For guys over 40

[ziegelreiter]

Last weekend I went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to have my prostate cancer treated by a new process called High Intensified Focused Ultrasound, (HIFU).
This is a new cutting edge technology that is approved in Mexico, Canada, Japan, and most of Europe. Clinical trials are being done in the U.K. and the U.S.A.
It is almost totaly non evasive compared to a radical prostectomy and involves no radiation or chemotherapy. The most painful part of the procedure was when they put the I.V. in my hand. I walked out of the hospital 6 hours later and went back to my hotel, and flew back to Ca. 2 days later.
My Dr. here in Sonoma Co. Ca. went down with me and he did the procedure.
As it's not approved here yet my insurance didn't cover it but I may be able to get some or all of the cost reimbursed. It cost $25,000.
My twin brother had regular nerve sparing prostate surgery in 07/06. He was in the hospital for 4 days, off work over 3 months and is just now getting over the erectile disfunction and incontinence problems. I'm going to have to wear a subpubric catheter for about 9 more days, and then I should be almost back to normal. I talked to a guy that had HIFU done 01/08 at the brewpub during the
2nd debate and while we were there he had 3 beers. My brother can't even pick up a beer without having to pee.
I know this isn't a fun subject but it is very important. 1 out of 5 of us are going to get prostate cancer. My Uncle died at age 70 because he was in denial and didn't seek treatment untill it was too late. Get your prostate checked at age 40, 45, and then every year after 50. Prostate cancer is one of the most curable cancers if caught early.
If you would like more information on this look up www.U.S.HIFU.com.
Fell free to P.M. me if you would like any more info about my experience. I have no connection with U.S.HIFU other than being a patient.
Ride safe and keep riding! :thumb

[nhbmw]

I'm 24 years over 40 -- do I qualify? I was diagnosed at an early stage of the disease and had an open radical prostatectomy at the end of April. (Started a thread about it here a few weeks before the big day.) My urologist is in his mid forties -- young enough to be well in touch with the newest treatments. He convinced me with some simple statistics: surgery offers the best long-term odds of no recurrence, compared with radiation or hormone therapy.

But he prefers conventional open surgery instead of endoscopic because he can see the entire surgical field and can feel the texture of the prostate, which gives him a better understanding of the condition.

I was in the hospital 3.5 days and back to work 2 days later. Incontinence was gone 3 days after that. I was riding another 10 days later, just as soon as that freaking catheter was out! ED is taking longer to resolve, but we're getting there. I had more problems with an appendectomy 25 years ago than I did with this surgery.

[bmwrider88]

as a member of the ranks of the uninsured, i, at 52, have never had even a colonoscopy. unfortunately...
it does pain me to think that cancer can sneak up on a person. even tho i am pretty much "in touch" with my body, system, etc., it's just playing the odds... to think of kicking out 25K for ANYTHING seems unimaginable to me...

best of luck to you in your fight...hope it all works out for you.

[shire2000]

When you get past 40 you have to be very careful as to what "creeps UP" on you. My doctor does "the exam" on me every year and has me do a PSA test every 2 years. PSA, or Prostrate Serum Analysis, is a simple blood test and if done correctly will tell the doctors if you have any problems "up there". It is not definitive, but is good at detecting early signs which then can be acted upon before some worse happens.

Thankfully the HIFU operation is available and fully funded in my area, as my insurance covers it. I feel very sorry for anyone who does not have insurance. Any simple medical procedure can bankrupt you very quickly.

I will lift a few pints for you tonight and say a couple of prayers to your quick recovery. :drink :drink

:ca

[ziegelreiter]

I'm 24 years over 40 -- do I qualify? I was diagnosed at an early stage of the disease and had an open radical prostatectomy at the end of April. (Started a thread about it here a few weeks before the big day.) My urologist is in his mid forties -- young enough to be well in touch with the newest treatments. He convinced me with some simple statistics: surgery offers the best long-term odds of no recurrence, compared with radiation or hormone therapy.

But he prefers conventional open surgery instead of endoscopic because he can see the entire surgical field and can feel the texture of the prostate, which gives him a better understanding of the condition.

I was in the hospital 3.5 days and back to work 2 days later. Incontinence was gone 3 days after that. I was riding another 10 days later, just as soon as that freaking catheter was out! ED is taking longer to resolve, but we're getting there. I had more problems with an appendectomy 25 years ago than I did with this surgery.

