Confused after MRI

I had my pre-surgery PET/CT done yesterday as well. I don't expect the results to be available for a few days. Like you, there's not a lot I can do about the results of that scan other than to continue prepping for surgery. I struggle with anxiety and am anxious to have surgery behind me. It's my understanding that this scan is to help my surgeon map out his strategy and ensure there's no indication of spread beyond the prostate. I appreciate your anxiety as I had this very experience post-biopsy when the expectation was that I wait two weeks just to get results. After being scolded for five minutes about office protocols in scheduling, my urologist, at that time, just coldly informed me of my diagnosis and scheduled an appointment for two weeks to discuss my treatment plan. I have since changed doctors and moved in order to get care I was confident in. I know how painful and torturous anxiety is. I tried gutting it out at the expense of my blood pressure. Not my best choice. I eventually spoke with our family doctor about something that would help. While the anxiety is still there, the pressure in my chest and the stark fear aren't. I'm far from being what anyone might describe as religious but I also find myself reciting the Serenity Prayer (God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference). I know this won't alleviate or change anything you're feeling, I hope you know you're far from being alone in what you're experiencing. Deep breaths and focus on those things that bring you the greatest happiness.

That's BS.

Is there not a patient portal for your medical care system? It should be there.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

It suggests that your cancer is in the prostate (which you knew) and also possibly in multiple lymph nodes unfortunately.

Now you know where your enemy is, @REB72 . Get ready for your fight.

I'm not a doctor. As I understand those tests as explained to me last week, the radioactive materials we're injected with prior to the test are drawn more to cancerous cells than to healthy cells and that's how they can monitor location and spread. I tend to agree with @centralPA on the squeaky wheel getting the grease. This is an occasion where referring to the benefits of early detection being an assumed precursor to early treatment. Three weeks may be routine to the office staff there but this is your life. If they need additional resources they could at least draw you in to the conversation and let you know what type of resources and for what purpose within the context of your condition. Thinking about you and praying for you.

This may be a helpful article in advance of your meeting with your doctors: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/treating-prostate-cancer-at-any-stage/

As I understand it, hormones (ADT) are essential to the effectiveness of the radiation treatment. When discussing post -removal recurrence with my surgeon , he advised that radiation would be his recommendation for additional treatment. That was obviously specific to my case but I mention it to suggest you may need both surgery and radiation therapy. As terrifying as all this may feel, there is a bright spot in that you know and can now take the best appropriate actions based on your condition and needs. Get knocked down 9 times, get up 10. We have named my pc and I don’t mind telling you we say some awful things about it as we would an uninvited house guest who had stayed beyond their welcome.

They can remove the lymph nodes (Pelvic lymph node dissection) during surgery, and I am sure they would.

REB72, Best of luck. Please keep us updated on your next steps.

I understand your anxiety and worry. But you will likely have treatment options.

You should also be be proud of the life style changes you have made and the measurable results you can see in your health. You stopped smoking and drinking 3 months ago… you've lost 30 lbs, dropped your A1C significantly, and your blood pressure is back to normal!!! Congratulations ! That is really outstanding! You are doing positive things to improve your surgical outcome. It is amazing our bodies recuperative abilities once we stop bad habits and develop good habits. What you have done in the last 3 months is challenging for anyone to do. Congrats and keep it up!!

Best of luck in meeting with your urologist. We don't know each other but I suspect this isn't the first time your back has been against the wall. Take some time to consider all the challenges you've already faced in your life and how you faired in the long-run. You're far from being alone and with every tick of the clock you're closer to having this all behind you. Hang tough @REB72