Hi Joe, I just stumbled onto you channel. FYI I was also diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. After weighing options I chose to have radiation therapy. I just finished my 28 treatments a couple weeks ago. Everyone has to make a choice that they feel is best for them, I wish you the best of luck going forward and as a believer I pray for your recovery and encourage you to seek the Lord in all things. God Bless.
Hi Joe. I just encountered your vids. In January 2023 my PSA result was a 13.7. In March 2023 I had a biopsy that indicated cancer and a 4+3=7 Gleason. I elected for the robotic radical prostatectomy surgery which I had in June 2023. Prior to surgery, my PSMA PET indicated that the cancer was likely contained within the prostate. Post surgery indicated otherwise with metastatic disease in 4 of 25 pelvic lymph nodes and areas around the prostate. Bladder neck, and seminal vesical. The surgical pathology report classified is at a 3+4=7, and stage pT3b N1. Since surgery, my PSA has been ticking up consistently month to month and was almost a 0.5 last month. I started hormone treatment mid April 2024 after some apprehension. So far so good. I plan to get radiation as well starting in about a month. Doc says two years of hormone treatment and 33 treatments of radiation. I've had two PSMA PETs post surgery and both were negative. The micro metastatic spread is assumed to be in the prostate bed and possible more adjacent lymph nodes. I'm 58 years young, and almost 11 months post surgery. I feel pretty good and I'm very glad I had the prostate removed. I'm going for another PSA tomorrow and I hope to see a decline since I began the hormone treatment in April. Thanks for sharing your story and updates. The more knowledge one has, the better and less stressful the experience is 🙏
Wow! Thank you for sharing your story as well. Sounds like we are in the same boat. They may have found something in one if my lymph nodes as well. I am meeting with my Doctor in Chicago on the 24th to discuss treatments. That is the date of my next update video. I wish you the best, my warrior brother and please keep us all updated on your fight. I feel you will be victorious, you are doing all the right things. You got this!
My ex husband was recently diagnosed with Prostate cancer. I went on a search after seeing the doctor’s report. Ex’s Gleason scores were all over the place with two 4+4=8 being the highest. He had a couple 4+3=7 and a few 3+4=7. There are some great RUclips videos on the Gleason scores. They pretty much say a 6 Gleason score is just a watch and wait. Kind of the same with the 3+4=7. But the 4+3=7 and the 4+4=8 should be taken seriously and something needs to be done… Radiation or Surgery. This is if there is no spread outside the Prostate capsule itself. My ex is still deciding on which treatment. Luckily his cancer didn’t metastasis to the lymph nodes, bones or other local or sites further out. Best of luck to you.
Thank you. I wish your ex the best as well. Meeting my doctors on the 24th to decide what will be the best route. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
G'day mate, all I can tell you from my experience with a few people (one recently about a year ago) whom developed prostate issues, had it removed for peace of mind. The recent one did not have cancer of the prostate, but prognosis was he was highly likely to have it occur(high risk factor), so had it removed. He was having an enlargement issue a bit beyond the normal age related enlargement iirc. Explore you options as you are doing already, but don't take an eternity in doing so :)
Sorry if I missed it but have you had a PSMA Pet scan yet? That should be next on the agenda after a positive biopsy, as it will definitely help inform your future plans.
I went with surgery, I had a scan after because the psa didn't go to zero. My cancer had spread to a lymph node. Started ADT treatments and had 35 radiation treatments. Now it's a waiting game. I have Adt for another year and a half.
Thanks for posting about your PC journey, and Sending good vibes. You had only 6 cores taken? The percentages of the 7 gleason,are they over 50 % are you 3+4 or 4 +3 ? Geting a second opinion is good. I had my biopsy slides sent to Johns Hopkins and I saw two doc's Scheaffer in Chicago and My local uro. If you feel By the book by Dr. Patrick Walsh Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer
I had 12 cores taken. Those were the only ones with cancer. My last video goes over Dr. Walshs and Dr. Schaeffer's book. Very good book that I highly recommend if anyone has or knows anyone with prostate cancer. Only 2 cores were 7 Gleason. Most people with cancer like mine are put on active surveillance, but due to my family history, my dad and 2 uncles have it, its best we take care of it now.
