RRP followed by PSA Rise

I for one really appreciate the operation of this forum and the effort that goes into running it. But please allow VdG and others the freedom to share knowledge and experiences. We are all quite aware that none of us can make definitive statements regarding diagnoses and prognoses, but we do have the valuable experience of having gone through the same operations, treatments, and procedures. And in VdG's case, intense study and accumulated knowledge that he is willing to share with others, information that is simply not available from urologists and GPs during 15 minute consultations/appointments. 

At my last consultation, a PA informed me my PSA was undetectable. It lasted but a minute and I was charged $174 for information I could have gotten over the phone. 

There are some guys on this forum that I vociferously disagree with, but I would certainly not want to censure them... But rather hear what they have to say and will dispute it if necessary.

So please don't limit access to VdG's and other's information and experiences. 

Historical note: when King James was assembling his panel of scholars and translators to translate what has become known as the KJ V Bible, he brought in scholars from many different backgrounds and religious persuasions... Why? Because they kept a sharp eye on each other not to let the other guy's denominational bias to infiltrate the stark, obvious meaning of each verse. So now, (though perhaps difficult to read for a modern audience), it is the least tainted with bias, and has the simplest most accurate meaning possible verse by verse.

This forum is similar in that we can keep an eye on each other, and if we collectively disagree with something posted, we will make it known. We have all disparate experiences that we need to share with others, and we can dispute what we recognize to be inaccurate and arrive at appropriate conclusions. Generally I find we do agree mostly.

VascodaGama said:

pT3bN0 for seminal vesicles invasion

A simple note on your query; If invasion of seminal vesicles were verified then your pathology stage would be pT3bN0.

I am sorry for the short answer but I believe that the CSN administration is not satisfied with my comments/posts to the many. They just deleted one entire thread addressed to me resently.

I don't think the report states that seminal vesicles were invaded. And, as I read backwards, the July 17 post of Cushions states 'no vesicle invasion'. Good!

Cushions,

Congratulations on the news.  Yes, waiting for PSA Test results is the hardest thing. Mine went down to <0.010 and stayed there until a year ago.  Now that my testosterone is back up to normal my PSA has come up but is still less than 1.0.  By your next test I'll bet your PSA will be even lower and you will be a "Happier Bunny".  I'm coming up on all that in two weeks.  Then have appointments with my surgeon/urologist, My new chemo doctor, and also my dermatologist for my melanoma checkup.  I have had 14 melanomas removed since my Prostate Cancer diagnosis.  Had Melanoma over 15 years ago, and then it came back during my Prostate Cancer recovery and treatments.  You may want to talk to your doctors and see if you should be checked for melanoma.  I was to a specialist in Hershey, PA who is working on Melanoma as it is related to other types of solid tumor cancers.  I am checked every 3 months.  The last year, I have been free of melanoma, again.  Of course I am a blond haired, blue eye guy of German background (all sides of the family), raised on a farm and out in the sun all the time.  

I had told you that I had some leaking problems when I lifted weights and got off my indoor spinner bike.  As of Last week, that has all stopped.  I have had no leaks for almost two weeks.  It will be 4 years next week since I wasd diagnosed.  I'm very happy right now.  I am back to "going commando".  Hadn't worn underwear since I was in Jr. High.  The last almost 4 years have driven me nuts.  I had forgotten how uncomfortable briefs are.  Had to get briefs to hold my "pads".  I'm to the point that even after I shower I 'm not in much of a hurry to get dressed.  I never was before and now I'm back to "my good old self" as my wife says.

So it takes time, have patience, and things will improve.

Good Luck

Love, Peace and God Bless

Will

Great results. Let's celebrate with a glass of Cliff Richard's red. You can find it at your liquor store. I will get a bottle at his cellar neighbor to me.

Congratulations.

VG

Congrats, Cushion! Very happy for you and your family!

hewhositsoncushions said:

I too appreciate VDG and his

I too appreciate VDG and his sterling efforts and advice. He provides a sound perspective and nothing that cannot be verified by some research.

Credit to Simone for responding and the admins deserve sympathy in that they are non specialists who I am sure want to do a good job but can't put the time in to verify stuff and need to prevent liability.

That being said, this is a forum for people with complex medical conditions and if people cannot share medical advice here, then what is the point? Reddit has a good middle ground in that trusted members can be flaired to show that they have been looked at and they know what they are talking about. That would help here.

Hewho is correct.

I estimate that half of every post here is either a request for advice from a patient, or a suggestion from a former patient.

If every post here that began with a comment like "What I would do...." were deleted, not much would remain.

I usually cast my thoughts as what I did do, and what resulted, and what I think about it.   A layman saying he would "do x" does not seem to me to be conferring "medical advice." The readers must know better.  ('Medical advice' costs $500 a pop, whereas everything here is free !)

The position of the Administration also is less than ideal, and it seems they are doing as good a balancing act as possible, given the Rules set for these Boards.

max