Re: Get a Second Opinion

[Guest guest]

Jim, I think most of us are glad to hear really good news, and that is really good news. It's also a lesson for us all, and that's very important. Get second opinions if there is the slightest question.

Mike

Subject: Get a Second OpinionTo: ProstateCancerSupport Date: Sunday, August 28, 2011, 11:52 AM

I am writing to share my recent experience. After living with a prostate cancer diagnosis for six years, it appeared that I had reached a crisis and would need treatment. This fear was prompted by a sharp rise in my PSA. As part of the process of deciding on treatment I joined discussions on the internet and found many intelligent and sympathetic men and their wives. I must say you brought me great comfort with your compassion and solid information, and I appreciated you greatly. As it turned out the spike in my PSA was temporary, and a new biopsy [2010] did not find cancer. The biopsy before that [2006] also did not find cancer. This is not to say that cancer wasn’t present, but only that none was found. Because of discussions on the internet, however, I was emboldened to seek a second opinion on the original diagnosis made in 2004. The second opinion from s Hopkins

University disputed the original finding. The original pathology report found adenocarcinoma with a Gleeson score of 3+3. The second opinion said the tissue in question was actually benign crowded cells. In other words, I never had cancer in the first place. The doctor who made the original diagnosis re-examined the sample and came to agree with the second opinion. He called me to apologize for his mistake and also wrote a gracious letter expressing sympathy for the fact that I went through seven years of needless anxiety. I have been reluctant to share my good news, since so many of you are suffering. From what I’ve seen of your kindness and compassion, however, I am thinking you will be glad for me. I am grateful to all of you for the support and information you gave when I was contemplating surgery. Believe me when I say I wish all of you the best in dealing

with this disease. ------------------------------------There are just two rules for this group 1 No Spam 2 Be kind to othersPlease recognise that Prostate Cancerhas different guises and needs different levels of treatment and in some cases no treatment at all. Some men even with all options offered chose radical options that you would not choose. We only ask that people be informed before choice is made, we cannot and should not tell other members what to do, other than look at other options. Try to delete old material that is no longer applying when clicking replyTry to change the title if the content requires it

[Guest guest]

I have had the experience of hearing of a suspected serious condition and then discovering it was much less serious. Red Wine all around! I am writing to share my recent experience. After living with a prostate cancer diagnosis for six years, it appeared that I had reached a crisis and would need treatment. This fear was prompted by a sharp rise in my PSA. As part of the process of deciding on treatment I joined discussions on the internet and found many intelligent and sympathetic men and their wives. I must say you brought me great comfort with your compassion and solid information, and I appreciated you greatly. As it turned out the spike in my PSA was temporary, and a new biopsy [2010] did not find cancer. The biopsy before that [2006] also did not find cancer. This is not to say that cancer wasn’t present, but only that none was found. Because of discussions on the internet, however, I was emboldened to seek a second opinion on the original diagnosis made in 2004. The second opinion from s Hopkins University disputed the original finding. The original pathology report found adenocarcinoma with a Gleeson score of 3+3. The second opinion said the tissue in question was actually benign crowded cells. In other words, I never had cancer in the first place. The doctor who made the original diagnosis re-examined the sample and came to agree with the second opinion. He called me to apologize for his mistake and also wrote a gracious letter expressing sympathy for the fact that I went through seven years of needless anxiety. I have been reluctant to share my good news, since so many of you are suffering. From what I’ve seen of your kindness and compassion, however, I am thinking you will be glad for me. I am grateful to all of you for the support and information you gave when I was contemplating surgery. Believe me when I say I wish all of you the best in dealing with this disease.

[Guest guest]

Jim,

I had my slides sent from my home town hospital and reviewed at s Hopkins (JH) for the second opinion. JH agreed it was cancer and the Gleason was 3+3. I had my prostate removed at JH and the report after surgery and analysis was the same 3+3 for the removed prostate. The doctor said the cancer was all contained in the prostate so I may be cured. Have not had a post-op PSA yet. As I look back on the last 2 months it was not that bad except for a little leakage which improves everyday. My stream is like I was 21 again and I have no more back ache when I get up in the morning. Plus everything else works. It is a good idea to get a second opinion or at least have the slides reviewed. Make sure you get your PSA tested frequently and encourage all your buddies to do the same.

