BruceW Posted July 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 THIS IS THE LATEST UPDATE 7/28/08 Hi Everyone, I have had my bone scan and CT scan tests, and the cancer has NOT spread. It is a localized problem and I have agreed to the cryotherapy procedure (very minimally invasive at best). Again, major surgery is out of the question. In two weeks my urologist takes a look at my bladder. Earliest procedure date is in September. Nothing else really needed until then other than insurance company approval. Again, I want to thank all of you for your concern and support you have given me. It has helped me greatly in this life threatening condition. BruceW aka Vibeman27 :bwallace2: Bruce, Excellent news! The fact that it is localized means they can kill it. Is a "cryotherapy procedure" the one like my Dad had? His treatment involved injecting these small little needles into the wall of the prostate that they irradiated. He was "radioactive" for about 6 weeks but the cancer was gone about 3 months later. That procedure worked great for my Dad. Good luck with the procedure and let us know how it's going. Kevin Kevin, not quite the same. Cryotherapy is a process of "freezing" the cancer, thereby reducing the prostate and killing the cancer. It is then thawed and then frozen again, and then thawed once again. This process effectively "reduces" the cancer situation and most times "kills" the actual cancer. The process takes between 1-2 hours and done. One must remember that it only takes one remote tiny microscopic cancer cell for cancer to arise again (over a long period of time albiet), but the freeze process can be done again thereby, greatly extending the period of one's life. This process takes only one week from the op table to finishing the recuperating and healing period. (some exceptions, but few). I think your dad had what they now call "inside out radiation" treatment. Glad your dad is well. BruceW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim McG Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 (edited) Bruce, This is so damn cool, I am beside myself Brav-O, my friend! Edited July 29, 2008 by GoodSpeak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERIGAN Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 Great news Bruce! Treat yourself to something you love to do, that you don't do taht often because of cost.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Bresnahan Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 One must remember that it only takes one remote tiny microscopic cancer cell for cancer to arise again (over a long period of time albiet), but the freeze process can be done again thereby, greatly extending the period of one's life. This process takes only one week from the op table to finishing the recuperating and healing period. (some exceptions, but few). I think your dad had what they now call "inside out radiation" treatment. Glad your dad is well. Good to hear that they're finding more & more ways to cure this. I figure if I can hang on long enough, they're going to invent some micromachine that will unclog my arteries. BTW, Bruce, my Dad survived the prostate cancer and lived 4 or 5 cancer-free years. It never came back. Unfortunately, his heart didn't keep up with him and he died of a heart attack two years ago now. Luckily (? ), all of these things in my family history have put me and my brothers on high alert. Maybe our Dad wasn't done protecting us. I doubt any of us would have had our PSA checked unless this hadn't happened. Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceW Posted August 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2008 ANOTHER UPDATE: AUGUST 15 I last reported on the scans that I had. Both negative, both good news. I then, however, had to have the urologist examine my bladder. This exam turned out to be an additional exam the urologist does as an extra precaution his office does. The exam is called a Cystoscopy. In short, it is like having a sigmoidoscopy through the penis' ureathra. Enough said!! Results: my bladder is clear. What a relief. I DO NOT recommend any of you guys getting in a position that would require you to have this examination. It is no fun!! But I am now clear and scheduled to have the Cryotherapy on Sep 23. It is expected on Sep 24th that I will be cancer free or at least as close to that as possible. There is still no cure for cancer but this would be awfully close and I should be back to a somewhat normal life in a few days after. Having said that, you will probably not hear from me again on this subject until after Sep 23 or 24th. Thanks for all your support. Bruce W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free For All Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Always great to hear good news! Congratulations! Regarding the Cystoscopy, all I have to say isY O U C H !! Keep up the good work, Bruce! Kick that MF cancer's ass!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papsrus Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Ah ... I've always wondered about this procedure. Not to get too specific or anything, but are there any pain killers involved? Can you ask for gas or anything? Anything at all???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceW Posted August 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 (edited) Ah ... I've always wondered about this procedure. Not to get too specific or anything, but are there any pain killers involved? Can you ask for gas or anything? Anything at all???? Yeah you can ask! Seriously, first they give you an anesthetic gel but it still depends on your pain tolerance level as to what you can feel. The doc does not knock you out because it only takes 5 minutes if you are clear. I would imagine if it got complicated, they would further anesthetize you. If you want "exact" details, you can email me or send message. Edited August 16, 2008 by BruceW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Reminds me of when I was in the recovery room after the bone marrow donation procedure. I was kind of slow to recover from the spinal anesthesia but I had a somewhat full bladder. So the nurse had to catheterize me. Its really no problem if you still have spinal anesthesia in you. Too bad that's not an option if its only a five minute procedure otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceW Posted August 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Lucky you Dan, Wasn't the catheter a smaller flexible tubing?