Biopsy next week

I'm a bit nervous. I'm 46, my PSA was 1.4 last year, 1.4 after a small
kidney stone episode last month (and a subsequent visit to the
urologist) and 1.0 a couple weeks later as prescribed by my GP.

The urologist wants the biopsy because of a "firmness" on one side of
my prostate. He told me it's probably nothing, but wants to be
careful.

I know that the statistics for an abnormal DRE with normal PSA is
about 9% positive for cancer, so that's a bit of a comfort.

Any words of wisdom or support GREATLY appreciated.

John

On May 6, John wrote:

> I'm a bit nervous. I'm 46, my PSA was 1.4 last year, 1.4 after a small
> kidney stone episode last month (and a subsequent visit to the
> urologist) and 1.0 a couple weeks later as prescribed by my GP.

(snip)

I recommend making sure that the surgeon takes steps to assure that the
procedure is painless.

Notwithstanding the naysayers, there simply is no way for an individual
to know whether he will be lucky and escape without pain, or unlucky and
undergo what has been described as agony.

Why gamble?

Here is an article on the subject:
http://prostate-cancer.org/resource/....php4?id=35580

I also recommend that by way of second opinion, since the biopsy results
are of supreme importance, the specimens be examined by a pathology lab
that specializes in such work. The cost is about $350 (more for
additional services) and I understand that it is covered by insurance
and Medicare.

In enlightened jurisdictions, those specimens are the property of the
patient and no one else. Assert your authority as necessary.

Here is a list of specialist labs:

Bostwick Laboratories [800] 214-6628
Dianon Laboratories [800] 328-2666 (select 5 for client services)
Jon Epstein (Hopkins) [410] 955-5043 or [410] 955-2162
David Grignon (Michigan) [313] 745-2520
Jon Oppenheimer (Tennessee) [888] 868-7522
UroCor, Inc. [800] 411-1839

Good luck.

Regards,

Steve J

“Prostate cancer is often described as a curable disease made incurable
by late diagnosis."
--David Wright, Advanced PCa patient
East Comiston, Scotland

On Tue, 6 May 2008 11:06:04 -0700 (PDT), John <jcarney44@verizon.net>
wrote:

>I'm a bit nervous. I'm 46, my PSA was 1.4 last year, 1.4 after a small
>kidney stone episode last month (and a subsequent visit to the
>urologist) and 1.0 a couple weeks later as prescribed by my GP.
>
>The urologist wants the biopsy because of a "firmness" on one side of
>my prostate. He told me it's probably nothing, but wants to be
>careful.
>
>I know that the statistics for an abnormal DRE with normal PSA is
>about 9% positive for cancer, so that's a bit of a comfort.
>
>Any words of wisdom or support GREATLY appreciated.
>
>John


Hi John. Nobody can possibly know but with a fall in your latest PSA
and a low reading at that, is it possible that your uro is being
alarmist and drumming up unnecessary work? Might you consider, even
at this late stage, getting an independant review of that DRE?

Are there other factors? PCa in your forebears?

If you do have PCa, I'd expect at such a tender age and with a low PSA
you've caught it early and so you've the luxury of time on your side
to consider all the options.

If taking a bet on your outcome were compulsory, I'd bet on your being
ok - but I must re-state, nobody knows.

Take it easy, in our world things usually move slowly at the start.
Best of luck.

On May 6, 2:26*pm, rosbif wrote:
> On Tue, 6 May 2008 11:06:04 -0700 (PDT), John <jcarne...@verizon.net>
> wrote:
>
> >I'm a bit nervous. I'm 46, my PSA was 1.4 last year, 1.4 after a small
> >kidney stone episode last month (and a subsequent visit to the
> >urologist) and 1.0 a couple weeks later as prescribed by my GP.
>
> >The urologist wants the biopsy because of a "firmness" on one side of
> >my prostate. He told me it's probably nothing, but wants to be
> >careful.
>
> >I know that the statistics for an abnormal DRE with normal PSA is
> >about 9% positive for cancer, so that's a bit of a comfort.
>
> >Any words of wisdom or support GREATLY appreciated.
>
> >John
>
> Hi John. *Nobody can possibly know but with a fall in your latest PSA
> and a low reading at that, is it possible that your uro is being
> alarmist and drumming up unnecessary work? *

This has crossed my mind.

> Might you consider, even
> at this late stage, getting an independant review of that DRE?

Not really.


> Are there other factors? *PCa in your forebears?

Nope. No family history of any cancer.

