Cancer fight begins

[recon6036]

I know this is nowhere related to hunting and I’m not looking for sympathy in any way, but I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer recently and thought I’d reach out to others who have experience with the different treatments, side effects, lifestyle changes, etc.
I’m 55 with a Gleason (3+4)=7 scoring.
Follow up is next Tuesday to discuss treatment options.
Im in good spirits and am very thankful it seems to have been caught early enough.
Anyway, Ill obviously follow medical advise, but if anyone wants to share experiences, recommendations, etc, that would be great.

 

[BigHornRam]

I know this is nowhere related to hunting and I’m not looking for sympathy in any way, but I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer recently and thought I’d reach out to others who have experience with the different treatments, side effects, lifestyle changes, etc.
I’m 55 with a Gleason (3+4)=7 scoring.
Follow up is next Tuesday to discuss treatment options.
Im in good spirits and am very thankful it seems to have been caught early enough.
Anyway, Ill obviously follow medical advise, but if anyone wants to share experiences, recommendations, etc, that would be great.

Nothing to share but wishing you the best in your fight.

 

[Nick87]

Sorry to hear this. Wishing you the best in this fight. Damn.

 

[Wild Bill]

Best of luck. My sister’s FIL was diagnosed earlier this year and had his prostate removed last week. He’s doing well and hopeful they caught it before it spread.

 

[mevertsen]

My father in law had his prostate removed several years ago due to cancer.

Lifelong smoker - not sure its effect on prostate cancer. He also had bladder cancer. Never stopped after his prostate was removed.

His PSA has steadily risen despite no prostate, and cancer was detected again. Apparently there were still pieces of the prostate left after the surgery.

He is in week 6 of about 8 weeks of radiation.

No real advice other than always be on your toes going forward, regardless of the treatment you recieve.

 

[Potsie]

I’m sorry to hear that. I’m walking through it with my dad right now, but no experience personally.

 

[trb]

My father and uncle (his brother) both had prostate cancer and both of their radiation treatments were successful. If you have any questions about the brachytherapy treatment option ("gold seeds" implanted nearby which helps to concentrate the radiation) please feel free to let me know and I can ask them about their experiences. My dad's was caught early enough to have a "complete" recovery, but my uncle is on a drug cocktail the rest of his life. Best of luck to you in your fight.

 

[Straight Arrow]

After couple of decades of enlarged prostate, urinary tract, and related problems, cancer was diagnosed at age 72, after biopsy triggered by jump in PSA. Fortunately it was diagnosed early and evident only in one small area. VA attributed it to Agent Orange, so support there was appreciated. I had dealt with problems for so long that I just wanted the prostate gone! After conversations with others I knew who also faced the challenges, I opted for a robotic prostatectomy at Huntsman Cancer Institute in SLC. (Huntsman was outstanding in care and treatment.) Since then, for last eight years the PSA is negligible and no sign of any cancer.
It kind of woke me up, so since then have backpacked forty miles in Bechler SW YNP, 78 miles trek through Bob Marshall, 80 miles through Thorofare, forty-some miles on another Bob trek, 22 miles one day up Nez Perce Creek across central plateau of YNP, many other hikes ... and of course still actively hunt elk, albeit much more slowly and carefully. Meant as encouragement, not brag.

So you are encouraged to visit with your urologist, research the many sources of good information, ask questions, and decide what's best for you. But pick a plan and get it done.
I am an open book and willing to provide whatever information I know, as well as my opinions. Feel free to PM if you wish to pursue with me.

Only the best wishes for you and yours.

recon6036, you will be in thoughts and prayers.​

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Best wishes for you and your family.
You got this.

 

[Addicting]

Young guy for this, wishing you the best in fighting it.

 

[noharleyyet]

I've 5 close friends in various stages of it recon...all proactive with favorable prognosis. All 10 or 15 years older than you. Good on you for the diligence and decisiveness.

 

[mtlilguy]

Both my grandfather and my father had prostate cancer. My grandfather was diagnosed in the early 2000s and received radiation treatments. I was too young to know the ins and outs of his treatment but I remember my family talking about radiation treatments involving implanted seeds. His cancer was in remission for many years but eventually came back.

