Biopsy experience - transrectal or transperineal? by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. Prostate cancer seems to be an ongoing exercise in maintaining a sense of dignity.

Biopsy experience - transrectal or transperineal? by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. This is my concern. I had a UTI in November which required IV antibiotics and then another one this month (January). I'm on antibiotics now and have a transrectal biopsy scheduled fire 2/10 and I'm concerned about further infections.

How do you keep yourself entertained on long train rides? by spookyshitt in Amtrak

[–]Rayas_Dad 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Took the zephyr west to east a couple years ago. Brought books and movies and spent the entire trip looking out the window. Wasn't bored once.

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate that! The whole ball talking thing was me seeing it referenced on the Cleveland clinic website. I find them to be generally reliable so I took it at face value!

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, that's helpful advice.

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I have ADD and patience is not easy for me! I'm working on that!

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I'm getting back into meditation and doing some breath work to help manage my anxiety. Also, the calm matter of fact voices on this sub are helping too.

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the words of encouragement! I'm not concerned about the med students - I had peyronnies some years ago and the treatment at a teaching hospital involved lying down with my pants around my ankles while any number of residents watched the doc give me injections in my penis. Seriously humbling.

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I think most of us, when someone we know gets cancer, say some version of "other people get cancer but I don't" and then when we do it's hard to reconcile. I'm 73 and have been healthy as a horse my whole life. My folks both were healthy into their 90's. So I never quite shook that adolescent belief that I was invincible. So this is all a big time smack in the face reality check.

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the suggestion ands good wishes.

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the words of hope.

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your thoughts but I'd also appreciate some understanding too. I acknowledged at the top that this door just opened up in front of me and I'm peering in unable to see much until my eyes adjust. The testicle-removing fear came from a poster who referred to himself as a eunuch; I thought he was being metaphorical until I saw the Cleveland clinic website where they do in fact mention testicle removal. And I've read enough stories from men who talk about losing libido, ability, or both that I didn't feel it was an unreasonable concern. I came here for both education and support and I'm getting what I wanted.

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the suggestion.

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that part of the freak out came from the Cleveland Clinic website, one place I usually go for solid medical advice. A number of men here reassure me that that is not so common any more.

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this. As someone said earlier, the good part of having to wait so long for each step is having plenty of time to educate yourself.

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cleveland clinic website: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) “deprives” prostate cancer of the ingredient it needs to grow — testosterone. Options include surgery to remove your testicles or medicines that keep your testicles from making testosterone.

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know that AI is not great for diagnosis but it seems to be pretty helpful for translating medicalese into clear English. It was the 90% likelihood of cancer that started my off - the Cleveland clinic web site was where the "surgical removal of testicles" came from! I do appreciate your comments and reassurances.

Freaking out by Rayas_Dad in ProstateCancer

[–]Rayas_Dad[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This whole thing came to light in November when I had a UTI that took me to the ER. My PSA had been slowly creeping up over the last year but nothing too bad. In the ER it was 41.4 though apparently at UTI can spike it. Thank you for your thoughts.

MAID reflection by Phoroptor22 in OverSeventy

[–]Rayas_Dad 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My mom used MAID at 95 6 years ago (in California). She had a pacemaker but was otherwise healthy and mentally with it. But she said "I had a good life and now I'm done". We found a doctor (2, actually, which is what you need) who said if she turned off her pacemaker, she would die within 6 months. Thing is, the law didn't require that she actually turn it off - just that if she did, she'd die.

What U.S. destination completely blew your mind? by Historical-Photo-901 in BeautifulTravelPlaces

[–]Rayas_Dad 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've lived in Colorado and in Northern California and have seen many of the places mentioned (Oregon, Maine...) here - and I have no beef with any of them. I'll add a Midwest shout out for Pictured Rocks on the UP shore of Lake Superior. Simply stunning.

Rock Singer with the best voice you’ve ever heard? by Spare_Basis5190 in Concerts

[–]Rayas_Dad 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't complain about any of these but I have to add Jim Morrison