TD - A Journey Through Prostate Cancer

Dear SFG Forum friends, I have something personal to share with you. Yesterday my urologist told me that I have prostate cancer. I seek your support during the coming journey through treatment. Interacting with you on the forum is always uplifting and I pray this will continue.

I second that wholeheartedly, TD. You have my healing thoughts & prayers!

TD, you are certainly in my thoughts & prayers!  As a cancer survivor, I know the processes you will go through, the ups and downs. The new robotic surgery for prostate cancer is a wonderful thing if you are a candidate for it. Best of luck with the treatments, and I know you will come out the other side a stronger person.

Well crud. Even though I know you're going to be as fit as a fiddle at the other end, this has to be inconvenient as well as nerve-wracking.
Hugs and prayers that all goes well and the side effects are nil.
CC

PS if you're interested, check out the efgects of mushrooms on cancer.

TD, we're here for you. Hugs, prayers, positive energy, happy thoughts -- we've got 'em all. You will beat this and we'll be with you all the way. 

Best wishes for a cure and speedy recovery, TD!  My thoughts will be with you.

sanderson wrote:TD,  Do you have any appointments this week?  What I hated most was the waiting for more information.

The waiting is going to be very difficult. I'm still trying to come to grips with the diagnosis and I am not sleeping well. My life seems to be on hold. Our travel and most other plans for the Fall are out the window.

I need to make an appointment with my urologist who gave me the biopsy results. The reason for another meeting is that after he gave me the results I had difficulty focusing on what he was saying about treatments, etc.  So I have a lot of questions

As well, this week I am expecting phone calls from the imaging centre to schedule a bone scan and from the cancer centre to schedule a meeting to discuss radiation treatment.  

I want to make contact with the Ottawa Prostate Cancer Support Network so that I can meet with survivors and other men going through treatment.

Eventually I will have to make a treatment decision ... either surgery or radiation. There are definite pros and cons to both treatments.  

The positive with our health system is that I don't need to worry about the cost of treatment and doctors appointments.  The downside is that scheduling is not always to the patient's benefit.

September is prostate cancer awareness month.  
http://www.prostatecancer.ca/Get-Involved/Events/Prostate-Cancer-Awareness-Month

NOTE: I do appreciate everyone's support but please do not hesitate to tell me if I am giving too much information.  This is an SFG forum not a health forum so I don't want to go offside on this.

When I'm in a difficult waiting & worrying situation, I do something physical -- walking, vacuuming, raking, clean the garage -- anything to help relieve the stress, kill time, and actually accomplish something. It helps a little.

Two recommendations: 1. Write down your questions as you think of them. That way you have a list when you talk to/see the doctors. If it's not written down, it doesn't count... And you WILL forget them. Also be sure to write down the answers... :-)

2. Make sure you have someone with you at every appointment. They will later be able to recall things you can't. Again, write answers/orders/etc down! Or take a tape recorder.

You got this....!!

AtlantaMarie wrote:Two recommendations:  1.  Write down your questions as you think of them.  That way you have a list when you talk to/see the doctors.  If it's not written down, it doesn't count...  And you WILL forget them.  Also be sure to write down the answers...  :-)

2.  Make sure you have someone with you at every appointment.  They will later be able to recall things you can't.  Again, write answers/orders/etc down!  Or take a tape recorder.

You got this....!!

Excellent recommendations.  Over the years I have been in the habit of taking a notebook with me to medical appointments. As you said questions need to be written down. Medical instructions, adivce, etc. and answers to questions also need to be written/recorded. I will take Mrs TD with me to appointments.

Will be thinking of you as you go along this health journey.  It won't be as much fun as gardening but all of us are beside you as you travel the path to better health!

TD, I certainly want to hear about your journey though this challenge.  We do become friends over time.  My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family and caregivers.  Prostate cancer is a very well understood entity.  There are lots of resources for you as well.  

Great advice from AM.  You are in very good health otherwise and that will be to your advantage.  Keep us posted!  

Also, feel free to PM me if you need more info!

Thanks everyone for your support. Very much appreciated.

I just had a one hour chat with a member of the Prostate Cancer Support Group (Ottawa) which was very informative.  Michelle and I plan to attend the group's next meeting on September 19th.

Next step is coming up. I am scheduled for a consultation with a radiation oncologist on Friday afternoon.  Gotta do my homework and put together a list of questions to ask.

Hang in there, TD! Got my fingers crossed for you!

trolleydriver wrote:Next step is coming up. I am scheduled for a consultation with a radiation oncologist on Friday afternoon.  Gotta do my homework and put together a list of questions to ask.

Keep the faith, TD!  One of your questions should be the on the order of treatement options. I was told that if I elected to have radiation treatment, I would not be able to have surgery afterwards.  But, if I had surgery first, I could later have radiation if needed. But, times and options have changed. Be sure to ask.

I am a bit late seeing this thread TD so please accept my love and prayers.

And no, it is not too much for us to read, we need to know so that we can be with you, and if, like me, have no experience of prostate cancer, it is good to learn about it in case it comes into our lives with our own loved ones.

Love and prayers from Kelejan

That, and several other cancers, Sanderson. I am currently recovering from another skin cancer removal. Fortunately all of mine have been found through early detection, and were able to be surgically removed without requiring further therapy.

OhioGardener wrote:That, and several other cancers, Sanderson. I am currently recovering from another skin cancer removal. Fortunately all of mine have been found through early detection, and were able to be surgically removed without requiring further therapy.

I have what looks like a tiny blood blister on my right leg and right arm. 

I have been watching what looks like possibly just age spots on the top of my right foot. I'm not even 40 yet!

I have a darker spot right under my right breast, but it doesn't look outright evil when shone under a bright light.

Should I panic and get spot-removal-surgery?

My complexion is medium and if under the sun long enough, can possibly be mistaken for a southern or central Italian!
(I'm definitely not white like Marcia Cross!) Or of course, a Latino/Latina.

RJARPCGP wrote:Should I panic and get spot-removal-surgery?

Probably not. Unless they have formed as an Asymmetrical mole appearance, it probably needs watching but no other action at this time. As long as the spots are symmetrical, they are not normally a concern. But, if they are a concern to you, have a dermatologist check them out.

RJARPCGP wrote:

OhioGardener wrote:That, and several other cancers, Sanderson. I am currently recovering from another skin cancer removal. Fortunately all of mine have been found through early detection, and were able to be surgically removed without requiring further therapy.

I have what looks like a tiny blood blister on my right leg and right arm. 

I have been watching what looks like possibly just age spots on the top of my right foot. I'm not even 40 yet!

I have a darker spot right under my right breast, but it doesn't look outright evil when shone under a bright light.

Should I panic and get spot-removal-surgery?

My complexion is medium and if under the sun long enough, can possibly be mistaken for a southern or central Italian!
Or of course, a Latino/Latina.

I had that blood blister thingy. It grew so fast I went to urgent care. It was a squamous cell carcinoma, which they removed on the spot. They sent me to a specialist for testing. Everything was fine and I haven't had any trouble since. I also have various other speckles and spots. They looked at all of them and said they were harmless.


For your peace of mind, please go and have them all checked out.