Fast forward to 2018, my father was also diagnosed with prostate cancer and elected to have his prostate removed. A few years post surgery he told me that completely removing the prostate was the best decision he could have made especially knowing what treatments his dad went though. He has some of the common side effects that are frequently mentioned when discussing life post-prostate removal BUT he lives a completely cancer free, normal life otherwise at 76. I also know of others who have chosen the removal route and have said they are happy with that decision. Knowing what little I know about battling this disease and the experiences of a few folks around me, I would seriously consider removal if it is an option for your situation. Best of luck and well wishes to you and your fight against cancer.

 

[Nameless Range]

Wishing you the best and hope you heal up soon as possible. You got this.

 

[El Jason]

Praying for you. A coworker is going through the same thing. He had his removed, had an increase in PSA again and is undergoing further treatment.

 

[gburk]

My father had prostate cancer, was irradiated, and later developed bladder cancer. He's since learned that bladder cancer is a relatively common side effect from prostate irradiation. The woes he's undergone due to bladder degradation and subsequent treatments have been nothing short of disastrous with incontinence, repeated infections, hospital stays, etc. I mention this only to encourage you to be aware of the effects of radiation when considering your options.

thanks for raising this. Wishing you a successful recovery.

 

[LopeHunter]

Prayers and hugs. My father had a “mild” case discovered and treated in his 80s and was not his demise. My turkey-hunting buddy was in his early 50s had a serious case found late. Was a battle for the better part of two years though now he is back whacking turkeys and still cusses up a storm when a gobbler hangs up just out of shotgun range so doctors are not miracle workers.

 

[F250]

Wishing you all the best. Walked through it with several friends. Had breakfast a couple days ago with another friend who was diagnosed last week.

 

[utah400elk]

Well…this is probably too much info for most but… I was diagnosed @ 41. I went with the full removal and it was the best choice. My cancer was less than .1 mm from escaping (determined after surgery). The surgery sucked and I had a great surgeon. I have had a couple times when my PSA shot up and caused significant scares in my family.

I had no long term effects and have dropped to an Annual PSA vs once a month right after.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions or if I can help you out in any way. You will get through this! You are in me and my family’s thoughts and prayers.

I always try and find the good/hunor so…I hit it off with the Fed Doctor doing my annual physical in Denver. Her husband was a hunter and we started talking every year about hunting. Well, I was in the process of being transferred to Alaska for my job.

My wife and I were at Disney Land taking my son one last trip before the move. Four months after my physical my Fed Doctor called and told me to get checked.

My PSA was only 2.5. Which was well below the threshold. The Doctor called my wife because she said her hunting husband would not have followed up. Well my wife made me get checked working in cahoots with my Doctor. My Gleason was 3+3.

Long story short. That doctor and my wife absolutely saved me from a horrible treatment/lower survivability had I waited. I always joke with my wife that my passion for hunting saved my life. She always claims that it was two dedicated hunting wives that saved my happy ass.

 

[Big Fin]

Wish I had words that properly expressed the adequate level of comfort and support. Know that we are praying for you and wishing the best. Keep us updated.

 

[hank4elk]

Stay positive!

Folks are maybe tired of me here,but...
3 years ago Aug. I took myself into ER and asked for a MRI.
5 years of being told it's sciatica. Oncologist said "you have stage 4 prostate cancer, of the bone. You have maybe 2 years,maybe 14 with the treatments". I said how about 20,lets get the show on the road.
Missed the prostate and organs, PSA was 419.16.
Radiology and hormone pills.

Just had video chat with oncologist last week. PSA is .003.
How do you feel? "Great!" Good, any changes or issues call.
Just got the expensive med. for a year again yesterday,free.
Still have cancer of the hip,spine,rib.....but I can walk. Do normal for old guy stuff.

Oh , the T is still there,LOL.

Have a 1 yo Dotti dobie and I will have to live at least another 12 or so.

Stay positive.
PM me if you wish.