Prostate Cancer at 38

I could be the youngest on this board, maybe not.

I'm now 39 years old, just had my birthday in May. I was diagnosed
with prostate cancer in April with Gleason 7.

Less than 2 weeks ago I had robotic prostatectomy at City of Hope in
Duarte. My surgeon was great, saved both nerves and I've been able to
get a full erection after only 8 days. This is the good news.

The less than good news is that ALL of my tests came back negative for
the cancer spreading outside my prostate, from the original bone scan
and ct scans all the way down to the endorectal mri. ALL of them
showed no evidence of extension, so we proceeded with the surgery. My
pathology came back with actual gleason of 8 and 9, with microscopic
cancer in one of eight lymph nodes and in my seminal vesicle. In one
day I went from stage 1 to stage 3. My wife and I were devastated.

We have 3 young children, two 7 year olds and a 2 year old, in the
process of buying a home and my new biz was doing great.

My doc has told me there is the possibility that the radiation can get
the remaining cancer but they're also putting me on drugs to drop my
testosterone, not easy for the manly man I have always been and
particularly at my age.

I'm dedicated and committed to beating this, any advice is
appreciated.

JD

On Jun 28, 9:17*pm, Humvee <consultants.w...@gmail.com> wrote:

>
> I'm dedicated and committed to beating this, any advice is
> appreciated.
>
> JD

Hang tough. You will beat this.

Many options available.

-kh

"Humvee" <consultants.west@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:a3f411c9-50e8-4abf-9268-9cf034d95070@x17g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...

Humvee, welcome to the club that no one wanted to join at any age, let alone
36!!!

:I could be the youngest on this board, maybe not.

Yes, to my knowledge, the youngest we have had here was USCGamecock and he
was 37 in 2005. He hasn't posted here since January 2008, but if you would
like to discuss with him your cancer at your age (though his was a Gleason
6), his email is wesley_cavin@excite.com


DF was slightly older at 39 in 2003. I can't remember when last he posted.
He raced cars before being diagnosed. If he still has his addy, it was
dwightfitz1@attbi.com


We had a Gleason 8 at 41 in 2000. His wife keeps us up to date on him and
she is khildebrandt@casselsbrock.com


We have had only two under 40 since I started here during 2002 and,
including my father who died 27 years ago yesterday, I only know of fourteen
42 and under. That compares to more than 900 at 43 and over. I was 46 and
it was a bitch!!

: In one
: day I went from stage 1 to stage 3. My wife and I were devastated.

I cannot imagine. I went in knowing that my chances were good, but not
great. I went from a T2 to a T3. I can't imagine going in at a T1 and
getting that news.

: We have 3 young children, two 7 year olds and a 2 year old, in the
: process of buying a home and my new biz was doing great.
:
: My doc has told me there is the possibility that the radiation can get
: the remaining cancer but they're also putting me on drugs to drop my
: testosterone, not easy for the manly man I have always been and
: particularly at my age.
:
: I'm dedicated and committed to beating this, any advice is
: appreciated.

First, don't let the bastard grind you down - Illegitimati non carborundum

Second, research, research, research. It is not your fault that you are
ignorant of this bastard and it's methods; nor of our arsenal to beat the
son-of-a-bitch. But, now that you have been stricken, you must get to know
him and your tools.

Third, stay tuned to this newsgroup. I cannot tell you how much help these
men were to me and we will be to you. There are a couple of assholes, as in
every unmoderated newsgroup, including me if you ask them; but skip past
those posts and read what men have to say to you. We are not doctors, but
many of us now 'consult' with our doctors rather than have them tell us what
is going on.

Fourth, quit talking in the past tense (your business IS doing great!). I
had seminal vesicle involvement (SVI). I had radiation. It didn't work. I
had androgen deprivation therapy (ADT - what you call dropping your
testosterone). I was also a manly man with a desire to have sex into my
90s. But, since diagnosed, I worked another 8 years in a 'manly'
profession, retired on my terms, gained a couple of in-laws, saw my three
children produce eight grandchildren (soon to be nine) and am now the
defacto director of a small specialty all-volunteer museum. I have terminal
cancer and no end in sight! -- Illegitimati non carborundum!!

Fifth, to beat this bastard, you have to fight it - Illegitimati non
carborundum!! I walk 2.5 to 3.4 miles a day 3-5 times a week. I started
exercising when I was diagnosed in 2000. I lift weights, not to excess but
to assure my bones stay strong. I started lifting in January when I
retired. I take a few supplements as directed by my doc and others that
seem to have a good track record but which are not yet certified or proven
to have benefit. When there are other ways discovered to fight it, I'll do
them as well.

