Happiest NEW YEAR ever!!!!

Wavery

Wavery

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2022
Posts
2,977
Location
San Diego, California
I just wanted to wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year.

In October, I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. I had radical Prostatectomy surgery on Dec 17th and I came home on Dec 19th (I was supposed to be there for 4-5 days).

Today (about 20 minutes ago) I received the final Pathology report and was told that they removed 100% of the cancer. All of the cancer was contained within the prostate and none had escaped past the prostate capsule. The cancer within the prostate capsule was much more aggressive than originally anticipated (grade 4). However, having removed the entire thing, there is no concern of re-occurrence.

I am currently on my feet and back at work with no more worries of cancer. I'm walking 1/2 mile per day and increasing a little each day.

My father (@72) and grandfather (@66) both died of prostate cancer, so of course this has been on my mind for a long time.

I just wanted to extend a big THANK YOU!!! to the members that knew about my ordeal, for your prayers and concerns. It made all of the difference in the world toward my (nothing short of) miraculous recovery.

Wayne
 
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Glad to hear your good news! Hopefully we'll get to meet you at the Pismo rally in September! Have a wonderful New Year - you certainly have a great reason to celebrate it!

D'
 
B_and_D said:
Glad to hear your good news! Hopefully we'll get to meet you at the Pismo rally in September! Have a wonderful New Year - you certainly have a great reason to celebrate it!

D'
Click to expand...

Ya....it's been a rough couple of months....a real roller-coaster. In October I was told I had maybe 5 years to live if this cancer takes over my body.

After a lot of research, I chose the Radical Prostatectomy and got it done.

I have been working out and watching my diet pretty hard during the waiting period before surgery. I lost 35# and I actually wish I could keep it off. I think that had a lot to do with my fast recovery. I still have some issues to deal with but at least I'll be around to deal with them.
 
Wayne
Great news. We need your insight and experience on this forum for more than 5 years.
 
Thank you for your kind words.

BTW......if any of you guys ever have to deal with this, don't hesitate to contact me. It's good to have support and help dealing with the many issues that can present themselves with this disease and the treatment.

All of you guys over 50.......get yourself tested. When caught early, it doesn't have to be a fatal disease. When caught too late, it often is. Remember, there are often NO symptoms to prostate cancer. That was the case with me. I had absolutely no symptoms and my PSA tests were within the normal range but were slightly increasing over the last 2 years. I had to really push to get a biopsy done. I took my father's and grandfather's death certificate to the Dr's office on my last visit. That made the difference. Had I not done that, I would probably be dead in 5 years.

Wayne
 
That's great news, and I know that it's a huge weight off your shoulders:) Sounds like you're bouncing back with gusto - good for you!!!

Nick
 
Happy Days Wayne, Glad to hear how you educated your doctor; I hope others follow. I tried to educate mine on my familys history with regards to Celiac Disease. He would not do even a simple blood test, even after showing him information on how 30 percent of people who have the disease don't have symptoms. Went to another doctor and he asked if he could have a copy of the paperwork. I got a blood test and biopsy which showed I did have Celiac Disease. It could have killed me. You have to be your own doctor. Good Luck and stay informed. Robert
 
If it were not for the web, this type of information would be almost impossible to find.

I wonder how many lives have been saved or improved because the web has made such a huge change in access to information.

Just don't trust everything you read. Look for multiple sources.
 
That's exactly right. You have to take control of your own health care. Don't depend on Dr's to know as much about your body as you do. Dr's can only go by statistics and averages. Don't allow yourself to become either.

My Dr was very concerned about my weight loss before surgery. I told him that I made some extreme changes to my diet and started an extreme work out program. I mostly cut out caffeine and all sugar, including my daily glass of wine. All of that stuff is dehydrating and dehydration and sugar can increase pain level and reduce the bodies ability to heal quickly (normally). He told me that it was not necessary to do that. I think he thought I was a fanatic.

When I got out of bed and started walking the day after surgery the Dr was astounded. When I had a bowel movement that evening, he couldn't believe it. He said that I was the 1st patient that he ever let go home the 2nd day after that surgery. I never took a single dose of pain medication because I didn't need it. I had pain when I got up and tried to walk but it wasn't hard to work through.

I am now doing a mile a day on the treadmill. I'm completely pain free. When I talked to the Dr on the phone yesterday, he couldn't believe it.

They only know what they've been taught and the sum of their own experiences. I will tell you that every nurse in the hospital told me that I should take the morphine and that it would help the "Healing process". I'm sure that's what they were taught and I'm sure that most people take advantage of the morphine pump that they are supplied. I think that they use it more out of the fear of pain than the pain itself. I certainly was not comfortable but I was never in any great pain.
 
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You lost weight, exercised, and changed to a healthier diet. Your doctor said that wasn't necessary, with a doctor like that you definetly do have to be your own doctor.

There's the old joke, what do you call a med student who gets 70% on the final exam and what do you call the med student who gets a 100% on the final exam? Answer: Doctor

Just like any other occupation there are good and bad. If a mechanis screws up on your car you just take it to another. It's not always the same situation with your body. Stay healthy Wayne Robert

By the way I have a great doctor now, he really listens and cares. It's the same one who diagnosed my brother with Celiac Disease.
 
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So glad to hear of your recovery! Not only do you give such great advice about TM, but now such invaluable advice about being proactive about your health. Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!
 
Wayne, I am so glad to hear that you are healthy! My husband's family has prostate cancer running in it as well. He has already been in for baseline tests. I am glad they caught it early for you and all is well. God has greatly blessed you!
 
Wayne, I'm so happy you caught your cancer early. I'm also lucky as I would be in my dirt bed by now myself if I hadn't went to the Dr. 2 years ago this month. I had what I thought was a sore throat and turned out to be stage 4 cancer of my tonsils and soft palate area. I had surgery in Jan 08 to remove the cancer and have spent the last 2 years in recovery mainly due to the effects of the radiation treatments. Anyway I still am unable to swallow anything except liquids and very soft foods. It's great to hear stories like your's to make others more aware. God bless you and your's.
 
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