Just found out...what do we ask?

Mackem
Mackem Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Prostate Cancer #1
I found out last week that my Dad has prostate cancer...Gleason 8. It doesn't seem entirely real at this point. I only cry when I hear that my Dad has just heard something that has shook him about his PC, or when I read posts from people who are going through similar things, or when I talk to my family, because it makes the whole situation more real. I don't live around my parents so although he is constantly on my mind, I don't get the full impact of what he is going through. That seems hard hearted in a way, but I love my Dad tremendously. My Dad is confident that this will not negatively affect him, regardless of the outcome. He is so sweet...he wants my whole family to know how much he loves us. I think God can use what the devil has meant for evil and turn it around for good. All you men who are going through this same struggle, your posts and encouragements to total strangers are some of the most inspiring things I have heard. You truly are Men among men.

At this point I think it is important to know the right questions to ask the doctor when my Dad goes in to hear about his options. What are things that you gentlemen thought of asking your doctors and what are things you wished you had asked but didn't know to ask? My family is doing a lot of research on the internet, but it would help to have recommendations from fellow PC combatants.

Emily

Comments

  • lshick
    lshick Member Posts: 62
    #2
    Questions to ask
    I'm sorry you have to be here, but welcome. Lots of good people here to help you. A few places to start:

    PC Foundation: http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org/site/c.itIWK2OSG/b.189974/k.C0A4/Questions_to_Ask_Your_Doctor.htm

    Zero Cancer: http://www.zerocancer.org/site/PageServer?pagename=treat_decision_questions

    The ACS treatment option decision tool: https://www.cancer.nexcura.com/Secure/InterfaceSecure.asp?CB=265 will ask for a ton of information you won't have--fill it in as you get the facts, and it will point you to the numbers (and the underlying studies, if you want to go there) for the various treatment options.

    Others on this list will have their own preferences. Good luck. You didn't post any data on age or PSA or Gleason, but remember that he probably has plenty of time to think this through and do what's right for him.
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #3
    How old is your dad? My dad
    How old is your dad? My dad was diagnosed at age 67 with Prostate cancer was treated and is doing fine 12 years later.

    I'm 54 and was diagnosed about 7 weeks ago. Scheduled for Robotic surgery in August.

    This is a good forum.

    Larry
  • Bing
    Bing Member Posts: 10
    #4
    Questions.
    You are on the right track doing your research. I also spent many hours on line, and one site that helped me alot was yananow.com. Try it, as it helped answer alot of questions. As someone else said in an earlier post, your dad has time to make the decision that is best for him. Surgery was the answer for me, as I wanted the cancer out of me. I went with the Da Vinci robot, and my recovery time was short. The 2 weeks with the catheter was more aggravating than anything else was, for me. I hope the best for you and your dad. If he has any questions, I would be glad to tell him about my experience, as will anyone who posts here. Take care.
  • 2ndBase
    2ndBase Member Posts: 220
    #5
    Questions
    I recommend that whatever the doctor tells you to get a second opinion right away. If there is a good chance the cancer has already spread, it would be better to not have surgery and use hormone treatment with radiation following. The radiation will kill all the cancer in the prostate, I know this from experience and had it verified with a second biopsy several years later. Every man has to make the decision that seems right to him and that is all for the best. Tell your dad to get all the stress out of his life, as I did, and his life expectancy will increase alot. Some tests that the doctor may advise will be nebulous in effect and not necessary, ie bone scan. It is highly unlikely that anything will be seen in this test at this time. It is a rather slow growing cancer even in severe cases such as mine. Keeping positive with little worry works wonders. All the best to you and your dad.
  • Mackem
    Mackem Member Posts: 4
    #6
    lshick said:

    Questions to ask
    I'm sorry you have to be here, but welcome. Lots of good people here to help you. A few places to start:

    PC Foundation: http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org/site/c.itIWK2OSG/b.189974/k.C0A4/Questions_to_Ask_Your_Doctor.htm

    Zero Cancer: http://www.zerocancer.org/site/PageServer?pagename=treat_decision_questions

    The ACS treatment option decision tool: https://www.cancer.nexcura.com/Secure/InterfaceSecure.asp?CB=265 will ask for a ton of information you won't have--fill it in as you get the facts, and it will point you to the numbers (and the underlying studies, if you want to go there) for the various treatment options.

    Others on this list will have their own preferences. Good luck. You didn't post any data on age or PSA or Gleason, but remember that he probably has plenty of time to think this through and do what's right for him.

