YANA - YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT SITE

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Allen Menendez and Rebecca live in California USA. He was 55 when he was diagnosed on April 6, 2009. His initial PSA was 4.4 ng/ml, his Gleason Score was 7 and although he does not know his staging, it seems he was staged T1c. He is undecided as to his choice of treatment. Here is his story.

I was told a couple of weeks ago that I have an aggressive tumor. My PSA is in the fours, but three months ago it was in the twos. My Gleason in 7 and I don't know what stage I'm in. I have an appointment with my Urologist in about an hour and I'm pretty nervous.

I want to jump right in and have the surgery and get it over with, but I know I should wait for the second opinion on the lab results. I also have an appointment with a radiologist. This website has been a big help.

I am planning on visiting my mom after my appointment. I haven't told her yet. She has already lost two children and I have been really torn between telling her and not.

Well I have to get ready to go.

 

UPDATED

May 2009

 

 

Well I got my third opinion a couple of days ago. Each of the doctors told me Wait and Watch was not an option for me. Seems I don't have a slow moving cancer.

They are planning to remove the prostate and the nerves on my right side. I also sent my biopsy to two different labs. They have told me that what I've heard of PC being a slow cancer doesn't apply to me. I'm just waiting now for a date for the surgery.

If I said I wasn't a little scared I would be lying. They are going to try and do the Da Vinci, but because of a previous surgery they may not be able the get the needle through the scar tissue. The doctor doing the surgery also told me he was concerned about my heart disease. I have been feeling more tired and vomiting a few times.

Well bye for now.

Later: Just a quick update. My PSA was 4.1 and now it's 4.9. The good news I have a surgery date. It is going to be on June 15, 2009.

Thanks for the support e-mails.

 

UPDATED

July 2009

 

 

My surgery went really well. My doctor told my family that it was the best one he ever did, which made me feel good. I was in the hospital for less than 24 hours and sent home. The gas pains was the worst. I visited my doctor on June 24, 2009 and had the catheter removed. Now my grandson and I have more in common. We both wear diapers. He told me the lab results come back with the same Gleason score of 7 and that the cancer did not spread.

I'm going to be off work for 4 weeks, because my job requires heavy lifting. I'm happy with the outcome so far. It hasn't been a fun experience, but with the support of my family and Yana members it's been bearable.

Thanks.

Allen's e-mail address is: almene777@socal.rr.com