors visits on my phone so that my SIL would be able to hear exactly what the doctor said so I wouldn't remember anything wrong. Also, develop a relationship with the nursing staff at the facility he's being treated at. We found their support to be invaluable. Most of all - stay as positive as you can, even though I know that you are scared to death and heart sick. He (and his family) will need to draw strength from you throughout this ordeal, and your positive outlook is so important. Best of luck to you and your son - you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us all updated as you can, and know that the Pea family is here for you any time!! Too many of us know all too well what you guys are going through, so know that we are here! Thanks, genny. He Is married and I'm hoping his wife is being his second set of ears. I'm praying non-stop and appreciate all the refupeas add it those prayers |
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Post by PepsiGal on Oct 7, 2014 17:24:32 GMT
My husband was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer last July and he had the robotic surgery which was not successful due to prior surgeries so he then had the radiation. Yes, be prepared to use Depends, diarrhea, loss of body hair, enlarged breast in some men and of course, ED. My DH says prostate cancer made a "lady" out of him. But now my husband is 72 years old and he is still alive and kicking. It's a tough road but with a lot of love and humor, one can make it through this situation. PSA now has been -0- for the last two tests. One more test and we will be declared cancer-free; can't wait for his next tests in January. Good luck to you and your son and his wife.
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Post by mamastone on Oct 7, 2014 19:05:28 GMT
Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Kick that cancer's ass!!!!
My dad was a 4+ (he had bone mets) when he was diagnosed almost 9 years ago. He was young (54 at diagnosis), it was VERY fast moving, and he lost his battle 2 years later. My grandpa also had it for almost 25 years before he passed away, from something totally unrelated (a stroke at 84).
Sorry, probably not the story you want to hear, but your son's sounds like it was caught a lot sooner than my dad's, which is great news! My dad had yearly screenings, but they are learning that a PSA isn't always accurate.
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