    I appreciate the information
    I appreciate the information so much. My dad is 55. I believe his PSA was 5, but the doctors said he had Gleason 8 Prostate Cancer. I have heard that things get harry with Gleason 8-10, so I am worried. I will check out the websites you mentioned. I also heard that a book called "Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer" is really good, so I have ordered that from amazon.com. Thank you for taking the time to help.
  • Mackem
    Mackem Member Posts: 4
    #7
    2ndBase said:

    Questions
    I recommend that whatever the doctor tells you to get a second opinion right away. If there is a good chance the cancer has already spread, it would be better to not have surgery and use hormone treatment with radiation following. The radiation will kill all the cancer in the prostate, I know this from experience and had it verified with a second biopsy several years later. Every man has to make the decision that seems right to him and that is all for the best. Tell your dad to get all the stress out of his life, as I did, and his life expectancy will increase alot. Some tests that the doctor may advise will be nebulous in effect and not necessary, ie bone scan. It is highly unlikely that anything will be seen in this test at this time. It is a rather slow growing cancer even in severe cases such as mine. Keeping positive with little worry works wonders. All the best to you and your dad.

    Thank you. My dad has
    Thank you. My dad has Gleason 8 PC which, from all I have read thus far, I believe is a severe case. Initially he was hearing a lot about the cryosurgery, then about the robotic surgery, but with his being a Gleason 8 we are worried that that means the cancer is not contained in the Prostate. So thank you for your insight, I will relay the information to my dad about the hormone treatment and radiation. Bless you for your concern and willingness to help.
  • Mackem
    Mackem Member Posts: 4
    #8
    lewvino said:

    How old is your dad? My dad
    How old is your dad? My dad was diagnosed at age 67 with Prostate cancer was treated and is doing fine 12 years later.

    I'm 54 and was diagnosed about 7 weeks ago. Scheduled for Robotic surgery in August.

    This is a good forum.

    Larry

    My dad is 55. I believe his
    My dad is 55. I believe his PSA was 5, but his diagnosis was for Gleason 8 PC. My parents aren't sure which treatment to go with right now. They will be talking to the doctor in a few days.
  • wxman
    wxman Member Posts: 19
    #9
    lewvino said:

    How old is your dad? My dad
    How old is your dad? My dad was diagnosed at age 67 with Prostate cancer was treated and is doing fine 12 years later.

    I'm 54 and was diagnosed about 7 weeks ago. Scheduled for Robotic surgery in August.

    This is a good forum.

    Larry

    appointment with Dr. Smith Friday 6/26th
    My husband was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer at 47. We have an appointment with
    Dr. Smith this coming Friday. Anxious to discuss treatment options.I signed up for this site
    so my husband was converse with other men who have been through this also. I hope your surgery goes well on the 12th of August.

    Denise
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #10
    wxman said:

    appointment with Dr. Smith Friday 6/26th
    My husband was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer at 47. We have an appointment with
    Dr. Smith this coming Friday. Anxious to discuss treatment options.I signed up for this site
    so my husband was converse with other men who have been through this also. I hope your surgery goes well on the 12th of August.

    Denise

    Are you seeing Dr. Smith at
    Are you seeing Dr. Smith at Vanderbilt? That is who I'm scheduled with for my surgery. If you or your husband want to shoot me a note offline I'm at lewvino@yahoo.com age 54.
    Larry
  • wxman
    wxman Member Posts: 19
    #11
    lewvino said:

    Are you seeing Dr. Smith at
    Are you seeing Dr. Smith at Vanderbilt? That is who I'm scheduled with for my surgery. If you or your husband want to shoot me a note offline I'm at lewvino@yahoo.com age 54.
    Larry

    Dr. Smith
    Hi Larry,

    I did see Dr. Smith, but do not have an appointment scheduled yet. I'm having the robotic surgery.

    wxman
  • lewvino
    lewvino Member Posts: 1,010
    #12
    wxman said:

    Dr. Smith
    Hi Larry,

    I did see Dr. Smith, but do not have an appointment scheduled yet. I'm having the robotic surgery.

    wxman

    Dr. Smith at Vanderbilt is
    Dr. Smith at Vanderbilt is doing my Surgery on August 12th. Let me know what you decide.

    Larry
  • user1
    user1 Member Posts: 4
    #13
    Mackem said:

    Thank you. My dad has
    Thank you. My dad has Gleason 8 PC which, from all I have read thus far, I believe is a severe case. Initially he was hearing a lot about the cryosurgery, then about the robotic surgery, but with his being a Gleason 8 we are worried that that means the cancer is not contained in the Prostate. So thank you for your insight, I will relay the information to my dad about the hormone treatment and radiation. Bless you for your concern and willingness to help.

    HIFU
    you should research HIFU...High Intensity Focused Ultrasound...

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