Larry

I am writing to share my recent experience. After living with a prostate cancer diagnosis for six years, it appeared that I had reached a crisis and would need treatment. This fear was prompted by a sharp rise in my PSA. As part of the process of deciding on treatment I joined discussions on the internet and found many intelligent and sympathetic men and their wives. I must say you brought me great comfort with your compassion and solid information, and I appreciated you greatly. As it turned out the spike in my PSA was temporary, and a new biopsy [2010] did not find cancer. The biopsy before that [2006] also did not find cancer. This is not to say that cancer wasn’t present, but only that none was found. Because of discussions on the internet, however, I was emboldened to seek a second opinion on the original diagnosis made in 2004. The second opinion from s Hopkins University disputed the original finding. The original pathology report found adenocarcinoma with a Gleeson score of 3+3. The second opinion said the tissue in question was actually benign crowded cells. In other words, I never had cancer in the first place. The doctor who made the original diagnosis re-examined the sample and came to agree with the second opinion. He called me to apologize for his mistake and also wrote a gracious letter expressing sympathy for the fact that I went through seven years of needless anxiety. I have been reluctant to share my good news, since so many of you are suffering. From what I’ve seen of your kindness and compassion, however, I am thinking you will be glad for me. I am grateful to all of you for the support and information you gave when I was contemplating surgery. Believe me when I say I wish all of you the best in dealing with this disease.

[Guest guest]

Good of you to share your experience JimV –

it certainly underlines why a second opinion should be sought – here are some

suggested pathologists for anyone thinking of following Jim’s advice - http://www.yananow.org/pathlabs.htm

One of the points (underplayed largely)

that is coming out of the AS (Active Surveillance) studies is that in about 25%

of the men secondary and subsequent biopsy procedures are unable to find any

sign of prostate cancer. This is also the case for some of the men who have

shared their stories on YANA – see http://www.yananow.org/exp_data.php?desc=All

for the index to those stories.

Jim you might like to share your story on

the myProstate site – see http://www.yananow.org/myProstate.htm

All the best

Prostate men need enlightening, not

frightening

Terry

Herbert - diagnosed in 1996 and

still going strong

Read A Strange Place for unbiased information at http://www.yananow.org/StrangePlace/index.html

From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of JimV

Sent: Monday, 29 August 2011 1:53

AM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject:

Get a Second Opinion

I am writing to share my recent experience. After

living with a prostate cancer diagnosis for six years, it appeared that I had

reached a crisis and would need treatment. This fear was prompted by a sharp

rise in my PSA. As part of the process of deciding on treatment I joined

discussions on the internet and found many intelligent and sympathetic men and

their wives. I must say you brought me great comfort with your compassion and

solid information, and I appreciated you greatly. As it turned out the spike in

my PSA was temporary, and a new biopsy [2010] did not find cancer. The biopsy

before that [2006] also did not find cancer. This is not to say that cancer

wasn’t present, but only that none was found. Because of discussions on the

internet, however, I was emboldened to seek a second opinion on the original

diagnosis made in 2004. The second opinion from s Hopkins

University disputed the

original finding. The original pathology report found adenocarcinoma with a

Gleeson score of 3+3. The second opinion said the tissue in question was

actually benign crowded cells. In other words, I never had cancer in the first

place. The doctor who made the original diagnosis re-examined the sample and

came to agree with the second opinion. He called me to apologize for his

mistake and also wrote a gracious letter expressing sympathy for the fact that

I went through seven years of needless anxiety.

I have been reluctant to share my good news, since so many of you are

suffering. From what I’ve seen of your kindness and compassion, however, I am

thinking you will be glad for me. I am grateful to all of you for the support

and information you gave when I was contemplating surgery. Believe me when I

say I wish all of you the best in dealing with this disease.