OT But....

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: OT But....
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 07:57 pm:

I've debated with myself about posting this and have alternately decided to post and to not post. Finally I thought it can't hurt and it might help one of you. So....

Many (most?) of us are somewhere from age 50 and up (I'm 64). We enjoy the Model T hobby and take delight in it as well as in our families and friends. However, it is not possible to enjoy these things if we are ill or, worse yet, dead. In that spirit I offer my recent experience.

About 4 months ago I went to my doctor for a routine check-up/physical. In the course of the exam, based on the "digital" exam, he told me that my prostate was "nodular". So, he referred me to a urologyst who examined me and decided I needed a biopsy of my prostate.

The biopsy consists of 12 needle core tissue samples, 6 from each side. My results indicated all 6 on one side and 4 out of 6 on the other side were positive, meaning I have prostate cancer. My "Gleason score" was 3 + 3, meaning that my biopsy pathology indicated I was low risk and had a 90% chance of living out my lifespan without further problems from the prostate cancer once treated. "Treated" means, in my case, a radical prostatectomy.

So, I did some research. The choices for a radical prostatectomy are traditional surgery vs. laproscopic surgery. The advantages of laproscopic surgury are less surgical blood loss, quicker recovery, and less post surgical side effects. So, I opted for the laproscopic surgery.

My surgery was on July 3. At this point I'm doing fine as far as recovery from the surgery. However, once they got the thing (my prostate gland) out of me and had a chance to slice and dice it, my Gleason score changed from the 3 + 3 to 4 + 5. This means that I now have a 50/50 chance of a recurrence over the next 10 years. So, I'll live in a state of terror for the rest of my life, but I'm glad and lucky to have been diagnosed and treated.

What's important and what I'm writing this thread for is to tell you that there were no symptoms. Without my doctor's exam, referral and diagnosis any treatment would have been too late. By the time you have prostate cancer symptoms it's usually too late to do much about it.

Go to your doctor, get your exams, be proactive! Your life depends on it!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed in California on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 08:58 pm:

I had a camera rotor rooter, and it came up clean. It was no big deal, other than the milkshake of doom they make you drink the day before. i told some of my friends, and I was shocked how few were willing to have a camera put up their rear, due to being too "proud" or embarrassed to have it done. It is a welcome relief when you come up clean. Henry, you will be fine, I also know several guys who have had similar circumstances as yours, and they are still chugging along after surgery. Hope you get better soon.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Manuel Voyages, ACT Australia on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 09:28 pm:

Thanks Henry
and Good Luck. I hope it does not come back.

Manuel in Oz


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Bergmann Sydney - Australia on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 09:53 pm:

Just lost a friend of 46 years to Prostate Cancer. So do what Henry says. Go to your doctor, get your exams, be proactive! Your life depends on it!!!
Bowel cancer survivor 1989....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Aldrich Orting Wa on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 10:28 pm:

Prostate Cancer... the most curable cancer there is. Guys... GIT R' DONE!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carl Sorenson-Lake Arrowhead,CA on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 10:54 pm:

Thank you Henry........This site is not only about Ts,,,,but about T Guys and Gals.......It takes some "humph"(what my Dad used to say) to put yourself through all it takes to be heathy......thanks for posting and a Speedie recovery to you Sir.........If you help just "ONE" person ..all your words were worth it.........Carl&Jacque Sorenson....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 11:02 pm:

Good luck Henry!

A few years after the PSA tests came out I asked my family doctor about having one and he suggested I skip that as WAY too many false positives were indicated.
Just very recently I read where PSA tests will no longer be recommended for that reason.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevensalzberg/2012/06/24/psa-tests-might-hurt-a-lot -more-than-you-think/

I chose the Forbes article as they have no reason to be biased.

That said, I lost a good friend to prostate cancer too and he KNEW he had "something" but never said anything until it was too late.
So there are three choices....a finger up the butt now and then, the view from the inside of a coffin or the heat of a crematory.
As John said: GIT R' DONE!

Now, with year 61 around the corner, I oughta go in for a colonoscopy .........ARGH.......


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 11:16 pm:

I had a colonoscopy about five years ago and am overdue for another. Guess I will take a deep breath and go for it.

