[Leica] Elder prostate wisdom

[Steve Barbour]

Sent from my iPhone
Steve Barbour

On Feb 21, 2015, at 4:35 AM, Sonny Carter <sonc.hegr at gmail.com> wrote:

As in all things medical, it is essential to make certain of the credentials of your physician.

This is one area that gets an abundance of research, and a good share of fakery as well.

In the few years since I heard my news, diagnosis and treatment have advanced tremendously; MRI was not an option then.  Don't be deceived, though, make sure the equipment is capable of seeing small tumors.  

Cancer cells won't hurt you much, it's the tumors that do the damage.  As Steve said, most men will get prostate cancer cells if they live long enough. 

Find a doctor you love and trust.  You're embarking on a journey that will take a while.  You might as well get a bus driver who will deliver you safely on the trip.

This disease changed my life in more ways than I can tell you, and I won't go into all of that here, but this past December, I got the good news again that I'm cancer free. That's always music to my ears.


I have two questions Sonny.
1. If you will be requesting an MRI is it wise to get a baseline MRI, like now?
2. As I recall, George had an apparent rise in PS.A. from 3. To 7 something in about 3 years.... So roughly a doubling...  Seems slow, questionable?? Meaningful?
Your thoughts?  This sort of result in 6 or 8 months would get my attention. Any experience with this? rate of rise? I would do a PSA again now just to validate the numbers.
I would take this off the list now unless others may find this sort of discussion helpful to them.



Sent from my iPad

> On Feb 21, 2015, at 12:26 AM, Steve Barbour <steve.barbour at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
>> On Feb 20, 2015, at 5:23 PM, George Lottermoser <george.imagist at icloud.com> wrote:
>> 
>> thanks for weighing in on this Steve.
>> I'd hope to hear a bit from you.
>> 
>> Though I'm confused by the metaphor…
>> are you referring to the Medical System Bus?
>> or
>> are you referring to the bus i'm on as i continue on my journey?
> 
> 
> George,
> 
> Live your life fully and enjoy it.  At this point the "bus", or the trajectory of the workup to be done, are one and the same... I see no reason to do other than what you have said George.
> 
> Whether you consider old guidelines, or the new ones, or ignore them both and use common sense, I suspect you have findings that ask for some resolution.
> 
> Be aware of any new symptoms, listen carefully to expert advice, get second opinions, obtain an MRI, follow PSA values closely, if the apparant rise continues, or not, or if it reverses, it will be important and must be confirmed.
> 
> I am not a urologist, I am a non expert, so I can only tell you what I would do, if I found myself in your situation...I have no interest in this approach beyond your own. You must be comfortable and feel free to discuss it with loved ones and your doctor. I sincerely hope this will help.
> 
> Steve
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> 
>> My thoughts at the moment:
>> okay. I'll make an appt with a urologist.
>> I'll listen to what he has to say.
>> unless given a helluva good reason to do otherwise
>> I'll follow the most conservative, non invasive means of monitoring my prostate
>> i.e. mri before biopsy - etc.
>> 
>> thanks again and have a wonderful weekend.
>> 
>> a note off the iPad, George
>> 
>> On Feb 20, 2015, at 6:36 PM, Steve Barbour <steve.barbour at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> hard to conclude now, that it's wise to stop the bus.
>> 
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> 
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