Driving home from work I answer a call from the doctor's office after a routine medical check-up to refill my blood pressure and cholesterol meds. It seems the PSA the doc tossed into my routine work was higher than he liked at 5.6. I sat with this news for three days until the following Monday when I called them back and asked for a retest. Begrudgingly they agreed. Stupid me, 7.2 on the retest. They ordered a "free PSA" test to verify the high number, it came back as a 2.5. Apparently this is not good either. [If Mike has quoted the figures correctly the result is in fact very good. With a total PSA of 7.2 ng/ml and a free PSA of 2.5 ng/ml, the free PSA percentage is 35%. Any free PSA of more than 25% is regarded as unlikely to be associated with prostate cancer.]

I was sent to an urologist for a consult. He did the DRE, felt nothing abnormal. I had only one symptom, a little dribble when I finished peeing; I just shook longer, no big deal. I scheduled an ultrasound and biopsy. The results came back today. He did 6 samples, all came back positive. I go Tuesday next week for my options.

After the original PSA I discussed the results with some people I work with. 2 men, 62 and 54, have both had cancer last year and had the prostate removed. The more I listened and talked around the plant where I work I found person after person who has also had this done. I was the youngest so far - 46.

I don't think about it too much, just when people bring it up. My mother told me today that she feels responsible in some way for the ails of her children. That hurts to know. My wife is scared, understandably. I'm just more in the mindset of it's just a thing but a BIG thing.

Thanks for listening.
Mike

Just a quick update on what's happening lately.

I've finally gotten a date for surgery, April 23rd, 2008. Two days away. I'm doing well so far. I have a lot of other things on my mind before the surgery. I have to cut the grass, spray Round-Up, poop my brains out starting at noon tomorrow. Ya know, the usual. We had a crawfish broil Saturday. It was like the last supper.

My urologist is also doing surgery that day. Some lucky stiff gets to be his first robotic surgery patient. I hope he does it right. I'm the stiff. His proctor has done more than 300 of these and will be right there with him. I SHOULD be ok. I like my urologist. Bow-tie and all. He called my wife Leslie last week to let her know how excited he is about it. They talked about what to expect and answered any questions she had. She has had A LOT of questions. All I know is I want the cancer out. She wants the particulars.

I stopped work on Thursday last week. Left a message that I was going to be out for two months. I was accused of being so tight about leaving work that I would be back there on Friday, 2 days post op. I hope not.

Nothing else good to update on. Later all.

Later

Thank you all for your support. I guess I did well, I'm home and the catheter is working good. I have very little pain, the majority coming from a tape burn and, as some of you know, the sliding catheter. Triple antibiotic ointment helps but...

I was my doctor's first robotic surgery patient. He seemed very comfortable and I was thrilled to have him do it. HE HAD HELP, as you might know. I'd recommend him to anyone in the Lafayette, Louisiana, USA area.

I spent 2 nights in the hospital, the 23rd and 24th of April. Leslie spent one night with me but as you know the one hour patient checks do nothing for the patient's health. I asked her to sleep at home the next night to give her some rest.

Thank you guys (and ladies) for all the tips to make these days more comfortable.

Later Still:

I went to the doctor's office today, May 6th, for catheter removal at 0900. I was "semi-prepared" for this by reading other's experiences. I was NOT prepared for the sting at the end of my peeny when the nurse pulled it out. Man, my eyes watered! It only lasted 10 seconds and I am sure was less painful than other things I had in my life, but this was the first time I ever opened my legs for someone to hurt me on purpose.

After that initial 10 seconds, I felt a wave of "it's over, cancer's gone, small scars, and no catheter". It was like heaven.

My doc checked me all over, looked at everything, explained the pathology report and said we'll see you in 3 months, return to work when you feel comfortable with control.

I had a pair of absorbant pants with me, slipped them on, got dressed, and headed out for breakfast with my wife, Leslie.

Got home by 1100, went pee like most people do, some blood but had the stop/ start capabilities I was hoping for, took a pain killer and took a nap. I woke to find a friend had stopped by to say hi cause he was in the area. Last week he sent pizza on the Friday after my surgery, he was in Washington State on a job at the time. We were quite surprised to see him, and it was great having his company.

My pathology report said I had adenocarcinoma, gleason 3+3 involving 60% of the tissue volume. Tumor extends into the seminal vesicles. Tumor involves right and left lobes, apex, base, and mid portion of the prostate. No extraprostatic extension. Margins clear. Code 9. I don't know what code 9 is but I hope it means we got it all out.

I'll keep y'all up to date with the recovery. I was surprised that he said I can go back to work whenever. It's only been 13 days.

Went for the follow up PSA in August (yes, I'm slow at posting). I had the blood work done BEFORE my appointment so we could discuss those results at the appointment. He did his "check under the hood" and everything, decided I was a great first robot patient (yes, his first, I've always wanted to be first at something) and was about to order blood work. Leslie stopped him, said I had it, he flipped the paper up, and said "yup, <0.1".

After the initial relief we followed him out. He gave me a goody bag of Cialis and a script for more. They might work,I can't tell too much. I get stiff on my own but not enough to push it in. I'm working on that even now. (not like right NOW but when I can). Time seems to be the key. I don't write much but talk a lot.

Feel free to ask or email.

Take care, Mike

Since October of 08 I have been to the doctor twice more. Each time my PSA was <0.1.