Sixth, treat your children as if you have no future. It doesn't matter that
you are going to fight the bastard and may win in the end. You have now
been given an insight into your possible death and it should not be wasted.
I'm not saying to coddle them, but you might need to step up their education
of the world. It is a horrible place for a fatherless child with no hint of
preparation. And that takes time, especially at 7 years and 3 years. It's
more important than golf and softball.

Seventh, if you haven't already, make your amends - or introduction - to
God. He will be for you a significant help in the hard times. Avoid
blaming Him for this. Base all your decisions on eternal consequences.
And, most of all, look upon this as an opportunity few men get. If things
go sour, you will know the method and approximate time of your death early
enough that you can make arrangements for it. These include fiscal,
parental, and spiritual.

I've already gone on too long. I'm sure there is an 8th, 9th, and 10th...


--
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 undetectable since; last checked on 06/04/09
Illegitimati non carborundum

Oh Man! What a set of cards you have got dealt....
I felt bad when I was diagnosed @ 49.
At least you have your youth and a great spirit to fight with.
With the latest technology, and Dr.s and Oncologist I am sure you can fight
this "bump" in the road.
Never give in.
john
"Humvee" <consultants.west@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:a3f411c9-50e8-4abf-9268-9cf034d95070@x17g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...
>I could be the youngest on this board, maybe not.
>
> I'm now 39 years old, just had my birthday in May. I was diagnosed
> with prostate cancer in April with Gleason 7.
>
> Less than 2 weeks ago I had robotic prostatectomy at City of Hope in
> Duarte. My surgeon was great, saved both nerves and I've been able to
> get a full erection after only 8 days. This is the good news.
>
> The less than good news is that ALL of my tests came back negative for
> the cancer spreading outside my prostate, from the original bone scan
> and ct scans all the way down to the endorectal mri. ALL of them
> showed no evidence of extension, so we proceeded with the surgery. My
> pathology came back with actual gleason of 8 and 9, with microscopic
> cancer in one of eight lymph nodes and in my seminal vesicle. In one
> day I went from stage 1 to stage 3. My wife and I were devastated.
>
> We have 3 young children, two 7 year olds and a 2 year old, in the
> process of buying a home and my new biz was doing great.
>
> My doc has told me there is the possibility that the radiation can get
> the remaining cancer but they're also putting me on drugs to drop my
> testosterone, not easy for the manly man I have always been and
> particularly at my age.
>
> I'm dedicated and committed to beating this, any advice is
> appreciated.
>
> JD

On June 28, JD wrote:

(snip)

> My pathology came back with actual gleason of 8 and 9, with microscopic
> cancer in one of eight lymph nodes and in my seminal vesicle. In one
> day I went from stage 1 to stage 3. My wife and I were devastated.
>
> We have 3 young children, two 7 year olds and a 2 year old, in the
> process of buying a home and my new biz was doing great.
>
> My doc has told me there is the possibility that the radiation can get
> the remaining cancer but they're also putting me on drugs to drop my
> testosterone, not easy for the manly man I have always been and
> particularly at my age.

The androgen deprivation therapy can be helpful.

But I most earnestly recommend consulting a real cancer expert, a
medical oncologist. The urologist, who unless very unusual is nothing
more than a surgeon, has done his job and is not likely to be of any
further benefit.

There is a PCa practice in Southern California, where I assume JD
resides, that has helped thousands of men. I suggest running, not
walking, to either Dr. Scholz or Dr. Lam at Prostate Oncology
Specialists, 4676 Admiralty Way, S, Suite 101, Marina del Rey,
California 90292. Telephone (310)827-7707.

Gleason 8 and 9 PCa is nothing to be trifled with, as I know very very
well from experience.

For further and reliable information I recommend exploring the
encyclopedic website of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute at
http://prostate-cancer.org/index.html

Regards,

Steve J

JD -

Ouch. And familiar. I was diagnosed in 2003 at 47 (old relative to
39!) with a Gleason 8 and following surgery ended up with a micromet
to one lymph node. And to complete the parallel, 2 young daughters (2
and 6 at the time). Wanting to see them gradaute elementary school,
and even though PSA was undetectable and there were no other signs of
cancer, I opted to be aggessive: surgery, adjuvent pelvic radiation,
adjuvent docetaxol and triple androgen therapy (lupron, casodex,
proscar). I'd like to say it worked but the cancer returned, PSA wise,
2 years ago. However, I still believe it could have worked and would
follow the same path again. I concur with Steve; get to an oncologist
NOW; Scholz and Lam, prostate specialists, would be great choices; not
all oncologists are created equally.