> If you do have PCa, I'd expect at such a tender age and with a low PSA
> you've caught it early and so you've the luxury of time on your side
> to consider all the options.
>
> If taking a bet on your outcome were compulsory, I'd bet on your being
> ok - but I must re-state, nobody knows.
>
> Take it easy, in our world things usually move slowly at the start.
> Best of luck. *

Thanks very much for your thoughful reply.

John

On Tue, 6 May 2008 11:34:08 -0700 (PDT), John <jcarney44@verizon.net>
wrote:

>> Might you consider, even
>> at this late stage, getting an independant review of that DRE?
>
>Not really.

In any case, now that the process is in train you'd probably worry
that failure by a second uro to find the firm spot was through lack of
skill rather than absence of suspicion.

Hope the biopsy is uneventful. As Steve J advises, make sure you ask
for help with pain control. I had three biopsies in all, soft
flicking elastic band was the sensation, in my case amplified by fear
and feeling tense but much more imagined than real. Couple of hours of
vague and entirely untroubling soreness afterwards.

Please let us know the result!

On May 6, 3:58*pm, rosbif wrote:
> On Tue, 6 May 2008 11:34:08 -0700 (PDT), John <jcarne...@verizon.net>
> wrote:
>
> >> Might you consider, even
> >> at this late stage, getting an independant review of that DRE?
>
> >Not really.
>
> In any case, now that the process is in train you'd probably worry
> that failure by a second uro to find the firm spot was through lack of
> skill rather than absence of suspicion.
>
> Hope the biopsy is uneventful. *As Steve J advises, make sure you ask
> for help with pain control. *I had three biopsies in all, soft
> flicking elastic band was the sensation, in my case amplified by fear
> and feeling tense but much more imagined than real. Couple of hours of
> vague and entirely untroubling soreness afterwards.
>
> Please let us know the result!

I will. I do take Xanax on occasion. I'll also load up on that before
the procedure.

On May 6, John replied to "rosbif":

> I do take Xanax on occasion. I'll also load up on that before
> the procedure.

Xanax affects the central nervous system. I urgently recommend that the
medic be consulted before self-medication is attempted. Note: it is not
an analgesic (pain killer).

See: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/alpraz.htm

Regards,

Steve J

John wrote:
>
> I will. I do take Xanax on occasion. I'll also load up on that before
> the procedure.

Only with your GP and uro's cooperation, I hope. That is definitely NOT
a benign drug and has numerous interactions with food and other drugs.
You should also have someone else drive you while on it.

I.P.

"John" <jcarney44@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:72312379-b8d2-4f44-8d99-1254e50acbe3@m45g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> I'm a bit nervous. I'm 46, my PSA was 1.4 last year, 1.4 after a small
> kidney stone episode last month (and a subsequent visit to the
> urologist) and 1.0 a couple weeks later as prescribed by my GP.
>
> The urologist wants the biopsy because of a "firmness" on one side of
> my prostate. He told me it's probably nothing, but wants to be
> careful.
>
> I know that the statistics for an abnormal DRE with normal PSA is
> about 9% positive for cancer, so that's a bit of a comfort.
>
> Any words of wisdom or support GREATLY appreciated.

Buy low, sell high, and don't worry about statistics until you find whether
you're one of the 9% or of the 91%.

At 46 a 1.4 and a 1.0 are good news. "Firmness" on one side of the prostate
is cause for a biopsy, but not cause for worry, concern, or alarm.

Assuming you haven't had a succession of PSAs from which to determine a
pattern, I think a biopsy is a good idea. It can be painless and cathartic.



--
PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins
PSA <.1 <.1 <.1 .27 .37 .75 PSAD 0.19 years
EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 PSAD .056 years
Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 and every 4 months there after
PSA .07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 .145 PSAD 1.4 years
Casodex added daily 07/06
PSA <0.04, <0.05, <0.04, <0.04, <0.1 2/12/08
Non Illegitimi Carborundum

