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A Surreal Day

#21
elte Offline
(May 17, 2017 01:13 PM)Zinjanthropos Wrote: Thanks to all my well wishers. Haven't been here long but I feel the connection, it's almost like family.  Smile I find it somewhat therapeutic to write things down here, it eases the stress and maybe my words will aid someone else in a similar situation. Talking about it is the best medicine. I hope I'm not boring the hell out of people.

My great granddad had it, and I worry about it some in my case too, so it sort of hits close to home.  I don't mind, and you feel kind of like family too.
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#22
Zinjanthropos Offline
I've officially chosen Radiation Therapy after consulting with surgeons and radiology oncologists. In a couple weeks or so I go for a bone scan and MRI. Radiation will probably take place in Sept. 5 days x 4 weeks = 20 sessions. However I did put my name in for a clinical trial that's been going on past 8 years wherein there's only 5 sessions in total over the course of 2.5 weeks. This is purely random selecting so I don't know what my odds are for receiving this treatment. Regardless, when I asked, the radiologist told me the results for this new therapy have been the same for the one I most likely will get, all positive with 99% success rate. I hope my name is selected. Surgery just sounded too intrusive and messy with complicatcions I wasn't prepared to deal with if they occurred. That's about it. I feel somewhat relieved and accept the consequences of my decision.
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#23
elte Offline
(May 18, 2017 02:45 PM)Zinjanthropos Wrote: I've officially chosen Radiation Therapy after consulting with surgeons and radiology oncologists. In a couple weeks or so I go for a bone scan and MRI. Radiation will probably take place in Sept. 5 days x 4 weeks = 20 sessions. However I did put my name in for a clinical trial that's been going on past 8 years wherein there's only 5 sessions in total over the course of 2.5 weeks. This is purely random selecting so I don't know what my odds are for receiving this treatment. Regardless, when I asked, the radiologist told me the results for this new therapy have been the same for the one I most likely will get, all positive with 99% success rate. I hope my name is selected.  Surgery just sounded too intrusive and messy with complicatcions I wasn't prepared to deal with if they occurred. That's about it. I feel somewhat relieved and accept  the consequences of my decision.

I feel like you are handling it well.
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#24
Zinjanthropos Offline
I may be handling it well but my oh my it is a scary time. My next stressful moment will come during the scans, hoping like heck the cancer is contained. I leave for BC the next day, 2weeks to visit my daughter, and the trip will be more enjoyable if all is known to be ok. I suppose if I don't hear from Doctor then all is well until my next visit to prostate clinic.
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#25
elte Offline
Scary and hopefully easier to relax better if the news goes toward the better side.

I see a plus about the choice of radiotherapy.  By avoiding cutting in the problem area, there should be less chance of the traitorous cells escaping.  That is what got my grandpa.  Cells got away, though I'm not sure if he had surgery or not.
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#26
Zinjanthropos Offline
(May 19, 2017 05:06 PM)elte Wrote: Scary and hopefully easier to relax better if the news goes toward the better side.

I see a plus about the choice of radiotherapy.  By avoiding cutting in the problem area, there should be less chance of the traitorous cells escaping.  That is what got my grandpa.  Cells got away, though I'm not sure if he had surgery or not.


I learned more from the radio(?) oncologist than from the surgeon. At least she told me my prostate was enlarged and she also gave me the actual biopsy result. Of 12 core samples, 7 showed no cancer. Of the 5 remaining, 3 contained intermediate cells while the other 2 had the slower. They've also learned over time that poking holes in the gland doesn't promote spreading the cancer. However they do know that isn't true for testicular cancer. Getting old is a pain in the ass, literally. (Pun intended)
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#27
elte Offline
It's good to know that they say needle biopsies don't promote spreading.

Getting old sure is a PIA, like even concerning just sitting too.  The rear end loses padding with age, it seems.
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#28
Zinjanthropos Offline
Just back from the Doctor. I didn't get the scans I thought I'd get. Besides another DRE today was all about what to expect from the two treatments available to me. One of 20 radiation sessions and the other if randomly selected will only be 5. The latter involves a small procedure in which 3 minute pieces of gold (seeds) are inserted into the cancer for best chance of hitting the cancer where it hurts. This will come with a MRI. The other treatment also includes a bone scan. I have two weeks to officially confirm if I want to try for the 5 sessions. Treatment in either case is not looking to start until around September, unless there are cancellations.

Regardless, my PSA level went from 9 to 6 which the doctor seemed very pleased with, along with me. Doesn't mean it went into remission, cancer sets its own rate of development. It was encouraging, made me feel like I'm not galloping towards an early exit. After the treatment is decided there will be planning sessions, sign some consent forms and do some early preparation. I'll be going in with a full bladder and cleared bowels for every day I am treated. Some stuff I need to take prior. The seeds are a longshot so I have nothing to lose by saying go for it. If I'm not selected for that treatment then the other kicks in, just takes longer. 
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#29
Secular Sanity Offline
September? Damn!  Undecided

I have Kaiser Insurance.  I like it.  It’s efficient, but you do start to feel like a number after a while. 

A few years ago, at the coast, I was hiking and there was this guy lying length wise underneath a bench talking on his phone.  It was very odd.  I looked back to make sure he wasn’t following me, stepped in hole, and broke my ankle.  I had to hop past him, but it didn’t even phase him.  My first thought was that he might be contemplating suicide.  It happens a lot here, due to the beauty of our coastline.

I drove to the emergency room.  At Kaiser they give you a fast pass for the pharmacy when you come from the emergency room.  There are three lines. The fast pass, the other slow one, and one for instructions from the pharmacist. 

This older man sitting next to me asked me how the lines worked.  I explained it to him and he said, "I’m an emergency.  I have cancer.  I’m dying and I have to spend my last moments waiting here." I would have given him my fast pass, but it’s connected to my patient number.  I said, well, you get to wait here with me and I’m enjoying our conversation.  He said, you’re right and told me all about his life.  Very interesting man!

When my two boys were younger, we were on a field trip with an acquaintance that had been diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.  He needed a lung transplant but even getting an appointment to get on the list was months away.  His daughter was adorable.  I suggested that since we were already in the city, that he should go in person, and take his daughter with him.  He was put on the transplant list that day.  That was years ago, and he’s still alive.  Lives down the street from me.  My father had died from the exact same thing when I was in my early twenties.  He was on the transplant list but never got a call. 

Golden semen, eh? I think that's a comic strip.  You might need a new moniker.  Wink

Oh, and the guy lying underneath the bench…his wife had died.  He bought the bench and had a memorial stone placed in front of it shortly after I broke my ankle.  It was one of her and my favorite spots.  We have the same first name. Coinkydink?  

Best wishes, Zinman!
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#30
Zinjanthropos Offline
Quote:I have Kaiser Insurance.

I'm surprised you can still buy insurance, risking your life with Google maps and breaking bones walking through a park. SS, you're starting to sound like a walking disaster area. Wink

I'd trade this prostate cancer for a broken ankle any day. But I can't change it, just keep on trucking and "Git 'er done."

Thanks for kind words. Anecdotal accounts (even if at your expense) are good therapy. Off to BC roughly 10 hours from now. Hope to relax, catch up with some family and pig out on prawns over the next two weeks.
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