If you've never read this, you will probably enjoy it.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2009/02/11/427603/dave-barry-a-journey-into-my-colon. html


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Schedler, Sacramento on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 11:43 pm:

In 2003 a few of my biopsies were a Gleason 7. I went through 40 or 41 IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) treatments and my PSA has been below 0.7 ever since. They say the PSA test is a bit erratic, but I think it is a good indicator that something is (or isn't) going on. I DON'T agree that they should stop using it. I think that a PSA trend is worthwhile.

My wife would no longer be with me it wasn't for a Colonoscopy that found some bad stuff. Why are we so skittish about getting something done that will save our lives. GET R' DONE!!!!!!! Us older guys have to take advantage of health care that may not be available to us in the near future.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Craig Anderson, central Wisconsin on Saturday, August 04, 2012 - 11:49 pm:

Colonoscopies must be VERY worthwhile.
Even my bare-bones, $2500 deductible, health insurance policy covers them.....FREE!
They wouldn't be doing that if there weren't mega dollars to be saved by nailing cancer before it starts.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Sunday, August 05, 2012 - 12:13 am:

Well,my grandmother died of cancer back in about 90.
Breast cancer is where it started,then at the end,a grapefruit size brain tumor.
The kicker is,my grandpal was so skeered of her being examined by a Male doctor,he wouldnt let her go to the doctor till something got really bad and then it was to late.
He later died of colon cancer.His didnt show a sign till 1 day he was stretching barb wire and something literaly busted in his intestion and he went to the doctor covered in blood.Again,to late for any help to do much good.
The crap we fear the most is the least harmfull and sometimes the most helpfull stuff.
I have had prostate swelling for years.other people say it is because I aint chased the women enough :>0.Anyhow,Either way I have had the "test" and it aint killed me yet.
All the advice given above is to be followed for a longer life.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Sunday, August 05, 2012 - 02:38 am:

A friend knew a woman who was given the cocktail for colonoscopy, and complained of something wrong. They ignored her, and she ended up on dialysis, and died a year later.

Thousands die every year from medical mistakes.

rdr


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gerry .D .Best (NZ) on Sunday, August 05, 2012 - 06:39 am:

Hi Folks,
Thankyou Henery for the tread, Iam booked in tomorrow for a test,it is very important for us men young and old.Where I work we have had five men being treated for postrate cancer at the presant time,Look after your selves.
Cheers Gerryde(NZ)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Halpin on Sunday, August 05, 2012 - 07:52 am:

Went through a prostate biopsy about 3 weeks ago. so far, do good. Those of us who are life members of the 'Agent Orange Health Club' from Viet Nam, go through a lot of different cancer tests each year through the VA.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Sunday, August 05, 2012 - 10:33 am:

Since Vietnam became the worlds #2 producer of coffee I joke about the taste of Agent Orange in it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Sunday, August 05, 2012 - 12:05 pm:

Henry,
You are 64. In 10 years you will be 74 which is about the average life expectancy for a man. You have a 50% chance of reaching the average life expectancy! Do you realize that average means some die before 74 and others live past 74? Nobody wants to have cancer, or likes to have surgery, but I believe you did the right thing. Just don't worry for the rest of your life! We will all die some day. You have a warning, but others, like myself, don't have a warning. I have known many who died unexpectedly. The important thing in life is to be prepared spiritually.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eugene Adams on Sunday, August 05, 2012 - 02:40 pm:

Henry, Thank you for bringing up this important subject.
I have a neighbor (my age 87) who had a procedure called Green Light Laser Surgery 2 yrs. years ago.
Reading this post prompted me to email his wife and ask how he is doing. He doesn’t use the computer at all.
They did go up his wee wee and had a nurse come to his home to check his wee wee several times.
Lots of discussion on Google. Google ( green light laser for prostate ) without the parentheses.