I'm not doubting you, but I've never heard of anyone having such an easy experience with prostate surgery. I wonder why they even do the arthoscopic(?) surgery if the regular open surgery isn't as envasive? From what I understand after any treatment you have to wait and see if the cancer got of the prostate and into your blood stream where it can attack other organs, glands, your lungs, etc. That's why they continue to monitor PSA. They can do HIFU on guys that have had the "seeds implanted, hormonal or radiation therapy and the cancer reoccurs.
Did he remove the whole prostate? If he removed the whole thing, I don't think there's anything left to zap with the ultrasound. Did he spare the "nerve strap"? Damaging that is where the E.D. and incontinence problems come from.
I have my first follow up with my Dr. Fri. and you can bet I'm going to bring your post up. (Belay my last; that doesn't sound right considering what body parts we're talking about :laugh )
I asked him what option he would choose if he gets cancer and he said HIFU. He's in his 40's too and up to speed on the latest technology.
I've been a carpenter, a sheetrocker and a painter, but I don't know anything about medicine. Most of us have to trust in what the Doctors tell us. I got a second opion but it just verified the cancer and offered the same options.
Bud, you don't know how glad I am to hear you're still riding after having this part of you messed with. That was almost as big a concern as the possibility of E.D.
That's great news.
Thanks for the input. More men need to speak up about this. There's so much more talked about breast cancer in women than men's health issues.
And roger the quick recovery and the :drink They already miss me at the brewpub!

[Paul_F]

I have been a participant in a prostate cancer study for 4 or 5 years now. Get checkups twice a year and a daily dose selenium and vitamin E. Some authorities rave about this combination of preventing prostate cancer and others totally dismiss it. The study is about half way over. Apparently if any of us in the study develops prostate cancer, we get fast tracked into our hospital system. From what I've read, if you live long enough, almost all of us will get this cancer.

[Troutluck]

I turn 41 Saturday, so this does strike home. I had always done a yearly PSA through my previous employer, which offered amazing deals on on-site total blood panels. So far, so good, but I know I'm due for the "major service" soon. :thumb

[MCMXCIVRS]

One of the downsides of being a firefighter is a much higher risk for certain cancers, prostate cancer being one of them. The bonus though is that my department has an excellent health and wellness program that provides us with a very thourough annual medical - much more inclusive than most doctors would typically do - including prostate exam and psa test at ages lower than generally reccommended for the average population. So far so good for me I'm happy to say.

[RandallIsland]

How To Be Cruel To Old Guys

http://lh6.ggpht.com/randallisland/SQDqwlenjwI/AAAAAAAAAR4/GJ0dxWel450/s400/HowToBeCruelToOldGuys.png

[tessler]

How To Be Cruel To Old Guys
You're awful. Since you're going to miss the next Big Gig, can we get your K bike down here and park it in front of Snoone's office anyway? :ha

[RandallIsland]

You're awful. Since you're going to miss the next Big Gig, can we get your K bike down here and park it in front of Snoone's office anyway? :ha

I'm so confused about BubbaZ...I was going to lend it to him for the winter when I ran across some reference to a demolition ... or spazz or something...

It'd be nice to see some of these "old" guys make the pilgrimage though...best ride and company in the world.

Think they remember how? :ha

[nhbmw]

[QUOTE=RandallIsland;381741]How To Be Cruel To Old Guys


Hey, be cruel to old guys, until you're one of them. There are two fundamentally different courses in life: live to old age, or die young. I made my choice, what's yours?

[RandallIsland]

Hey, be cruel to old guys, until you're one of them. There are two fundamentally different courses in life: live to old age, or die young. I made my choice, what's yours?

Fundamentally...in my experience life expectancy is not something people choose, per say, or control for that matter, but in my small existence a continuing, often-times shocking, awareness that I lived in a state of grace for which no laws of physics can explain. Every day I wake up is a joy. Picture or not...

Most critically though, I believe the only choice you can make every day that is worth something, is the decision to think of yourself as old or young at heart. Pictures help.

[snoone]

How To Be Cruel To Old Guys

http://lh6.ggpht.com/randallisland/SQDqwlenjwI/AAAAAAAAAR4/GJ0dxWel450/s400/HowToBeCruelToOldGuys.png

Wow! whatta set of eyes you got!

[jshuck]

Check with your local Health Department. Mine offers no charge PSA and a digital exam once a year. I was just like the Army...50 guys in a room, all called in one at a time, take some blood, bend over, etc., but worth it. me?? age 63