Congrats on being back in flying mode!
nddons
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It went from 2.8 to 4.3 in a year. My primary physician saw that and sent me to the urologist. It was never detected by the "finger test." (technical medical term I think.
I think above 3 meant something for my age, as well as how fast it moved up, called "velocity." Your doc should be able to tell you if it's something to worry about. If I recall, other things can cause elevated PSAs, like BPH, etc. There is a very good book on this - Surviving Prostate Cancer by Patrick C. Walsh, MD.
Page 134 gives you PSA levels by age and velocities for when you should have a biopsy and when you can relax.
Ghery
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Mine was 4, but had gone up .75 over the preceding year. 4 in and of itself didn't mean much, but a velocity of .75 was boarderline. I didn't take chances, and like nddons, the doctor (and the urologist) didn't find anything with the DRE. Nor did anything show up on the ultrasound used to guide the biopsy. The biopsy, on the other hand, showed cancer. Had that removed a touch over 3 years ago and PSA has been "undetectable" since. And I want it to stay that way. Oh, and the SI was a snap when I applied for it. Between Bruce's advice and following the advice of the fine people in the Northwest Region Medical office it took 8 days from the date I dropped the paperwork in the mail (return receipt required) until the SI showed up in my mailbox.
+1 on Dr. Walsh's book. I actually had him do my RP and got to know him well....
PSA is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. The raw number is just a hint. Most use 3.0 as "let's look further" clue. The velocity is a bigger hint as it gives an indication of the aggressivness. .75 in a year is the usual trigger.
The biopsy is the diagnoctic test but you don't want it "just for fun!"
I don't think much of waiting to stage T2 (big enough to feel) but insurance companies sure do....
From an SI perspective PC is pretty easy, and it only lasts for a couple years then back in the normal pool..
Go fly quickly...It'll be cold in WI soon!
PSA is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. The raw number is just a hint. Most use 3.0 as "let's look further" clue. The velocity is a bigger hint as it gives an indication of the aggressivness. .75 in a year is the usual trigger.
The biopsy is the diagnoctic test but you don't want it "just for fun!"
I don't think much of waiting to stage T2 (big enough to feel) but insurance companies sure do....
From an SI perspective PC is pretty easy, and it only lasts for a couple years then back in the normal pool..
Go fly quickly...It'll be cold in WI soon!
nddons
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Wow, that's impressive. My surgeon's specialty is Walsh's nerve-sparing technique.
Ain't that the truth. I have a friend who had PC, and went the radiation route. Now his PSA is starting to elevate a little, and he may have to have another biopsy. I couldn't imagine doing that twice.
Cold is OK; ice is not - unless it's surrounded by gin.
AdamZ
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Adam Zucker
Stan thats great news!!
AcroBoy
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Jim N
To the OP, I happen to be a surgeon at the same hospital where you're being treated. The urologists have a great reputation- they are technically skilled and show great judgement. I would have complete confidence in their recommendations- you are in great hands and will get top notch care. Good luck.
Jack in Jax
Pre-Flight
To those reading this thread, there's an excellent, extremely helpful and very readable book directed to the layman (and his female SO) covering all aspects of understanding prostate cancer, the tests, the treatment options, and more. It's Dr. Peter Scardino's Prostate Book by [quite obviously] Peter Scardino. Scardino is the Chair of the Dept. of Urology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York. The book was on the NY Times best sellers list for months, amazing for a book with this subject and illustrative of how needed such a reference is. Clear illustrations, simply stated text, the latest research (as of 2005) cited and the research cites are offered, in case you want to really dig deep. Highly recommended.
Jack
Jack
Geico266
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skylanerg
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harpo
One of the most important and valuable threads on this board, ever. First time I looked, found and used the printable version feature. Learned last week of a hightened PSA so I may be beginning the process.
Stan, thank you. Great to hear of the successful outcome. And to all the BTDTs, God bless.
Stan, thank you. Great to hear of the successful outcome. And to all the BTDTs, God bless.
nddons
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Harpo, I'm with you. The Patrick Walsh book that I mentioned is a must-read, as it addresses other potential causes of elevated PSAs as well. Barnes and Noble or any decent sized bookstore should have it. It's very readable, and if a friend didn't overnight his dog-eared copy of that book to me the day I found out I had PC, I don't know what I would have done.
