My father-n-law was diagnosed with it and used the seeds. Seems to be doing fine and it has been a few years, he is in his 60's.
My grandmother on my dad's side died of breast cancer but she never had checkups and by the time it was found it was too late.
My grandfather on my mom's side died of lung cancer but his was curable but he couldn't take the effects of kemo and decided to stop them. That is why keeping a positive attitude and being mentally strong is so important. He was a strong hard man who farmed all his life and even in the end he would get up every day and work in the field for say 30minutes at a time but he wasn't mentally ready to fight it out.
His son died of bone cancer and that is very painful to watch.
My other grandmother died of heart failure but also had lung cancer at the time in her 80's.
Cancer has been a "fear" of mine with the history but at 38 I can't mentally dwell on it as others have said our minds control more of our health than anyone really understands. Keep positive and make your decisions quickly.
My thoughts are with you...

 

Sparky, after reading the other posts it sounds like a real positive outcome is the norm. Best wishes to you.

 

You've caught it early, that's great! Second opinion, then go through whatever needs to be done. They have come a long way in curing this. My father waited way too long to see a Dr and it got him in 1996. But even since then, the proceedures are a really high rate of cure!

No use trying not to worry! Won't work! I survived cervical cancer some years ago. Keep the sense of humor and get all the information that you can. What everyone has said and what you will learn, I think will ease your mind some.

F---ing cancer...it sucks. Hang in there!

 

My best wishes for your recovery. Once you get to 50 one MUST go and get checked, in fact I go again in two weeks, (every 5 years now) this is one Cancer that can be avoided, but ya gotta go get cked after 50, then either 3 to 5 years after that depending on whats going on inside you. DO IT.

 

OK... For younger (or any) bucks: The gloved finger test is only an indicator of the possible need for one of two PSA blood tests (one is more fancy, more accurate, a bit more expensive than the other). A positive result there should cause you to have a biopsy done. The six or more samples are usually taken in one session. Unless emotional trauma of the biopsy test is an issue, there will be no sedation. The biopsy will take six or more tissue samples at the same test time. For many, there is no or little discomfort concerning the device that is inserted to take the samples. Every time the doc remotely triggers the tissue capture device, you will wince and feel some pain. You'll take antibiotics for a while to counter infection that the biopsy procedure could cause.

An annual exam for general health purposes, that specifically includes a blood test w/PSA, is great because a lot of other possible health probs can also beidentified via a blood screen.

 

My husband had a friend that passed last year from Prostate cancer.

All I can say is take care of it right away. I agree with the others about getting a second opinion on treatment options. But Hubby's friend put it off and it was not good at all.

They are doing remarkable things these days. Keep your chin up and trust in your ability to come through this...you can do it [sm=smiley31.gif]

 

Sparky....I went thru this a little while ago. A few days before Christmas I had the biopsy done and got the bad news for xmas....After much reading, studying and talking to the doc they made me an appointment to see a radiation specialist. There are basically three options. Radical surgery which is the complete removal of the prostate, readiation, and a "radiation seed" implant. The Radiologist stated he didn't think I was a canidate for the seed or radiation due to the advanced state of my cancer so I opted for the surgery.

According to my doc, once you have radiation, the surgery option becomes harder due to the complication of the radiation. Not exactly sure of the reasons but took his advice. There are also new methods of surgery, the standard one is a cut about 4 inches long below the belly button and a new procedure using computerized system that is apparently less invasive. Again, my case dictated I have the open surgery because they wanted to also remove some tissue around the area for biopsy.
I had the surgery the middle of Jan 07, and was home the 3rd day. I did have a cath for 5 days after. Uncomfortable but bearable. After the cath removal I had to wear pads due to leakage...a lot at first, but there are exercises to do to start to control that. Kegel.....do a search and you'll see what it is.
Guess I had a harder time than most as it took me about 8 months to get to one pad a day, and perhaps I wasn't as dilligent in my exercises as I should have been.
ED was and is an issue for me as they had to remove about half of the nerves controlling erections. Again every case is different...I had an advanced cancer and it invaded some of the surrounding nerves and tissue. Normally they make every effort to spare the nerves.

I am now 2 years post-op...I have an issue with a slight leak mostly in the evenings when I get tired. I am going to have a botox injection in a couple of weeks that should clear that up. (maybe they can do my eyes and lips too!!!)

ED is still an issue, even with meds...however it is getting better. No ejackulation is no fun....but goes with the surgery I had.
I am totally cancer free today. Had a complete bone scan and total body mri.

Cancer can and will scare the hell out of you....but I told my wife if I made it through this I was buying a Harley and riding every day I could.
I had the surgery in Jan of 07 and rode with the Run For The Wall in May of the same year starting in Limon Colorado all the way to DC and back. It is not the end of things but the beginning of a change in your outlook.

There is a great website for info and support
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35

Join the group and post any concerns you have. This place will help if you need it.
If I can be of any assistance please contact me too. My wife and I will pray for you and perhaps I'll meet up with you on the road somewhere and we can swap cancer tales....but you will get through this.
david

 

My father had this cnacer probably at least 10 years ago now (he is 60 now) and he is fine and cancer free. He has ahd different varities of cancer 4 other times as well and is as healthy as a horse, so you will most likely be fine.

 

Thank God for regular checkup's...
With todays technology etc...you have WAY more than a fighting chance...
The recovery #'s are getting mega good...

Follow the doc's instructions and get things done....

Wishing you all the best....and of course a "Speedy Recovery"

Remember recovery is huge depending on your mindset....
You can get through this and keep a damn positive attitude....

All the Best from Calgary, Alberta

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My Brother just went through this after several opinions weighing options decided full removal was the best course to go.. Has been almost a year now and he is fine and active again cancer free... Wishing you the best and prayers to you as well...