good luck,

corey


On Jun 28, 9:17*pm, Humvee <consultants.w...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I could be the youngest on this board, maybe not.
>
> I'm now 39 years old, just had my birthday in May. *I was diagnosed
> with prostate cancer in April with Gleason 7.
>
> Less than 2 weeks ago I had robotic prostatectomy at City of Hope in
> Duarte. *My surgeon was great, saved both nerves and I've been able to
> get a full erection after only 8 days. *This is the good news.
>
> The less than good news is that ALL of my tests came back negative for
> the cancer spreading outside my prostate, from the original bone scan
> and ct scans all the way down to the endorectal mri. *ALL of them
> showed no evidence of extension, so we proceeded with the surgery. *My
> pathology came back with actual gleason of 8 and 9, with microscopic
> cancer in one of eight lymph nodes and in my seminal vesicle. *In one
> day I went from stage 1 to stage 3. *My wife and I were devastated.
>
> We have 3 young children, two 7 year olds and a 2 year old, in the
> process of buying a home and my new biz was doing great.
>
> My doc has told me there is the possibility that the radiation can get
> the remaining cancer but they're also putting me on drugs to drop my
> testosterone, not easy for the manly man I have always been and
> particularly at my age.
>
> I'm dedicated and committed to beating this, any advice is
> appreciated.
>
> JD

On June 30, I wrote:

> I suggest running, not
> walking, to either Dr. Scholz or Dr. Lam at Prostate Oncology
> Specialists, 4676 Admiralty Way, S, Suite 101, Marina del Rey,
> California 90292. Telephone (310)827-7707.

I neglected to mention that their website, which includes much helpful
information, is at http://www.prostateoncology.com/

Regards,

Steve J

"Humvee" <consultants.west@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:a3f411c9-50e8-4abf-9268-9cf034d95070@x17g2000yqd.googlegroups.com...
>I could be the youngest on this board, maybe not.
>
> I'm now 39 years old, just had my birthday in May. I was diagnosed
> with prostate cancer in April with Gleason 7.
>
> Less than 2 weeks ago I had robotic prostatectomy at City of Hope in
> Duarte. My surgeon was great, saved both nerves and I've been able to
> get a full erection after only 8 days. This is the good news.
>
> The less than good news is that ALL of my tests came back negative for
> the cancer spreading outside my prostate, from the original bone scan
> and ct scans all the way down to the endorectal mri. ALL of them
> showed no evidence of extension, so we proceeded with the surgery. My
> pathology came back with actual gleason of 8 and 9, with microscopic
> cancer in one of eight lymph nodes and in my seminal vesicle. In one
> day I went from stage 1 to stage 3. My wife and I were devastated.
>
> We have 3 young children, two 7 year olds and a 2 year old, in the
> process of buying a home and my new biz was doing great.
>
> My doc has told me there is the possibility that the radiation can get
> the remaining cancer but they're also putting me on drugs to drop my
> testosterone, not easy for the manly man I have always been and
> particularly at my age.
>
> I'm dedicated and committed to beating this, any advice is
> appreciated.
>
> JD

I'm really sorry to hear all that JD. I was diagnosed at age 57
and thought I was young to be getting cancer. 38 is terrible.

My personal, inexpert view is basically the same as everyone
else's here. Educate yourself. Get the best medical advice you
can. Prepare for a very aggressive fight against the disease.
Don't give up.

At your age you'll have more resilience than many of us older men
with respect to the treatments. It looks like you recovered from
the surgery extremely well. I'm hoping that you will do the same
with the hormone therapy and the radiation.

The hormone therapy and radiation CAN work. It's far from
guaranteed. I think it usually works about 50% of the time when
tried immediately after failed surgery. But there are many men
who failed surgery who were treated aggressively with Lupron and
radiation and it did work. You still have a shot. Get the best
radiation oncologist you can and the best medical oncologist.

I suggest taking the most aggressive approach your doctors offer
you. If they say you can get off hormone therapy in 6 months or
in 3 years, I'd be inclined to go for the three years. You
already know that your cancer is very aggressive. I would use
the most aggressive treatments available to fight it.

For whatever it's worth, I would also talk to your oncologist
about pomegranate extract and any other foods or supplements that
might help. If you are offered early chemotherapy, I think I
would try it. The idea is to hit the microscopic cancers with
everything you can. You can also have a look at clinical trials
of experimental therapies.

While you're on hormone therapy, I recommend that you take steps
to counter the side effects. In particular, get lots of
exercise.

I also suggest attempting sex as often as you can. One doctor
told I would not be able to have sex and I wouldn't care. He was
wrong on both counts. I found that I had zero desire for sex
but, after going through the motions for 10 or 20 minutes, I was
surprised to find myself becoming involved and aroused. If sex
is important to you and your wife you may find that it can
continue to work for you in spite of the drugs.

Beyond that, I don't know what to say except to wish you and your
family the very best of luck.

Alan