Message board »Message Board home »Sign-in or register to get started
Online now: 2 members: TABLE SETTER 11, TD. Tom; 105 anonymousDiscussion: Prostate Recovery
| Posted | Discussion |
| Nov. 18, 2009 surf88 Men's 65 1000 posts | Prostate Recovery A few months ago, I placed a message here about prostate cancer. I was diagnosed in June and am currently recovering from the DaVinci Robotic procedure. There were some good folks who took time to help me better understand what I was experiencing and about to go through. I learned I had this disease for 10 years without knowing or having any symptoms, per say. At present, we will watch PSA blood numbers very closely at 3 month intervals. If it means anything to you, get yourself a PSA blood test. Do it regularly (every 6 months is better than 12, in my opinion). If I can help in any way or give referrals of quality professionals, don't hesitate to contact me. Ed Andrews Colorado |
| Nov. 18, 2009 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Ed, Two things... One: I didn't see the other post but have a friend the had the "C" about 4 years age and is older than us 67-8 & he didn't stop playing ball. Do not know what he went through but is fine now. Two; didn't we play together on Scrap Iron in St G about 5 years ago w\ Mike? Stay healthy... |
| Nov. 18, 2009 BI Men's 55 3 posts | Ed, I posted a message way back when,and I could never get in touch with you,sorry. I had the same robotic surgery done in Jan. 2008, my number at the time was 6.15. for the first year went back every 3 months to have no. checked it was 0,then started every 6 months still 0, go back in Dec if still 0 (knock on wood)then every year to have it checked out. I am doing fine played ball all summer with no problems. I pray that the same thing happens to you. If you every need somebody to talk to about the other things please give me a call. I live in wisconsin and coach girls basketball so if I do not answer please leave your name and number and I will return as soon as possible. cell no 920-420-1107. good luck |
| Nov. 18, 2009 surf88 Men's 65 1000 posts | Tait, I believe that is correct and I'm still playing with Mike. He will be in Vegas this week-end. Check him out at 60's AAA, Scrap Iron 60's-Phiten. I'll be here takin it easy. Ed (970) 728-3144 |
| Nov. 18, 2009 surf88 Men's 65 1000 posts | BI, Thanks so much. I'll keep your # and will let you know my progress.Many prayers have been made on my behalf and I am grateful. (970) 728-3144 |
| Nov. 19, 2009 Mitch Men's 50 68 posts | I had my bout with prostate cancer in Jul. 03, age 52. I checked all my options and decided on the Robotic DaVinci procedure in Nov.03. Had the procedure done on Jan. 7, 2004 at the City of Hope hospital in LA because it wasn't being done anywhere in northern CA. I was released 3 days later and came back to Sacramento and started playing softball exactly one month later on Feb. 7, 2004. Like everyone else, I was checked 4 times a year, then twice a year and now I'm glad to say I'm being checked once a year. Things worked out great for me and I would "highly" recommend the Robotic procedure. The surgeon managed to spare both sets of nerves around the gland itself so "everything" works. Don't be afraid if you hear them say "prostate cancer", just kick it's ass and get out of you system using the robot. By the way, my surgeon said he could literally shave off layers of tissue using the robot to get to where he needs to be, so something that precise is what I wanted. Good Luck and remember, kick it's ass, not the other eay around. |
| Nov. 19, 2009 JamesLG 420 posts | surf88: I have never had it but had a scare at the age of 48 and have never missed a checkup. We all wish you the best and you will be back on the field very soon. This board is not only about senior softball it is about supporting each other through tough times. Good luck and a fast recovery Thank You: James |
| Nov. 30, 2009 surf88 Men's 65 1000 posts | Guys, From what I recently experienced and the fact that it had advanced beyond what anyone had anticipated, I'd say to every guy out there, get blood work for PSA every 6 months. Don't wait a full year. I had no symptoms yet it had gotten out of the capsule. Be good to yourself and remember that no doctor is perfect. Have a great holiday season to one and all. Ed |
| Nov. 30, 2009 Mitch Men's 50 68 posts | surf88, you bring up an excellent point for all of us to remember. "YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH, NOT THE DOCTORS". If you ask your doctor to do a PSA test and he/she says, "no, you don't need one now, you're to still to young". Then what you do is, stand up, look them straight in the eye and demand that one be done. If he or she still says no. Then tell them good-bye and that you will not be seeing them again becasue you are going to change your Primary Care Physican (PCP)to one that actually cares about your health. Think about it like this, there is no magic age where prostate cancer starts showing up. Let me tell you what happened to me. I had my first PSA test done at age 53 or 54. Hell, back then I couldn't even spell PSA let a lone know what it meant. The result came back at 4.6, should be 4 or less. I figured what difference is .6 going to make. I PCP thought a little diffiently. Even though it was "slightly" elevated, he had me see a urogolist or how ever you spell it. He had me come back in about 3 months and take another blood test and this one came back 4.9. He said we are going to keep a very close eye on this and told me to come back in another 3 months with the results of another blood test. This time it was 6.7 and he said we will watch it another 3 months and see what happens, but to be ready cause if this one comes back even higher, he is going to do a bisopy of the gland itself. Three months later, it was 7.6 and true to his word, he did a prostate bisopy in 8 different locations around the gland. Two weeks later the results were in, 100% negative for prostate cancer. I was one happy camper, but the doc wasn't smiling. He said they don't always detect it on the first try, so do another blood test in 3 months and if this one is still higher, he is going to do another biospy. Well, this bllod test showed a PSA of 9.0 and again true to his word anothere biospy only this time from 10 different locations around the gland. Two weeks later, the first words out of his mouth were, "well, young man, you have prostate cancer". My first words were, "well, wholly shit, how the hell do we get rid of it". He gave s few books to read up on the subject and what my chosices were. After 6 months of studying and reading all about on my options, I came across a procedure that used a computer controled or enhanced techique that used a robot to remove the prostate from 5 small half inch incisions around the stomach area. I went and had an interview with the surgeon that would do the procedure and he said I would be a good subject for the procedure. Basically they put a camera in one of the incisions and the surgeon had his fingers wired up to the othere insturments. He can watch what's he doing on a 17 inch clor montior in a different room and can actually "shave" of layers of tissue to get to where he needs to go with this robot because it is so presice. I said, "yes sir" this is the procedure I want done on me. The insurance said no because it was not approved by the FDA. I checked the FDA website only to find out that this "exact to the letter" procedure was approved 3 years "prior" to me asking about it now. I email them the info, and they approved it the next day. The procedure was done on Jan. 07, 2004 and on Feb. 07, 2004, (exactly one month later) I was out having tryouts to play on a senior league in here Sacramento, CA. Everything went fine and everything is still fine. Again, the whole point to all my babbling in this, "YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH", not the doctors and not the insurance companies. Hope some of this helps and Good Luck Mitch |
