The Frontier Sixshooter Community Message Board - Challenging news

Challenging news (reply)

Gary G — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 00:52:30 +0000

Been Away Mark,,,But will ad you to the prayer List..

Challenging news (reply)

Fivegunner — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 19:33:29 +0000

Mark my prayers are going out for you, I am sure you can beat this. my doc, said it`s only a matter of time before they take mine out. I hate going in for another biospy , the last one just about killed me.

All the best to you and of course... (reply)

Hobie — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 23:33:59 +0000

prayers have been said.

Hope the best for you (reply)

Bob Hatfield — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 23:03:03 +0000

Don't know if you remember but your son passed away a few days after my son did. I struggle with prostate issues at times. I always figured I would end of with it someday too. Wish you the best of care and will pray for you

Good Luck

Bob

Thanks for the prayers and helpful advice... (reply)

Mark Stevenson — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 22:01:07 +0000

I've been doing a lot of reading on the subject of prostate cancer including the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
There's so much to absorb.
I'm very thankful the doctors feels I have plenty of time to decide how best to beat this.

Thanks, Mark

Challenging news (reply)

Murphy — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 16:02:31 +0000

Prayer's going up.

Glad they caught it early. Do keep us updated.

Murphy

Challenging news (reply)

webservant — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 14:27:48 +0000

That, my friend, is a good description. We're in your corner on this. Fight the good fight, we'll keep you covered in prayer.

We're all there with you Mark. (reply)

Hoot — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 13:11:51 +0000

Now, go get it!

"I plan on beating this, it will not win. " Prayer ongoing (reply)

Rob Leahy — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 04:25:41 +0000

for you Mark.

Prayers for your successful treatment, Mark (reply)

Catoosa — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 03:21:41 +0000

Glad you caught it early.

Sorry to hear this... (reply)

Brian A — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 02:00:04 +0000

You are certainly in my prayers. Will give you a call.

Sorry to read of this, Mark. Positive outlook... (reply)

John Meeker — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 01:26:35 +0000

as mentioned, it is most treatable with minimal ado. Of course, when it's our own bod, NOTHIN' is minimal! Your strong faith is your best ally, and rely on the doc's to do their best job. Martha Anne and I send our prayers for you and your family. We will follow you news as posted.

You certainly have my prayers Mark! (reply)

rob — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 01:14:23 +0000

You got it, my friend. (reply)

mcassill — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 01:05:54 +0000

Challenging news (reply)

Art — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 00:20:02 +0000

Had the biopsy last year and I was negative. My Doctor has had very good results with the Cyber Knife for early stage prostate cancer. I understand there is not much to the treatment. There is always the radical surgery if it does not work (with the robot). My Doc has had over 90% success with the Cyber Knife for early stage.

My Best to you

Art

You got it.... (reply)

Glen — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 23:32:07 +0000

My Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer back in 1994. Like yours, his case was diagnosed early, and they took prompt action. Dad lived the rest of his life (17 years) cancer free.

Challenging news (reply)

Cherokee — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 23:03:05 +0000

Prayer for healing and recovery..

Prayers sent....nm (reply)

cubrock — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 21:29:22 +0000

I was diagnosed about three years ago... (reply)

pokynojoe — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 18:52:48 +0000

My PSA started to become elevated when in my late forties. It took about ten years and three biopsies, but they finally found it. I pretty much knew I had it, so no biggie when it was finally confirmed. My treatment ended about twenty months ago, I woulnd't say I've beaten it, but my PSA has steadily declined. It's not at zero, yet, but the doctors are pleased so far. It's not unuaual for it to spike at 18 months to two years, so we will see. I'm sure you've gotten your Gleason Scores, surprisingly mine were pretty low.

Depending on your scores, and of course what your doctors tell you, if you have the option, take a look at Proton Radiation Therapy. I was a very good candidate for this, unfortunately, my insurance wouldn't pay for it, and I didn't want to bankrupt my family. Timing is everything, there is a proton radiation center that is due to open here in January. At the time of my diagnosis and treatment, the nearest center to me was in Gainesville, Florida. I ended up chosing the more traditional radiation treatment and then brachytherapy. The word's still out yet whether or not I chose the "right" course. There were/are some side effects. I won't go into the details because everyone is different, and responds differntly to the various and sundry treatments you'll be offered. I believe you're a fairly young man, so you will probably respond quite well to whatever treatment you elect. My fathter was diagnosed at 79 years old and elected to do nothing. He died at 89 years of age of totally unrelated causes. Like I said, I had some "unpleasantness" associated with my treatment, I'm still dealing with some issues and probably will for however long I live.

Another good thing, you don't live in Appalachia, not the place to come down with serious illness. Don't get me wrong, we've got some good physicians here, just not a lot of them. I can't say I'm overly enthusiastic about the oncologist I ended up going with, however he seemed the best of the lot.

One more thing, go see all the different specialists that your insurance and or wallet can afford. I ended up selling off most of my firearms that were worth anything, I had a boat load of archery gear, sold most of it too. We sold furniture and whatever else we didn't need. My insurance covered a lot, but it wasn't near enough. Keep in mind that each specialist you see will have an agenda, yea for real. The surgeon, urologists, radiation oncologist, etc. all have egos. Talk to all you can, then select your course of treatment. Just remember YOU'RE in control.

I hope whatever treatment you elect is successful. If I can be of any assistance don't hesitate to contact me.

Last word, I believe your in Michigan. There is an excellent facility in Ann Arbor, but you probably already know that.

Joe

Sorry to hear that. But it is early on it is curable (reply)

MR — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 18:13:53 +0000

Attack it. Kill it. Kick it to the curb.