About 20 years ago I was getting up 4-5 times a night for a quick pee. I had heard about and started taking Selenium. I forgot about looking for results and many many months later I realized that I wasn’t getting up as often. I have since added http://www.betterlife.com/product/beta-sitosterol-mega-strength-375-mg/11453
It is the main ingredient in the highly advertised (try it free) Super Beta Prostate. gif

Now, I might get up once. Many times not at all.
There are online vitamin companies that can sell vitamins a lot cheaper than picking them up at a local vitamin shop. Swansonvitamin.com & betterlife.com to mention a couple.
I use betterlife.com almost monthly. Free mailing over $75

Gene


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker on Sunday, August 05, 2012 - 03:36 pm:

Henry,

Thank you for posting. I think it is T related -- if we want to grow old and enjoy our Ts we need to take care of the driver (that would be us). I am so thankful we live when we do. The day George Washington died, they let a pint of blood out of him to help him get better. They have made great strides in medicine -- and I am thankful. As stated several times before "get 'r done." I wish a speedy recovery and that you will be back working on your Ton Truck soon.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Sunday, August 05, 2012 - 05:01 pm:

I too will add my thanks to Henry for the very important information.
I read all the posts so far with interest.
Since about 2001 I have taken Beta Prostate and lately I also take Prostate Revive.
I only take one each day, sometimes none.
I am now 6 months past 75 so I guess I have beat the odds.
Oh, I still have to get up about 5 or 6 AM even though I drink weak tea right up until bed time.
I think lots of exersize is the most important thing to keep all of our organs and joints healthy. It won't do your brain any harm either. Lots of blood circulation is like water for plants.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman - Sumner,WA on Sunday, August 05, 2012 - 05:27 pm:

Radical prostatectomy, hormone therepy and 7 weeks of daily radiation treatments in 2006. I went pretty much the same route as Henry. All of that kinda' screws ya' up in several different ways, however, feel great and all that is certainly better than prostate cancer! Cancer free for 6 years now as of this September! My cancer was just found due to routine physical exam and a family doctor that was smart enough to send me to a good urologist to check on reason for a just slightly elevated PSA level. He (and the good Lord that sent me to all the right medical professionals) saved my life as the urologist felt the need for a biopsy which revealed cancer.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By john ellingson on Thursday, November 08, 2012 - 12:59 am:

That's so true! It's important to take care of your prostate and keep yourself in top shape to avoid any kind of illness later in life. My two cents here - lose weight if you're obese, cut back on alcohol and high-fat diet, quit smoking, and work out. And yes, sex is good! Ejaculation empties the prostate and keeps it healthy! As Eugene Adams suggested, Dietary supplements like Super Beta Prostate can help to maintain a healthy prostate. It contains Beta Sitosterol, an ester that's known to maintain healthy functioning of the prostate. And most importantly, visit the doctor for regular check-ups when you turn 40!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Thursday, November 08, 2012 - 05:38 pm:

Sounds like a search engine; find keywords anywhere that may relate to product sold. Check out, sign up, pretend to be fellow aficionado while posting potentially hazardous and completely off subject links.
Drive carefully, and wear a funny hat! W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Halpin on Thursday, November 08, 2012 - 11:46 pm:

I just went through a prostate biopsy a month or so ago so far, so good. Part of my outfit in in Viet Nam were the guys spraying 'Agent Orange' all over the place. I'm 67 and a prime candidate for various kinds of cancer. The VA puts me through all kinds of cancer tests on a semi annual basis.
Since I'm taking all kinds of other VA prescribed pills, I can't just decide that something I see on TV will work for fear of conflicting side effects. They prescribed me 'Tamsulosin' marketed as 'Flomax' on the open market.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Friday, November 09, 2012 - 01:16 am:

The latest is if your colonoscopy comes up clean, you don't ever need a repeat.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey, N. California on Friday, November 09, 2012 - 01:25 am:

In my experience, the worse part of the Colonoscopy is the prep. I had to drink what seemed like gallons of the stuff--no need for Colon-blast! All I remember of the procedure was some pushing at my rear, me saying, "I usually only let my wife do that!" and I was out.
Now Linda had hers, and she cheated--she only had to take a few pills.
Well, we both had to spend a tremendous amount of time on "the throne" and I think we plugged the septic tank! :-)
T'
David D.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Schedler, Sacramento on Friday, November 09, 2012 - 01:48 am:

It's been 10 years since my radiation. I hope all stays well forever, or acts up before 2014 when some non medical panel looks at my age and decides I don't need any more medical procedures. Our land of the free and home of the brave just got crapped on.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Halpin on Friday, November 09, 2012 - 06:41 am:

Yup, went through one of them a while back too.
Having to learn to do this kind of stuff would have washed me out of medical school in a heartbeat.


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