I (Don't) Have Prostate Cancer (Anymore): Follow Up To Other Thread

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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As a follow up to my original thread I Have Prostate Cancer.

I just got a call from my doctor and the blood test I took yesterday came back very good…my PSA levels have sunk and it looks like the radiation treatments worked just fine.

To fill you in, on 6/6/06 (what an appropriate date) I got the word that I had prostate cancer. Luckily, it was caught fairly early and I had a choice of all kinds of treatments. I opted for the least invasive - simple zaps of radiation, five days per week for a little over 8 weeks. Yes, there were a few side effects - some slightly painful urination after about week 5, and there were a few cases of “stand back, I am on my way to the restroom!!!”, plus some fatigue…but to be honest, it was really easy, other than the slight inconvenience of going there everyday for the 10 minute treatment.

I don’t go back to the doctor for my next check up for 3 months, and then every three months for at least a year…but basically, I have the prostate cancer under control and I have early detection to thank. (I won’t say it is cured, as the first blood test just shows the levels have sunk drastically, but they think the next test will show the levels dropping even further and for all practical purposes, I am calling it a victory - and in a few years, I can declare it an outright win.)

Please guys (and women who have guys in their lives), if you are over 40 or so, please go get that simple little blood test! The sooner it is detected, the easier it is to treat! Prostate cancer is one of the more treatable forms of cancer, when found early, with lots and lots of options for treatment.

At any rate, thanks to all for their good wishes in the earlier thread, and now it is my turn to wish you all well, and please - it is just a stupid little blood test that could make the difference of you being alive to vote in the next general election.

There are usually NO SYMPTOMS in early stages, so the only way to find out if you have prostate cancer is to take the blood test. Just get off your ass and do it! It really could be a matter of life or death.

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Great news!

From what I’ve heard, if your a male the only question is when you’ll get it, not if. My doctor seems to feel that if you live long enough, at some point you WILL be facing it.

Happy to hear some good news!

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Yes…my doctor told me every man on earth will get prostate cancer if they live long enough…in other words, some guys are lucky and get it very, very late in life when it probably is not their most major health concern. If I were 85 years old or so, they might have just taken a “watch and see” approach.

However, when you are young(er), it most certainly is a serious life and death threat and the sooner you find out, the better your chances are! Once it spreads, especially away from the prostate, you are in deep trouble. That is why guys should not be shy to get the simple blood test…as you mentioned, it is only a matter of time for every guy, so why not check now (while you can do something about it) instead of later?

Thanks for the congrats…have to admit, I am quite relieved as well!

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I remember your previous thread. I’m glad to hear it’s going well.

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Great news DMark! Guys, go get those PSA levels checked.

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Fantastic news, man. Way to go.

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Good to hear. Glad to hear the treatment wasn’t too horrendous, too.

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Thanks featherlou, and everyone else…the treatment was really quite easy…lay flat, get zapped, go home…took about 10 minutes each visit. Other than the minor side effects (which have, for the most part, all gone away in the four weeks since the treatments ended) it was nothing more than a bit tedious to go every day (5 days a week) for the 8 weeks.

This is why I am pushing for every guy to go get the test…in early stages, it is not a big deal, you can continue to work and go about your normal life and everything will be just hunky dory.

(Geez…I am starting to sound like Katie Couric…)

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Awesome news, DMark! Congratulations!