(I'm sure Jack's recommended book by Dr. Scardino is good as well.)
I pray that you don't have PC, but what I found out is that the world didn't end, and that as Dr. Bruce said, it is just a bump in the road.
nddons
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Harpo, here is a thread in the Medical Matters section of the red board forums called "My turn in the barrel". I thought it was very helpful:
ttp://forums.aopa.org/showthread.php?t=71517
If this doesn't open, you can find it there. The last post in the thread is from 4/20/11 so it's about 9 pages into that section.
U
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OP, my thoughts are with you.
Out of curiosity, what sort of diet is your doctor recommending for weight loss and optimal health following this diagnosis?
I have a ridiculous amount of weight to lose, and I'm also terrified of cancer.
Out of curiosity, what sort of diet is your doctor recommending for weight loss and optimal health following this diagnosis?
I have a ridiculous amount of weight to lose, and I'm also terrified of cancer.
nddons
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My doc said that it's very simple: reduce calories consumed, increase calories burned, or a combination thereof. They hooked me up with a nutritionist at the cancer center, and my wife and I met with her once. We discussed my eating habits, etc., and then came to an agreement to have a calorie budget of 1,800 calories/day.
At first we started counting calories religiously, but then I just "got it". I ate smart, avoided junk food and fast food, and ate smaller portions. I got pretty sick of salads, but otherwise never really felt denied. There was no "magic bullet" diet or anything.
I also worked out nearly every day. I can't run (3 knee surgeries) but did hill programs on the treadmill and some rowing. I stopped lifting as I wasn't going to get credit for building muscle mass.
I lost 36 lbs in about 4 1/2 months. I've gained about 5 back, but have started to work out again, so that will come off.
Goofy
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Goofy
Anybody remember this ridiculous conclusion foisted on us by our friends in government:
An influential government panel today recommended against routinely screening healthy men with a blood test for prostate cancer. The U.S. Preventive Task Force said that the widely used PSA test leads to more harm in treatment side effects than good in saving lives.
Well, sanity has finally prevailed:
Researchers analyzed information from the time before and after PSA testing became widespread, and found that screening using the PSA test prevents an estimated 17,000 cases of advanced prostate cancer
in the United States each year. The average survival rate of men with advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of their body at diagnosis is one to two and a half years, the researchers said. In contrast, nearly 100 percent of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early stage, before it has spread to other areas, are alive five years later, according to the American Cancer Society.
So if anyone, including the revered Dr. Bruce, try and tell you to ignore common sense and buy the bassakward conclusions of a government panel - laugh and run like hell.
An influential government panel today recommended against routinely screening healthy men with a blood test for prostate cancer. The U.S. Preventive Task Force said that the widely used PSA test leads to more harm in treatment side effects than good in saving lives.
Well, sanity has finally prevailed:
Researchers analyzed information from the time before and after PSA testing became widespread, and found that screening using the PSA test prevents an estimated 17,000 cases of advanced prostate cancer
So if anyone, including the revered Dr. Bruce, try and tell you to ignore common sense and buy the bassakward conclusions of a government panel - laugh and run like hell.
Ghery
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Ghery Pettit
Anybody remember this ridiculous conclusion foisted on us by our friends in government:
An influential government panel today recommended against routinely screening healthy men with a blood test for prostate cancer. The U.S. Preventive Task Force said that the widely used PSA test leads to more harm in treatment side effects than good in saving lives.
Well, sanity has finally prevailed:
Researchers analyzed information from the time before and after PSA testing became widespread, and found that screening using the PSA test prevents an estimated 17,000 cases of advanced prostate cancerin the United States each year. The average survival rate of men with advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of their body at diagnosis is one to two and a half years, the researchers said. In contrast, nearly 100 percent of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early stage, before it has spread to other areas, are alive five years later, according to the American Cancer Society.
So if anyone, including the revered Dr. Bruce, try and tell you to ignore common sense and buy the bassakward conclusions of a government panel - laugh and run like hell.
Well, mine was caught before the panel made their recommendation. In 2008. Caught it early, had it removed and I'm now 4 years post surgery. PSA still "undetectable". The concern is that even a biopsy won't tell if the cancer is agressive or not. Was mine? Beats me. Do I care at this point? It's done. Another year and I can get rid of the SI.