My doctor was not as impressed with my slower erectile recovery than he was with my going back to work in 18 days. Between the last two appointments, at about the 14 month point post surgery (my Doc's first robotic), there seemed to be a switch that came on. Erections were stronger, fuller, and more useful (or at least I like to think so). The doctor was much happier at that progress. He had given me some Viagra, at my insistence that the Cialis wasn't working, but I had only taken one. That stuff gave me a serious headache with little to no impact.

Life is better now, pushing much of this behind me. I like hearing from my small support group and co-survivor (Scott). It is a reminder that we truly are not alone in this and hearing from those who have been there is easier than listening to the ones who have not tell us it will be ok.

Keep strong and carry forward all that life has to offer.

Mike

I apologize for my lack of participation in the YANA site. As life moves on it find less and less time for those things that really should be more important to me and more time for issues that are insignificant in the grand scheme of life.

On February 25 of this year I went for my three year (just about) follow-up. The doctor was happy with my progress to date. No leakage, no dysfunction, no side issues. All is moving on pretty good at this time. Leslie is happy to put this behind us and move on with life.

The physical and emotional scars are still there. I opened my YANA page to see where I left off and have tears in my eyes reading about all that has happened. In the three years since diagnosis little in my outlook in life is different but life just seems to be.

My PSA readings continue to be < 0.1 and my DRE is smooth and flat (can't wait for those to stop). I like my doc, just not in that way. I schedule the visits almost as a habit now. I do find that I have a tendency to become more emotional. No issue with that, I think I have just started seeing people differently, situations differently, life differently.

Please keep in mind why we look for a cure. I've enclosed a picture of my reason.

Keep in touch, Mike Raymond.

[In response to a reminder Mike said:]

No kidding I am working on it. Work has just been so busy. I will have an update by the end of the week.

Hey YANA community,

I originally posted in 2008 when first diagnosed with PC at 45. It seems so long ago. I forget a lot of the data and recently tossed out my " cancer" folder from my saved papers. I started with a PSA of 4.5, and prior to surgery it was 7 something. I had robotic surgery to remove the prostate ( all biopsy samples were positive) and during surgery they removed the seminal vesicles where the cancer spread. I recall a high Gleason score but we had clear margins from surgery. Recovery was unremarkable, taking about 12 month for a fully functioning body ( erections). bladder control was much sooner, in the 3-4 week time.
fast forward to now at 61 years old (October 2023). Went for routine bloodwork, PSA was 0.86. Only looking back to last year did I see it was 0.38. Further back one more year to 2021 was 0.19 with all earlier being less that 0.1. I guess life got busy and dismissed the results as bad lab quality. I have no issues otherwise with health and even dropped a bunch of stress weight when I retired.

I am awaiting an appointment to see my urologist to discuss options for treatment, if any.

I retired 4 years ago, just prior ro the great COVID lockdown. Survived all that and began watching grandchild 15 months ago (every day) while her parent finishes school and they place her in a good daycare. I have waited to travel around the world as I originally thought would happen in early 2020. No this. Diagnosis sucks, the treatment options seem to suck more.

Mike Raymond

Went to the Urologist early November. He believed it was a recurrence and we will spot the location and clean it up with some radiation therapy. Went for the Ga-68 PSMA PET ( base of skull to mid thigh). They found nothing but some kidney stones ( I've had a problem since the early 90's with occasional blockage) and a 12 mm cyst on my right kidney. The ultrasound showed nothing alarming in either side or my bladder. I follow up on the cyst in May 2024. I also have an oncologist appointment in January 2024 to go over the PET results in more detail. Not expecting anything earth shattering and my pity party seems to have faded. After seeing the costs of everything so far, I am grateful to have pretty good insurance. There are actually many many things I am grateful for in my life and I need to remember those thing will carry me through any difficult times.

I will update again after the oncologist visit.

Take very good care....

Went to the radiologist last week. We spent almost an hour discussing the results of the PET scan, his take on what is going on and treatment options.

I decided on IMRT, no ADT. I felt this is the best way forward for me. 8 weeks at 5 days per week. I did consider doing nothing and waiting to see what happens but feeling my wife next to me, that wouldn't have been the best for the two of us. Next steps are MRI on bladder area and mapping session before the start of therapy. I'll check in again at the end of the year for longer term side effects.

Take care all.

Updating sooner than I thought.

Went for an MRI after the doctor visit to verify bladder clear. Also had bloodwork with PSA

PSA went from 0.86 October 28 to 1.2 January 22.

MRI identified 2 lymph nodes and a 9 mm spot along the urethra.

Oncologist is start me on testosterone reduction therapy (one 6 month shot) as well as the radiation.
Cancer sucks.

Today I completed my last of 39 radiation treatments. I had some gassing issues during treatment until I found foods that worked for me. Oatmeal and plain greek yogurt for breakfast, a peanut butter sandwich for lunch, fluids all day, then therapy about 5pm, then dinner. This worked best from week 3 forward.

Camcevi injection February 15th, it took about a month to start causing tiredness and hot flashes, which continue. Followup bloodwork and office visit May 30.
on a side note, the therapy team are amazing folks. They see so many people with various cancer types and project a positive vibe toward successful treatment outcomes.

My wife Leslie has gone over the top in supporting me during this time. She is amazing.

Mike's e-mail address is: mlr21202 AT yahoo.com (replace "AT" with "@")