an update to my friends (here on the forums)!

[DJ_Zath]

Hi everyone and especially Milky!

(of course, theres Jammin'Adam, Mainesmixx, Kev, Lane, Jeff, Tim Gainer, Jigger, etc... )

not sure how to open this thread, but I'll give it a try...

As of August 2023, I went in for some routine tests and stuff and it was found that I had "a problem" with my bloodwork and that my PSAs were "off the charts". As of January 10, 2024, a biopsy revealed that it was stage 4 Cancer (18 samples, 14 positive with a Gleason 7/7) in the prostate and that my life expectancy was "less than 3 years".

On April 2, 2024 I went in to the hospital for Radical Prostatectomy surgery (they removed the Prostate and lymph nodes). I am currently in recovery (healing) from the procedure. it will be many months, to say the least.

its not all bad news, though, still too early to say, but initial labwork shows that they may have gotten ALL of the Cancer in-time and that, perhaps, planned radiation treatments may not be needed!

I'll keep you all up-to-speed as I figure all of this out! (and I'm sure I have added many years back on to my life! )

[milky]

I am so sorry to hear of this, Zath. I could say "been there, done that" as I have had exactly the same procedure.

The prostatectomy should make things a lot better PROVIDED that the surgeons took plenty of "margin" around the tumour and that the tumour was completely contained within the prostate. You say that the initial pathology indicates that the margins were clear of cancer cells. I certainly hope that is the case, but the next few PSA tests will clarify the situation. If the numbers go up, some metastasization may have occurred. If the PSA levels go above point 2, you should request a PET scan, as that will show any residuals. Numbers lower than point 2 probably won't show.

I assume that there will be follow-up radiation and/or chemo treatment, so it is important that they pin-point where any residual is, else the radiation can adversely affect urinary and bowel activity, even digestive issues may persist.

I wish you all the best with your recovery and prognosis, my friend.

[Lane]

Hey Zath. That's a helluva thing to deal with. I hope very much this goes the best it possibly can.

[Kev]

Sending you love from the UK Zath! I'll try to get by on the old Warp chat once you're back up and running!

Wishing you speedy healing!

[DJ_Zath]

whew!

Milky:  "provided they got most of the tumor".. they took the whole prostate out entirely- along with all the surrounding nodes and then some..  I'm still pretty much incontinent and have to wear pads probably for months! (sigh)  its funny- I can feel the "empty spot" whenever I sit or lay down (usually followed by an immediate run to the bathroom!) but its getting more "used to" I suppose.. hard to explain- I can feel things "shift around" whenever I sit down, stand up or lay down...  I am scheduled for a checkup in early July, and then some blood work for a followup almost immediately after that..  I just wish this having to go to the bathroom in my bed and shorts would just END already! heheh

Lane:   Yeah, it had to be done.. it was pretty advanced, so the doctor said...  the incisions are pretty much healing well, though I still wonder about the innards- as I mentioned above, things feel funny and I suspect thats how they will feel from this point on..

Kev:    thanks buddy! I can use all the love I can get heheh  WARP isn't around much these days (though you're still welcome to visit at anytime  even though I probably won't be there when you do due to a problem of a DIFFERENT sort!)

thanks everyone for the kind words and hopeful wishes!  I also wish the best for everyone here on the Ots forums.