Prostatectomy is best way to eradicate the cancer. I had mine done in 2018 similar Gleason scores. Choose a facility that does a lot of robotic prostatectomy’s. Knowing how wide to remove margins while sparing nerves is an art. 6 years later still PSA undetectable. Urinary and erectile function preserved. Best of luck
@KO-rc7xt wow. I am already 3k out of pocket with blue cross/ blue shield and they still haven't billed 1 mri and the pet scan. The medical place , Duly billed my insurance $21,000 for the pet scan. We haven't even got to the treatment yet. Health care coverage in this country sucks. Everyone getting rich on people who need help.
As you are doing, a more informed decision will enable you to make the best choice for you. Having had friends that have gone through both methods, I can only comment on the outside point of view. The biggest issue I observed was the stress of knowing v's not knowing that the cancer was cured/removed. The surgery gave instant results & pathology, but it took time for him to accept the physical issues/limitations. My other friend had radiation treatment. I think the stress from not knowing if the treatment would work was just as hard as the side effects. The amount of down time was certainly more with the latter choice. This also had a bigger roll on effect financially & emotionally. No matter your choice, sacrifices are a given unfortunately 😕 One way yields faster outcomes than the other (both in a good and bad way). Find and talk individuals that have gone through each procedures. Ask questions on topics that concern you the most. Being comfortable with your choice will play a part in your recovery/journey 🤗
Hi Joe, I just stumbled onto you channel. FYI I was also diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. After weighing options I chose to have radiation therapy. I just finished my 28 treatments a couple weeks ago. Everyone has to make a choice that they feel is best for them, I wish you the best of luck going forward and as a believer I pray for your recovery and encourage you to seek the Lord in all things. God Bless.
Thank you Matt. Defiantly, God is good.
Hi Joe. I just encountered your vids. In January 2023 my PSA result was a 13.7. In March 2023 I had a biopsy that indicated cancer and a 4+3=7 Gleason. I elected for the robotic radical prostatectomy surgery which I had in June 2023. Prior to surgery, my PSMA PET indicated that the cancer was likely contained within the prostate. Post surgery indicated otherwise with metastatic disease in 4 of 25 pelvic lymph nodes and areas around the prostate. Bladder neck, and seminal vesical. The surgical pathology report classified is at a 3+4=7, and stage pT3b N1. Since surgery, my PSA has been ticking up consistently month to month and was almost a 0.5 last month. I started hormone treatment mid April 2024 after some apprehension. So far so good. I plan to get radiation as well starting in about a month. Doc says two years of hormone treatment and 33 treatments of radiation. I've had two PSMA PETs post surgery and both were negative. The micro metastatic spread is assumed to be in the prostate bed and possible more adjacent lymph nodes. I'm 58 years young, and almost 11 months post surgery. I feel pretty good and I'm very glad I had the prostate removed. I'm going for another PSA tomorrow and I hope to see a decline since I began the hormone treatment in April. Thanks for sharing your story and updates. The more knowledge one has, the better and less stressful the experience is 🙏
Wow! Thank you for sharing your story as well. Sounds like we are in the same boat. They may have found something in one if my lymph nodes as well. I am meeting with my Doctor in Chicago on the 24th to discuss treatments. That is the date of my next update video. I wish you the best, my warrior brother and please keep us all updated on your fight. I feel you will be victorious, you are doing all the right things. You got this!
@@joec42064 Oh oh, who is the Dr. Is it Schaeffer ?
@@nickstrapko7549 Dr. Ed Schaeffer. Northwestern Hospital, Chicago. You can Google him. One incredible doctor and human being.
