posted 06-14-2024 09:27 AM                  

1) I received support and advice from a number of people on this site. It was super valuable and important.
2) As a result of one of our members help, I got a DNA test that pointed me in the direction of what I should do to ensure that I only had a 1.8% chance of dying from this disease in the next 10 years. With this knowledge and more, I selected my surgeon and my procedure, had the surgery yesterday and am in a hotel today in FL, recovering.
3) I read no less than 3 books on the subject, and it was impactful.
4) I read Dr. Patrick Walsh's book "Surviving Prostate Cancer" and after I completed it, reached out to him as his book says he will help if you email or call. He called me back that evening!

Others who helped, and others who have had this, feel free to chime in. I am not mentioning anyone as this can be a very private discussion. But for me, the value I received here and actually with our SSR friends has been invaluable. And I want to pay it forward, I'll share another story later. Like us, the SSR folks are mostly older guys who will run into this. If you would like, I'll post the SSR info here. It is a bit more descriptive.

In the end, we are all in this together. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions. I am not a Dr. I am an Engineer and I do my research, and I did just that. Helping just one of us, would be worth the time it took to post this. Again, I understand this is a private and sensitive subject. I had a prominent member praying for me, reaching out regularity as well. I think that is important too. My Family had a prayer service over Zoom on Wednesday, and that sent me off with the proper attitude.

Here to help if needed,

John

posted 06-17-2024 07:19 AM                  

Jim is correct, the PSA is a simple test and it is the ONLY thing that led us to find my cancer. EVEN if you have to have a radical Proctectomy, this is survivable and with the right Dr. quality of life CAN be preserved. Be on top of this, that is my best advice.

posted 06-17-2024 03:16 PM                  

Don't mean to be nosey, just thinking this might be helpful to others.

posted 06-17-2024 03:38 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by BeWare:
I’ve past the age where they continue to provide this test. I guess they figure at this age I have already beat the odds. At least that’s the case according to my neighbor who’s not a doctor.

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"Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers digital rectal exams and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests once every 12 months for men over 50 (starting the day after your 50th birthday)."

"PSA blood test: You pay nothing for a yearly PSA blood test."

There is no Medicare age cutoff date for a PSA test.

Neighbors are great to chat with and share a beer. And I stayed at Holiday Inn Express, which makes me and expert, LOL.

http://youtu.be/eHCTaUFXpP8

posted 06-17-2024 07:32 PM                  

I had a HIFU procedure. I sought out 3 separate opinions. My Dr's in Dayton were awesome, BUT as stated above, Dr. Walsh called me back after I read his book.

He made it clear 1) You have time. Most of your cancer is slower growing. I could have opted for watchful waiting (now called active surveillance). I was right on the edge and the Myriad Genetic test I did confirmed this. I had Gleason 3+4=7 and one core with Gleason 4+3=7. I was rated favorable, Intermediate. Doc also said : 2) Pick the Dr. with the best track record of the procedure you will have.
I went through with it because the location of my cancer was touchy (On the Apex) and as it would continue growing, it would hinder them fixing it with the same good results in the future. I did not like the idea of Cancer in my body growing. They 4+3=7 was the concern.

I chose Dr. Scionti in Florida for a number of reasons. He had the % of his patients who the cancer returned and all the data on Impotence and Incontinence. He has done over 3000 of these procedures. My Doctor in Dayton is awesome.
But he is a Urologist. Not a prostate Cancer doctor. Big difference. And my interview with Dr. Scionti, I was so very comfortable with he and his staff. All I can say is the experience was amazing and they were a machine. He has pioneered the cooling of some key areas as they heat the Cancer with Ultrasound, and that is very important for future successful results. His procedure has been patented.

LONG story - but 5 years ago I helped pay for a friend who had no money to have this procedure done. Shelley and I helped him pay for it, at that time Insurance was not paying. I called John and asked him who he went to and why (His PSA is now .002). He went to Dr. Scionti. My Doctor in Dayton told me he is absolutely one of the best. I'll let you all know once I get further down the line.
http://www.sciontiprostatecenter.com/

The Lakewood Ranch Medical Center where it was performed was awesome as well. I have good medical insurance (Although I opted for the High Deductible this year so out of pocket is a LOT !) But my company gives us great options.

Again, if anyone wishes to chat about it, I am available.

posted 06-17-2024 07:36 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by Tomcal:
"Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers digital rectal exams and prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests once every 12 months for men over 50 (starting the day after your 50th birthday)."

"PSA blood test: You pay nothing for a yearly PSA blood test."

There is no Medicare age cutoff date for a PSA test.

Neighbors are great to chat with and share a beer. And I stayed at Holiday Inn Express, which makes me and expert, LOL.

http://youtu.be/eHCTaUFXpP8

Get a PSA test every year. Better safe than sorry.

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posted 06-17-2024 07:48 PM                  

With Breast, Cervical, Uterine etc. cancer, woman have a choice of a doctor who specializes in Female cancers. Dr. Scionti gave up his Urology Practice 15 years ago to focus on helping men with Prostate Cancer. I think I read somewhere that there are less than 10 Doctors in the US that focus solely on Prostate Cancer treatment for men. I stated Dr. Mark Walsh - Its Doctor Mark Scholz. This book was fascinating.
http://www.amazon.com/s?k=invasion+of+the+prostate+snatchers&i=stripbooks&adgrpid=1333708840286083&hvadid=83356999510020&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=93383&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=k wd-83357639003080%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=15555_13519297&msclkid=81762d84941716aa1f024bf44c22cb4f&tag=mh0b-20&ref=pd_sl_88b1tukakj_e
http://www.prostateoncology.com/prostate-pros/mark-scholz-md/

Also, a fellow member here was an inspiration - he did the same thing long long ago, sought out the surgeon who could preserve his quality of life and that Dr. still has a lot of data and videos on line. Sadly, that Dr. has passed away. But the research he did, was exactly what I did. Again, a number of members here really helped me.

John

posted 06-26-2024 09:20 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by tbonelynch:
Hey John,
Hope all is well and you did your research and chose what was right for you. My urologist only did the removal surgery, but based on my age he wanted me to see the radiologist to get another opinion. I could tell that he was not recommending "his" procedure but wanted me to make my own choice. I had proton radiation treatment for a different issue back in 2018 and many of the other patients were there for prostate cancer. So in 2022 is when I got the prostate cancer diagnosis. I got my proton radiation treatment and my PSA keeps going down with every test, so I feel it was a success. I was told about the side-effects of all the options and this helped me make my decision. Hope to see you in October.

Tom

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