On May 6, 7:45*pm, "Steve Kramer" <skra...@cinci.rr.com> wrote:
> "John" <jcarne...@verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> news:72312379-b8d2-4f44-8d99-1254e50acbe3@m45g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
>
> > I'm a bit nervous. I'm 46, my PSA was 1.4 last year, 1.4 after a small
> > kidney stone episode last month (and a subsequent visit to the
> > urologist) and 1.0 a couple weeks later as prescribed by my GP.
>
> > The urologist wants the biopsy because of a "firmness" on one side of
> > my prostate. He told me it's probably nothing, but wants to be
> > careful.
>
> > I know that the statistics for an abnormal DRE with normal PSA is
> > about 9% positive for cancer, so that's a bit of a comfort.
>
> > Any words of wisdom or support GREATLY appreciated.
>
> Buy low, sell high, and don't worry about statistics until you find whether
> you're one of the 9% or of the 91%.
>
> At 46 a 1.4 and a 1.0 are good news. *"Firmness" on one side of the prostate
> is cause for a biopsy, but not cause for worry, concern, or alarm.
>
> Assuming you haven't had a succession of PSAs from which to determine a
> pattern, I think a biopsy is a good idea. *It can be painless and cathartic.
>
> --
> PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
> Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
> RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins
> PSA *<.1 *<.1 *<.1 *.27 *.37 *.75 * * * * * *PSAD 0.19 years
> EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
> PSA *.34 .22 .15 .21 .32 * * * * * * * * * * * PSAD .056 years
> Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 and every 4 months there after
> PSA *.07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 .145 * * * PSAD 1.4 years
> Casodex added daily 07/06
> PSA <0.04, <0.05, <0.04, <0.04, <0.1 *2/12/08
> Non Illegitimi Carborundum

Second on the pain relief. The biopsy was the worst part of my
diagnosis and treatment.

Best of luck and check back in. If you come out in the 9%, know that
there are a few of us younger guys in this group.

PSA 2.6 10/05, 3.3 10/06, 3.3 (9% Free) 1/07, 4.1 4/15/07 @ 44
> Biopsy 6/15/2007 G6 (3+3), T1c
> RRP 10/2/2007 G6 (3+3), T2cN0M0 Neg margins
> PSA 1/08 <.1

On May 7, 7:08*pm, El Woody <El.Woody...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 6, 7:45*pm, "Steve Kramer" <skra...@cinci.rr.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > "John" <jcarne...@verizon.net> wrote in message
>
> >news:72312379-b8d2-4f44-8d99-1254e50acbe3@m45g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
>
> > > I'm a bit nervous. I'm 46, my PSA was 1.4 last year, 1.4 after a small
> > > kidney stone episode last month (and a subsequent visit to the
> > > urologist) and 1.0 a couple weeks later as prescribed by my GP.
>
> > > The urologist wants the biopsy because of a "firmness" on one side of
> > > my prostate. He told me it's probably nothing, but wants to be
> > > careful.
>
> > > I know that the statistics for an abnormal DRE with normal PSA is
> > > about 9% positive for cancer, so that's a bit of a comfort.
>
> > > Any words of wisdom or support GREATLY appreciated.
>
> > Buy low, sell high, and don't worry about statistics until you find whether
> > you're one of the 9% or of the 91%.
>
> > At 46 a 1.4 and a 1.0 are good news. *"Firmness" on one side of the prostate
> > is cause for a biopsy, but not cause for worry, concern, or alarm.
>
> > Assuming you haven't had a succession of PSAs from which to determine a
> > pattern, I think a biopsy is a good idea. *It can be painless and cathartic.
>
> > --
> > PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46
> > Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c
> > RRP 12/15/2000 G7 (3+4), T3cN0M0 Neg margins
> > PSA *<.1 *<.1 *<.1 *.27 *.37 *.75 * * * * * *PSAD 0.19 years
> > EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47
> > PSA *.34 .22 .15 .21 .32 * * * * * * * * * * * PSAD .056 years
> > Lupron 07/03 (1 mo) 8/03 and every 4 months there after
> > PSA *.07 .05 .06 .09 .08 .132 .145 * * * PSAD 1.4 years
> > Casodex added daily 07/06
> > PSA <0.04, <0.05, <0.04, <0.04, <0.1 *2/12/08
> > Non Illegitimi Carborundum
>
> Second on the pain relief. The biopsy was the worst part of my
> diagnosis and treatment.
>
> Best of luck and check back in. If you come out in the 9%, know that
> there are a few of us younger guys in this group.
>
> PSA 2.6 10/05, 3.3 10/06, 3.3 (9% Free) 1/07, *4.1 4/15/07 @ 44
>
>
>
> > Biopsy 6/15/2007 G6 (3+3), T1c
> > RRP 10/2/2007 G6 (3+3), T2cN0M0 Neg margins
> > PSA *1/08 <.1- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thanks guys.

I was kidding on the Xanax, BTW. I take it under a doctors orders and
wouldn't think of taking it with the possibility of being given
something prior to the biopsy.

I sure hope it turns out to be nothing. Reading the posts in this
group has scared the hell out of me. I had a mild heart attack this
time last year (I'm fine now with no damage) and figure I've really
had enough!

John C.

I sure hope it turns out to be nothing. Reading the posts in this
group has scared the hell out of me. I had a mild heart attack this
time last year (I'm fine now with no damage) and figure I've really
had enough!

John C.


==> We do too! We enjoy nothing more than ripping up temporary passes to
our NG.