My ex husband was recently diagnosed with Prostate cancer. I went on a search after seeing the doctor’s report. Ex’s Gleason scores were all over the place with two 4+4=8 being the highest. He had a couple 4+3=7 and a few 3+4=7. There are some great RUclips videos on the Gleason scores. They pretty much say a 6 Gleason score is just a watch and wait. Kind of the same with the 3+4=7. But the 4+3=7 and the 4+4=8 should be taken seriously and something needs to be done… Radiation or Surgery. This is if there is no spread outside the Prostate capsule itself. My ex is still deciding on which treatment. Luckily his cancer didn’t metastasis to the lymph nodes, bones or other local or sites further out. Best of luck to you.
Thank you. I wish your ex the best as well. Meeting my doctors on the 24th to decide what will be the best route. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
G'day mate, all I can tell you from my experience with a few people (one recently about a year ago) whom developed prostate issues, had it removed for peace of mind. The recent one did not have cancer of the prostate, but prognosis was he was highly likely to have it occur(high risk factor), so had it removed. He was having an enlargement issue a bit beyond the normal age related enlargement iirc.
Explore you options as you are doing already, but don't take an eternity in doing so :)
I got 6 weeks so the prostate can heal before surgery. I won't wait long.
@@joec42064 Okie dokie
Good luck with your decision. Thinking of you!
Thank you so much.
Sorry if I missed it but have you had a PSMA Pet scan yet? That should be next on the agenda after a positive biopsy, as it will definitely help inform your future plans.
Yes, pet scan showed no specific abnormalities.
I went with surgery, I had a scan after because the psa didn't go to zero. My cancer had spread to a lymph node. Started ADT treatments and had 35 radiation treatments. Now it's a waiting game. I have Adt for another year and a half.
Wishing you the best. Good juju sent your way.
Thanks for posting about your PC journey, and Sending good vibes. You had only 6 cores taken? The percentages of the 7 gleason,are they over 50 % are you 3+4 or 4 +3 ? Geting a second opinion is good. I had my biopsy slides sent to Johns Hopkins and I saw two doc's Scheaffer in Chicago and My local uro. If you feel By the book by Dr. Patrick Walsh Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer
I had 12 cores taken. Those were the only ones with cancer. My last video goes over Dr. Walshs and Dr. Schaeffer's book. Very good book that I highly recommend if anyone has or knows anyone with prostate cancer. Only 2 cores were 7 Gleason. Most people with cancer like mine are put on active surveillance, but due to my family history, my dad and 2 uncles have it, its best we take care of it now.
❤️
Prostatectomy is best way to eradicate the cancer. I had mine done in 2018 similar Gleason scores. Choose a facility that does a lot of robotic prostatectomy’s. Knowing how wide to remove margins while sparing nerves is an art. 6 years later still PSA undetectable. Urinary and erectile function preserved. Best of luck
That is so awesome. Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it.
Where did you end up having the surgery? How much did it cost?
John’s Hopkins. Covered by Blue Cross Around 3k out of pocket for anesthesia and deductible
@KO-rc7xt wow. I am already 3k out of pocket with blue cross/ blue shield and they still haven't billed 1 mri and the pet scan. The medical place , Duly billed my insurance $21,000 for the pet scan. We haven't even got to the treatment yet. Health care coverage in this country sucks. Everyone getting rich on people who need help.
As you are doing, a more informed decision will enable you to make the best choice for you.
Having had friends that have gone through both methods, I can only comment on the outside point of view.
The biggest issue I observed was the stress of knowing v's not knowing that the cancer was cured/removed.
The surgery gave instant results & pathology, but it took time for him to accept the physical issues/limitations.
My other friend had radiation treatment. I think the stress from not knowing if the treatment would work was just as hard as the side effects.
The amount of down time was certainly more with the latter choice. This also had a bigger roll on effect financially & emotionally.
No matter your choice, sacrifices are a given unfortunately 😕
One way yields faster outcomes than the other (both in a good and bad way).
Find and talk individuals that have gone through each procedures. Ask questions on topics that concern you the most.
Being comfortable with your choice will play a part in your recovery/journey 🤗
Great advice. Beth is still out of the country for 3 weeks so I definitely want her feedback. I appreciate your perspective. Thank you.
Do a complete prostate removal. Best wishes, Wayne Miller
It's definitely an option. Will keep everyone apprised on my research and decision.