My non-medical educated advice remains to get your PSA checked regularly. As Yoda would put it, "Save your life, it can!"
U
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Going on year 14 years now and still kicking! A random test saved my butt in my early 40s....
flhrci
Final Approach
So, I have to ask any one that has had his prostate removed, any difference in your overall daily life? Feel different or normal? Taking any extra hormones? I am facing prostate cancer via genetics as I am 41. My Dad died from it 6.5 years ago and his Dad years earlier. So, the outlook is not so good.
So, any info I find on this I am reading.
David
So, any info I find on this I am reading.
David
Geico266
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Been a member of the club for 4 years now. No regrets... no hormones (hormones are a rare treatment), daily life is the same.
If you haven't already, read Dr. Pat Walsh's book. Twice. It covers everything.
Most importantly, once you choose your method of treatment, find a doctor who has done exactly that treatment hundreds of times. More than anything I can think of, experience matters.
The AME side of it is minimal. There's several threads about the process. Hopefully before you have to go through it the FAA will realize how silly their process is and eliminate the hoops, but if you kiss the ring you'll have an SI before you are wanting to fly anyways.
Cross your fingers. There are a lot of new breakthroughs in the pipeline...
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Ghery
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4+ years for me. Good advice above. The SI was a non-event. Called the NW regional folks, found out what they wanted, sent it to them (certified, return receipt required, name and pilot cert number at the top of each page - thanks, Dr. Bruce), and had a medical and SI in my hands in 8 days. It will be 5 years on July 11, 2013. I'll apply for a letter of eligibility after that and stop fooling with the SI business.
Effects on you will depend on your luck and the skill of the surgeon. Two sets of nerves run down the side of the prostate and in the best case both survive. One keeps you from wearing diapers and the other controls erections. Nick one and life is unpleasant. Nick the other and Viagra doesn't help. I don't need diapers.
Viagra doesn't help. Most importantly, PSA has been "undetectable" since the surgery and that is the best result of all.I hope you beat the odds and don't have to deal with this in the future. In the meantime, get your PSA checked every year and track the number.
nddons
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4+ years for me. Good advice above. The SI was a non-event. Called the NW regional folks, found out what they wanted, sent it to them (certified, return receipt required, name and pilot cert number at the top of each page - thanks, Dr. Bruce), and had a medical and SI in my hands in 8 days. It will be 5 years on July 11, 2013. I'll apply for a letter of eligibility after that and stop fooling with the SI business.
Effects on you will depend on your luck and the skill of the surgeon. Two sets of nerves run down the side of the prostate and in the best case both survive. One keeps you from wearing diapers and the other controls erections. Nick one and life is unpleasant. Nick the other and Viagra doesn't help. I don't need diapers.
I hope you beat the odds and don't have to deal with this in the future. In the meantime, get your PSA checked every year and track the number.
1+ year for me, undetectable PSA, similar but somewhat different results from Ghery, but absolutely no regrets. The peace of mind of having the cancer removed is priceless.
Things aren't the same. You'll need to do kegals for the rest of your life, but life resumed with normalcy about 4 months post op.
You're a young guy. Read the Patrick Walsh book. Then find the most experienced urologic surgeon you can find. Good luck.
U
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David, An earlier post recommended Proton Beam Therapy. The book to read is:
"You Can Beat Prostate Cancer - And You Don't Need Surgery To Do It" by Robert J. Marckini. I was treated at Indiana University Proton Therapy Center a year ago. No incontenance issues (what's a kegal exercise?) or impotence issues for me. (Age at treatment, 51, PSA 3.1, Gleason 6. T1C) When I read that 1 out of 200 die on the operating table, that was enough for me to continue research. Proton is THE least invasive procedure you can get for PC with the best results. Spend 20 minutes a day getting treatment, then go golfing, motorcycle riding, or whatever you want to do (including sex). You owe it to yourself (and your S.O.) to check it out! I knew I had picked the right treatment when I learned that about one forth of the patients at IUPTC were men who had had surgery and were now getting Proton radiation to cure their cancer. Good Luck!
steingar
Taxi to Parking
Or at my expense.
Heaven forbid someone should inconvenience you on their way off this mortal coil.