re: Calling OT docs- prostate cancer

Most people don’t realize the long term side effects of having your prostate removed like no sexual drive, and incontinence

First time I had the biopsy done I really didn't know what to expect. I'm a tough guy, just give me a shot to deaden the area and I'll be fine.

2nd time - I told them to knock me the hell out

My story - in my late 50's started having to pee several times at night. Got checked and had an enlarged prostate. Blood work for every 3 months or so for several years. Numbers were always in the high range of normal but not alarmingly so.

One of those times, regular blood work showed a big jump in PSA. I chose to get a biopsy, instead of "wait and see" or "let's check again in 3 months". Biopsy showed cancer in one area of the 12 sections. Dr reviewed all the options with Mrs. Clustercock and me.

After much Googling, YouTubeing and talking with other friends that had gone thru this I decided to do cryosurgery, its where they freeze only the cancer. I was a candidate because it was confined to a small area that was easy to get to. Also, my overall health was very good, I'm fit and not a smoker or obese, diabetic, etc.

With the cryosurgery, you still have your prostate, so no sexual or incontinence issues. Everything works as before.

I still get blood work every 6 months now and there's always a nervous few days waiting for results. I am always aware that the "cancer making factory" is still in me and could raise its ugly head at any time.

I have become the guy that other guys call when they are going thru this. I'm glad to help. Sometimes guys just need to talk to other guys. This forum proves that.

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still get blood work every 6 months now and there's always a nervous few days waiting for results. I am always aware that the "cancer making factory" is still in me and could raise its ugly head at any time.

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My Urologist, who I think is sometimes blunt with me because he knows I'm not into subtleties, can even shock me on occasion. About a year and a half after I finished treatment, I started having blood and blood clots in my urine. Of course, this was unsettling to me.

My Urologist scheduled tests and a cystoscopy to check my bladder. I was a little bit confused, as I'd had prostate cancer and not bladder cancer. His response was, "Well, once you've had one cancer, you're more prone to have other cancers."

Great Urologist, great reputation, but he must have skipped class the day they covered bedside manner.

Assuming you first learned of the problem due to a 4+ PSA, nearly everyone comes on the board as a 3+3 = 6 Gleason guy. It's a stupid scale but whatever.

But if you go up to 7+ then shite is going to escalate rapidly.

As other have suggested, frick your local urologist, get thee to MD Anderson. Despite the hassle, you will thank yourself.