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Lucky you Dan, Wasn't the catheter a smaller flexible tubing?? I honestly didn't pay that much attention, I just knew that something was being inserted where it ought not to be. But I'm glad you're doing well, and I can at least identify with the idea of something being inserted there, if not actually the sensation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim McG Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 (edited) ANOTHER UPDATE: AUGUST 15 I last reported on the scans that I had. Both negative, both good news. I then, however, had to have the urologist examine my bladder. This exam turned out to be an additional exam the urologist does as an extra precaution his office does. The exam is called a Cystoscopy. In short, it is like having a sigmoidoscopy through the penis' ureathra. Enough said!! Results: my bladder is clear. What a relief. I DO NOT recommend any of you guys getting in a position that would require you to have this examination. It is no fun!! But I am now clear and scheduled to have the Cryotherapy on Sep 23. It is expected on Sep 24th that I will be cancer free or at least as close to that as possible. There is still no cure for cancer but this would be awfully close and I should be back to a somewhat normal life in a few days after. Having said that, you will probably not hear from me again on this subject until after Sep 23 or 24th. Thanks for all your support. Bruce W Excellent news, Bruce! I am profoundly happy for you. Edited August 16, 2008 by GoodSpeak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValerieB Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 way to go, Bruce. one day at a time. you're doing great and your body is definitely cooperating! may the good news continue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quincy Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 (edited) Well hell, if that's what you got to do to get the good news (pause to squirm in seat)... Damn, brain tumors taken out the nose and I think gall bladders can be yoinked out the belly button if you're a supermodel and don't want a scar. Wait, maybe that's thru the nose too. And then there's your procedure! Whew, here's to less adventurous healthy "regular" checkups at the doctor! Edited August 16, 2008 by Quincy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Great news, Bruce! I'm very happy for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Bresnahan Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Excellent news Bruce! Good luck with the next PSA check. My next one is in October. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Great to hear this ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papsrus Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 BTW, I read in the news recently where some study recommended discontinuing the PSA test (possibly for men of a certain age group) because it caused unnecessary stress (seriously) and I think possibly led to unnecessary treatments in some cases. I didn't pay that close attention to it, because it sounded like pure BS to me, but I'm going to guess the insurance industry had something to do with the study. And, no need for further details on the bladder exam. I'm sure it's all done in a very careful manner ... heh-hem. Glad you're doing well. And don't forget to laugh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted August 16, 2008 Report Share Posted August 16, 2008 Great news, Bruce! :tup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceW Posted October 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Hi Everyone, I am back and alive!! I don't fake my happiness, I do not and did not take my surgery for granted. Too many cancer patients do not make it. I have been on post op for a week and am totally exhausted. Trying to gets lots of bed rest and medication for a few minor complications that come with this treatment. Hope to be posting regular in a few weeks. I do want to take this time to thank all of you again for your prayers and support. It meant a lot to me and helped me keep a good psychological base of thought during this ordeal. Bruce :bwallace2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost of miles Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 All right, Bruce! Great to hear from you again...and hope to hear lots more in the weeks to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDK Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Very happy to hear this, Bruce! Best wishes for a full recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 YAY BRUCE!!! You are strong and will pull through this and be back at those vibes in no time!!! Much love and support from the Alfredson household! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clifford_thornton Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Great news. Congratulations! I have a couple of dear friends with advanced prostate cancer and it's really tough business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Gould Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Great news, Bruce! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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