Hi from CA. Just found out I have prostate cancer

[mickjrogers]

My biopsy results finally came back. My Gleason score is a 7. Dealing with Kaiser has been a nightmare.
I was hospitalized with terrible pain in May and though they did a PSA test (PSA=11), no doctor read the result until September. They assumed prostatis and treated with antibiotics before referring me to urology (PSA went from 6 to 7.4)

Bottom line is I do not trust my urologist, my PCP or my health care system. I start with Blue Shield on 1-1-12 and look forward to new doctors.

[regain-is-the-aim]

Mick:

Welcome- this is a good Place and you will find lots of support. I am also a PCa victim with robotic surgery. This is a do-able journey!! There is time to consider your treatment. If I may, what is your age? There are treatment options so consider everything and then ask about here as there are a great many of us. Also, check around; there are some great docs out there so find someone you like and are willing to let operate around your favorite body part. We guys need to govern our own health care as we can: you will not be the first to fire a doc- I did!! Real experience exists here and we have resumed life and fun.

Let me know what I can do; I mean that.

You have had some bad luck but that has now changed and, with help, you can go forward and beat the little Sh-ts (tumors) and get back to living well. Enough for now. Try to enjoy the holidays; this will keep for a few weeks. I was diagnosed in July and elected to have my surgery in October. I scheduled according to my work/travel schedule and between home Purdue football games so I would not miss anything important. . . .

Keep your sense of humor and remember this cancer is too common amongst us guys but, if caught early, is very, very treatable. Join the chat room and get to know us and ask, ask away . Nothing here is too personal or off limits. We are not medical but have experiences and are willing to share. Things change but life is still good- real good!!

Please stay in touch with us.

Regards,

Dick

[Cajun Jeff]

Mike: Welcome to FT.. I to am a PCa guy 3 years ago had open surgery. This is a great site and wonderful support from the guys here. Join us in the chat room from time to time.

I will also recomend that you go to healingwell.com for go to the Prostate Cancer forum. It is specific to prostate cancer with some really knowledgable guys.

Sorry to hear of your problems with the Drs. Find one that you trust and have faith in.

Cajun Jeff

[bob1138]

Welcome Mick,

Sorry to hear about all the problems you have had with your Docs and the System up to now.
Hopefully, changing your Insurance and seeing a new Urologist will resolve these problems for you.
I had an Open Radical Prostatectomy in February 2004 and, thankfully, my PSA has been zero ever since.
Just got my latest PSA Test Result last Monday.
I agree with Dick --- Carefully decide which Treatment Modality is best for you --- schedule the Procedure --- then get on with your life as many of the men in the FT Group have done. Take advantage of the fact that the FT Group provides an excellent support system for everyone.
Also, after my Prostatectomy, I started attending meetings of the US Too Prostate Cancer Support Group at Hackensack
University Medical Center in Bergen County, New Jersey and found this to be very helpful.
I would recommend you visit www.Us Too.org and check for the Chapter nearest to you.
Each Chapter holds a monthly meeting and you get to personally interact with fellow PCa Survivors.
I believe this would be very helpful for you now and in the future.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season and all the Best in 2012.

Bob

[texas johnny]

Mick
I had BCBS AMD i URGE you to carefully read your policy especially the exclusions. BCBS covers prostate cancer but does NOT cover ED problems. They carefully exclude any pills,pumps or any other treatment for ED especially an implant. I had to wait for 5 years until I had medicare to get mine. I had Prostate cancer at age 57 and had implant in at 65. These folks are slick and are not going to pay for anything they dont have to. Dont ever think they are going to make an exception to improve your quality of life. I fought for 5 years and they knew they had me by the short hairs due to being diabetic. Dont you know the old pre-condition clause. Dont be fooled.
Texas Johnny

[NolaVette]

I also have BCBS and they've covered (with $45 co-pay) my ED injection drugs such as Alprostadil and Trimix (10ml vial of each). I've also used Papaverine alone which was so cheap ($17) that I paid it out of pocket. No coverage whatsoever for oral ED drugs though.

Steve

[Muz061]

Hey Mick,

Good to have you aboard. Cancer is a bummer when you get the news so you need to know where you can get good support and this is one of several forums like that.

Your stats indicate you will need some form of action in the future but you should have time to take a deep breath and quell the feelings of panic. You need to make good informed decisions on the best course of action for YOU. I had robotic (daVinci) prostatectomy (keyhole removal) in June 2008 and my PSA is now undetectable. I get checked annually and if undetectable at 5 years will be classified "in remission". There are a few challenges along the road and we all have differing issues and this is life changing. Keep your spirits up and tap into the male support networks of caring guys who have experience the sorts of things you will experience. Best wishes for a positive 2012.

Muz

[isnip2000]

Have the surgery done ASAP! See my post Prostate Cancer just above yours.
And dont give up. Surgery can completly remove it if you dont wait too long. So press forward and may God Bless you as you begin this new journey in life. It's NOT all bad- Darrell

[perform421]

I just had mine removed about 2 weeks ago. I was very fortunate that they caught it early and it had not spread. I am sorry about Kaiser as I thought it was pretty good in these situations. BCBS is what I have and I don't think it is all that great but not much choice. Try to get the surgery done ASAP. With exception of some minor dribbles, I am doing really well.
Rick

[Cajun Jeff]

Rick: Weclome to FT it was great meeting you in the chat room tonight.

Cajun Jeff